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Wow, what a surprise that the rich are getting richer under a Republican President. I personally think this country is spinning out of control under this Administration, with a war that nobody wants, a relaxation of environmental-protection laws and states and cities that are bankrupt. If Bush is a President of the people, I would like to know who those people are. I will be very active during the next presidential race working to remove this prancing peacock from office. FRANCES J. BELL Pittsburgh, Pa.
His Toughest Critic
In James Poniewozik's review of VH1's show I Love the '70s [TELEVISION, Aug. 18], he mentioned me and the show Ed, characterizing me as a "B-list celeb." I strongly resent this statement. Anyone who has seen my work on television knows I am on the C list. MICHAEL IAN BLACK New York City
Taming the Flames
Your article "Fireproofing The Forests" discussed the thinning of undergrowth and prescribed burns as methods for reducing catastrophic forest fires [ENVIRONMENT, Aug. 18]. In Australia I saw many examples of the maintenance of the land through planned burnings. And as you noted, the practice was also used by the White Mountain Apache tribe. Why can't we learn from these people who have thousands of years of applied knowledge? CHARLES E. PERUCHINI Los Angeles
As the report by J. Madeleine Nash made clear, fire behavior is a complex and highly variable phenomenon that depends not only on geography and the type of vegetation involved but also on the management history of a given stand of trees. This complexity often overwhelms policymakers, who strive for simple solutions to complex problems. It was refreshing to read such a well-written, balanced and scientifically accurate article addressing the nuanced subtleties of a complex issue in a form understandable to both the general public and legislative staff members. JEFF KENNEDY INFORMATION CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Davis, Calif.
Helpful Iraqis Under Fire
Your report "The War's New Front," about attacks on Iraqis who have been assisting U.S. troops [IRAQ COLLABORATORS, Aug. 18], quintessentially depicted the American policy toward the Iraqi people. You noted that Iraqi Fayek Kudayar Abbas was paid $40 a week as a translator, but quit his job after he was attacked. Since anyone working with Americans is in grave danger, it is paramount for the Americans to guarantee Abbas' personal protection. For Americans, Iraqis seem to be the equivalent of paper napkins: cheap to buy, quickly used and disposed of. And there is no shortage of supply. About 25 million desperate people have to find a way each day to get by until the next. GREG PYTEL London
It's not a solution to bomb a country down to the ground for questionable reasons and then totally lose control of everything. Iraq is not the only evidence of the U.S.'s flawed foreign policy. Think of Afghanistan. Has anything improved there since troops landed almost two years ago? No. Corruption is still proliferating, the Taliban is lining up again and the country is still among the poorest in the world. I'm sure we'll see the same results in Iraq. LUC DEFERONT Marseilles
Staying Power