Inbox

• Share

Surviving Disaster

Amanda Ripley's piece about surviving disaster was both informative and important [June 9]. But her recounting of the fatal fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club, which I covered as a correspondent for ABC News, omitted two key lessons. One: when someone yells "Fire!" (or anything equally alarming), people must err on the side of caution. And two: exit doors must open outward! Most of the corpses at the Beverly Hills were lumped up against the exits. The people who reached the doors first couldn't open them because they opened inward, and when more people pressed up behind them, the doors couldn't open at all. Greg Dobbs, EVERGREEN, COLO.

Morgan Stanley security chief Rick Rescorla may very well be the greatest American hero no one has ever heard of. Rescorla's many friends--from his Army days on--have been advocating a Presidential Medal of Freedom for him. But that has gone nowhere, because to celebrate his achievements and sacrifices on 9/11 calls attention to those--at the Port Authority and elsewhere--who got it all wrong. Steven R. Hansen, JONESBORO, ARIZ.

You missed an opportunity to promote a critical need: for average Americans to get involved with their local community emergency-response team. Too many people still expect others to take care of them when first responders are overwhelmed in a large disaster. Don Jones, SAN JOSE, CALIF.

In all disasters, our ability to communicate with our social network underlies everything else we may do to survive. My experience providing mental-health services at disaster sites and hospital emergency centers convinced me that I needed to get a ham-radio license. Wayne Rosenfield, NORWICH, CONN.

It's a pity that leadership during crises rarely comes from the top. When Hurricane Katrina hit my home, everyday heroes like policemen, firefighters and neighbors did their jobs admirably. Meanwhile, our dear Federal Government seemingly had no idea what to do. Maybe Washington should read your article for a few tips. Arush Sarwar, KENNER, LA.

Only in second grade at the time of 9/11--I'm now in eighth--I had been utterly confused by the tragic events. However, your article about the heroic efforts of Rick Rescorla and the risks he took for his colleagues sent my mother and me into tears. Rescorla's ability to remain calm and assertive in a dangerous situation is inspiring, and I hope we can learn from his example. Martha Harding, PALO ALTO, CALIF.

The Art of the Export

Re Justin Fox's "a port that exports": you don't wipe away an $800 billion annual trade deficit by further weakening the dollar, exporting raw materials and wishing for good luck [June 9]. It takes real change in trade policy--labor and environmental standards that will raise living standards at home and abroad, better guarantees for safe food and toy imports, and no more NAFTAS and other corporate trade deals. We need more trade--but under a very different set of rules that work for our families and our communities. Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator, AVON, OHIO

Uncle Sam's Energy Lag

In his story on how to solve the energy crisis, Jeffrey D. Sachs says President George W. Bush "dithered for eight years instead of investing in new technologies for a sustainable planet" [June 9]. This year alone, the Bush Administration will dedicate more than $5 billion to research, develop and promote technologies including low-emission coal, renewables, nuclear power and vehicles powered by advanced biofuels, electricity and hydrogen. More than $40 billion in loan guarantees will help put such technologies to use. The President's 2009 budget calls for nearly $1 billion in public and private investment for the world's most ambitious program to demonstrate nearly emission-free power from coal. Last year's energy-bill mandates include billions of dollars of private investment to improve efficiency of vehicles, lighting and appliances and call for replacing 15% of our gasoline with alternatives. These efforts will cut billions of tons of greenhouse gases. With the U.S. investing more than any other nation to advance new technologies, Sachs should join the country in urging the rest of the G-8 and other major countries to do their part. James L. Connaughton, Chairman, White House Council on Environmental Quality, WASHINGTON

Sachs' article should be required reading for every Senator and Representative in this great country--before it's not great anymore. The one point that really blows my mind is that the U.S. in 2006 spent $3.2 billion on energy research--nuclear, wind, coal, solar and biofuels--while the Pentagon spends that much in about 40 hours. Howard Sandt, BIG STONE GAP, VA.

Your article was absolutely on target. It is essential that the U.S. develop new sustainable sources of nonpolluting energy. You have made clear the interrelationships among the availability of that energy and international politics (and the need for the U.S. to operate without one hand tied behind its back), the environment and the world economy. A Manhattan Project--level effort is needed. Time is running out. Donald J. Loundy, CARLSBAD, CALIF.

A Good-Faith Effort?

As an ardent reader and fan of your publication, I am finding it hard, even 24 hours later, to close my jaw after reading your story on Tony Blair's faith [June 9]. How dare Michael Elliott refer to "the chattering classes of London'' who think of Blair as smug. I think you'll find this is a common view, echoed from Lands End to John O'Groats, and with very good reason. Blair's deeds--and those of his unelected inner circle of cronies--have left the British public with little faith in politics and politicians, let alone religion. Colin Wright COUNTY DOWN, NORTHERN IRELAND

By conveniently waiting until after he stepped down as Prime Minister to embrace Roman Catholicism, Blair demonstrated that his political career was more important to him than his faith. Frédéric Renard, BRUSSELS

You've put into words what I have always felt was the truth about Blair. I don't think he's achieved what he has set out to do yet, but I know he will, and history will judge him better than the U.K. media have. Rosamund Hubley, LONDON