Letters

As a young Filipina who has been seeking real heroes for a long time, I could not have been more delighted when I saw four of my countrymen in TIME's "60 Years of Asian Heroes" [Nov. 13]. We have had heroes and will have more, despite the political and economic quagmire in the Philippines. It's true that Corazon Aquino did not have an amazing presidential term, but People Power continues to inspire the world. Journalists Eugenia Apostol and Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc feed the populace with balanced news and fearless views. Pool champion Efren Reyes is always a breath of fresh air. While showing off seems to be the mantra of most sports superstars, Reyes remains humble despite his legendary status. These four heroes serve not only as inspiration but also warnings. Would-be dictators, irresponsible journalists and show-off athletes should be scared because they will only lose in the end.
Jowana Balana Bueser
Laguna, the Philippines

"60 years of Asian Heroes" triggered the thought that the unnoticed, unsung, unappreciated heroes around the world are translators and interpreters without whom our globalized world would be tongue-tied. Thanks to their skill and talent, communication, understanding, and appreciation take place on a daily basis. Where would we be without their fluency? They are our quiet heroes.
Michael Driver
Ichihara, Japan

Thank you for featuring former President Aquino in your list of heroes. It certainly is an honor for us Filipinos. We take pride in knowing that we have contributed in our own small way to democratic principles.
Jose Manansala
Cavite, the Philippines

I have great respect for the heroes who reflect Asia's true spirit by shaping history and touching humanity in humble ways. Most of those on your list are in that category. But I found it rather disturbing that you included the richest man in Asia, business magnate Li Ka-shing. Li's great wealth hardly qualifies him as a hero in my book. As an Asian, I would like to think that while our continent's emergence as a global powerhouse is symbolized by the superlative wealth of businessmen like Li, there are many other heroes representing the genuine spirit of Asia who are equally, if not more, deserving of attention.
Catherine Chon
Hong Kong

Mohammed Ali Jinnah was an extraordinary leader of high stature and merit, and one of the most brilliant statesmen of his time. American scholar Stanley Wolpert, a South Asia expert, has remarked that Jinnah was for Pakistan what Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru combined were for India. But while you chose to put Gandhi and Nehru on the cover of one of your editions, you did not afford Jinnah the same courtesy. That's unfair.
Aziz-ul-Haq Qureshi
Chief Coordinator
Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation
Lahore, Pakistan

Your list of Asian Heroes was interesting, especially the article about Sachin Tendulkar. In a cricket-crazy nation like India, where people play everywhere, from public roads to paddy fields, it's no wonder he is a hero.
Sunil P. Ipe
Kottayam, India

Separation Anxiety
Peter Galbraith's article "The Case for Dividing Iraq" [Nov. 13] outlined the best solution for ending the Iraq war. The attempt to create a unified, democratic Iraq is doomed to failure. Modern Iraq as we know it has never been politically unified; religious and tribal factionalism has been suppressed by the strictly autocratic rule of a British-imposed monarchy or by Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship. The new U.S. Congress and President Bush should make the issue of resolving the Iraq war their first priority when Congress convenes in January.
Dudley Mann
Wakefield, Rhode Island, U.S.

The Idea that Iraq should be divided so that the U.S. can withdraw its forces is monstrous. Iraq's uncertain future cannot be dictated by escape strategies for the occupying forces. But just as dangerous is President Bush's bombastic and empty talk of achieving "victory."
Clara Nieto
New York City

Partitioning Iraq is a recipe for disaster. The civil war in Iraq would expand to engulf the whole region. No current or future government in Turkey would condone the emergence of a separate Kurdish entity in northern Iraq, as that would inflame the separatist tendencies of Turkey's Kurdish population. Other Arab countries would probably reject the possibility of another Shi'ite nation. Arguments in favor of partitioning Iraq are neoimperialist and do nothing beneficial for the region.
Sait T. Tangor
Ankara, Turkey

Dividing Iraq will not end the civil war; it will be seen only as another example of heavy-handed U.S. imperialism, especially in the Muslim world.
Davis Zong
New York City

It's Snowtime
Re "The Snow Show" [nov. 13]: the Republican Party ought to nominate White House press secretary Tony Snow as its next presidential candidate. He is vigorous and intelligent and has a way with words. Unlike most of our politicians, he is neither stodgy nor crooked. He has a sense of humor and is fatally handsome in the bargain. In both stature and character, he's tall enough that we can look up to him. He's just the leader we need in our highest office.
Richard H. Utt
Loma Linda, California, U.S.

Snow may be the slickest press secretary in years, but that still makes him little more than the Bush Administration's court jester. Any credibility he had had as a journalist was ruined when he took the job as mouthpiece for the White House. He is going to end up as spokesman for some corporation or lobbying firm. No matter what, he will be highly paid. My hat's off to him.
Art Robinson
LaGrange Park, Illinois, U.S.

Madonna's New Baby
I don't understand the controversy over Madonna's adoption of a Malawian orphan [Nov. 13]. Shouldn't it be taken as a sign of generosity and love? I think the media are to blame for all the accusations of impropriety. Doing something that may be seen as trendy is not always a bad thing. Madonna's action will hopefully encourage others to adopt orphan children who might otherwise have very grim lives.
Richard M. Valenci
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, U.S.

As a mother, I shuddered to read Madonna's pathetically low benchmark for motherhood: "Even if I'm the worst mother in the world, I'm better than death!" The comment was insensitive and reeked of arrogance. While Madonna's giving huge sums of money to charity is laudable, one needs an entirely different set of skills to be a good mother to an adopted child. I wonder how much Madonna understands that.
Madhuri Pai
Singapore

Proliferating Primates
Re "Way too Much Monkey Business" [Nov. 13], on the overpopulation of rhesus macaques in Delhi: The problem reflects the sad state of Indian society today. Indians see only the immediate trouble and its quick fix. In its quest for a high per capita income, the society is moving forward in much the same way it handled the monkey issue—creating problems, analyzing those problems in retrospect, critiquing the possible solutions and finally learning to coexist with the problem. Then some entrepreneur sees a business opportunity: Let's bring in bigger monkeys to solve the problem of the smaller ones. The entrepreneur's income adds to the GDP, and society learns to coexist with the bigger problem. That's what India is today: brilliant entrepreneurs in a society that is content to coexist with poverty, illiteracy and corruption.
Manav Saxena
Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.

Raise a Glass
As someone who likes good food and wine, I was delighted to read about how a substance called resveratrol in red wine proved to have a terrific health benefit in tests with mice [Nov. 13]. Then I read, "You would need to drink more than 100 glasses of red wine a day to get as much resveratrol as those mice got," and I thought, Wow, the good news just keeps on coming!
Paul Rudder
Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.

Progress in Punjab
Re "No dates, No dancing" [Oct. 16], which reports that Islamic groups dominate campus life at Punjab University: The university administration, as mandated by the government, is continuing to take disciplinary action against hooliganism, fanaticism and politically motivated activities that bring disrepute to the university. Music has been taught since 1973, and courses in the discipline remain in instruction. There are also over a dozen extracurricular clubs and societies. We will continue to produce well-groomed students to meet the national and international needs of the 21st century.
Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan
Registrar
University of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan

Global Warning?
Re "Warming to a Global Theme" [Nov. 13]: If the world is waking up to the reality that global warming is here (not a future event) and wishes to take effective action, we need to listen to voices other than those who insist that economic activity must be curtailed. The way forward lies in increased wealth, better standards of living and less taxation. If we seek economic sustainability, we should adopt the motto "If an economy can't make a decent profit, it's not sustainable."
Terry Milton
Guildford, England