Government by the People

You got it right with your cover headline, "It's the Voters, Stupid ... Forget the experts. Forget the polls. Forget the TV ads" [Jan. 21]. What the primary results from New Hampshire showed, once again, is the arrogance of the national media — especially television news, which continues to believe that it's the story. They seemed downright insulted that the voters of New Hampshire didn't vote the way the commentators and pollsters said they would. It's long past time that the talking heads acknowledge they don't have any more political insight than do the schoolteacher and garage mechanic pulling the lever in the voting booth.
Frank Maurizio, SCHENECTADY, N.Y., U.S.

The Root of Kenya's Chaos
As a Kenyan, I was troubled by "The Demons that Still Haunt Africa," which distorted the situation in Kenya, either out of ignorance or in keeping with the Western media's romance with the bleak face of Africa [Jan. 21]. Poverty may predispose people to violence, but the postelection skirmishes in Kenya were not a natural consequence of poverty. Kenyans have been poor but peaceful for decades. Rather, the protests are the language of the weak against a regime that rigged itself into power. The violence is motivated by century-old tribal wounds that had been allowed to fester. Second, tribalism is not the brainchild of Kenya's first President; it started with the imperial British driving wedges between people so they could colonize them with ease. It was then perfected by myopic postcolonial leaders who were keener on self-aggrandizement than on improving living conditions for poor folks. Developed countries like the U.S. are not half as enthusiastic about a stable democratic Africa as they are about forging partnerships against terrorism and for their multinational corporations, even with hideous and illegitimate regimes. Rich nations are very much a part of the demons that haunt Africa.
Mark Evans Ondari, EAST LANSING, MICH., U.S.

A Diplomat's Doings
I was unhappy with Madeleine Albright's response [Jan. 21] to Seyi Falade's question on the immigration debate. I too am of a second generation of immigrants to the U.S. My parents and I have benefited from all this great nation has to offer. However, my parents came here legally. This to me is the crux of the issue. Since illegal immigrants have ignored the rule of law, they should be made to forfeit their right to citizenship until they meet the legal entry requirements. Those of us who oppose a de facto grant of immunity do not oppose legal immigration, and we stand ready to welcome and be enriched by all legal immigrants.
Tom Spaccarelli, SPRINGFIELD, PA., U.S.

Locavores vs. Distavores
I'm sorry that the local-food movement is cramping Joel Stein's style [Jan. 21]. But just because 100 miles (160 km) has been used as an arbitrary procurement distance for p.r. purposes doesn't mean that all people who try to eat locally walk around the supermarket with a GPS unit. I still enjoy bananas and coffee, and I have no problem drinking beer that comes from — gasp! — California. But for me and many others, the point of eating locally is to become more familiar with our food. It's nice to hear a farmer say that my rib-eye steak came from a cow that ate local pasture grass rather than a corn-and-antibiotic slurry.
Ben Kraft, ANN ARBOR, MICH., U.S.