Love Under a Microscope

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A Shooting Star
The untimely death of Heath Ledger brings much sadness to those who knew and loved him, not to mention those of us who simply knew him from his movies [Feb. 4]. He had so much more to offer. I will remember him best for his poignant portrayal of Ennis Del Mar, one of the gay cowboys in Brokeback Mountain. Ledger showed great sensitivity and understanding in conveying all the joy and pain his character experienced. That is the measure of a great actor. For that, Ledger will be truly missed.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr., BELLEROSE, N.Y., U.S.

Ledger's unfortunate passing should serve as a warning. He complained of not being able to sleep and of working so hard that he was unable to talk or move at the end of some days on the set. It's been said that movie star Judy Garland, who also died young, said she had to take pills to get to sleep at night and more pills in the morning before filming. See a medical doctor if you don't feel well.
Kenneth Larson, LOS ANGELES

I'm a gay scholar who has written about Brokeback Mountain, and I remain moved by Ledger's extraordinary portrayal of Ennis. As one who has followed with admiration Ledger's amazing career through the years, I feel he deserved to be on the cover of TIME after his premature death.
Clifton Snider, English Dept., California State University, LONG BEACH, CALIF., U.S.

The Trouble with Amy
I applaud Josh Tyrangiel's defense of Amy Winehouse in his article "Trouble Woman" [Feb. 4]. She is a rare talent, and her music is a wonderful combination of Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin, with a little touch of Otis Redding thrown in. She would have been very much at home at Stax Records. It's troubling to read about Winehouse's high jinks in recent months. Despite her enormous gifts, she has inner demons and struggles. However, I still root for her because, as is evident on Back to Black, Winehouse is aware of them and is a survivor.
Tamara Williamson, MEMPHIS, TENN., U.S.

Kasparov asked us to overlook Bobby Fischer's flaws (like his anti-Semitism, which Kasparov didn't mention), and Tyrangiel wants us to keep buying Winehouse's albums — perhaps so that she can keep herself supplied with drugs? There should be a group called Enablers Anonymous for Kasparov and Tyrangiel to join. I may not help madmen by refusing to patronize them, but at least I don't have to feel like a patsy.
Leslie Gerber, SAUGERTIES, N.Y., U.S.

Educating Afghan Girls
Having helped build or repair 27 schools in north-central Afghanistan over the past six years, I can verify that education is a building block to eliminating poverty, oppression and extremism [Feb. 4]. I have seen remarkable social, political and economic changes among the more than 20,000 children we represent, particularly the girls. They are marrying later and having fewer children. Families are healthier, and mortality rates have decreased. Children are learning much needed life skills. More important, there is now hope. Despite staggering odds, kids are thinking about the future. There is new respect for the rule of law and support for democracy. Communities that have fought for years have laid down their weapons. Children are learning common languages and even playing soccer together. Schools are not simply teaching the three Rs; they are also nation-building.
Julia M. Bolz, Founder Journey with an Afghan School, SEATTLE

After I read the "the girl gap," I saw a television show about American mothers who throw expensive parties for their daughters. I don't know what scares me more — that there are extreme differences in living standards or that we view one of these extremes as a form of entertainment. Either way, we should be embarrassed by the haves when the needs of the have-nots are so simple and evident.
Marilyn Letts, WILMINGTON, DEL., U.S.

As a teenager, I was deeply moved by 12-year-old Lida Ahmadyar's resolve to be a doctor. I am distressed that children in the developed world seem to take school for granted and those being led astray show little interest in studying. While we spend our time sporting our latest gadgets, perhaps we should think about children like Lida in other regions of the world.
Jackie Lai Yan-ki, SAI KUNG, HONG KONG