Send Us Your Thoughts

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Updated Dec. 16, 2005
Tell us who you think TIME should name as Person of the Year 2005, for good or for ill, using our form below. Here are some of the responses so far:

Rick Warren has shown millions of people how to live life on purpose by showing them that ultimate purpose only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, he's attacking the global giants that we all must face, including AIDS. He's a courageous and revolutionary leader and gets my vote.
Greg Leith
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

Dorothy Stang, who was killed in February for her strong stand for the Amazon, environment and poor farmers.
Elizabeth Schaad
Reading, Ohio

John McCain - For understanding and communicating that the soul and values of what this country stands for cannot be compromised for a war on terror. Otherwise, we become terrorists ourselves.
D.C.
Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

I nominate our service men and women who have and are serving overseas. No politican deserves it.. most of them are too busy raping and pillaging our country and the middle class. To select a celebrity would mitigate this honor. Again, the only one(s) relentlessly doing what has been asked of them, not for greed or recognition, are our troops. May God help them and their families.
Sue Weiner
Rochester, N.Y.

Mother Nature has shown us that she has ultimate control. This past year has been a whirlwind and uncovered a tragedy in our country, and all over the world. I am sick to my stomach to here that Bush has been considered again. He doesn't deserve to be the President, let alone the person of the year.
Leah D.
Chapel Hill, N.C.

No one. Your year-end cover should be left blank. This is the year that everyone passed the buck. The stunning lack of leadership is the hallmark of 2005.
Nilabh Chaudhary
Cincinnati, Ohio

Oprah Winfrey. Her big heart has touched and helped millions, and so has her millions.
Carol M.
Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Person of the Year? The Iraqi voter. Two elections in one year under the threat of death. Mid East and world shattering stuff.
Paavo Nurmi
Alta Loma, Calif.

Patrick Fitzgerald—a man who has real potential to restore faith in the meaning of justice in America.
Amanda Stewart
Haiku, Hawaii

Bill and Melinda Gates and the Gates Foundation would get my vote. They have donated so much of their fortune into diseases that exist in Third World countries. Control/eradication of diseases will enable a country to develop their full potential.
Kathleen
Newport News, Va.

Pope John Paul II. In death, he brought together the entire world, not just Catholics.
Tuan
Atlanta, Ga.

Lieutenant General Russell Honoré. Hooray for Honoré!
Beverley Gail Howarth
Miramar, Fla.

Tony Blair. Impressive leadership in Britain, Europe and the world. His coolness and character in dealing with G8, the 2012 Olympic bid and the London bombings almost simultaneously is incredible.
Mardy
Canberra, Australia

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa. should be the person of the year for saying what the public is thinking: get out of Iraq, it is killing our soldiers and bankrupting our nation.
Lackey Rowe
Brevard, N.C.

Bono, because he reminds each and every one of us of the power and responsibility that we carry: that each one of us as individuals has the ability to make a real and meaningful mark on the world.
Miriam
Cleveland, Ohio

Michael Brown. He exemplifies incompetence, arrogance, and cronyism, which is the hallmark of this administration.
Bob W.
Alexandria, Va.

I believe Kanye West should be Person of the Year. Despite the lack of musicians on the list of nominees, Mr. West has effected the way the world listens to music. His music truly bridges the gap between races, creeds, colors and religion. What was once only played in the homes of African-Americans can now be found in the MP3 players of white teens and the middle-aged alike. Unlike a Dave Chappelle, West isn't making a fool of himself during the process.
Donnell Suggs
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dick Cheney. He demonstrates all that is wrong with absolute power in government. He has continuously misrepresented the conditions leading us to war, has lobbied for torture and it is his office at the center of the CIA leak investigation.
Pattie B.
Austin, Texas

The warriors of the U.S.: our troops!
Lynda
North Platte, Neb.

The brave Iraqui people who voted for a new form of government holding up their blue finger in defiance of the terrorists. And the brave American and allied forces who helped bring this about.
Victoria
Novato, Calif.

Cindy Sheehan effectively moved this nation from jingoistic magnetic ribbons to authentic activism.
Tim Saracki
Buffalo, N.Y.

