Inbox

Are Apologies Enough?

I enjoyed reading your cover story, but the cover caption was cheap sensationalism [June 7]. In the article, Pope Benedict XVI foresees a genuine and humbled church cleansed by repentance for its horrible sins. Benedict is trying to be genuine in the world’s largest institution. Give him credit for trying to be a good leader.

David Kunkler, RUSHVILLE, OHIO

I am not a victim of pedophilia, but I almost was. In 1963, when I was 13, a priest at my parish attempted to abuse me, but somehow I managed the courage to not allow it. I realize that the Catholic Church is moving very slowly in the proper direction. Yet will it ever get to total empathy for the victims? Probably not, because protecting the church precludes this, and that will always be its first priority.

Dale F. Klco, LAKE WORTH, FLA.

The Catholic Church wants to have it both ways. On the one hand, it claims the authority to instruct people on moral issues and even insert its teachings into civil law because the church represents Christ on earth. But when the church sins grievously, as with the abuse scandal, it explains it by saying the church is composed of fallible people. Which is it?

Erskine White, NASHVILLE

What caused so many good men to allow so much harm? The bishops live in and are leaders of a male-dominated, authoritarian institution that demands protection–and even love–no matter its faults. Its hierarchy is unlikely to surrender power. Thus it is unlikely that the institution will become democratic, that priests will marry and that women will become priests.

Gerald H. Paske, WICHITA, KANS.

Many of us faithful Catholics have been sickened by and have railed against the way the sex-abuse issue was handled. We continue to strive for hierarchical accountability and reform. But we remain somehow Catholics. This may seem contradictory, but it demonstrates that our faith is far deeper than trust in the Pope or the hierarchy.

David E. Pasinski, FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y.

The child-abuse scandals were a horrible breach of trust and an assault on innocence. It’s also true that the popular media are exploiting the church’s self-inflicted wounds to further an agenda that trends toward a sort of secular nihilism.

Jacques Williams, MORGANTOWN, W.VA.

I am a cradle Catholic. My faith in God and belief in the Eucharist have not changed because of the sex-abuse scandals, but my trust in my church has been decimated. I no longer believe in the infallibility of the Pope or have respect for the church’s hierarchy. The clergy–everyone from the local parish priest up to and including Benedict XVI–needs to understand that we in the pews have had it with the claims of media persecution and with hiding behind the Vatican. I want–I need–to hear my Pope stand up and take responsibility for the heinous actions of his priests and lay out the plan for purging the church of all child molesters, which must begin and end with reporting any and all allegations of abuse directly to local authorities. Failure to do so will result in an exodus from the church, and I will be at the head of the line.

Patty Kerr, TOMS RIVER, N.J.

That’s Not What I Call Libertarianism

Electing folks like Ron and Rand Paul to Congress is like electing an atheist to be the Pope [June 7]. When will Americans get over this “government is the problem” nonsense and stop electing saboteurs? We need efficient government, not big or limited government.

Andrew DiFiore, WINDSOR, CONN.

So Rand Paul opposes abortion, gay marriage and decriminalizing drugs? And civil rights? And sympathizes with BP? That makes him a typical conservative Republican: government can have the power to enact his agenda, nobody else’s. “Freedom” is only for corporations and the politicians who pander to them.

Scott Parsons, ALAMOGORDO, N.M.

Really, Rand, keep your libertarian hands off my body!

Melissa Marsh, ATLANTA

The U.S. and Israel 2.0

Re “Bibi and Barack” [June 7]: At times Israel reminds me of a spoiled child. When that child is told no, it throws a temper tantrum. I agree with President Obama when he said, “Both sides will be held to account for doing things that are antithetical to the peace process.” This is not anti-Semitic but a realistic approach.

Saima Mumtaz, HUMMELSTOWN, PA.

Hmm, What Will I Like Today?

“If You Liked This …” was incisive and thought provoking [June 7]. I never realized how ubiquitous recommendation engines were and how they were able to limit the “long tail” of the Web. However, isn’t Pandora’s model almost in a different category from the rest? Since you can create channels based on one song or artist, Pandora limits the confining effects of these systems. For example, I can hear a song I liked on the radio, plug it into Pandora and have a channel with a whole genre I had never explored, whereas other engines would try to connect the song to my old favorites. In any case, thanks for an interesting article.

Kent Blake, MINNEAPOLIS

Double Down Blues

KFC’s Double Down may make Joel Stein feel as if his testosterone is flowing, but high-fat foods actually raise the risk of impotence [June 7]. As a dietitian, I want to call Stein’s attention to a University of South Carolina study in which men with high cholesterol levels were more likely to report erectile dysfunction. Turns out saturated fat and cholesterol clog arteries and slow the flow of blood to all organs.

Susan Levin, WASHINGTON

Girls’ Guide to Hollywood

TIME’s review of Sex and the City 2 was more balanced than most–yet TIME has clearly missed the point, like almost everyone else [June 7]. Sex and the City 2 knows what it is supposed to be: a hen night, or bachelorette party, on a work night. The story was entirely secondary to its emotional triggers–and for a modern woman, these triggers obviously encompass jobs, relationships, shoes and Australian rugby players’ washboard stomachs. Despite what is a pretty dire movie based on traditional standards, Michael Patrick King has once again tapped into the female psyche in a way most cannot. There is much more than a movie to be covered here.

Ron Kopas, LONDON

Two Sides to the Story In Bangkok

A caption in a story on the recent protests in Bangkok unjustly accused Thai security forces of “gunning down protesters” [May 31]. Thai authorities have exercised utmost restraint. The use of weapons was strictly for defensive purposes and for protection of public safety. Armed protesters inflicted the most harm, using assault weapons and grenade launchers against officers, demonstrators and innocent bystanders alike. The devastation they caused has been widely reported by the Thai and foreign media. We all regret the loss of life. But by blaming security forces for the deaths that occurred, TIME ignores the existence of gunmen among the protesters and perpetuates a biased account of the events–the facts regarding which will be established by an independent fact-finding commission that is being set up.

Vimon Kidchob, Director General, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, BANGKOK

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