Inbox

Saving Our Forests
Re “Keep the Jungle Alive” [Nov. 30]: Centuries ago Lord Buddha exhorted every individual to plant and nurture at least five trees in one’s lifetime. However, governments should focus on systematic and sustainable tree plantation and conservation programs. Varieties that are indigenous, fruit bearing, oxygen enriching and medicinal should be planted instead of disorganized planting drives that just inflate numbers. A case in point is the mass planting of a eucalyptus species in India a couple of decades ago that turned out to be disastrous for water levels in some areas. Properly done, the tree bank of the globe will bloom and so will the prospects for our polluted planet.
Bhaskar Ganti
Kanpur, India

Jihadi Diplomacy
Re “Talking with the Taliban” [Nov. 30]: The article datelined Kabul seems to have missed one very important piece of the puzzle: Pakistan, whose porous boundary with Afghanistan and record of intervention there must not be forgotten. Three things must happen for progress: 1) the formation of good government in Kabul, 2) a reconciliation with warlords and Taliban who are not totally possessed by the ideology of the extremist fringe and 3) guarantees from Pakistan to no longer meddle with Afghan affairs. While the first two could still be possible, the third one is a mirage. It is too much to expect Pakistan to play a constructive role in the current imbroglio as it faces increased pressure from fundamentalist groups.
Sharad Bishnoi
Mumbai

There is a church in the Colaba district of Mumbai named the Afghan Church. This was built in 1847 by the British in memory of the soldiers killed in the unsuccessful Afghan war between 1838 and 1843. It will be highly embarrassing for a Nobel Peace Prize – winning U.S. President if he has to build an Afghan Church in Arlington National Cemetery.
Thomas Chaze
Mumbai

I Don’t Cry for You, Macy’s
Re Bill Saporito’s the Moment [Nov. 30]: It’s ridiculous to encourage Americans to spend themselves into further trouble this holiday season. It used to be “American” to spend more than you had. Retailers have had their way for years. Now that Americans are more frugal, stores weep about their lost 30% markups. Does anyone really care about that now? Most people are trying to hold on to their homes, their savings, their retirements. There is nothing wrong with a little Pilgrim virtue when it comes to saving more and spending less.
Bruce McPhee
West Yarmouth, Mass., U.S.

Obama 2.0
Following Obama attorney Greg Craig’s exit, we need an analysis of who “won” in this reversal of campaign promises [Nov. 30]. Why did Craig and his team, who were carrying out Obama’s original promises, lose? What does this portend for the shape of the Obama Administration long-term?
William Gloege
Santa Maria, Calif., U.S.

Preventing Breast Cancer
Re the Spotlight on the new mammogram guidelines [Nov. 30]: Let me see if I have this straight. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force felt that the cost of women experiencing “risks” like anxiety outweighed the benefits of mammogram screening for women under age 50? Despite the fact that yearly screening for this age group “unquestionably” reduced the risk of dying 15%? I am 41, and let me be the first to tell Dr. Diana Petitti — who found the public backlash “surprising” — that I find it more anxiety-provoking to know that my risk of dying from breast cancer may go up 15% if my insurance carrier decides to agree with her panel’s recommendation.
Beth Tobey Cholette
Penfield, N.Y., U.S.

My Kid Could Have Invented That!
How can TIME call BioArts’ cloned pets one of the best inventions of the year [Nov. 23]? I would suggest that those considering cloning adopt one of the millions of shelter animals, then donate the difference to have other animals spayed and neutered. This would help prevent the tragedy of so many unwanted animals in this world — which would be a truly great invention.
Noreen Smith
Neenah, Wis., U.S.

The Ares rocket as a best invention? It is an example of brute force over finesse. Comparing it to the Saturn V is like comparing a Mack truck to a Ferrari. NASA should have been improving on a Saturn-class vehicle instead of stacking existing bricks together. My 50 years in the rocket business tells me Ares will soon be forgotten.
Edward F. McKenna
Norwood, Mass., U.S.