Letters

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Joe Klein's commentary "It's Time For Extreme Peacekeeping" highlighted the need for an elite corps of people devoted to public service and nation building [Nov. 24]. As Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld continues to reform and reorganize the armed forces, he should seriously consider creating such a corps. Klein suggests it could be called the Extreme Peacekeepers or the Freedom Corps. It could play an important role in establishing bastions of democracy and improving America's image throughout the world. Creating such an organization would be an important step in providing an opportunity for college-educated youths who yearn to serve our nation. If we are to prevail in this seemingly endless conflict with radical Islam, we need to win the hearts of young people worldwide. This corps could be the answer to our military peacekeeping shortcomings, and it could create priceless political goodwill.
BEN HERNANDEZ-STERN
Pasadena, Calif.

To suggest that President Bush consider creating a corps of Extreme Peacekeepers must be the joke of the year! If Bush were so inclined, he would never have declared war against Iraq. His cowboy mentality is not one of a person with the lofty goals of a peacekeeper.
LARRY POLSKY
Boise, Idaho

Alternatives to Dean

Since your article on Howard Dean focused on the differences and flaws among the Democratic presidential candidates [Nov. 24], it would have been pertinent to highlight the only woman in the race — and the only candidate to be endorsed by major women's groups — Carol Moseley Braun. She has advantages no other candidate does, while her greatest weakness may be that the press will not acknowledge her as a viable candidate.
ELLEN TREIMEL
New York City

I wish the news media would pay more positive attention to Senator John Kerry. Kerry has the most foreign policy experience of all the Democratic contenders; he has real solutions rather than Dean's anger and slogans. Kerry's plans for health care and the economy make sense. As an independent voter, I feel that Kerry is the most centrist candidate.
CAROL A. MANNING
Blue Lake, Calif.

Judge No More

RE Your report on the firing of ALAbama state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore for his refusal to remove the Ten Commandments statue from his courthouse [Nov. 24]: I would defend Moore's right to read the Bible on the courthouse steps, but citizens do not have the right to put religious monuments of their choice on public property. If the judge truly believed in the law, including the Ten Commandments, he would have explored legal channels for setting up the monument before taking things into his own hands.
MARIE EVANS
Clayton, N.C.

Judge Moore has made his point. Our forefathers were honorable men who believed in God. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution pay homage to this belief. For our Supreme Court to routinely ask that "God save the United States and this honorable court" while removing all references to God from our courts, schools and laws is the height of hypocrisy.
JOHN OLSEN
Pensacola, Fla.

Moore's removal from office is a victory for both church and state — and their separation. Freedom of religion includes freedom from state-imposed religion.
KATHY PLUMB
Minneapolis, Minn.

High-Brow Horror

In his VIEWPOINT on Stephen King's receiving the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters [Nov. 24], Lev Grossman described King as an "unrepentant horror monger." But Grossman admits that the great literary novels of the past were often as popular as the works of King. It's clear that King is in a class of his own. And the American reader should be credited with appreciating this. A great writer raises standards and makes all writers work harder. King's prose and storytelling changed the landscape of the novel years ago. He should be recognized for his contribution.
KATHERINE CARTER
Malibu, Calif.

There is nothing like a good, trashy read. Unfortunately, a Stephen King novel isn't one. King writes like a 14-year-old who tries, in his adolescent way and at great length, to shock his English teacher. I agree it's time a writer of genre literature earned some respect. I am just sorry the honor went to King.
LISA LIPPITZ
Bourbonnais, Ill.

Long ago I gave up trying to read critOically approved novels. They were stories containing "fine writing," static plots, a lot of exposition and much boredom. I hope that publishers and editors will pay attention to the implications of the National Book Foundation's award to King, but I fear they won't.
IVAN LEECH
Seattle