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Each year my high school chooses a project geared toward making the world a better place. Last year we worked very hard to raise money to build a girls' school in Afghanistan. When I read your article in 10 Ideas, "Why Afghanistan Is Far from Hopeless," I felt gratified to know that school enrollment has dramatically increased. It's even more satisfying that Afghans feel their country is headed in a prosperous direction. It made me feel like our small-town high school efforts were all the more worthwhile.

Emma Giering, CLARION, PA.

Re "Fix the Deficit? We Can Do That": In a single descriptive phrase about politicians--"More worried about the next election than about the next generation"--writer Marc Goldwein has identified one of the most significant issues crippling America's political processes. We need to eliminate career politicians and limit elected officials in both the House and Senate to single terms so they can spend their time working rather than campaigning. Until we address this flaw, we cannot reasonably expect progress on the tough issues of our time.

Lawrence R. Williams, BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y.

All Things Should Be Considered

"Hatchet Job" was excellent [Tuned In, March 28]. It is disappointing that honest presentation of information matters so little to those who have the public's attention. James O'Keefe's video stings are no more honest than badly Photoshopped pictures in a weekly gossip magazine.

Mark Walker, MEMPHIS

James Poniewozik claims that O'Keefe did a hatchet job on NPR. Has Poniewozik looked at the tactics of Michael Moore, darling of the left? Poniewozik once referred to Moore's work as "artfully constructed and often hilariously funny editorials." If O'Keefe is guilty of using an ax, Moore is guilty of using a chainsaw! I rarely hear a complaint from the left over Moore's tactics.

Donald Fregeau Jr., FORTUNA, CALIF.

Let's Stay Together

Writer-activist Dan Savage's response in 10 Questions that longtime couples are "unrealistic" about the nature of love is foolish and demonstrates his lack of understanding concerning love's transformative power over those 40 years he so blithely dismisses [March 28]. I'm sure we would have all gotten the point if he had just said, "Marriage is stupid, and I don't like it." Despite Savage's blanket assertions about how foolish we all are for entering into a loving, committed marriage, I can't wait until my wife and I have been married for four decades.

Aaron Casavant, LORTON, VA.

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