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The Great Arctic Grab
As a university student of ecology and evolutionary biology, I would prefer that the Arctic remain largely untouched and unspoiled [Oct. 1]. But since profit-driven exploitation of the increasingly accessible area is inevitable, substantial fees should be imposed on corporations and nations that profit from what ought to be considered world heritage. Monies collected could aid biodiversity conservation and ameliorate poverty. But it's more likely that we will see the traditional unholy alliance of nationalism, greed and business as usual.
Fred Drumlevitch
Tucson, Arizona

After reading James Graff's article, "Fight for the Top of the World," I asked my 5-year old son, "Who owns the Arctic?" He thought for a moment, smiled and said, "Santa Claus."
Holmes Brannon
Woodland Park, Colorado

It is a shame that our world leaders, faced with an imminent crisis, can think only of their wallets. The rapid melting of the Arctic ice cap is the most obvious consequence of a global climate change that has the potential to cause increases in species loss, infectious disease and extreme weather events. Instead of focusing on how to solve this impending tragedy, politicians are fighting to exploit it.
Elina El-Badry
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Who owns the arctic? It belongs to man-kind as a whole, not to the region's border states. Devising a treaty to enforce that is very simple: you just have to copy and paste the basic agreements of the Antarctic Treaty System, which has kept greedy people off that continent for decades.
Jean Lehouchu
Nice, France

Sticks and Stones
While it is true that the right has made political hay from MoveOn.org's ad asking if we should call General Petraeus " General Betray Us," it is also true that most Americans found the ad offensive [Oct. 1]. It was outside the bounds of acceptable political dialogue, unless you happen to be 17 years old. And Michael Kinsley's defense of the ad was equally offensive. People can disagree with the general, but he deserves respect, earned by his service to the country and the high position he has attained.
Richard Kapanka
Greensboro, North Carolina

Those of us who served in uniform indeed took righteous "umbrage" at one of our own being called duplicitous and basically unfit to wear the uniform. None of us are perfect, but by God, we did our best to serve our civilian masters without genuflecting. Shame on Kinsley for missing the point behind the outrage and doubting its authenticity.
Kenneth M. Currie, Lieut. Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

I'm a Republican, and I want the U.S. out of Iraq. But the ad crossed the line. Kinsley sits at a desk typing away while Petraeus leads people who take bullets for you and me. It's not trite; it's reality. Agree or disagree with the war, but don't insult those standing in harm's way so we can have this debate in the comfort of our homes.
Mark Carpenter
San Antonio

Senator John Cornyn should resign his seat for co-sponsoring a resolution condemning MoveOn.org's free speech. This is the sort of fascism that is a far greater threat to Americans than terrorism.
Dale Stevens
Montgomery, Texas