Letters: Jul. 10, 2006

The End of al-Zarqawi

The killing of Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi, the ambitious and notorious leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, removes a high-profile terrorist from the battlefield. But readers were skeptical about whether al-Zarqawi's death would hasten the end of the war--and whether it merited the big-red-X treatment on our cover

"The elimination of al-Zarqawi was important. But Iraq will not regain security and stability until U.S. forces are out of the country." MOHAMAD HASAN Cairo

I was pleased that U.S. and Iraqi forces killed the monster Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted terrorist [June 19]. President George W. Bush should rightly be enjoying an upturn in his political fortunes. I hope it's not wishful thinking to regard al-Zarqawi's death as a step toward peace and the welcome departure of coalition troops.

JEFF ROBERTSON Yellow Springs, Ohio

TIME reported that Al-Zarqawi had a $25 million bounty on his head and that an al-Qaeda informant pointed the way to him. Al-Zarqawi's death may have been, as you stated, "a desperately needed break for the White House and the U.S. military." Yet that break was bought and paid for, and money talks. The world is rid of an evil, warped mind, but let's tell it like it is.

WILDA FONSECA

Avon, Mass.

Crossing out Al-Zarqawi's face in blood red sent a strong message. He was an embodiment of evil who deserved his fate, and your graphic statement was right on the money. Still, I bet that you received lots of protests from softhearted readers decrying the image.

PAUL G. REES

Tucson, Ariz.

I found the cover image so offensive that I had no interest in reading the story. The picture promotes violence. Such disregard for human life is damaging to all of us, no matter who the victim of the attack is.

LEORA SAPON-SHEVIN

Syracuse, N.Y.

A portrait of Osama Bin Laden with a black question mark over his face would have made a more appropriate cover image. I am concerned that Americans are starting to believe bin Laden does not exist, Iraq caused 9/11 and war is the only way to defeat fundamentalists.

RACHEL CROMIDAS

La Jolla, Calif.

A City on the Seas

Re "A Whale of a Boat" [June 19]: Not only do behemoth cruise ships, such as Freedom of the Seas, clog ports and squeeze in huge numbers of passengers, they also dump city-size volumes of sewage and bilge water--some of it treated, but much of it not. Every day these vessels foul harbors and coastal waters with millions of gallons of filthy water and pollute the air with diesel fumes. Cruise ships are exempt from most U.S. pollution laws. Until Congress increases regulation, floating cities will continue to foul our seas and air.

TERI SHORE

BLUEWATER NETWORK

San Francisco

Your article about Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship painted a subtly negative picture of cruising, which is not warranted. I recently cruised on a sister ship that carries nearly as many passengers, and I was amazed at how well the crew handled so many people. There were few lines for boarding and dining, and I never felt I was in a large crowd. Many Caribbean islands cater to multiple ship dockings in one day, and local excursions are managed by the ships or taxi services with very little hassle.