Letters: Jan. 23, 2006

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God blessed Bono with a beautiful voice and a beautiful soul. He is not another misinformed celebrity with a cause. He has done his homework, made friends on both sides of the partisan divide in Washington and worked to bring hope to those in despair. I would ask anyone who dismisses him as a pompous rock star, What have you done to help those plagued by poverty and disease?

SHANNON AUSTIN Scottsdale, Ariz.

Unique Partnership

The article about the alliance between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush [Dec. 26-Jan. 2] should be required reading for every politician in the country. You agree on some things and you disagree on others, but you work out the differences with dialogue and respect for each other. What an amazing concept!

DOUG WEAVER Grand Rapids, Mich.

"When opposites attract" demonstrates to partisan politicians that there are at least two political personalities, former Presidents Bush and Clinton, who can work together on a wide range of issues for the common good. Those two exhibited mutual respect, unselfish behavior, kindly affection and dignified civility rarely seen in or out of government. They give an impressive example of comity in a realm in which divisiveness and partisanship rule on many fronts.

ISAIAH J. ASHE Huntsville, Ala.

Praise and Blame

Joe Klein's column "It's Time to Pin a Few Medals," in which he pays "homage to those who have taken risky stands on principle" even when he has disagreed with them, left me feeling as if I were living in an alternate universe [Dec. 26- Jan. 2]. Klein's praise of President George W. Bush for his words about the importance of freedom and democracy holds little weight against Bush's inept response to the Katrina disaster or his mostly failed approach to curtailing global terrorism. Klein should examine our President's actions rather than his words.

SANDY KRAWITZ

Bethesda, Md.

How unusual to read a positive column that complimented political leaders on both sides of the aisle. Congratulations to Klein for a wonderful and thoughtful article.

LAWSON A. THOMAS Mesa, Ariz.

Klein's praise of the president "For standing with human-rights activists throughout the world" was off the mark. All Americans stand up for freedom, and most represent American values better than Bush does. His Administration propagates misinformation, circumvents the law and defends his actions-no matter how foolhardy-while attempting to squelch objective criticism.

STEVE MOSKOWITZ Boston