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The TIME 100

I read TIME's pick of "The World's most Influential People" with great pleasure [May 11]. I found the articles fascinating, even poetic at times--until I got to Ann Coulter's essay on Sarah Palin. All of the other writers praise their candidates without disparaging someone else. Coulter, who in this case insults John McCain, seems incapable of such an approach. Melanie Hart, TROY, MICH.

Coulter was correct that Palin was responsible for "more votes than the usual vice-presidential candidate." What I think Coulter missed was that most of those votes went to the other ticket. Erin Pagel, redlands, calif.

After reading the TIME 100, I came to several conclusions. First, the world is apparently being shaped by virtual unknowns. Second, in many cases, the real influential people seem to be the ones writing the essays. And third, aren't the media that report on the events that most affect Americans among the most influential? Curiously, their names were missing. The Rev. Al Detter, ERIE, PA.

Like most Americans, I am a fan of Jay Leno. Now I am also a fan of Chris Buck. I was blown away when I came to Buck's picture of Leno. Prior to that moment, I could not imagine it was possible to capture in one picture the unique mirth that is Leno (that chin, the look in his eye) and at the same time depict the distinguished statesman of comedians he has become. Kudos to Buck. David Simon, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF.

Until I read Michael Moore's Piece on Bernie Madoff, I believed Moore was so misinformed and off the wall that if he said that gravity makes objects fall, I would stop believing in the laws of physics. I found myself agreeing with his every word. The managers and brokers who facilitated the greed should also be reviled. They all should have followed the example of another "most influential": truth-telling Wall Street analyst Meredith Whitney. Ted Zaydel, WATERFORD, MICH.

As a Saudi citizen, I strongly disagree with Liz Cheney that Deputy Minister for Women's Education Norah al-Faiz will face obstacles because she "can't, for example, work face to face with male counterparts without violating the kingdom's strict religious code." I believe in the female right of privacy. Most Saudi women feel that way as well. We have separate campuses at the university for men and women. Giving women their own places to work and compete is better than their being second-class employees, as in some Western countries. Saleh Almuzaini, RIYADH

How could TIME have excluded ben Bernanke, whose composure and decisive action averted an economic catastrophe? Michael Matus, FORT MILL, S.C.

Really? Chef Dan Barber one of the premier "Scientists and Thinkers"? You've just redefined science. John Hertner, KEARNEY, NEB.

The TIME 100 was great! while I would love to accomplish what most of these icons have, nothing would make me more proud than being thought of in the way Meg Ryan thinks of Tom Hanks. Kent Hanson, EVERETT, WASH.

Bobby, Let Me Follow You Down