Quotes of the Day

In his first 100 days, President Barack Obama has had to address torture, pirates, rising unemployment, trouble in the auto industry and corruption on Wall Street [May 4]. Yet at last I have seen Americans begin to hope for a stronger America. Congratulations, Mr. President, for giving Americans something they badly lacked.
Anthony P. Johnson, PHILADELPHIA

From Day 1 of his presidency, Obama has shown that he is fully engaged in crucial issues. It is very reassuring to know that America is governed by a serious man. It is also motivating to be able to tell our children that one of the planet's most influential leaders can build on rock, yet still have a compassionate heart.
Aziyadé Poltier-Mutal, PULLY, SWITZERLAND

To people abroad, Obama's greatest achievement is casting off the paranoia of the Bush-Cheney era. Opening up to Iran and Syria, getting closer to Turkey and dissociating the war on terror from the vast Muslim world are good signs. The test as always will be Israel/Palestine — and his window of opportunity may be no wider than the next 100 days. Will he define his vision of the two-state solution as compared to Netanyahu and Lieberman's: more settlements, cantonization and no control over water rights or travel? Lieberman has said, "Believe me, America accepts all our decisions." Will the President draw the line — and draw his lines on the map?
Vali Jamal, KAMPALA

Torture and Intelligence
Re "Dumb Intelligence," [May 4]: Robert Baer thinks "persuasion" is more effective than torture. I don't pretend to understand the merits of techniques for extracting intelligence. But as a veteran, I believe that al-Qaeda operatives are not garden-variety prisoners who would respond to persuasion; they have proved to be hate-filled extremists who place no value on human life. I don't like torture either, but if it obtains information that puts a stop to future bloodshed — as it has, according to experts — then I say please resume.
John Stern, GRAND HAVEN, MICH., U.S.

I don't doubt that at least in some cases torture did save lives. In the meantime, how many Muslims have been radicalized against the U.S.? Some of those newly radicalized may be plotting more 9/11s. And many have already killed large numbers of Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Geoff Pietsch, GAINESVILLE, FLA., U.S.

At the end of World War II, Germans trekked west to surrender to Americans rather than to Russians, believing they would be treated humanely. Instead of torturing them, we offered them the Marshall Plan — a shining moment in U.S. history. I hate to see the honor of those Americans squandered in CIA torture chambers.
Mike Burch, NASHVILLE

Say What?
Please stop quoting U.S. college graduates like Graham Boyd — whom I would have failed in primary school — who massacre English: "Searching a backpack is dramatically different than [from] asking a student to take their [his or her] clothes off" [Verbatim, May 4]. It's, like, embarrassing, man, when you use TIME to teach people English.
Frank O'Meara, L'ISLE-ADAM, FRANCE

• Torture and Intelligence; Say What?