Quotes of the Day

Seldom have I read a more disappointing interview than the one given by Baroness Ashton [March 8]. In it she seems unable to address issues of substance. She seems wishy-washy not only on European foreign policy objectives, but also on her duties. Witness her platitudes such as "my job is to keep traffic moving" and "my job is to move the policy on. Not just for the E.U., but other parts of the world." The lady is certainly living up to the disappointment felt in some quarters at her selection as Europe's top diplomat. Truly, Europe (and those who look to it as a counterweight to other superpowers) deserves better.
Hayat Mehdi, VIENNA

The problem is that the E.U. was not set up to be a global hammer-throwing political power. The member states did all that 200 to 300 years ago, and history has moved on. The Lisbon Treaty was not designed to colour chunks of the planet blue with yellow stars. Its job is to get the national economies of 27 extremely diverse nation-states working together more smoothly than before, and getting the politics united is just part of that economic lubrication. Better by far to be underwhelming and effective rather than overbearing and running a democracy where agreed national reform legislation — vitally needed — can find itself blocked due to the lack of one Senatorial vote.
Caroline Walcot, BRUSSELS

Learning the Truth
After reading Tristana Moore's article about homeschooling, I rushed to inspect my children's textbooks for inappropriate subject matter and profanity [March 8]. I found nothing of the sort. But then I don't mind my children being taught about sex and evolution. The Romeikes do. We are Christians; the Romeikes are fanatics. I resent the tone of the article, which implies that Germany is an oppressive and intolerant country. That is complete nonsense. Germany is very liberal, it just doesn't support religious fanaticism, which is a good thing. And I'm not even German — I'm British.
Nicola Stöhr, BRUEGGEN, GERMANY

Hope in the West Bank
Thank you for Joe Klein's article "West Bank Renewal" [March 8]. The West Bank and Gaza provide a study in contrasts. In the West Bank, where Palestinians made a commitment to peaceful coexistence, Israel has removed checkpoints, increased trade and invested in local businesses. In Gaza, where Hamas continues to threaten violence, the economy remains in ruins.
Joel Margolis, HERNDON, VA., U.S.

Thanks for Klein's thoughtful and moving words about how West Bank Palestinians have been trying to improve their circumstances. Such honest commentary is strangely rare in the U.S. But it's a little patronizing to mention Palestinian good behavior as if Palestinians have been bad students for no reason whatsoever. If someone stole our homes and land, we might act up too.
Naomi Shihab Nye, SAN ANTONIO

The Nazi propaganda machine was infamous for portraying Jews as vermin who had infested Europe. I take the greatest offense to Klein's reference to Jewish communities, "settlements," situated over the Green Line as "an infestation that most Palestinians, rightly, consider a continuous invasion of their land." His opinion of their legality is a separate issue, but his choice of language is debasing and dehumanizing.
Ardie Geldman, EFRAT, ISRAEL

• Learning the Truth; Hope in the West Bank