Conversation

What You Said About …

BOWE BERGDAHL

Many were angered by David Von Drehle’s June 16 cover story on the exchange of Bergdahl for five Taliban prisoners–and by the question on our cover, which Shirley Mayhew of West Tisbury, Mass., called “cruel and distasteful … I feel the pain that this cover must have brought to his parents.” The politics of his release was hotly debated as well. “Absent absolute proof of defection, ‘No soldier left behind’ should be absolute, not conditional,” wrote Jeffrey Moss of San Francisco. “It is abhorrent to me that some are evaluating if this soldier deserved to be punished by being left behind. That is a decision for a military court, not a mob of ideologues.” Meanwhile, Jerry Mobley of Saint Cloud, Fla., praised TIME’s “excellent account of the recent prisoner exchange” and called poor communication over the deal “the biggest mistake Obama has made to date.” Martin Bensky of Richland, Wash., was more optimistic, concluding, “Perhaps the President raised his ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner too soon and too high, but all in all, I’d say we got the better end of the deal.”

HILLARY’S INEVITABILITY

Joe Klein’s analysis of Hillary Clinton’s potential obstacles in 2016 sparked a debate on Clinton’s coziness with the 1%. “Perhaps the Hillary barrage will remind America of just how bad the Clintons (and we get both of them with a Hillary win) have been and will be for America,” wrote DanBruce on TIME.com. “I want Hillary,” said Chris Miller of Camarillo, Calif.–on the condition that Elizabeth Warren is No. 2 on the ticket: “With Hillary to handle diplomacy and our national interests around the world, and Elizabeth to renew our economic promise, we can do great things again.”

PHARRELL AND GOD

An opinion post on TIME.com connecting the hit “Happy” to religious yearning prompted skepticism: “It’s one thing to say that humans are hardwired to respond in certain ways to certain rhythmic patterns,” said DeweySayenoff. “It’s insane to conclude that it’s because ‘God did it.'”

WORLD CUP NOW ON TIME.COM

The 2014 World Cup is officially under way in Brazil, and soccer fans worldwide are transfixed, not just by the game but also by the business behind it. (Tickets are $90 to $1,250.) Some highlights of our coverage:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS

Our interactive guide to the 32 teams and the drawing power of their rosters. Topping the list: Spain’s team, worth $916 million, or 9.5% of the total market.

COMMERCIAL APPEAL

A behind-the-scenes look at the epic World Cup spot “The Game Before the Game,” directed by Nabil Elderkin, for Beats by Dr. Dre.

FÚTBOL FLASHBACK

A video homage to the influence of Brazilian soccer, highlighting famous World Cup moments and images of young enthusiasts around the world.

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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

In “The Green Revolution” (June 16), we incorrectly credited the photo of a coal plant. It was taken by Roger M. Richards.