Behind Party Lines

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As a Turkish citizen, I can say the article "Turkey's Great Divide," on the upcoming elections, present many but not all realities [July 23]. The head-scarf issue in Turkey is not in any way similar to the issue in Europe. In Turkey, if Islamic symbols are allowed in public places, the voice of people who believe in other religions would not be heard. Moreover, one practice the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been following consistently is separatism. The AKP continually distinguishes the "religious" from the secularists, who its members imply cannot be good Muslims. Who are they to decide who is religious and who is not? Religion should stay in the private sphere to ensure religious freedoms for all.
Esra Music, CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

Raid in the Name of Allah
Aryn Baker's "Among the believers" was amazing and the most human account of the radical Islamic students' standoff at the Red Mosque in Islamabad that I have read so far [July 16]. I was truly amazed by the correspondent's unshakable ability to stay objective and present a clear picture of those who are completely devoted to their faith. I was raised as a Lutheran, a faith that was once perceived as a radical reformist movement with fanatic followers. I was very moved by Baker's story.
Peteris Timofejevs-Henriksson, BRUSSELS

Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf's handling of the Red Mosque crisis was designed to please the West. He will receive an enormous backlash. There are many other ways to engage Islamic extremists. If the West hopes to win the hearts and minds of Muslims, it must learn to respect our values and treat us with dignity. This marks the beginning of the end for Musharraf.
Said Bala Shuaib, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Dynamic Duo?
Thanks for a balanced look at new York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, warts and all [July 23]. Both are in their seventh decade, yet their approach to politics is progressive and refreshing. No conservative clichés and smoke-screen social issues; just good old-fashioned compromise and common sense. Isn't that what governing is all about?
Bob August, REPUBLICANS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, NASHVILLE

Bloomberg and Schwarzenegger are successful because they serve constituents rather than political interests. They don't govern with a my-way-or-the-highway approach but are willing to reach across the aisle, admit mistakes and change directions. While they don't appear concerned with their legacies, both are creating them through their work. Rather than issue a test on what it means to be conservative, they deliver what the people and environment need. Both have the special qualities of great leaders: the ability to see around corners, understand the ramifications of policies and lead by example and inclusion.
David Post, ANNANDALE, VA, U.S.

The U.S. is currently engaged in an undeclared civil war between those who value individual liberty and those who think it is too dangerous. The latter group espouses a craven dependency on a government that is more than willing to micromanage our lives. The fact that you celebrate two individuals who are anathema to American values shows that Time is better suited to George Orwell's Oceania than to the U.S. This country did not achieve greatness with a mind-set of "safety first" but rather "live free or die."
Mike Glaser, CINCINNATI, OHIO, U.S.

A September Stand-Down?
Re Joe Klein's "The July surprise" [July 23]: Is George W. Bush off-base on Iraq policy? With the Democrats and a few defecting Republicans clamoring for a speedy exit from Iraq, Bush has a golden opportunity to save face. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki suggested that U.S. troops could go home anytime they want. Whether or not the troop surge is fully effective, the perception remains that Bush's policy is in the wrong ballpark.
Cal George, CARROLLTON, TEXAS, U.S.

Bush says that he will not abandon his Iraq policy unless General David Petraeus declares it a failure in September. Regardless of the truth, I already know the basis of the general's report. With his reputation and career at stake, Petraeus will say exactly what the President wants to hear: The surge is making progress and requires more time and more troops for success. Those familiar with big corporations know that the CEO rarely has a clear understanding of what is happening in his company. With reputations and careers at stake, a story becomes rosier as it passes up the corporate ladder. Does anyone believe the Army is any different? We have seen that retired generals, whose careers are no longer at risk, have the courage to challenge official policy.
King Sinclair, LOUISVILLE, KY, U.S.