Inbox

A Militant Mafia
The cover story “Taliban Inc.” was very revealing and shocking [Sept. 7]. It is alarming to see where the money behind the Taliban’s arsenal is coming from. The international community’s commitment to rebuilding Afghanistan is being hampered by this gangster outfit and their kidnapping and narcotics rackets. The Obama Administration should ensure that locals working for international agencies get protection. More soldiers should be deployed so that the cash flow boosting the Taliban gets cut off.
T. Vijay Kanth,
Vishakapatnam, India

Many remember how these very fighters once, when in full control of Afghanistan, effectively uprooted drugs from Afghan society. Now we are fighting an unwinnable war that not only is hugely costly in terms of dollars and lives, but has also led to drugs and guns taking hold of society. There’s also the added bitterness felt by the Islamic world toward the U.S. as the conflict becomes more gruesome. I believe we can talk with and engage the Taliban and prevail upon them to agree to a certain code of behavior toward women and to respect human rights. It is far more reasonable and far, far cheaper than any hard-power option.
Faridullah Khan,
Islamabad

All the other editions of TIME honored Edward Kennedy with their covers last week. TIME Asia instead featured the Taliban. Surely these crooks and their cause don’t deserve the honor.
Michael Seah,
Singapore

Teddy’s Legacy
The life, work and legacy of Ted Kennedy are vivid reminders that it is possible to remain passionate and committed to one’s worldview and still inspire love, respect and gratitude from those in opposition [Sept. 7]. Through Kennedy’s example, we can see that graciousness and a spirit of compromise can accomplish wonderful things and that lives can be redeemed at any point.
Ron Kuhlmann,
Danville, Calif., U.S.

When I recently heard Kennedy was dying, my thoughts went immediately to Mary Jo Kopechne, the 28-year-old schoolteacher who drowned when Kennedy drove his car off a bridge. Rather than call for help, he hid out until the next morning. When Kennedy died, I could have been more sympathetic. I should not have yelled out, “You lived 40 years longer than she did, Kennedy!” If he by some miracle should see Kopechne in heaven, he should apologize profusely.
Stewart Perry,
Wayzata, Minn., U.S.

As Southeast Asian immigrants, my family owes Kennedy a debt of gratitude. Because of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 that he helped pass, we were able to come to this country many years ago and build a new life. His countless good deeds on behalf of the common man will reverberate in our nation’s soul. The best tribute his colleagues in Congress can bestow is the health-care-reform bill that was his life’s cause and that he worked so hard for but, sadly, did not live to see enacted. Farewell to a true patriot.
Cheers Echevarria-Leary,
Pinole, Calif., U.S.

Bulldozing the Past
Wandering lost in the maze of old Kashgar was a highlight during eight months of overland travel in Asia [Sept. 7]. I was led by smiling and laughing Uighur children from within the ancient quarter — this exotic place of simple but highly detailed and elegant architecture — to its outskirts where the gaudy new Chinese town began. Although Chinese cultural history spans millenniums, the decision to raze old Kashgar seems to me to be a spiteful and immature one.
Paul Craig,
Cherryville, Australia