I nominate Leonard Peltier. He deserves this more than anyone. After having 30 years taken from his life, He still manages to do more good than most people do who are free.
Daniel Nour
Portland, Ore.

Oprah Winfrey. From making an amazing effort to put America's most wanted child molester's and sex offenders behind bars to bringing America to the middle of the tsunami and hurricane victims, she is by far one of the most inspiring people this country has ever seen.
Alysha
Spokane, Wash.

Angelina Jolie, for adopting children who would otherwise have a life of hell, if they have a life at all. For making adoption the latest trend in Hollywood and for inspiring millions of young women with her beauty, empathy for the unfortunate and daring to be a single mother.
Yangchen
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hugo Chavez, definetly. He's starting to pop up more and more on the news, with his generosity towards the American people in their times of need, and I can see him becoming an even stronger political figure in the future.
Paul
Arlington, Texas

Terri Schiavo undoubtedly has to be the Person of the Year. Her court-ordered death this year sparked an emotion in America. It showed America what an activist judge (Judge Greer) can do. It showed how powerful a judiciary is. Her life [is] over, and it's sad that she had to starve for two weeks so judicial activism could be brought to light. We need to carry on the case and show that we are not here for the judiciary to rule. This is a government by the people, for the people, and of the people.
Victor Henderson
Glen Burnie, Md.

Cindy Sheehan has my vote for Person of the Year. Her incredible courage this summer sparked the flame that can not be extinguished. Sheehan gave a voice to an all to quiet peace movement. She spoke for those of us who want the Bush administration to be held accountable for the death and suffering in the invasion and occupation of Iraq. And, the question is still : For what noble cause did they die? Thank you, Cindy Sheehan!
Melissa S. Rabe
Blanchard, Okla.

Mother Nature! What with a record-setting Atlantic hurricane season, numerous earthquakes and devastating tsunami and a nasty start to winter, she has been making the most news these past twelve months. If Earth could be Planet of the Year, Nature can be Force of the Year.
Freya
Atlanta, Ga.

The American torturer who has devalued the values the Western world stands for.
Martin Trafoier
Schlanders, Italy

Once the "Person of the Year" title popped up on my screen, my thoughts spontaneously reflected on a unique person, who dedicated his life for the love of his nation. He never refrained from reviving his beloved Lebanon out of a dead locked 15 year old civil war, reconstructed a whole country out of the rubbles, granted scholarships to a whole generation of youths, hence, rooted hope and faith in every Lebanese citizen, all for the passion of witnessing the rise of an independent and sovereign Lebanese state. Rafik Hariri is a living martyr in every patriotic Lebanese soul.
Houssam Ghandour
Beirut, Lebanon

Tony Blair is the best candidate for Person of the Year. His strong showing at the G8 summit, reelection and election to the presidency of the EU make him the biggest newsmaker in todays world. Runner Ups: Condoleeza Rice and Pope Benedict XVI.
Anthony
Worcester, Mass.

Rosa Parks would have to get my vote. Perhaps the last of those who changed the world through peaceful resistance. If there are any others left, they sure aren't living in the White House.
Deb
Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Jack Murtha, for speaking truth to power.
Keith Shandalow
Boulder, Colo.

Condoleezza Rice is a prime canditate for Person of the Year. She has mended and changed foreign policy and relationships with many nations, and continues to do so. She has had a great positive influence on this present administration and nation for bringing change and getting the job done. She has an excellent intellectual understanding about the political mechanics of Washington D.C. In better terms, she could fix a lot of the existing problems in the political spaghetti by adding the right spice in the sauce. Her extensive experience, articulation, knowledge and strong mannerism really makes her an excellent candidate for the presidential race.
Alex
Pompano Beach, Fla.

Bono. With little more than his voice, a passion and a lot of moxy, he's achieved more in terms of debt relief, AIDS relief, and poverty relief and awareness than any politician or TV personality could muster. If only more of us were so concerned for the future of humanity.
Adam
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Conservative Republicans. Never has the majority of this country been under such attack for voting and living according to their values. Those who support our soldiers, our President, religion, and the belief that spreading freedom and defeating our enemies is the most noble cause, are the Persons Of The Year.
Jeff
Orland Park, Ill.

