(2 of 3)
In response to your special issue on Heroes and Icons [TIME 100, June 14], I would like to point out that 100 years of American dominance in the fields of science, technology, entertainment and business do not make America the "owner" of the 20th century. Many Asian nations have come into their own in the past 100 years. This makes it our century, too, a period when we have fought for freedom and gained our independence. This century should stand as the one in which new independent nations were born in Asia. JEWELLYN DIZON Makati City, the Philippines
I greatly enjoyed General Colin Powell's tribute to the American G.I., but please don't forget the ordinary Russian soldier whose stubbornness and bravery overcame German military might in some of the fiercest battles ever fought. His contribution to the defeat of fascism must be worth noting. MARK FINLAY Hastings, England
Americans consider themselves "preservers of freedom." However, throughout this century, dictators such as Anastasio Somoza, Ferdinand Marcos, Augusto Pinochet, Fulgencio Batista, Mobuto Sese Seko, "Papa" and "Baby Doc" Duvalier and dozens of others were supported by the U.S. and its "G.I. Joes." Don't forget those who were killed by America's "heroes." CARLOS F. ST. SOARES Rio de Janeiro
In contrast to the times when hollywood stereotyped Chinese men as a bunch of Charlie Chans, Bruce Lee triumphed against the odds and showed the West a living, breathing Chinese superman. Lee represents the struggle of American minorities who are treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. WIBOWO SUMARDJO Auckland, New Zealand
THE TRUE BREW
Along with your article on the beneficial effects of soybean products [HEALTH, June 7], you showed a photo of little plastic packets of soy sauce. They contain the sensory equivalent of diesel fuel. This "soy" sauce is an American aberration born during World War II food shortages. Naturally brewed soy sauce contains wheat, soybeans, water and salt and is fermented and aged like wine. If the label reads corn syrup and caramel color, it's not the real thing. BARBARA TROPP San Francisco
CARDING TEEN MOVIEGOERS
It will be an all-time low in American culture if teenagers must show a photo ID to see an R-rated film [NATION, June 21]. Carding kids--or not allowing them to go into an R-rated movie without a parent--takes away the teens' illusion of control. Carding kids isn't going to make them less violent. It is simply going to make them more determined to get back the control they have lost. If that means walking into a school with a gun, they'll do it. In the opinion of this 12-year-old, the solution is to let the parents, not the government, decide what the child should watch. Who knows the youngster better, the parent or the government? JASON GUTIERREZ Pittsfield, Vt.
Your 17-year-old "First Person" writer Kate Carcaterra considers a violent film "a venting mechanism" for teen emotions. It's too bad she hasn't been shown other avenues for handling strong emotions in a mature way, such as communication and physical exercise, rather than relying on an entertainment form to handle them for her. ANNICK DOWNHOWER Arcadia, Calif.
Carding won't work: Kids will buy tickets for a G- or PG-rated movie, then sneak into another film. They do it now; they'll continue doing it. JAHNA MICHAELSEN Hollister, Calif.