Upset Victory

Our report on the surprise win by the militant Islamic party Hamas in the Palestinian legislative elections prompted worried reaction from readers who feared for the prospects of peace in the Middle East. Other readers hoped that governing would force Hamas to eventually moderate its anti-Israeli policies

After the militant organization Hamas won a clear majority of the seats in the Palestinian parliament [Feb. 6], its critics immediately denounced the election results. The Israeli Cabinet said it will not negotiate with a Palestinian administration that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel. If Israel wants peace, it and the world at large should accept the election results. Hamas won on not only its political agenda but also its social and welfare programs. It is counterproductive and unrealistic for the U.S. not to continue financial assistance to the Palestinians. Hamas members like Omar Hamayel, the new, hardworking mayor of the West Bank town of al-Bireh, will bring energy and honesty to the job of governing the Palestinians. Wouldn't the Bush Administration want to see its aid spent on education, health and other sensible human issues rather than have it end up in the hands of corrupt leaders?
Toufic H. Barakeh
Surbiton, England

As if the state of Israel didn't have enough to confront, it now faces having to deal with the terrorist organization Hamas. The group has been condemned for its terrorist acts by the U.S., Canada and the European Union, and it remains to be seen if terrorists can become legislators. A government controlled by Hamas, with its oft stated aim of eliminating the state of Israel, does not bode well for the peace process.
Bert Raphael, Chairman
Canadian Lawyers and Jurists
for World Jewry
Toronto

Hamas won in a democratically organized election, so there should be no question of the U.S.'s or Israel's not talking to its officials. I am sure that Hamas' calls for the destruction of Israel will be amended once the group settles in. A certain amount of patience and negotiation are needed to get an amicable settlement for the cause of Palestine. The U.S. and Israel should patiently negotiate with Hamas, not withhold aid funds for poor Palestinians.
M. Shakir Khaleel
Bangalore, India

Critics argue that Hamas' victory is a sign of surging hard-line extremism in the entire Muslim world. But Hamas did not win because the people wanted militants to rule their country. The Palestinians voted against the corruption and inefficiency of the previous Fatah regime. But now Hamas has to grow up and deliver on its promises. It is no longer the opposition. It will have to take full responsibility for any failures in the future. Hamas has to start by improving and strengthening the democratic institutions in its area. It can win the support of the world by accepting Israel and stopping militant activities. At the same time, Israel and the West should not boycott Hamas but engage the group in negotiations. That could be a turning point.
Majid Rauf
Lahore

The Trouble with Elections
In "Democracy, The Morning After," columnist Joe Klein criticized President George W. Bush's policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East [Feb. 6], stating, "From Afghanistan to Egypt, not one country that has had an election in the past year has emerged more stable as a result of the experience." But what is the alternative? Democracy is surely an achievement, and until someone has a better plan for Iraq, I will continue to back Bush's.
Tim Savisky
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

The Powers That Will Be
The debate at the world economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, over whether India or China will be the dominant economic power in 2050 [Feb. 6] omitted one factor: democracy. Does anyone really think that the world's largest economy could be managed by the Chinese Communist Party? The creativity of democracy, whether it is in India or the U.S., will be what leads the way.
Richard Gordon
Peebles, Scotland

The West seems finally to have acknowledged the growing influence of India and China as major global economic powers. Both nations, however, are marred by real problems that need solutions. There are tragic undercurrents caused mainly by lack of infrastructure, rampant corruption and the absence of realistic programs to combat poverty in urban and rural areas. Unless these two future superpowers make efforts to bring all social classes under their umbrella of success, we cannot be euphoric over their one-dimensional growth.
Arvind K. Pandey
Allahabad, India

Communication Trouble
The report on selective mutism, the childhood disorder that keeps youngsters from speaking in public places [Feb. 6], reminded me of the importance of having continuous communication between schools and parents in order to evaluate and individualize the education for each student. It remains to be seen, however, whether school communities the world over will recognize the various complexities in child behavior. Children do have different needs and learning abilities.
Nils-Erik Lundborg
Uppsala, Sweden

Ford Focused
You asked if Bill Ford can save the American auto industry [Feb. 6]. Yes, he can. Thank you, Bill Ford, for your vision and leadership of your company. They will affect the industry for generations to come. And thanks for my 2006 Mustang GT. It looks great in the garage next to the Taurus and the F-150 Ford truck.
Bill Hughes
Lynn Haven, Florida, U.S.

As someone whose father has worked in a Ford plant for more than 25 years, I am truly disappointed by Ford's slash-and-burn plans to lay off as many as 30,000 employees. It's always the blue-collar workers who are first deemed expendable. But what Ford really needs to take a look at is its designs. My family has owned nothing but Ford and Lincoln vehicles since my father began working at Ford, but now even loyal consumers are looking elsewhere.
Megan Norris
Chicago

Of Gender and Germany
I found your article about the difficulties working women in Germany face and their fight for equality with men to be quite true [Jan. 30]. I am an American and have been living in Germany for more than 20 years. I have held several management positions in international firms and with my husband raised two daughters. Sixteen years ago, I opened my first day-care center as a nonprofit organization. Today I have three day-care centers and will open three more in Munich. The experiences of the women in your report are similar to mine. There is tremendous pressure on women in Germany to choose between having children or a career, unfortunately resulting in a decision by many women not to have a family. The concept of working outside the home in order to provide a good role model for your children and the best possible education for them has not yet taken root in German society, but there are signs of change on the horizon.
Peg DeRose-Schaefer
Haar, Germany

Gay Virtues
Critic Richard Corliss's piece "How the WEST Was Won Over" described the critical acclaim received by the movie Brokeback Mountain [Jan. 30]. I only wish we could hear someone at the Academy Awards announce, "The Oscar goes to Brokeback Mountain for showing how virility, strong-mindedness and self-confidence are not inconsistent with being gay, and for enabling us to understand how truth, love and freedom are the only ideals anyone ought to aspire to."
Davide Locuratolo
Potenza, Italy

Strictly Kosher
In the story on lobbyist jack Abramoff [Jan. 16], Time said he had shared some fried chicken with Indian tribal leaders when he met with them. I know Jack keeps a strictly kosher diet. I asked him about that meal, and he assured me that he did not eat nonkosher food with the leaders, as you reported.
Kim Eisler
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.