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--Some of you considered our story just a good opportunity for knee-slapping wisecracks. "The reason I don't do yoga is not the difficulty of getting into the various poses," wrote a California reader, "it's the fear I have of needing to call 911 to get out of them." "I wonder if pretzel-shaped coffins are available," added another Golden Stater. And a third declared, "I've got a better chance of getting a date with your cover subject Christy Turlington than I do of bending over and putting my palms on the floor." Yuks aside, a fourth Californian (What's up with West Coasters?) felt that yoga was a far from newsworthy topic. "Of all the events taking place around the world, you chose to put a supermodel twisted into an impossible position on your cover. Your lack of priorities is disappointing."
A Haunting Mistake
The poignant photograph of commander Scott Waddle [TIME EXCLUSIVE, April 23] agonizing over his departure from his former submarine, the U.S.S. Greeneville, succinctly captures the feelings of America: Oh, how we wish the collision between the sub and the Japanese fishing boat hadn't happened! We all make mistakes; it's human. But we may learn from them, move on and perform better. It is sad that this commander must end his superb career for one mistake, albeit a costly one. It is because of leaders like Commander Waddle that we Americans are able to live a secure and comfortable life. PHILIP M. HALL Homestead, Fla.
TIME's lionization of Waddle was disgraceful. I don't understand why you feel your readers are well served by a biography of an incompetent who contributed to the death of nine people. Waddle is someone who didn't do his job very well. He's a long-haul trucker who fell asleep at the wheel and ran into a family-packed minivan, a cop who thought he saw a gun where there was a wallet. Waddle's actions are what matter. He is guilty of negligent homicide, and he should have gone to jail. NATHAN WEBSTER Stratham, N.H.
In an age when excuses and denials are standard fare, even in the face of obvious culpability, Waddle's acceptance of responsibility is refreshing, if heartrending. He has demonstrated strength of character in the worst of circumstances. He should now be given the time to forgive himself. And the rest of us should forgive him as well. One can only hope that time will heal his wounds and that he will be allowed to use productively his considerable talent and commitment. We need him. M. WAYNE LEWIS Chandler, Ariz.
Where is the story encouraging compassion and prayer for the lost Japanese whose lives were snuffed out? Waddle was no doubt under orders to give his civilian visitors a really impressive ride. But I wonder how his worrisome feelings compare with the mood around the dinner table in the homes of the Japanese whose family members died because of this showboating. DEIRDRE DE CORSIA St. Helena, Calif.
Dignity in Dying