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The servicemen and -women who frequent the clubs in Okinawa act the way they do because of what they see on the Generation X TV they watch. The solution is for the U.S. government to offer a training program that provides a better understanding of Japanese culture and language. Beyond that, anyone who commits rape should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At the same time, anyone who falsely accuses someone of rape should suffer the same fate as a convicted rapist. Then people would think twice about making such charges. RAY FERNANDEZ Okinawa
I am unhappy at the shamelessness of Americans today. Is it O.K. for an American soldier to rape a woman if the place is the parking lot of a bar? Is it O.K. for an American soldier to rape a woman if she is drunk? Is it O.K. for an American soldier to rape a girl if she is a kokujo [a woman who likes black men]? Is it O.K. for an American soldier to rape a woman if he is black? The time, the place, the situation, the woman and the race--none of these can be excuses for rape. NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST Kawasaki City, Japan
Of Digging and Denial
The Israeli researchers' downplaying of the importance of mysterious bones found at Qumran near the Dead Sea [SCIENCE, Aug. 6] is reminiscent of the Vatican's dismissive reaction to the discovery of the Nag Hammadi codices, a set of significant scrolls found before the Dead Sea Scrolls. By rejecting the idea that the bones might be those of Jesus, the Israeli experts may be seeking to protect prevailing religious doctrines. Indeed, your article closes with the sentence "To keep on the right side of the rabbis, the Israeli archaeologists say they have already reburied the bones." I would add that their heads would also fit nicely into the surrounding sand. It is perhaps a small victory that we see the different faiths cooperating on at least one front--their absolute refusal to look at any information that would shed light on the days of Jesus. CARL BACHELLIER Waterdown, Ont.
That Face in the Mirror!
Garrison Keillor's essay about his emotions as he slowly recovered from major surgery [ESSAY, Aug. 13] still has me chuckling. It was right on the mark. I had a similar experience in January, when my heart's plumbing was altered and doctors and nurses looked after me for a week. As Keillor said, a day's work for them, a revelation of human kindness for me. After three days, I was feeling fine and was as flirtatious as any 62-year-old man could be under the same circumstances--that is, until I looked in the mirror the first day they let me wobble to the bathroom and saw a vision of my own grandfather there. Talk about shrinking your libidinous urge! BRUCE GORDON Nanaimo, B.C.
Africa's Endangered Art
Your story on the plundering of our rich African heritage [ARTS, July 30] vividly highlighted the great damage done to our histories. Through the slave trade, colonialism and related humiliations, Africa has been raped over the ages by other countries, particularly the European nations. That is why most of her children see nothing of her dignity and glory to protect; they will sell something off if there's a buyer. However, the sin lies at the rapists' door. As long as Africa's riches are coveted elsewhere, they will continue to be carted away. TEMITOPE O. OYETOMI Akure, Nigeria