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Indonesian President Suharto is acting like a kleptocrat who allows those under his care to suffer for his failures [WORLD, March 23]. He must be made to understand that finding solutions to Indonesia's economic disarray isn't about losing face but about the salvation of 202 million people. This "my way or the highway" behavior of Suharto's is an insult to those who have come to Indonesia's aid. Suharto is finding it hard to relinquish even a modicum of authority. ROY CHRISTY Bangalore, India
CAN NIKE FIGHT BACK?
The descent of Nike, its loss of sales in the U.S., is great news [BUSINESS, March 30]. Nike has done more than its fair share to mislead the youth of America through unrealistic and outrageous TV commercials. Athletes who come from disadvantaged backgrounds should be acting as role models for youngsters, but they accept millions of dollars to promote Nike and seem to care little about kids who come from similar backgrounds. I have discouraged others from buying Nike products for years; now I hope millions of parents will do the same. Should Nike have a change of heart, stop misleading America's youth and become a made-in-the-U.S. company instead of using cheap labor in Asia, I could change my opinion. JOHN R. GALLOWAY Las Vegas
Nike shoes have been priced out of the reach of many Americans for some years now. The single best remedy for the company's woes is to market its products at a reasonable price. Charging $100 for a $50 pair of running shoes won't do. We have to be able to afford Nikes in order to wear them. MARC MCCLENAHAN Scottsdale, Ariz.
I dislike the Nike company because it pays athletes a fortune to pitch its products, buying its way into any market it wants. Bah! I have boycotted Nike's products for years, and will continue to. This company is the Microsoft wannabe of the athletic-shoe industry. MIKE NAJERA Haslett, Mich.
THE ROLE OF COURT CLERKS
Former Supreme Court clerk Edward Lazarus' book Closed Chambers [NATION, March 30] presents a misleading and distorted account of the 1988 term of the court, including what he says about me. It's sad that Lazarus has violated his duty of confidentiality to the court for money and has maligned the honorable men and women who have served as Justices and law clerks. His notion that 27-year-old law clerks "spoon fed" legal arguments to America's most eminent jurists is absurd. His conduct is particularly reprehensible because he knows those of us who adhere to the court's ethical canons may not respond specifically to his allegations. I can say, however, that I have helped defend capital and other criminal defendants since my clerkship. ROBERT J. GIUFFRA JR. New York City