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Partnering with Pakistan

In "Frenemies" [May 23], Aryn Baker suggests that Pakistan needs some show of support to rebuild its trust in the U.S. Why isn't the aid we send enough? And why is it assumed that Pakistan is the only side that needs, and deserves, some reassurance? Considering that the world's most wanted man was living--barely even hiding--in plain sight for five years in their country, I think a show of support from the Pakistanis is what is needed. Let them prove to us that what they really want is to be our allies, because that's not the message that I'm getting so far.

Alexandra Pochert, KENTWOOD, MICH.

Pakistan is a mess. However, the U.S. cannot absolve itself completely from the disarray. After Pakistan served our interests in getting Soviet forces out of Afghanistan, it was abandoned and left to deal with the postwar chaos. Pakistan must revamp itself and correct its wrongdoings, but concurrently the U.S. must acknowledge that its shortsightedness added to Pakistan's woes. Redemption is possible with a true commitment to resolving problems and not merely placing a Band-Aid on them.

Mansura Bashir Minhas, MIAMI

Who'll Stop the Rain?

Michael Grunwald states that the increased frequency of severe floods of the Mississippi River "could be a symptom of global warming, although there's not yet proof" ["Who Controls the Mighty River?" May 23]. It is a fact that humans have created a warmer planet by burning fossil fuels, and a direct result of this warming is increased, episodic, heavy rainfall that leads to flooding. The debate on global warming is no longer a debate. Please don't suggest that the science is inconclusive, as it breeds passivity at the exact moment we need the energetic engagement of everyone on the planet to avert a climate disaster.

Felicia Taghizadeh, ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

It is time to remove the Army Corps of Engineers from its position of responsibility for rivers, lakes and flood control. The Air Force does not manage air transportation, the Navy does not manage seaports, and the Army does not manage highway systems or road transportation. Even though many corps employees are civilians, the chiefs are still professional soldiers educated primarily at the U.S. Military Academy. Establish a purely civilian organization with true professionals.

Robert C. Tugwell, Lieut. Colonel (ret.), U.S. Army, BELTON, S.C.

My Generation, Baby

As a soon-to-be voter (I am 17), I appreciated "The Cool Kid" on presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman [May 23]. It is nice to see a serious Republican candidate among all those in the GOP opting for fearmongering and swift-boating. It will be especially pleasing to see how Huntsman's personality as a calm, levelheaded, worldly person interacts with President Obama's in the election. Finally, a moderate Republican. Who knew?

Zach Clifton, BEL AIR, MD.

Thanks for the much needed information on Huntsman. Perhaps he will be the Republican candidate with enough intelligence and sanity to enable a civil discussion on the priorities of our country and offer realistic ways to address them.

Italo Sinopoli, CANTON, OHIO

The Wage Gap