Congressman [John] Murtha should be the Person of the Year for opening the door to a legitimate debate about the war in Iraq. Only someone with his credentials could raise the questions and state the truths that have been obvious to so many outside Bush's "core." This war is defining who we are, and Murtha is making sure we establish that definition informed by truth instead of propaganda.
Mason Myatt
Birmingham, Ala.

The citizens of Iraq who, facing the threat of death, went to the polls and voted in an historic election. How many Americans would have risked their lives to exercise their right to vote?
Linda
Chicago, Ill.

5 out of 74 comments on this site come from outside of the U.S. Is that a reflection of the interest the rest of the world takes in your selection or a reflection of the input that you choose to consider? Maybe both.
Jens Deininger
Berlin, Germany

No Bono or Bush, please! Enough celebrity/Presidential kowtowing. Despite your criteria (for good or for ill), the Person of the Year designation is widely seen as an honor, not a recognition of an individual or group that has had the most impact during the year. I suggest selecting Katrina survivors—for their courage and persistence in the face of monumental tragedy. Also consider the foursome of Tom DeLay, Scooter Libby, 'Duke' Cunningham and Jack Abramoff to illustrate the lack of faith people have in their government officials.
Dan S.
Wooster, Ohio

Pope John Paul II. Even in his death he still managed to bring the world together. Never has the death of one person so moved the whole world into mourning, despite religion or ethnic background.
Matthew Schoemehl
Vancouver, Wash.

At this dangerous time in the world, a peaceful person should be named Person of the Year. The spark responsible for re-igniting the peace movement in the U.S. is of course, Cindy Sheehan.
Lee Stanley
Tucson, Ariz.

George Bush! Not only is he fighting terrorism, he is fighting against the terrorist's allies: Liberal Democrats!
Mark Dedek
Newington, Conn.

I nominate Leonard Peltier as Person of the Year. His life and the injustice he has faced at the hands of our government serves as a harrowing example of where this country is heading and the fate that any of us could face as our personal freedoms, right to privacy and civil liberties erode.
Kathy
Alaska

I mentioned four people, but forgot to mention one thing that has changed the face of the world: Linux. I nominate Linus Torvalds for Person of the Year. So that's five people.
Jonathan Kalbfeld
La Canada, Calif.

I think Peter Jennings should be Time Magazine's Person of the Year. He was one of the greatest news anchors of his time, especially on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and should be honored for it.
Zachary Budnick
New York, N.Y.

I think you should pick Steve Jobs as your Person of the Year for 2005. He was born a visionary and has affected many aspects of our industry single-handedly!
Craig Otis
East Leroy, Mich.

It would be a complete shame if J. K. Rowling were not to win. She inspires not only kids, but adults as well, through her magic words on paper. Her books teach us lessons we should all learn—all must band together, else we will crumble to evil.
Elizabeth S.
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ariel Sharon—for better or worse, he has changed the Middle East by pulling out of Gaza, leaving Likud and bringing about Shimon Peres's departure from the Labor party.
Edo
Israel

I believe that Pope Benedict XVI should be named Person of the Year. Criticized heavily at first, he has proven critics wrong. He had huge shoes to fill, and I believe he has done an excellent job. He has showed excellent leadership. He is a great role model to Catholics and to non-Catholics alike.
Danny
Lake Ariel, Pa.

Considering the fact that TIME normally gives in to pressure and always gives the Person of the Year award to the most politically acceptable person, my nomination might be pointless. But I nominate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Yes, he is a terrorist who has caused harm, death and suffering to his victims and to his victims' families and friends. However, it was his actions in Iraq and Jordan that generated the most news coverage. We must face facts, we are living in an age of terror and the face of terror is no longer Bin Laden, whom we never hear about anymore, but al-Zarqawi.
Jong Won Lee
Stevens Point, Wis.

Bill and Hillary Clinton. The ultimate American political couple, who have weathered every storm possible and who continue to be there for one another. Such a force that even Republicans call upon them to get things done.
Anthony
Hoboken, N.J.

How about our collective entertainment community, who during these turbulent times, lend their communal hands in support of those affected by the tumult of the times?
Klaus Peter Stuchlik
Portland, Ore.

