Inbox

Behind the Push for An Afghan School
Joe Klein’s story “A Tale of Soldiers and a School” provides a gripping but incomplete picture of the state of educational affairs in Kandahar, Afghanistan [April 26]. Help the Afghan Children, which I help run and which is led by Afghan American Suraya Sadeed, is implementing an innovative peace-education program in Kandahar city that is helping 36,500 children in 22 targeted schools. Our project is far from perfect, but your readers should receive a more balanced picture of current efforts to help children in this very troubled region.
Stephen Perlman,
Fairfax, Va., U.S.

I am a hawk, a conservative and not a Joe Klein fan, but this was an excellent article. As a Vietnam vet, I know we should have come home from there much sooner. Under current circumstances, we cannot save Afghanistan, but we can save Captain Jeremiah Ellis and hundreds like him.
Karl Storath,
Romulus, N.Y., U.S.

Reading about what is happening from a writer at the front lines rather than from pundits sitting behind desks was an eye-opener. Klein’s insightful, thought-provoking story shows the savvy of our troops in assisting a foreign people in their recovery, not just in waging war and creating havoc. It reminds me to offer my thanks to our GIs struggling to help in a land that is so dangerous and different from what most of us know living here in the U.S.
Nanci Watkins,
Frederick, Colo., U.S.

Ellis and those who struggle to change the face of the war in Afghanistan have a daunting task. Guerrilla war waged by foreigners, as history affirms, is an uphill battle, as it means the killing of locals and the strengthening of the opposition. Hence two things are imperative for success: involve the powerful neighboring Muslim countries that recognize the Taliban are a cancer on their religion, and give moderate Taliban — they do exist — a voice in government to divide them from and undermine the extremists.
Captain Connell Maguire, U.S. Navy (ret.),
Riviera Beach, Fla., U.S.

Klein summed up the folly and incompetence of our misguided wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our junior officers, who are the best and brightest, are led by the dumb and dumbest. My advice to Ellis is, Be very proud of your service but upon discharge, run away from the Army fast. They do not deserve your intelligence and for sure don’t deserve your life.
Ed Henry,
Milton, Del., U.S.

Please have Klein do a follow-up piece in six months so we’ll know how Ellis fares and if the school gets a passing grade.
Peter van Dernoot,
Denver

The Manila Candidate
Re “The Next Aquino” [April 26]: You did justice to the man in your profile of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Philippines. Blessed is the man with a compassionate heart for he shall always work not for himself but for the common good of the Filipinos in general. Destiny will propel Noynoy to the presidency of our country.
Alex Yu,
Lucena City, The Philippines

Aquino represents the tired old face of Philippine politics: a familiar name, a dynastic background and oligarchic connections. His record as a Congressman and Senator is abysmally insubstantial. He isn’t even his own person as he plans to replicate his mother’s unsuccessful administration. Our country can never move forward if it will continue to be run by the same old political families.
Jack Sotto,
Manila

Many times we gave our trust to our leaders, only to be betrayed a hundred times over. Ever the resilient people, we have mastered the art of living “smiling,” the burden real yet seemingly lightened by a silent optimism anchored in faith. This optimism is at times mistaken for indifference. However, we have proved many times that if the situation calls for our action and participation, we are ready. Volunteerism is on the rise. People are actively participating in the election process and many will be there for Noynoy — who is a symbol of change. We hope that he may inspire us to each make a contribution that propels our country back to where we were 50 years ago and beyond.
Mylene Trasmañas,
Laguna, The Philippines

Tragedy in Poland
Thank you for “From Tragedy, Hope” by Zbigniew Brzezinski [April 26]. The genuine compassion that the Russians have shown during this sad time for the Poles will help mend old wounds. It is another landmark on the road to recovery from World War II, and the significance that it has for Europe and the rest of world will reach further than anyone’s initial expectations.
Rebecca Wetherbee,
Chino Hills, Calif., U.S.