Quotes of the Day
McCain: Temper of the Times
Although I am troubled by the refusal of Senator John McCain to answer many of the questions asked of him, the emphasis TIME placed on that aspect rather than on his answers on the issues is another example of the media's liberal bias [Sept. 8]. I was disappointed that the vast majority of your interview with McCain was devoted to his "prickly" attitude, when the full version of the interview on TIME.com had much more substance.
Alanna Rice,
Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Your special issue on the republicans bent over backward to present McCain as an honorable man, but the transcript of your bizarre interview, in which McCain refused to answer simple and legitimate questions, was frightening. It showed a resentful, uncommunicative and uncooperative McCain who was uncomfortable with the straight talk he used to be known for and who had a chip on his shoulder the size of a sequoia. Such a volatile temperament renders him unfit to have his finger anywhere near the button.
Lee Otterholt,
Laguna Beach, Calif., U.S.
Why couldn't McCain simply provide his definition of honor? He misjudged this opportunity by failing to realize that the answer was for those who have not read his books. Read your book, McCain? We've decided to read Obama's.
Jay Fenwick and Cindy Norris,
Boone, N.C., U.S.
In your recent issue featuring Barack Obama, he is portrayed as an all-around person fit for the job of being the next President of the United States. Your articles on McCain were anything but that. He does not get credit for anything that he has accomplished. While I understand there is freedom of the press, there still needs to be freedom of choice.
Rivky Levy,
Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.
TIME's compilation on senator McCain is brilliant and timely. It extols the honesty and integrity of McCain, and it all rings naturally true. Real courage comes from inborn convictions, not training. McCain certainly has the right stuff. Our country needs a President who has guts, not popularity.
Thayalan Cumarasamy,
Cherry Hill, N.J., U.S.
Though I differ with McCain on specific issues, I've always admired his maverick spirit and straight-talk approach to the press. But his interview with TIME raises grave concerns about his choleric temperament. McCain could have defused legitimate questions about his campaign's new discipline in any number of ways, but to put reporters from a major newsmagazine in the deep freeze betrays a fundamental lack of self-control, not to mention candor. Do we really want to elect such a mercurial individual as our Commander in Chief?
Owen Prell,
Mill Valley, Calif., U.S.
What's Next for China
Re Simon Elegant's article on Beijing after the Olympics: It was indeed a mission accomplished [Sept. 8]. When I visited the capital just last April, I saw people beginning to embrace a modern civilization while maintaining their roots in traditional culture. Though others may criticize China's stand on Tibet and Sudan, we can clearly see that the awakened dragon is unfazed by such clamor — both its historical perspective and vision for the future are long and lasting. As we saw during the opening ceremonies, China is willing to share its traditions and accept those of foreign cultures. It is this combination that will eventually produce a better China in the not-so-distant future.
John Paul O. Chua,
Iloilo, The Philippines