TIME's "Person of the Year" should be the victims, volunteers and heroes of Hurricane Katrina. They're not famous, rich, glamorous or politically correct, but they are worthy of recognition, honor and respect.
Tim Hermetz
Cullman, Ala.

Vice Admiral Thad Allen of the United States Coast Guard. He provided incredibly professional and effective leadership in the response to Hurricane Katrina. He was the face of the Coast Guard's incredible performance as they rescued more than 30,000 people, restored vital commercial waterways, and led the clean up of millions of gallons of oil. Along with the Coast Guard, he has helped restore the American people's faith in the Federal government.
Anthony
Washington, D.C.

I think Bono should be person of the year because he has achieved so much this year. He is able to be commited to his band and also help with the AIDs problem in Africa. He is doing and amazing job. Bono should be person of the year. Period.
Lauren
Orlando, Fla.

It has to be J.K. Rowling. For any devoted Harry Potter fan, that woman is a kind-hearted genius.
Luke McLean
Burwell, Cambridge, U.K.

I canceled my subscription after TIME named George W. Bush. He should be on trial for crimes against humanity instead of leading our great nation. How about Cindy Sheehan for demanding an answer from the president and showing that a single person can ignite a fire in our nation's people. Wheather you love her or hate her, she started a much needed debate about the war in Iraq.
Dana Leach
Albuquerque, N.M.

[Person of the Year should] probably should be shared by President Bush and Tony Blair. Both men have undoubtedly done more to help in our freedom and security by being relentless in their pursuit of potential and known terrorists [on behalf of] us peace-loving American and British citizens.
Ronda C. Dorman
Port Arthur, Texas

George W. Bush, for enduring yet another year of incessant bashing from the world's leftist media, including TIME. For continuing to do what is right in Iraq, regardless of the difficulty. He is by no means perfect, and I disagree with him on strongly on many issues, but years later, when everyone has forgotten, Bush will be regarded as a foreign policy visionary who was not afraid to kick over the hornet's nest. Of course, he will never be nominated for this honor, because fashion dictates that we ridicule our leaders now.
Marc Atkinson
Simi Valley, Calif.

After [TIME chose] Bush last year, I've lost all respect for your Person of the Year election.
Oscar Ore
New York, N.Y.

Sen. John McCain should be recognized for standing up for [what's] right, even when it means going against his own party. Having never voted for a Republican, he's the only one I would vote for to change the current "American Taliban" mentality now ruling our nation.
Phil
Sanford, N.C.

Jon Stewart. Let's try something new this year. How about a person who is able to keep it real and maintain a sense of humor? George Bush doesnt have either of those assets in his corner.
Roman Van Liempt
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Your question said for ill or good. In my lifetime (I'm 50), I can't think of anyone that has had as negative an impact on our nation and the rest of the world as the current administration. Bush and his cronies take the cake. Just ask our children in 20 years.
Marilyn Tuohy
Enumclaw, Wash.

Burt Rutan and his team who won the Ansari X-Prize exemplify what American ingenuity is all about. With a backyard tinkerer's mentality and a shoestring budget, those guys accomplished more in a year than NASA could do in ten years.
Steve Snyder
Springfield, Mass.

It well past time to nominate the American soldier, sailor, marine, and airman again. While we here in America debate the legitimacy (which it is not) of the war in Iraq and whether the public was deliberately misled (which we were), our American troops are left fighting an ever-increasing dangerous insurgency with many paying the ultimate price. God bless them all!
Kurt
Cheyenne, Wyo.

I nominate CNN's Anderson Cooper. His sense of indignity and outrage in reporting on the victims of Hurricane Katrina, both human and animal, and the fate they suffered at the hands of the government and government agencies allowed the world to see the real story. He and several other reporters at CNN held the feet of officials to the fire. Bravo!
Mary Neuberger
Green Bay, Wis.

Bill Gates. Mr. Gates deserves to Man of the Year, because of his generosity to charity. He has donated half of his fortune to charity just this year alone. How many of us individuals can do that? None. He is the second most generous person in the world; God is the most generous.
Rasidat
Houston, Texas

The American soldier. Nobody else comes even close to going through and doing what they do.
Sean Miner
Provo, Utah

Leonard Peltier, without a doubt.
Kaitlyn
Albuquerque, N.M.

