Quotes of the Day

As a Pakistani Canadian, I read with great interest your coverage of Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan [Jan. 14]. While I offer sincere condolences on her untimely and fiery death, I must agree with William Dalrymple that her legacy is "mediocre." Far from being a martyr for freedom and democracy, she chose to live a life of luxury in self-imposed exile — in distant Dubai. Although she was Prime Minister of Pakistan twice, she did little to improve the conditions of the masses, particularly women and the poor.
Jalaluddin S. Hussain, BROSSARD, CANADA

Bhutto's return to Pakistan was regarded by many as the force needed to bring Pakistan back to the path of democracy. The sad truth is, there is nothing democratic about Pakistan's so-called democratic parties. At the time of each election, leaders assure us they will make the changes they failed to carry out the last time they were in office. I think that Bhutto's assassination, though unfortunate, will probably bring more change to Pakistan's political process than a third tenure as Prime Minister would have.
Amna Mansur Khan, ATLANTA

Bhutto's assassination highlights once more the deep contradiction between the U.S.'s stated aim of advancing democracy around the world and its actual practice of backing friendly dictators like President Pervez Musharraf when it suits U.S. interests. The Bush Administration will retreat to its co-dependent relationship with the dictator, regarding him as the only remaining bulwark against a Taliban-style fundamentalist theocracy armed with nukes, and will probably flirt no more with any notion of a truly democratic Pakistan. These chickens will one day come home to roost.
Mark C. Eades, OAKLAND, CALIF., U.S.

What prompted Bhutto to stand unprotected in the vehicle that carried her on the last day of her life? That act alone showed a woman who, though blessed with beauty, charm, charisma, wealth and education, was devoid of discipline and mature judgment.
SaraKay Smullens, PHILADELPHIA

While your article on Bhutto was informative, it was disheartening, cold and disrespectful. Bhutto may have been a woman with a discrediting past, but it's safe to say that she intended to make things right. Calling her a "martyr without a cause" acknowledges only her past indiscretions. It seems that you disregarded what might have been.
Ryan Sabean, TAMPA, FLA. U.S.

I just couldn't believe that the cover read, "Why We Need to Save Pakistan." Absolutely shocking. At this crucial time for our country, TIME suggests we divert our lives and money to save Pakistan — as if it even has a chance of being saved. Haven't our experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan proved that our presence has accomplished little or nothing, made more enemies throughout the world and cost trillions of dollars? It's about time we stopped sacrificing American lives for impossible causes.
Ed Jacobson, WHITING, VT., U.S.

Bhutto, like her father, connected with Pakistan's downtrodden masses. She represented the hopes and aspirations of the country's poor and disenfranchised. For millions of her followers, her inability to deliver really did not matter. In a country ruled by inept, corrupt generals, Bhutto was an icon of defiance and courage. In death she has become larger than life. Her indefatigable struggle for democracy and her willingness to take obvious risks overrode much of the paradox that is implied in the article. Seemingly fragile yet politically astute and daring, Bhutto will continue to be a potent force in Pakistan's troubled landscape.
Mushtaq Ahmed, DYER, IND., U.S.

The assassination of Bhutto is not just a tragedy but the single most depressing act of violence in recent times. It is, of course, a great sadness for her family and also a source of desperation for her country: if she had succeeded in elections there would have been some hope of restoring a form of democracy in Pakistan. We are now faced with turmoil in an already troubled and volatile part of the world, and since the West depends so much on Pakistan's support in the campaign against terrorism, I fear we will be subjected to a sustained campaign of violence.
Gabrielle Spray, COLCHESTER, ENGLAND

Pakistan needs Musharraf's strong leadership to weather the political backlash as Bhutto supporters try to link him to a supposed plot to kill her. Accusing him of plotting Bhutto's death is wrong. Cars have been burned, and Musharraf symbols have been destroyed out of hatred and anger. Total chaos must not be tolerated, and martial law might have to be imposed to preserve the nation. Extremists must not be allowed to win the day upon the body of Bhutto.
Crystal Dueker, FARGO, N.D., U.S.

The death of Bhutto and subsequent events should serve as yet more reminders that Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran are not ready for democracy. Despite all the patriotic, spread-the-good-news rhetoric, what the Bush Administration and others fail to recognize is that democracy must come from within the heart of the people, and Islamic societies are ill-prepared for democracy.
Charles Osteen, NORTH PLATTE, NEB., U.S.

Bhutto was the most powerful advocate of secular democracy and had the courage to confront both Islamic militants and Musharraf's autocratic government. Bhutto's untimely death leaves the Bush Administration with no clear strategy. The U.S. must follow up aggressively to make sure that Musharraf honors Bhutto's memory by continuing the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life. President George W. Bush must demand that opposition leader Nawaz Sharif be allowed to run and that the fired Supreme Court judges be reinstated. American policy must be directed at building a strong democracy in Pakistan.
Waris Shere, BANGALORE, INDIA

The Many Sides of Mitt
Re Joe Klein's "A Tale of Two Romneys": It sounds as if Mitt Romney has us all confused as to who the real Mitt is [Jan. 14]. I only hope it's bad advice from incompetent advisers and not the man himself. As a Democrat-leaning independent, I was willing to overlook Romney's Republican ways because of what he accomplished in private business, with the Utah Olympics and as governor of Massachusetts. An awareness of his father's untarnished reputation while governor in my home state also didn't hurt. But his seesawing pegs him as a politician desperate for any and all votes. He's trying to be what most marketers learned long ago doesn't exist: a product that satisfies all the people all the time. Romney would be better off expressing his convictions and having people's respect, if not their 100% agreement.
Rosemary Rokita, HARRIETTA, MICH., U.S.

Klein made Romney out to be more dishonest and empty at his core than his rivals. All the candidates try to be all things — or at least most things — to all audiences. While Klein made some excellent observations, he failed to back up his assertion that Romney's campaign is uniquely deceptive. With "A Tale of Two Romneys," we got the best and the worst of Klein.
Bruce Rider, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, U.S.

Leading Russia into the Future
Since you acknowledge that person of the Year Vladimir Putin [Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008] has distinguished himself by "choosing order before freedom," I wonder why you didn't select President George W. Bush a third time for his choosing safety from terrorism before terrorists' rights [Dec. 31, 2007–Jan. 7, 2008]. No, TIME would much rather recognize a virtual dictator for his supposed achievements: violently suppressing dissent, crushing the free press and heading a regime that has been accused of murdering opponents and expropriating private property for the state. On the other hand, TIME loves to natter on about how Gitmo prisoners should be granted U.S. constitutional freedoms, privileges and rights because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time during a war. You have lost all perspective and are (quite literally) incredible.
Paul Burich, LOS GATOS, CALIF., U.S.

Your article about Putin was informative and insightful. I find him more honest and certainly more intelligent than Bush. Your article mentioned that the people of Russia are willing to give up some of their freedoms for stability. I would make the case that many Americans are also willing to give up freedoms for security.
Eddie Staples, AURORA, COLO., U.S.

Bravo, TIME, for the year-end wrap-up and Person of the Year selection. Putin has so far served his country well, but he reminds me of the classic western movie sheriff who is brought in to clean up a town and then becomes a bigger bad guy than the bad guys he was asked to eliminate. Putin was weaned by the KGB, and I anticipate the worst from him. His very expression is off-putting. I'm 80 years old, not a profane person and quite benign in my declining years. But when I opened the magazine and saw that low-angle shot of Putin, I impulsively shouted a curse, like an uncouth youth.
Andrew Halmay, TORONTO

• The Many Sides of Mitt; Leading Russia into the Future