Quotes of the Day

Heroic Efforts in Haiti
The people of Haiti are reminiscent of Sisyphus, who continually rolled a large rock to the top of a mountain only to helplessly watch it roll back down [Jan. 25]. How much futility can be absorbed before hope ends? We can at least be grateful for the immense generosity of the world in the face of this tragedy and the profound resilience of the Haitians' human spirit.
Carol Faubert
Woodstock, Ga., U.S.

Would it not be a minimum gesture for the recipients of excessively large banking bonuses — which are totally disproportionate and cause resentment and disgust in the vast majority of people — to give three-quarters of their bonuses for the past three years to Haiti or to victims of other natural disasters? That might go some way to restoring bankers' disgraceful image.
C. Kizlink
Monaco

In these materialistic times, I have been deeply moved and thrilled to see the whole world coming together to bring help and relief to populations affected by disaster. Terrible though they are, events such as the earthquake in Haiti manage to reach out to the hearts of people and nations everywhere, and bring out the best in them.
Teresa de Mello e Almeida
Lisbon

Clinton Has His Say
Bill Clinton is right when he says all international efforts regarding Haiti are essential so "the Haitian people can reclaim their destiny" [Jan. 25]. However, he misses one point that is key to Haiti's becoming self-sustaining, and that is cultural change. The mix of West African religious and cultural influences prevalent in the country, like voodoo, sends the message that life is dictated by magic, and planning has no effect on the future. Haitian culture must be redeveloped and restructured, and although the circumstances are tragic, this is a time to change in order for the country to move forward and, as Clinton puts it, "escape the chains of the past 200 years."
Norman Singer
Cary, N.C., U.S.

In order to help a country properly, it is first necessary to understand its key problems. Haiti seems to be at a pivotal point in its history: it can continue as before or make the needed changes in government, education and infrastructure. It is time Haiti's previous occupiers redeem themselves and help rebuild Haiti as its own country.
Miriam Allsop
San Diego

The Power of Education
I was stunned to read Aryn Baker's article "Learning Curve" about how important it is for the U.S. to build schools in Afghanistan, and not see mention of Greg Mortensen or his little NGO, Central Asia Institute, which has been responsible for building 131 schools in the most remote areas of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan [Jan. 25]. This modest American nurse has virtually single-handedly (and single-mindedly) brought education to people who have been overlooked by the rest of the world. If anyone deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, it is Greg Mortensen.
Jef Westing
Isle Sur La Sorgue, France

At last a sensible comment on foreign aid for education. One of the easiest projects to fund in developing countries is building a school. Schools are useless without teachers and teachers in developing countries are poorly educated and qualified. Many daunting problems would evaporate if all the world was similarly well educated. A step in that direction would be to channel educational aid into a massive project to send all newly qualified teachers from richer countries on a gap year to teach in an underdeveloped country. The teachers are young, fresh and motivated and would inspire their pupils likewise.
Joanna Perry
Swaziland

Beefing about Carbon
Here in the home of roast beef, cattle have been taking a bashing too [Jan. 25]. Yet if there's one thing this island of sunshine and showers will grow, it's grass. This is why the farmers round here have been grazing cattle on pasture for upwards of 5,000 years. Those neolithic herders had it right. Grass-fed cows don't just produce the heathiest foods, they put fertility (and carbon) back in our soil.
Graham Harvey
Watchet, England