I nominate Leonard Peltier. A man held prisoner for thirty years for fighting for his people, culture, religion, way of life, and existence while at the same time maintaining a positive attitude even towards the people who have wronged him as well as millions of other native people.
Lindsey
Siloam Springs, Ark.

Jon Stewart. From his slot on Comedy Central, Jon has vaulted from late-night cult status to one of the best shows on TV. His witty take on the corporate media culture puts him in my book as POY '05.
Tom
Orlando, Fla.

What a hard decision! I think I would have to go with J.K. Rowling due to the fact that I can escape in her writing and drink in her characters so completely. She is a master storyteller. You escape to a place so remarkably fantastic but so tangibly real. Anyone that can nourish the minds of the future deserves the Person of the Year title.
Kelly Atwater
Golden, Colo.

My vote for Person of the Year is British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Certainly no leader had a busier year -- he won a Pyrrhic victory at the polls, gained an Olympic bid for London, tragically watched that great city fall victim to terrorism the very next day, and now faces yet another governmental crisis. He has been a consistent newsmaker in 2005.
Brian Hendricks
Springfield, Ill.

How could you forget Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel? He has risked his life by unilaterally withdrawing settlers from Gaza. He has done more to try to settle the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians than any other leader in the region. He jump started the peace process and should be recognized for taking extraordinary steps. By the way, not only Americans (and a few token Brits) deserve to be nominated for this honor.
Judy
Arlington Heights, Ill.

Cindy Sheehan, for standing up in what she believes and showing America that every opinion counts and anyone can make a difference.
Dave Adalian
Visalia, Calif.

Anyone but George W. Bush.
Mike
Knoxville, Tenn.

If the criteria involves who has affected the most people (in last year's choice, negatively), I would choose Oprah Winfrey. Someone who uses her wealth and influence to affect positive change. Everyone hears about the cars she gives away, but look at her work with Katrina victims, African AIDS patients, and a local woman who is raising 10 kids (for whom she bought a new house). If she doesn't win, then your editors should really evaluate what this title means. (p.s. 2nd choice: Cindy Sheehan, who had the courage to take on the President when many media folks would not.)
Sharon
Chicago, Ill.

Based on your criteria, who had the most effect on our lives for good or evil -- it has to be Mother Nature.
Don Martin
Tampa, Fla.

William Clinton and George H.W. Bush for their unselfish dedication to our country by helping to raise money for Katrina victims.
Barry
Tucson, Ariz.

I nominate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. She is the first woman elected as President of an African country. She has overcome numerous obstacles yet still remains upbeat in the face of Liberia's tremendous needs.
Joyce Rowland
Clements, Minn.

Hu Jintao is clearly the Person of the Year -- and of the next year, and the next, and the next. The American age has pretty much come to a close. Bush sped up the decline, but it was underway in any case. The world is now at the beginning of the Chinese era. We Americans are living in our own aftermath, and we don't know it yet. Pray for a stable China in the next years.
Caleb Cane
Jersey City, N.J.

Gen. Russell Honore. He brought hope where there was none in New Orleans. The atmosphere suddenly changed when he arrived; you could actually see the change and even those just watching on TV could feel it.
Rebecca Fox
Pueblo, Colo.

Leonard Peltier, a real freedom fighter, in the 500-year struggle for justice. A man who believed in taking a stand without asking for permission, and never backing down, who now is reduced to living in a government cage.
Eric
Palmdale, Calif.

John Paul II should be the Person of the Year. There was no other person who would influence so many people, even when he was dying. You don't have to be Catholic or Christian to call him one of the greatest persons of the century. His funeral celebration was a very clear sign of it.
Michael
Harrison, N.J.

Cindy Sheehan has worked tirelessly to spread the word for peace. She is the face and voice of the anti-war movement and she has been an awesome communicator and role model.
Barb Elkin
Longwood, Fla.

Lewis Black! He brings us the truth on every subject in a humorous but true manner.
LoKi
Los Angeles, Calif.

