Quotes of the Day

Leadership vs. Loyalty
What a brilliant piece Michael Duffy wrote on Rudolph Giuliani and his loyalty to Bernard Kerik [Nov. 26]. Duffy's snapshot provided one of the most concise and intriguing portraits of a political animal that I have ever read. He truly captured Giuliani through the prism of his relationship with Kerik, possibly his closest ally. And the statement made by an operative from a rival campaign on Rudy's pitch — "I'm not a nice guy. But the people you fear, fear me" — was so articulate a description it gave me pause.
Carl A. Hulbert,
Bellingham, Washington

Duffy gave a thumbnail sketch of Kerik's unpleasant youth and more recent adventures and skewed them into shadowy misadventures, thus trivializing the man's merits and suggesting that what he ultimately did for his city and country was insignificant and self-serving. The intent to mask the story as a critical essay on loyalty — well, it just didn't make the stretch. Ripping Kerik through Giuliani and Giuliani through Kerik is a trite and wearisome pastime, isn't it?
Chris McLoughlin,
Atlanta

So the moralizing Pat Robertson has endorsed moral family man Rudolph Giuliani. It's a match made in heaven. Giuliani's supposed family values are questionable, not just because of his three marriages, and not just because second wife Donna Hanover only learned she was being dumped from a televised press conference Rudy was giving. While Hanover and their kids were still living at Gracie Mansion, he asked Judith Nathan, his mistress at the time, to move in with them. A judge finally had to intervene and bar Nathan from the place. Despite the indecent manner in which Giuliani treated his family, the professional moralists in the Republican Party — like Robertson — will vote for him.
Arlene Philomena,
New York City

Bolton's Strategy
I was dumbstruck by the incongruity of former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton's replies to readers' questions [Nov. 26]. Since he has been our emissary to the world, I would expect him to be an intelligent and capable man. But his comments were like those of an actor promoting a new movie (of course, he's promoting his new book). It is inconceivable that a diplomat would believe the simplistic and readily disprovable worldviews he expressed. On the other hand, such opinions will sell books, presumably to Bolton's financial and political gain. My spirits are raised only by the possibility that peacemakers may one day receive their due rewards.
Michael Bush,
Port Orange, Florida

Bolton said if the U.S. were ever to use military force against Iran, the nation would "need to make it clear to the people of Iran that this is not aimed against them." Does he suggest sending that message before Iranian people are maimed and killed — or after?
Neil McKenty,
Montreal

The Bhutto DealGoes Bust
In shutting down private TV channels and detaining opposition political leaders and protesting lawyers, the dictatorial President Pervez Musharraf has purged the basic human rights of a civilized society [Nov. 26]. His bloodless coup that overthrew Nawaz Sharif's government in 1999 was welcomed by many citizens, but now the general has lost support. There is dissatisfaction among the masses because of Musharraf's actions, especially his ouster of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. In desperately trying to hold on to power, Musharraf is making a joke of democracy.
Syed Arif Rehman,
Karachi

You pointed out that since Pakistan is a key ally in the fight against terrorism, the Bush Administration deems the regime worthy of continued funding despite Musharraf's unconstitutional actions. This reminds me of how the U.S. backed South American dictators in the name of preventing the spread of communism. Allowing democracy to be revoked does not bode well for U.S. policies in the region, and it is only a matter of time before this ally withers from lack of popular support. Defeating communism required the cooperation of governments; defeating terrorism will require the cooperation of people.
Jitesh Laxman,
Toronto

Twice elected and twice disgraced, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned from self-imposed exile and was in cahoots with Musharraf in hopes of again becoming Prime Minister. Musharraf even agreed to drop corruption charges against her. But the plan has backfired, and Bhutto is now deriding Musharraf and proclaiming slogans of democracy. The opportunistic Benazir Bhutto doesn't care one hoot about Pakistan. She is only hungry for power.
Lochan Bakshi,
Edmonton, Canada

Dynamic Duo
I like the Clintons [Nov. 19]. Why not a female President this time? I was in the U.S. when Bill Clinton was elected President. Now, if Hillary Clinton is elected, I hope she will pursue the health-care program her husband was involved with. Thousands are destitute in the land of plenty, and this should no longer be tolerated if the U.S. is determined to be an exemplary society for the rest of the world. As a pragmatic liberal, Clinton can get the U.S. on the right track, as certainly as it has become derailed under President George W. Bush. She is the right woman and the visionary leader the U.S. needs today.
Dan Chellumben,
Amboise, France

I have been following the U.S. presidential campaign with great interest. Would it not be apt to refer to Hillary and Bill's efforts as the "Hillbilly" campaign?
Rihann Koekemoer,
Johannesburg

The Guts to Serve
After reading Richard Corliss' article about recent war movies, I respectfully disagree with his assessment of Lions for Lambs [Nov. 26]. As a Vietnam veteran, I am always alert for unrealistic cinematic portrayals of the U.S. military. My take on Lions for Lambs is that it was about commitment — and the lack of it. The two college students who went to Afghanistan rather than graduate suggested that national service should be compulsory for all young Americans, an idea I agree with. Those students were contrasted with another student who was neither committed to nor excited by anything but getting a big job and a big house. Watching this movie made me proud of the decision I made to join the Marine Corps in 1968.
Carl Anderson,
Prescott, Arizona

Tis Which Season?
Thanks to Nancy Gibbs for her thoughts on the rather confusing and sad overlapping of our holidays [Nov. 19]. It's disheartening that holidays have become a retailer's trap for the consumer and that we've lost their real meaning. I am trying desperately to separate the real from the retail for my 2-year-old son. I had to chuckle while reading the article because just a couple of days before, he and I walked into a store that was decorated for Christmas and he pointed excitedly and said, "Mama, look at the Halloween tree!"
Jennifer Vachon,
Providence, Rhode Island

Hectic as our society may have become, we should be fully aware of what each of the holidays means. Let us make a new resolution prior to our New Year's resolutions, as Gibbs suggested: Let's not make premature preparations for the holidays.
Hajime Ishii,
Chiba, Japan