America's Medicated Warriors

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If you read the Google disclaimer, they have the legal right to anything stored on their gmail, online apps, etc. Just remember that when you go for "free." Also, they have legal rights to sell any information allowed on there.
John Ruman, MANLIUS, N.Y., U.S.

Obama's Image
At a time when America's economic might and political credibility are faltering, Obama's ascendancy [June 16] is a boost. It is comforting to see that America is still a beacon when we aspire to a fair society where color and race don't matter.
Tsai King-Hang, HONG KONG

I don't know how you can consider a Senator with the most liberal voting record in the Senate, running in the primaries with the most liberal voting blocs in the country, an insurgent. That is illogical and just gilding the lily. Your near orgasmic joy at Obama is quite unseemly.
Tim Schubert, GLENVIEW, ILL. U.S.

Karen Tumulty has given us some interesting insights into the two Democratic campaigns. I'm curious about one thing though. How did a grassroots, bottom-up organization like Obama's maintain a consistent message, while a top-down, hierarchical organization such as Clinton's had so little consistency with their message? How do you turn your brand over 
 to the public yet still be able to manage it so completely?
Carrie Gartner, COLUMBIA, MO., U.S.

Coldplay Rocks
As a music journalist I take issue with Josh Tyrangiel's swipes at Coldplay, in both his preview of the new album [June 9] and his latest feature ("Hit Restart," [June 16]). Tyrangiel calls the British foursome "annoying," "crib-safe" and rockers who "pound listeners into submission." Give me a break. As if to defend his distaste, Tyrangiel trots out an absurd, less-than-articulate statement from Chuck Klosterman ("Coldplay is absolutely the s — iest f — ing band I've ever heard in my entire f — ing life"), and a pompous statement from the New York Times's Jon Pareles, who calls Coldplay "insufferable." Not only is Coldplay anything but insufferable, but their previous album, X&Y, was one of the best pop-rock albums of the new millennium. I'm expecting greatness again from Viva la Vida, especially with master producer Brian Eno at the helm.
Cameron Conant, NASHVILLE, TENN., U.S.

When critics rant about the success of Coldplay they give away the real reason they dislike them. Their music is clean. Critics say they want "hard and edgy" music when they really mean cursing and screaming. I am grateful to Coldplay for providing music that a 40+ mom can listen to without hitting the mute.
Elizabeth Fifielski, MERIDIAN, IDAHO, U.S.

A Starbucks Grows in Harlem
While Alex Altman's article will one day be considered prophetic for its facts and truth, a wider context might be needed [June 16]. Harlem's gentrification is no different from the gentrification occurring all over New York City. From bodegas turned Starbucks in the East Village to the Disneyfication of Times Square, pushing out the old and ushering in the new has been transforming our neighborhoods. The perpetrators? Real estate developers, the politicians and residents who desire progress in our city and those who can afford to pay the high rents and prices. Sadly, the effect of this progress has been to steal the heart and soul from the world's greatest city — but that heart will beat on.
Peter Edelson, NEW YORK CITY

What's wrong with lifting up a community and trying to make it better? I'm as nostalgic as the next guy, but sometimes change can stimulate growth, and in this case, it's change for the better.
Carmin Piccirillo, ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., U.S.