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    When I first started reading the 100, I kept thinking, Really? That person? But even though I might not have agreed with every pick, I found I did indeed agree that somehow the person made a positive impact. Bravo, and thank you for opening minds!

    Heidi Swajanen, EBEN JUNCTION, MICH.

    Partisanship Personified

    Re 10 Questions with Karl Rove [May 10]: Rove's answer to what Democrats might do strategically going into the 2010 elections shows he's afraid that something might get done in a bipartisan way to help the economy grow. Read his words carefully: he does not want something good to happen for the economy this year. Period. This, in a nutshell, is exactly what's wrong with people like Rove and with our overall political climate right now (both Democrats and Republicans). To them, it's not about what's good for the American people. It's only about winning.

    Chris Lindberg, BARRINGTON, ILL.

    Debating Spanking

    Re "The Long-Term Effects of Spanking" [May 3]: As a clinical psychologist, I find the study TIME cites--on spanking resulting in aggression later on--to be yet another one to uncover the obvious. If you hit an adult, he will retaliate immediately. If you strike a defenseless child, he will also hit back--as soon as he has grown old enough to inflict significant pain in a society that has been aggressive toward him. This is simple common sense.

    John Thurston, EAU CLAIRE, WIS.

    When my kids were growing up, we formed a babysitting co-op: 10 families with about 30 children. We all loved our kids. We all spanked our kids. I've had the privilege of watching these kids grow up; the oldest ones are now 15. While not perfect, they are all respectful, loving, happy teens and preteens. This method of discipline can be abused, but if done right, it can help produce amazing kids.

    Therese Stenzel, TULSA, OKLA.

    Testing a 5-year-old for aggression two to three weeks after being spanked will most likely reveal that he or she is still upset, not aggressive. Instead, why not test the millions of adults who were provided good discipline with a few swats on the rear? Studies like this usually set out to prove a point, not to find the truth.

    Dick Rogers, CRESTVIEW, FLA.

    Please. As a father of five wonderful adult children, I never disciplined them so they would "understand what motivated them to do something wrong." Rare spankings were needed to help them understand boundaries and the importance of obeying and respecting parental authority.

    Richard Stanton, THREE RIVERS, CALIF.

    Marriage: There Should Be an App for That

    Re Belinda Luscombe's Essay "Revoking the Marriage License" [May 3]: Here's an easy way to eliminate the Larry King--Liz Taylor multiple-marriage syndrome. We should issue learners' permits, good for two years. After that amount of time, both parties would have to agree whether or not they wanted to renew it, i.e., get married. No lawyers, no alimony.

    Philip Barnett, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.

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