Letters: Sep. 1, 2003

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--Of all the pictures in our story on Howard Dean, the shot of the candidate in his disordered Vermont kitchen got the most comments. "How could a man who lives in such an appalling mess be expected to organize our country's business?" asked an Indiana woman. More approving was a woman from New York State: "I made my campaign contribution to Dean for a lot of reasons, but I knew my choice was right when I saw the photo of his kitchen. Those counters are as cluttered as mine are!"

Osama Who?

"Letting up on Osama" reported that the focus on the hunt for Saddam Hussein has derailed the search for Osama bin Laden [NOTEBOOK, Aug. 11]. The increase in terrorist warnings and bombings are all reminders that bin Laden is still a real terrorist threat. It is a travesty that President Bush has diverted our attention for his own personal vendetta against Saddam. He has got the U.S. into an Iraqi quagmire that will take years to resolve. MARY JO VEVERKA Bethesda, Md.

The Killing of Uday

You described in detail the military's hunt for Saddam and the killing of his two sons [WORLD, Aug. 11]. I was horrified by the description of the death of Uday Hussein, which said a soldier "pumped two bullets into Uday's mouth, to ensure his death." This was sickening. I reject the cold-blooded stalking and killing of anyone, even a murderous dictator and his family. This was an extreme example of American savagery. Why weren't Uday and Qusay brought to trial? MEG REYNOLDS Chicago

So Uday, a potential source of immense amounts of valuable information, could have been captured alive but instead was extrajudicially executed? This is a story that deserves more attention. ANDREW BRADBURY Santa Fe, N.M.

The Conservative Eye

In "Beware The Straight Backlash," Andrew Sullivan described himself as gay and politically conservative and decried the Bush Administration's hostility toward gay marriage [VIEWPOINT, Aug. 11]. Sullivan ought to know there are many Americans who accept gay marriage and who welcome gay associates, ideas and modes of behavior into their homes, lives and politics. These people are called liberals. Sullivan's problem is not that he's gay; it's that he has been hanging out with the wrong political crowd. He ought to quit spurning the hand of welcome and start working toward a liberal majority. It will be better for the country, better for the environment, better for the economy and better for him. JANE SMILEY Carmel Valley, Calif.

Since half of all heterosexual marriages end in divorce, I certainly don't think gay folks can do any worse. FRED BENZ Milwaukee, Wis.

Sullivan wrote that the TV reality show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy provides "a wonderful example of straight men and gay men communicating, laughing and getting along." I don't think the show is a step forward at all. In fact, it just reinforces existing gay stereotypes--the notion that gay men can be nothing more than fashion designers, hair stylists and interior decorators. I assure you, there are many straight people who can give a guy a complete makeover. This show widens the rift between "us" and "them." The program is just another attempt at exploiting a subculture for commercial purposes. JOHN DULEMBA Washington

What's in a Name?