Reinventing Singapore
I was shocked to see the cover depicting an American family with the heading “Singapore’s New Look” [June 4]. It gives the impression that the country is losing its Asian identity and becoming more Western. Much as we welcome tourists and professionals to visit or make Singapore their home, some questions linger in the mind: What numbers of foreigners—by nationality, age and profession—are working in the country? Have they taken up citizenship or permanent-resident status? How many Singaporeans have emigrated since 2000? Obviously, some concern from the locals is expected. A follow-up report would be enlightening.
Adrian Villanueva,
Singapore
Honoring Lives Lost
After reading “One Day in Iraq,” I hope the American people never forget the pain of war [June 4]. What a sad day for the U.S. and the families of these young men. Aureliano De La Torre said, “Now that my son is gone, there is a vacancy in Iraq. Maybe the President would like to send one of his daughters over there to continue to fight in Jesse’s place.” Let us not forget that Bush himself passed on the chance to fight in a war. After reading the stories of these six men, it seems the vacancies will be hard to fill.
Mark O’Neill,
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
While I sympathize with De La Torre for the loss of his son, he should be reminded that his son chose to enlist in the military knowing that he might make the ultimate sacrifice. De La Torre’s statement that Bush should send one of his daughters to fight in his son’s place shows that his disapproval of this war is overshadowing his son’s very adult, brave and selfless decision. As the wife of a former military officer, it saddens me that people forget we do not force anyone in this country to join the military. The men and women of the military don’t need the American people to protect them. They need America to support them. That means supporting them both in time of war and in their decision to enlist.
Michele Posehn,
Watchung, New Jersey, U.S.
India Unmasked
Simon Robinson’s “India Without the Slogans” painted a spot-on picture of India [June 4]. The bureaucracy, the indiscipline, the sycophancy and the religious conflicts at a drop of cow dung were all there when I studied and worked in India in the 1960s and ’70s—and they persist. It may be the largest democracy, but the lack of political will and the corruption and conservatism curb the country’s immense potential. I was recently in Australia, where I met an enthusiastic band of young Indians whose nationalism was intense. Yet with all their enthusiasm, you could detect the frustrations of lagging behind because of lack of progress in social reform. Sloganeering and rhetoric are just that. I hope that young Indians find the strength to correct the country’s deficiencies and make it truly great.
Subhash Suthar,
Sittingbourne, England
I disagree with Simon Robinson who found Bangalore a pocket of prosperity in a country steeped in poverty, malnourishment and corruption. Western visitors are led to believe that this once charming small town is India’s Silicon Valley. But there is the same gap between the advertised image of a prosperous city and the stark reality; it is the same hype surrounding the “Incredible India” campaign. Come monsoon rains, many homes in this hi-tech city will be flooded with rainwater and sewage sludge. Good roads, metro rail, airports and other facilities have been on the drawing board for years, but there’s little evidence of it on the ground. The IT sector and outsourced jobs help a token few, while crime and inflation have only increased.
Mathew Varghese,
Bangalore, India
Herbal Healing
Dr. Sanjay Gupta warned of the side effects of herbal supplements, but herbal therapies and mainstream medicine have long been successfully integrated in Germany [June 4]. Since 1999, the English translation of the herbal equivalent to the Physicians’ Desk Reference has been available in the U.S.: The Complete German Commission E Monographs.
Scott S. Smith,
West Hollywood, California, U.S.
I would like to see a comparison of how many people in this country die each year as a result of taking herbal supplements and how many die each year as a result of faulty prescription-medicine usage. Print that; then let’s talk some more.
Perry Robinson,
Seymour, Tennessee, U.S.
Gore’s Next Step
Gore should not run for President [May 28]. For several decades, scientists have known that something potentially dramatic was happening with our climate. But it was Gore who almost single-handedly succeeded in bringing the issue to the front pages. More important, he got policymakers around the world to accept climate change as a problem needing urgent attention. But until countries like China, India and the U.S. take serious action to curb climate change, Gore’s mission is not yet accomplished. He should not waste his time in being just President of the U.S.
Arthur R. Manuel,
Ouderkerk, the Netherlands
Gore is a cross between Jeremiah and Noah. As a modern-day Jeremiah, he is exhorting mankind to stop abusing planet Earth or face the consequences. As Noah, he aspires to save humanity from the impending great flood. Unlike Noah, though, he has not been empowered to build an ark. But as President, he would have the power to implement effective measures to avert the disaster to come. Gore should regard the U.S. presidency not as a temptation but as a sacred mission to save mankind.
