Inbox

Violence in South Africa
As a white South African committed to a future in our beautiful country and sensitive to criticism of its fragile democracy, I was ready to pull apart Alex Perry’s cover story before I’d even read it [“Oscar Pistorius and South Africa’s Culture of Violence,” March 11]. Sadly, however, I have to admit that he managed to get it right. Violent crime, massive inequality and rampant corruption are crippling our “rainbow nation.” I agree with Perry’s statement that “it takes a collective effort to stop a country from falling apart” — then perhaps we can truly realize the vision that Nelson Mandela had for South Africa.
Clive Battell,
Knysna, South Africa

Yes, crime is out of hand in our beautiful country, and yes, the past is also to be blamed. But to dig as far back as the Battle of Blood River in 1838 is really overdoing it. No quick and superficial assumptions about South Africa can explain its situation at present. The article is callously written and discounts the goodwill of so many South Africans who are trying hard to make this country work.
Gina Boysen,
Gansbaai, South Africa

Perry’s description of violence in South Africa is anchored in hard fact and cannot be disputed. Yet in his attempt to describe the country, he drives the image too far. The other half of the story needs to be told: overwhelming numbers of South Africans view crime and violence against women and children with abhorrence. Citizens no longer accept police brutality or mindless violence against the vulnerable. Perry concludes his dark sketch by suggesting South Africa is disintegrating. I believe your correspondent misunderstands the nation’s psyche. We overcame colonial oppression, apartheid and condescending outsiders. Our potential is yet to be realized; I invite Perry to look more closely.
Anthoni van Nieuwkerk,
Randburg, South Africa

Tomato-Based Solution
Re “Welcome to Ground Zero of the Modern European Tomato” [March 11]: The song of praise for the efficiency of tomatoes growing in the Netherlands neglects to consider one aspect that, in the long run, may become more and more important: the amount of energy needed to maintain this kind of artificial production and the concomitant emission of carbon dioxide. Perhaps the Greeks will do better in the long run after all.
Walter Leuthold,
Zurich

The article suggests that saving Europe depends on southern countries copying northern ways, but I doubt this will bring about an effective solution. Europe’s salvation is predicated on understanding why countries that possess resources and competitive advantages to produce superior products are not able, or willing, to capitalize on them. Some things — like a Dutch system and a Greek environment — just don’t go together.
Rubén García González,
Nijmegen, The Netherlands

No Laughing Matter
Re “Italy’s Election Is a Joke” [March 11]: If comedian Beppe Grillo’s political movement were to win the next elections, Italy would be able to replace the current age of depredation with an era of direct, responsible government by morally upright representatives. I hope, for Italy’s sake, that Grillo will have the last laugh.
Claudio Trevisan,
Calusco D’adda, Italy

Elections aren’t a joke for us: Italians voted for Grillo as an alternative to the old political establishment because they want concrete answers to the economic and social crises. Italy isn’t a fragile or failed nation. The young generation is dynamic, eager to work and hasn’t lost hope. Europe has to stop being afraid of Italy and start believing in it.
Sara Marconato,
Venice

Pipe Nightmare
Mocking tree-hugging activists is the easy thing to do [“I’m with the Tree Huggers,” March 11]. We all want to be on the safe side — rational, smooth and aloof, not hanging from a tree chanting green slogans like some idiot radical. However, as Michael Grunwald so eloquently points out, this time the tree huggers are spot on: the planet is on fire. What President Obama needs to do is pick the Keystone XL pipeline as his battle and set a precedent in support of earth’s unkempt tree huggers.
Rose Gjovik,
Benalmádena, Spain

Champion of Public Health
Re Milestones [March 11]: I was a typical college student in the late 1980s whose life consisted of hard studying and hard socializing, until a leaflet appeared in my dorm room warning each of us in no uncertain terms to protect ourselves against a deadly disease called AIDS. We immediately felt how the signatory, the late U.S. surgeon general Dr. C. Everett Koop, had really taken the trouble to reach out and ensure that we all stayed alive and well — precisely as described in his obituary. I am certain that Koop’s efforts saved countless lives not just in our dorm but also throughout college campuses and beyond.
Alan Roth,
London