Quotes of the Day

Nation Examination
The Chinese government tends to treat its people like idiots, like we are not intelligent enough to tell what's true and what's not ["Murder, Lies, Abuse of Power and Other Crimes of the Chinese Century," May 14]. There is a wide perception among the Chinese people that all officials are corrupt and abuse power. The government should stop ignoring the fact that there's growing distrust toward it. By ruthlessly cracking down on dissenting voices and perpetually glossing over officials' misdeeds, China's government is undermining its own credibility.
Yang Yang,
Singapore

Just substitute the word China with U.S., and one can have a long list of events to write the same story about America. I am not here to sing the praises of communism. I am concerned that this type of sensational article provides an opium for the mass of unemployed, or fearful of being unemployed, in the U.S. for short-term emotional relief. Yet it fails to help readers realize the abuses of the rich and powerful in the two political systems of communist China and capitalist America.
Timothy Eng,
Singapore

I'm disappointed to see that you link isolated scandals to my motherland's name. As a Chinese living in America, I would have expressed the same disappointment had you linked the scandal of the ex-governor of Illinois to the rest of the U.S.
Liang Hung,
short hills, n.j., u.s.

A Growing Gap
Carla Power's article paints a desperate picture of London, but sadly, it is one that is true ["Great Divide," May 14]. As the article states, in some parts of London, you wouldn't know Britain was in recession, and people in neighborhoods like St. John's Wood are still spending. The government is helping the rich, while low- and middle-income families are being squeezed by government austerity.
Jack Dyas,
London

Power's article suggests that the success of the City of London since "Big Bang" in 1986 has perpetuated income inequality across London and the U.K. I would contend, however, that over this period the financial sector has been a key driver of jobs and growth benefiting people across the country. That is before we even address the £63 billion [$99 billion] paid in taxes just last year. Yes, the City of London — like all major international financial centers — has experienced an extremely challenging period over the past few years. And yes, that makes it all the more important that City pay reflects performance. But the real answer to income inequality is boosting other U.K. industries and regions, not hobbling successful ones. The City stands ready to do just that.
David Wootton, Lord Mayor of the City of London,
London

Azerbaijan's P.R. Blitz
Azerbaijan is understandably trying to project modernity to counter its negative image of violence and intolerance ["Selling Azerbaijan," May 14]. While no political system is perfect, I think it behooves Western governments to encourage the secular political path being pursued by Azerbaijan in a region where regimes adhere to Islamic doctrine.
Shawki Bazzaz,
banstead, england

The Eurovision Song Contest is projected as a great European love-in. But as noted in William Lee Adams' article, Amnesty International considers Azerbaijan's democratic credentials a "myth." As the lights go on for Eurovision, let us not forget that Azerbaijan remains in conflict with its neighbor Armenia over the disputed, ethnically Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, and has increased defense spending 20-fold since 2003, according to the International Crisis Group.
James Derounian,
cheltenham, england

Out with Italy's Old
I read with interest Stephan Faris' essay about the disheartening Italian political situation ["Fiddling While Rome Burns," May 14]. A solution could be a democratic election of competent, young, fresh faces instead of the old ruling class. The results of the recent municipal elections — with the defeat of Silvio Berlusconi's and Umberto Bossi's parties — the reduction of the other traditional parties and the success of Beppe Grillo's movement show that maybe a change of season is beginning.
Stefano Bargiggia,
Milan

The Bechdel Test
Re "Comic Relief" [May 14]: How could an article about Alison Bechdel not mention the Bechdel Test? It is a benchmark, described by Bechdel in her comic strip, that helps us look at how female characters are presented in movies. I even use it in my lectures on gender for medical students.
Mia Fahlén,
Stockholm