Romney’s Mormonism

As a faithful Mormon and conflicted Democrat, I offer my thanks and appreciation for the thoughtful discussion of “The Mormon in Mitt” [Oct. 8]. The piece was highly informative and remarkably fair to both the candidate and his faith.
Robert E. Riggs, OREM, UTAH, U.S.

Jon Meacham’s story was insightful, but the most striking statement was Romney’s own from 2007 that “Americans do not respect believers of convenience, those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world.” By his own logic, Romney deserves to fail, given that he has reversed course on a variety of issues. And the photo of his polygamous great-granduncle belies GOP assertions that marriage is an unchanging institution consisting always of one man and one woman. Indeed, the Mormons posing as champions of “traditional” marriage today is the height of hypocrisy.
Robert Shaffer, MECHANICSBURG, PA., U.S.

I would say the U.S. has come a long way if the presidential contest is between a black man and a member of a religious minority.
Karin Judkins, TORINO, ITALY

Your expressive cover illustration shows, more than words can, the framework of Romney’s mind. The article also exposed a correlation between Romney’s frequently cited “flip-flopping” and the zigzag course of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which at opportune moments shifts stances on issues like polygamy. What remains is for the American people to decide whether they want to honor with their votes this kind of realpolitik on Election Day.
Helmut Pfanner, LOCHAU, AUSTRIA

In his attempt to destroy Romney’s credibility, Meacham attacks and offends Mormons. I know little about the candidate, but I have had the gift of knowing quite a few Mormons, and they bring their values into every part of their life and spend a lot of their time doing the best for their communities.
Franco Angiolini, MILAN

A Crooner Remembered
It was much to my sorrow and dismay to read that Andy Williams passed away [Briefing, Oct. 8]. He will be remembered by his fans as a well-dressed gentleman who brought a new genre to classic pop music with his soothing mellow voice. Thanks a lot, Andy, for your iconic music.
Syed Rashid Ali Shah, VROOMSHOP, THE NETHERLANDS

Islam’s Radical Fringe
Thank you for the article “The Rise of the Salafis” and for bringing this issue to a wider audience [Oct. 8]. The clash between the secular world and the radical Muslims or political Islam is not limited to countries in the Middle East but can be seen worldwide. Many people in Europe, in areas with large Muslim immigrant populations, are wary of the threat of radicalization of Muslim youth.
Felix Rieder, STUTTGART, GERMANY

Race and the Race
As a proponent of racial progress, I feel uncomfortable with the implications of Touré’s “The Magical Negro Falls to Earth” [Oct. 8]. Do I have to feel guilty or ashamed or that I am somehow an opponent of racial progress if I do not vote for Obama this time around? Instead of voting for a candidate on the basis of the color of his skin, shouldn’t one vote according to his platform and policies? Isn’t that the greatest racial progress?
Zachary Schwartz, LOS ANGELES

Making Americans feel unaccommodating and biased by highlighting Obama’s race makes Touré seem very desperate, myopic and bigoted. If American voters were that narrow-minded, Obama would never have been elected.
Aty Adejo, KARU, NIGERIA

We will be closer to equality when articles like this are no longer published. Mike Meiring, JOHANNESBURG

Spotlight on Venezuela
Many thanks to Tim Padgett for presenting such a realistic and balanced article of Venezuela’s situation [The Twilight of Chávez, Oct. 8]. The recent presidential election has given Hugo Chávez another opportunity to improve things. But it remains to be seen whether this “democratator” would make any changes now. When the next election takes place, he will have been in power for 20 years — too much time for so few results.
Andrés Volpe, CARACAS