Letters

(2 of 2)

Echoes of Colonialism

Re Michael Elliott's kiplingesque comparison of President Bush with the British imperialists [Global Agenda, July 8]: past imperial powers colonized for profit and power. Current nation building by the U.S. is an assertion of power, but for moral rather than profit motives. The call by President Bush for new Palestinian leaders who are not compromised by terror is no different from the Afghans' insistence that the Taliban not be allowed in their new government. How can we oppose that?
ANDREW B. EHRNSTEIN
Centennial, Colo.

Two Little Words

A U.S. court has ruled that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment [Essay, July 8]. Lance Morrow described the decision as "almost wanton in its cluelessness about the American mood" and delivered at a "ridiculously inappropriate moment." It is, however, the court's obligation to give no consideration to the mood of the American people; it is the court's obligation to find the law. The court is not composed of politicians. The U.S. Constitution requires that the government remain religiously neutral, and that is what the Ninth Circuit affirmed.
NATHAN WHITEHORN
Palo Alto, Calif.

As a christian, i am proud that we include "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. They are only two words. People also have the right not to say them. Personally I like being able to show terrorists that we know how to honor God with respect and without violence.
MELISSA TERESE WILDS
Iowa, La.

May I suggest that the phrase "under God" be changed to "with faith"? These words can be said with sincerity by those with who have faith in some divinity, faith in universal nature, faith in the people of our nation, faith in our Constitution or faith in freedom.
PAUL WEST
Chicago

Corrections

In Walter Kirn's introduction to our report on Lewis and Clark [July 8], the quote that began "A hundred years ago" and included the phrase "cold warriors in the forest" was mistakenly attributed to Professor James Ronda of the University of Tulsa. Instead, it was said by Mark Spence, associate professor of history and chair of American studies at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill.

The credit for the photograph of Lewis and Clark's compass included an error [July 8]. The credit should have read, "National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution." TIME regrets the errors.

Transcendent Musical Appeal

I was tremendously disappointed by your meager three-sentence obituary for Rosemary Clooney [Milestones, July 8]. After all, it was Time that had the foresight to feature the songstress on its cover almost 50 years ago [Feb. 23, 1953]. You recognized her appeal, one that ultimately transcended generations, changes in musical tastes and fickle audiences to make Rosie a fixture on the American popular-music scene for decades. Forget about TV's first Survivor winner, Richard Hatch: Rosemary Clooney was the original survivor.
ROBERT BAROUH
New York City