Letters

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"As a soldier, pilot, mother and woman, Laura Richardson is an incredible role model. Her example transcends all cultural barriers."
PATRICIA B. SOLECKI
Moorestown, N.J.

LATEST COVER STORY Mind & Body Happiness Jan. 17, 2004 Past Issues Tsunami Jan. 10, 2004 ----------------- Person of the Year Jan. 3, 2004 ----------------- Secrets of the Nativity Dec. 13, 2004 ----------------- The Stealth Killer Dec. 6, 2004 ----------------- Coolest Inventions Nov. 29, 2004 ----------------- Battle for Fallujah Nov. 22, 2004 ----------------- Four More Years Nov. 15, 2004 ----------------- The Joy Of Sox Nov. 8, 2004 ----------------- The Morning After Nov. 1, 2004 ----------------- The God Gene Oct. 25, 2004 ----------------- The Vote Battle Oct. 18, 2004 ----------------- Visions of Tomorrow Oct. 11, 2004 ----------------- The Tragedy of Sudan Oct. 4, 2004 ----------------- CBS Controversy Sept. 27, 2004 ----------------- America's Border Sept. 20, 2004 ----------------- Struggle Within Islam Sept. 13, 2004 ----------------- World of George Bush Sept. 6, 2004 -----------------   SPECIAL REPORTS  Coolest Video Games 2004  Coolest Inventions  Wireless Society  Cool Tech 2004 PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS  At The Epicenter  Paths to Pleasure  Quotes of the Week  This Week's Gadget  Cartoons of the Week More graphics >> More photos >> MORE STORIES Advisor: Rove Warrior The Bushes: Family Dynasty Klein: Benneton Ad Presidency More Stories >> CNN.com: Latest News

I was deeply moved by "An American Family Goes to War" [COVER STORY, March 24]. I give married battalion commanders Laura and Jim Richardson a lot of credit for being able to go and serve in the Middle East even though their 14-year-old daughter Lauren is home in the U.S. I admire the Richardsons for their dedication to our country. And Lauren's courage touched my heart. I am just a few years older than Lauren, and I cannot fathom the emotions she is feeling. She must be a very brave young girl. The Richardson family must have a strong faith in God.
LINDSEY ROLLINS
Romeo, Mich.

Why do women like Laura Richard-son have children? There is nothing admirable about a mother whose devotion to her job is so strong that it makes her leave her child behind in the care of friends. Richardson and her husband are so absorbed in their careers that their daughter is just something to be managed while they are away. I have no quarrel with women in the military — they have as much right as anyone else to get shot at — but I do have a problem with mothers who are irresponsible.
JOAN COLAVECCHIO
Atlantis, Fla.

It's sad to think that parents would consider going to war for their country a greater duty than raising their own child. The world needs good parents more than it needs soldiers.
CHRIS LEONARD
La Canada, Calif.

I am a retired sergeant first class and am married to a master sergeant (also retired). We loved our time in the service. I am proud to be an American, to be a veteran and to have served when I was married with three daughters. It takes a strong individual to make a career in the military, and being married to a career soldier when you are one is a wonderful combination. You learn that there is nothing you can't do. The rewards outweigh the sacrifice — and there is plenty of sacrifice. LINDA LUNA-KRESS Apex, N.C.

Your article on the Richardsons' leaving their daughter at home while they serve in the military in Kuwait is all the evidence most people need to decide that America is coming unglued. I'm a war veteran myself, but I'm reluctantly beginning to agree that something is wrong here.
SHAWN DISNEY
Onancock, Va.

The prospect of families being separated by war is heart wrenching. Knowing that people like Laura and Jim Richardson are serving abroad to keep people like me alive and protected is overwhelming. We Americans take so much for granted. The brave men and women who are going into battle make me feel that we have so much to be thankful for. God bless all our troops, and bring them home safely.
ISABELLA TREECE
Columbus, Ohio

The Necessity of the U.N.

Joe Klein, in "Two Cheers For The Peacekeepers," evaluated the U.N. through the cynical eye of realpolitik [IN THE ARENA, March 24]. But the symbolic value of the U.N. as an institution transcends pragmatism. One can judge U.S. democracy with the same cold eye and see real flaws: elections and policies corrupted by money, legislation derailed by pork-barrel politics and partisanship. Still, Americans would not dream of ditching our flawed democracy. The U.N. is our best hope for a humane and peaceful world. We must believe in it as a work in progress and strive in good faith to keep it relevant.
CAROL JULES
Charleston, S.C.

The U.N. can work only as well as its member nations wish it to. Those who want America to get out of this alliance don't have a clue about how much more dangerous the world would become with no U.N. There has not been a world war since the U.N. came into existence. The U.N. is needed to prevent the globe from slipping into death throes underneath a chemical or radioactive cloud.
JOAN E. HARMAN
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

France Plays Hardball

In his commentary "France's Game," about French opposition to the war in Iraq [ESSAY, March 24], Charles Krauthammer said that a French-led coalition of nations is "challenging the hegemony of American power and the legitimacy of American dominance." Krauthammer seems to think this is a bad thing. Like many other patriotic Americans, however, I believe this could be a good thing. Whatever the French goal is, why do Americans believe they should never be questioned or challenged ?
PEGGY COLLINS
New York City

On its course as the leader of the opposition to U.S. actions in Iraq, France risks becoming irrelevant in the 21st century. Old ideas die hard, but they will die.
DAVID USHER
Colchester, Vt.

Krauthammer's arrogant tone, indifference to the world's concerns and blind faith in America's right to the spoils of the cold war are exactly what engenders the distrust of the U.S.
MATT MILLER
Midland, Mich.

It is right for France to seek limits to U.S. global dominance. The world needs checks and balances — a principle at the heart of the U.S. Constitution.
ROLAND HUET
Fremont, Calif.