Letters

(2 of 2)

By the time the inspectors begin their work, Iraqi technicians and scientists will probably have already made an end run around them. The inspections will be moot before they even start. What a laughable game the U.N. loves to play, to give Saddam the benefit of the doubt. As for producing a list of his weapons, has anybody heard of fudging?
Mike Martinez
Lakeland, Minn.

It is inconceivable that Saddam would have voluntarily disarmed subsequent to the weapons inspectors' departure from Iraq four years ago. This dictator bullyboy has needed weapons of fear for his political survival. Leopards don't change their spots!
Stewart Caro
Cardiff, Wales

The impending war in Iraq is a feeble attempt to divert the attention of Americans from the failure in Afghanistan. Haven't we seen enough blood, tears and violence? Bullying is the only attitude that America's President can display to the world. Boasting is his most prominent means of expression. The greatness of a nation starts with the greatness, justice and magnanimity of its leaders, not with their intimidating bully-like behavior.
Arturo Abbiati
Milan

Is Al Still a Contender?

your insightful article on al gore's re-emergence suggests that the real Al is finally coming through [Nation, Nov. 25]. It is a shame that political campaigns have become such media circuses that politicians feel they have to rely on handlers and cannot speak out truthfully on the issues. If Gore sticks to what he believes in and honestly addresses Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, his disastrous economic policy and his warmongering, he will certainly have my support.
Mary Bagwell
Atlanta

Your headline was "The Making Of A Comeback," but it should have been "The Warming Up of Leftovers."
Debra Wuensche
Edmond, Okla.

After weeks of listening to Bush's war chanting and the top Democrats' indecisive quibbling, I had almost given up hope. Then along came Gore, and my apathy was replaced with relief. Finally, a politician with the guts to tell it like it is. Not only do the Democrats need to put him at the top of their ticket, but the nation should also thank him for saying what every politician was afraid to say for fear of looking unpatriotic: Bush's foreign policy is "a recipe for getting our country in some of the worst trouble it has ever been in."
Jennifer Loman
Chico, Calif.

Syndrome of the Moment

Is developmental psychologist Sharon Heller serious about sensory defensive (SD) disorder [HEALTH, Nov. 25]? She postulates that a person who finds tickling clothes tags irritating, blinking icons on a computer screen distracting and car alarms disturbing is suffering from this so-called condition. With all due respect, I advise her to get out of the house more often. For thousands of years, humans have naturally developed both positive and negative responses to varied stimuli. I hope Heller will revisit her theory and relabel this disorder as a perfectly normal (PN) condition.
Mike Randall
Oakville, Ont.

Indecent Disclosure

What does the former butler of Princess Diana, Paul Burrell, hope to accomplish by selling sordid stories that malign the Princess to whom he professed devotion [PRESS, Nov. 25]? The trashy material brought scandal to the royal family and besmirches the reputation of the Princess, who was truly loved by the world. Could Burrell's motive be greed? Princess Diana touched everyone with her charm and compassion, and that is how she should be remembered not by the words of a servant who betrayed her trust.
Helen W. Joffe
Hamilton, Ohio

Fur Flies on the Catwalk

Kudos to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for crashing the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret fashion show and taking Gisele Bundchen to task for modeling for a fur company [PEOPLE, Nov. 25]. I guess the Brazilian model is all legs and no heart.
Maggie Moore
Virginia Beach, Va.

Bundchen deserved to be singled out by PETA as a heartless fur model. Many models refuse to be associated with the cruel fur trade. Those who promote fur are selling animal misery and death when humane alternatives, such as faux fur, abound.
Allison Pang
Portland, Ore.