Sammy Somekh,
Ramat-Gan, Israel
Having witnessed Gore’s recent resurgence, there is no doubt in my mind that if he decides to run, he would be in an excellent position to become the next U.S. President. Although he has been successfully spreading his message about global warming, memories of the 2000 election must still torment him to some degree. I think Gore will continue to keep the door ajar and then some time in the fall declare that he indeed will run. By then, much of the excitement around Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will have faded, and paradoxical as it may seem, political veteran Gore will emerge as a fresh face.
Fredrik Farhadian,
Lund, Sweden
I admire Al Gore for two reasons: not only is he smart enough to turn away from the world of self-aggrandizement in which politicians live, but also the picture of his home office in Nashville saved my skin. When reprimanded for the umpteenth time by my wife that I should get my home office in order, I triumphantly waved the article and picture under her nose. For once, she was at a loss for words.
Piet J. Kruger,
Somerset West, South Africa
Gore wrote earth in the balance while he was still a senator. Only a very intelligent man can write a book as probing and prophetic as he did; yet it took way over a decade for his incessant efforts to convince leaders of nations to believe that we are indeed in the middle of an environmental crisis. Thankfully, his Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth also generated powerful publicity. But, you Americans around him, please stop goading him to get into politics again. Leave him alone. In one of the pictures, Gore’s liquid eyes somehow give me the impression that deep down inside he is sad—probably about the world in general and humanity in particular. Let him be. He’s greater than the presidency.
Sung-Chau Cheng,
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Newfangled Football
Football just ain’t what it used to be [May 21]. With the influx of foreign cash and foreign players, shrewd plutocrats from foreign lands seek to expand their bank accounts. Insatiable player-millionaires demand astronomical remuneration. While the world-class players introduced by foreign investors attract the eye in a dazzling fashion, such cash cannot be justified. The Premier League clubs banked by billionaires stay at the top of the rankings while mediocre clubs that businessmen deem unprofitable remain at the bottom.
Li Xiang,
Singapore
Harvest of Woe
I must congratulate you for offering a balanced report on farmer suicides in Vidarbha [May 28]. It brings into sharp focus the perils of modern-day living for those whose incomes are still negligible, and spells out clearly the efforts being made by the government to avert the agrarian crisis. [However], unlike what the article implies, the disbursal of credit is not an issue of great concern. In the past year, government efforts have doubled credit availability in the six affected districts of Vidarbha while minimizing unauthorized, predatory moneylending in the area. Moreover, the article gives the impression that there has been a substantial increase in the number of farmer suicides recently. This is basically due to increased media attention in the last few years—there is no substantial increase in the number of suicides, if at all.
C.S. Sangitrao,
Secretary to Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Mumbai, India
White-Collar Blues
James Poniewozik questioned why there aren’t more songs related to the world of white-collar workers, given that 60% of the workforce is employed in the white-collar sector [June 4]. Well, who sounds more interesting: John Henry, the steel-driving man, or John Henry, the quarterly-report-writing man?
Ryan Whelan,
Lovington, Illinois, U.S.
Sampling Asia’s Diversity
Every blurb in “The Best of Asia” featured an attractive locale or experience—save for both segments on South Korea [May 7]. Both articles showcased forgettable events and inaccessible places largely unknown to Koreans. Who cares to step inside a girls’ high school or a U.S. Army base? Korean food is as delectable as any in the world. The all-night markets and live-music venues in Seoul are quintessential examples of the breathless Korean pace, and the mountaintop temples show the contrasting serenity of the countryside. It is greatly disappointing to read of the wonders of Asia and have the best of Korea overlooked.
Danny Arens,
Seoul
The “Best of Asia” issue was like a bowl of salad—sweet, salty and sour, all appropriately blended.
Subramaniam Sankaran,
Madras, India
I don’t know which was more shocking, the article on the hellholes in Darfur or the parade of the “Best of Asia” spots in the next dozen pages. Reading about Darfur was most depressing, but when I turned the page and saw snowy ski slopes, hotels and bars, the comfort and enjoyment suddenly never felt more disgusting. Did you deliberately arrange to have the “Best of Asia” section come right after the Darfur article to induce guilt? I don’t know whether to condemn or congratulate you, but I’m already reconsidering my annual vacation plan.
Karson Chu,
Hong Kong
I wonder why there was little mention of the Philippines. This country deserves positive attention to encourage people to move the country forward and unlock its potential. Time could help by presenting a more balanced image.
Eli M. Van Ingen,
Makati City, The Philippines
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