Letters: Jun. 19, 2006

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In "Bush is Smart on the Border -- and the G.O.P. Isn't" [May 29], columnist Joe Klein stated that the Republicans most opposed to accommodating illegal immigrants are "white, Southern and Western, suburban and rural, working class." But Klein ought to be aware that right in New York City there is strong opposition to making it easier for illegals to become citizens. New Yorkers can spot a scam, and this one is huge.

GAHAN HASKINS New York City

Klein missed the point. The objection we have to illegal immigrants is that they have intentionally broken important laws of this country. No democracy can long survive and no individual freedoms will long exist when the government condones lawbreaking. If our immigration laws are unsatisfactory, then change the laws, but don't encourage making a mockery of them.

ROBERT L. CRAGG Maple Glen, Pa.

As a 61-year-old African American, I agree with the Republicans on illegal immigration. When people choose to ignore immigration procedures, it is a slap in the face to those from various countries who came to the U.S. legally. This is one African American who wants the borders strengthened and the immigrant quotas adhered to. I was incensed when I heard some people compare the protests by Mexicans and other Latinos to our civil rights movement. Why aren't Mexicans protesting to demand that President Vicente Fox make changes in their home country?

BARBARA KELLY Richmond, Va.

Of Illness and Morality

TIME's Interview with evangelist Franklin Graham [May 29] astonished me. He seems to believe that diseases such as cancer and leprosy are the result of "a sinful lifestyle." In Jesus' day no one knew of the existence of bacteria and carcinogens, so many put the cause down to sinful behavior, but now we know better. To say illnesses are due to sin is ridiculous and degrading to those who suffer from them.

SARAH JANE GILMOUR East Lansing, Mich.

How dare that self-righteous evangelist even hint that Jesus would heal people with AIDS and tell them, "Go and sin no more." I ask Graham, What sin did a newborn commit to come into this world with HIV? What sin did the thousands of Christian women whose breast cancer was diagnosed last year commit? Some may pat Graham on the back for lobbying President Bush to provide funding in the fight against AIDS. Graham's comments, however, were hurtful and unfair in implying that anyone with a disease has sinned in some way.

ELENA MARTIN Houston

Thank you for the Interview with Graham. I am thrilled that you had the guts to print something positive and uplifting when it seems that about all we can read in the news is negative.

STEWART H. ROBINSON Springfield, Mo.

Like Canaries in a Coal Mine

I was shocked to learn from "Bye Bye Birdies" [May 15] that climate change may be killing migratory birds. I had no idea there was a link between declining bird populations and global warming. The death of even a single bird because of environmental factors can be linked to the fate of human beings, since we all depend on the health of our ecosystem.

TADASHI KAWABE Fukuoka, Japan