Inbox

McCain: Temper of the Times

Although I am troubled by the refusal of Senator John McCain to answer many of the questions asked of him, the emphasis TIME placed on that aspect rather than on his answers on the issues is another example of the media's liberal bias [Sept. 8]. I was disappointed that the vast majority of your interview with McCain was devoted to his "prickly" attitude, when the full version of the interview on TIME.com had much more substance. Alanna Rice, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA

Your special issue on the Republicans bent over backward to present McCain as an honorable man, but the transcript of your bizarre interview, in which McCain refused to answer simple and legitimate questions, was frightening. It showed a resentful, uncommunicative and uncooperative McCain who was uncomfortable with the straight talk he used to be known for and who had a chip on his shoulder the size of a sequoia. Such a volatile temperament renders him unfit to have his finger anywhere near the Button. Lee Otterholt, LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.

Why couldn't McCain simply provide his definition of honor? He misjudged this opportunity by failing to realize that the answer was for those who have not read his books. Read your book, McCain? We've decided to read Obama's. Jay Fenwick and Cindy Norris, BOONE, N.C.

In your recent issue featuring Barack Obama, he is portrayed as an all-around person fit for the job of being the next President of the United States. Your articles on McCain were anything but that. He does not get credit for anything that he has accomplished. While I understand there is freedom of the press, there still needs to be freedom of choice. Rivky Levy, BROOKLYN, N.Y.

TIME's compilation on senator McCain is brilliant and timely. It extols the honesty and integrity of McCain, and it all rings naturally true. Real courage comes from inborn convictions, not training. McCain certainly has the right stuff. Our country needs a President who has guts, not popularity. Thayalan Cumarasamy, CHERRY HILL, N.J.

Though I differ with McCain on specific issues, I've always admired his maverick spirit and straight-talk approach to the press. But his interview with TIME raises grave concerns. McCain could have defused legitimate questions about his campaign's new discipline in any number of ways, but to put reporters from a major newsmagazine in the deep freeze betrays a fundamental lack of self-control, not to mention candor. Do we really want to elect such a mercurial individual as our Commander in Chief? Owen Prell, MILL VALLEY, CALIF.

Michael Phelps Rules!

I disagree with Mark Reese's comments in Inbox regarding Michael Phelps [Sept. 8]. It may be true that Phelps had the advantages of technology in breaking Mark Spitz's speed records; however, Phelps--with his laser-sleek swimsuits and streamlined swimming caps--competed for his eight medals against other athletes with the exact same advantages. Phelps won those medals fair and square and should not have to justify his victories to those who think he should have done it the "old-fashioned way." Janice Heidt, HOUSTON

In Defense of Wine's Terroir

In "fifty states of wine," we have more underinformed pabulum [Sept. 8]. I am no snob, but I expect what's in the bottle to accurately reflect the wine's place of origin, traditions, agricultural history and, yes, terroir, which describes all of the preceding. Neither Joel Stein nor Fred Franzia has enough understanding of the subject to speak of it intelligently and should not be relied on to teach curious readers. David Moore, Moore Brothers Wine Co. PENNSAUKEN, N.J.

Adversity and Character

Re Michael Kinsley's essay on politicians and personal tragedy: Kinsley, you've got to get out more [Sept. 8]. It is human nature to take the easy path. Keeping a Down-syndrome baby or refusing preferential treatment in prisoner-of-war conditions is a measure of character. That's what it takes for me to choose a candidate, facing an uncertain world with insufficient data. Some can say what they'll do under pressure; others have demonstrated what they did under the intense heat of reality. Troy Hammond, ASHBURN, VA.

Tom Wolfe's Long, Strange Trip

Despite his claim in "10 Questions" that he never used LSD, Tom Wolfe told Rolling Stone magazine that, in fact, he had taken acid once during the writing of his book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test [Sept. 8]. He said, "It scared the hell out of me." It seems Wolfe has inadvertently verified his assertion that the drug culture "inevitably leads to a total lack of intellect." Or maybe he just forgot. Chase Martin, COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS

Please recycle this magazine and remove inserts or samples before recycling