Weighing Influence
I enjoyed this year’s TIME 100, featuring the most influential people in the world [May 14], especially the stories of everyday unsung heroes like U.S. Army Captain Timothy Gittins, Chinese blogger Zeng Jinyan and construction worker Wesley Autrey, who saved a man’s life in the New York City subway. They prove you don’t have to be a politician or a billionaire to do the right thing. In the end, simple acts of humanity and justice can change the world. I look forward to discovering what I can do to help our fragile planet.
John Jacob,
East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
I am proud to be an American citizen and manage to stay fairly well informed. My views on current global affairs may be largely apolitical and often bipartisan, but I felt surprise and shock to see that President George W. Bush was missing from your list of the 100 most influential people. All things considered, I think it was a serious mistake.
Raviprakash Govindrao Dani,
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
I chuckled as I watched TV pundits galore proclaim TIME irrelevant because Bush was not on the A list. If TIME is so yesterday, why were they discussing it? First of all, the TIME 100 was divided into several categories, which narrowed the number of slots that Bush was eligible to fill. And as the pundits went on to decry the supposed snubbing of the leader of the one superpower, they failed to separate the man from the office. Bush is steadily losing the respect of the world as his record of failed policies grows. A man who has to wield the power of his office with ever increasing threats is not displaying leadership. TIME is right. Bush’s actions do not qualify him for a place on the list.
Linda Bleakley,
Bella Vista, Arkansas, U.S.
Are you the campaign manager for Senator Barack Obama? I might vote for him if he’s chosen as the Democratic candidate. But to list him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world? Come on. He is a U.S. Senator now, but in truth, what has he done besides be part African American, handsome and a presidential candidate? He’s no more innovative in his rhetoric than other Democrats, and yet the press is certainly helping him in his campaign. Don’t push candidates on us.
Anne Taylor,
Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
There is one glaring omission: Tiger Woods. He has changed the face of golf. He is a role model for an entire generation of black youngsters. Woods has remained unspoiled and is an articulate hands-on leader of the foundation that bears his name. His late father was prescient when he said Woods’ contribution to society will extend way beyond what he accomplishes on the golf course—as exciting as that may be.
Lee de la Fuente,
New York City
Stephen Hawking, a brilliant mind explaining secrets of the universe while fighting a debilitating illness, and Bill Gates, who is using the world’s largest private fortune to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, are among the most influential people of not only our time but all time. Rosie O’Donnell, however, is an opinionated egomaniac. Such errors of omission and commission could put TIME in line to be ranked among the 100 least influential publications.
Stephen Landman,
Louisville, kentucky, U.S.
Soliciting a former speaker of the House to write about Nancy Pelosi may have seemed like a good idea, but Newt Gingrich’s piece smacked of political grandstanding. The depiction of her Syrian trip was bad enough, but ending with tips for Republicans on how to take back the House of Representatives was even worse. The piece was hardly about Pelosi. It was about Gingrich, who is mulling a presidential run and trying to prove how good a political strategist he is.
Stephanie Barnard,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.
I was quite happy to see China’s president, Hu Jintao, included in the TIME 100. He has just completed his first term and during the past five years has successfully expanded China’s reach around the world, building a good image of China’s peaceful rise. But Hu’s remarkable economic achievement also encourages the Chinese people to accelerate political reform. I believe he will consistently promote democracy throughout China’s political system, although the pace will be slower than the growth of the economy. His wisdom and confidence in handling internal and external affairs are assets that will help him achieve more than expected.
Di Wu,
Singapore
Dawkins is a hugely influential geneticist, and I applaud his inclusion in the list. But what on earth was running through your collective minds to lend false legitimacy to the pseudoscientific hack Michael Behe, not only by giving him responsibility for the Dawkins write-up but also by allowing him to plug his own unsupported ideas and latest book? It doesn’t exactly do wonders for your perceived level of accuracy of reporting. The scientific community has so much better to offer. I’m disappointed and mildly disgusted.
Lynne Batik,
Aberdeen, Scotland
TIME’s inclusion of Sonia Gandhi was interesting. Her influence largely emanates from her renouncing power and allowing economist Manmohan Singh to become Prime Minister; staying in the background has enabled her to look after party affairs. It is her sphinxlike silence, dignified conduct and adoption of Indian culture that are largely responsible for her repeated re-election to Parliament by record margins. But Gandhi should act more assertively and deliver government change more speedily to the common man.
Jagmohan Manchanda,
New Delhi
All of India should be proud that TIME included Gandhi among the world’s 100 most influential people, leaving behind even Bush. Gandhi follows in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi by refusing the post of Prime Minister. Though of foreign origin, she is far better than the many Indian politicians who use politics to mint money from corruption.
Madhu Agrawal,
Dariba, India
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