Letters

(2 of 2)

Hey, Garrison, speak for yourself. Ventura was elected by the people. He was a welcome change from "politics as usual." Maybe Arnold is just what California needs.
JOHN HURLA
Park Rapids, Minn.

Dear Garrison, please move to California and run for Governor. You can stay at my house until you get settled.
NICK MIZE
Moorpark, Calif.

Fast-Food Tax?

Re your report on obesity in children [HEALTH, Aug. 25]: Tobacco and alcoholic beverages are unhealthy and unnecessary. Society has chosen to impose taxes on them in proportion to the problems they cause. Why not a tax on junk food? The resulting income could fund medical research, provide health insurance for children from low-income families and build gyms at elementary schools. Of course, legislators would have to resist lobbyists willing to sweeten campaign funds with some plump gifts, but maybe, for the health of America, it's time to cut the fat.
DONNA KEISER
Corpus Christi, Texas

Gumshoe Diplomacy

The arrest of the alleged terrorist mastermind Hambali by Thai police [WORLD, Aug. 25] demonstrates that police work in Pakistan, Yemen and now Thailand can result in the capture of terrorist bigwigs. It's hard to avoid the thought that the Bush Administration's preferred policy of war is largely show business. Police investigations are dull, while war is flashy. And politicians are eager to show they're doing something, not just sitting around.
PAUL KUNINO LYNCH
Katoomba, Australia

Standing Tall

I was appalled by the Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow the use of human growth hormone to boost the height of children [YOUR TIME, Aug. 25]. It sends the message that short is bad and exemplifies social Darwinism, putting those who are short and poor into a subclass from which they will never escape. The wealthy will always be able to afford medical and cosmetic treatments that the poor cannot even dream of.
CRAIG L. COWING
Blooming Grove, N.Y.

Being short is not a burden but a blessing. As someone who is never going to hit the 5-ft. mark, I am proud of my shortness. Everyone has a quirk; mine is being 5 in. shorter than the average female. But who wants to be average? Celebrate your shortness!
DAWN KLING
Lititz, Pa.

Serious Comics

In his article about the popularity of graphic novels and the serious topics they explore [BOOKS, Aug. 25], writer Lev Grossman showed an incredible lack of respect for comic-book writers and artists. His comment that graphic novels are underestimated because they "look just like their less evolved forebears, comic books" was insulting. Comic books, even the ones about superheroes, deserve far more respect. And they can be just as visually creative and well written as the rather pretentious "adult" graphic novels described in his report.
MICHAEL W. LIMBERG
Burbank, Calif.