Leonard Peltier, in the spirit of Crazy Horse.
Jyrki Rahkonen
Helsinki, Finland

Reading some of the comments [here], I am disheartened at the road our country is following. That being said, I believe TIME's Person of the Year should be Jesus. No matter what is happening, we still stop everything to celebrate his birthday.
Chris Gable
Marietta, Ga.

Bono, for his tireless efforts for debt and poverty relief around the world.
Ruby
Ruston, Wash.

Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, all of them.
L. Phillips
Exton, Pa.

Lance Armstrong is my choice. The U.S. has slipped tremendously the past five years, in prestige and respect from the rest of the world. He is one of the few who has tried to restore our country to the high status we once had.
John J.
Bloomington, Ill.

Rosa Parks personified what a hero and warrior should be; selfless, courageous and humble. She changed not only our nation, but her courageous act of defiance nearly 50 years ago today, has been used as a to brings a peaceful example to bring about democracy and fairness, world-wide.
Angella
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Leonard Peltier, he has been a political prisoner for decades, and the public must take a stand against such injustice.
Kimi
Arizona

Patrick Fitzgerald should be the Person of the Year. He is a dedicated, intelligent, buttoned up man who believes in the law regardless of who breaks it. He is making a difference.
Sach
Annapolis, Md.

The Person(s) of the Year should of course be the New Orleans survivors of Hurricane Katrina, despite the fact that this survivor story exposed the total incompetence of the federal government. It clearly exposed the poverty and racism that still exists in this great country and it was indeed a real "call to arms."
Patrick C. Houston
Lincroft, N.J.

Cindy Sheehan, mother of a son killed in this immoral and illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, is a symbol of the grief and sorrow of America. In her stand against war and against Bush, she has done more to galvanize the peace movement than any other person in 2005. History will place her alongside Rosa Parks. She should definitely be TIME Magazine's "Woman of the Year."
Reese Danley-Kilgo
Huntsville, Ala.

I think that for her effect upon the debate about the Iraq war at a time when criticism of President Bush's policy was largely cast as futile by the media, Cindy Sheehan should be TIME's person of the year.
Robert Johnson
Portland, Ore.

Tbe men and women of the United States Coast Guard. Their heroic efforts saved some 30,000 individuals following Hurricane Katrina.
Tim
Destrehan, La.

[Pope Benedict XVI.] The underdog of the conclave, the closest compatriot to his predecessor, and the man to lead all Roman Catholics after the loss of our beloved John Paul II. The German Shepherd should be the Man of the Year.
Mary Mendenhall
Spokane, Wash.

Mother Nature should definitely be Person of the Year. How can you argue with the force that killed thousands in one wave, that shook the earth of several nations and killed thousands more, and that changed and nearly drowned a U.S. city so profoundly?
Ryan D.
Ontario, Calif.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha -- whose historical proposal to withdraw our troops from Iraq, although extreme, will surely be regarded by future historians as the true turning point of the war.
Paul Merz
Long Beach, Wash.

Condoleezza Rice, because even with President Bush's failing polls she's still becoming popular. Especially on the presidential front, with many websites wanting to draft her.
Lance Pemberton
Minneapolis, Minn.

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's steady courage to fight against China to prevent Taiwan's annexation by China should be nominated as POY 2005!
Song Yuanzhi
Zhongli City, Taiwan

Hi I am 12 and I read TIME once in a while. I think J.K. Rowling should be person of the year she made me love reading. She takes you to another world, she is inspiration.
Katherine
Gloucester, Mass.

Pat Fitzgerald, of course. In the long run his investigation will be viewed as the start of the "denouement" of this incredibly arrogant administration.
Nader
Raleigh, N.C.

I'm gonna have to go with the ever-faithful J.K. Rowling. She has brought this generation through yet another trying year by writing her books. These kids have something to relate to, not only personally, but with world affairs also. There are very relevant topics touched in these stories that keep kids wanting to read, while educating them at the same time.
Chanel
Seattle, Wash.

Ibrahim al-Jafari, the first prime minister of the new Republic of Iraq. The leader of many who risk their lives daily to create a government for a free Iraq.
Michael Giandrea
Gaithersburg, Md.

Cindy Sheehan.
Dameman
Lyons, Colo.

Without question in my mind, the thousand-plus men and women of our armed forces that died this year. Their families are nominated also. To consider naming a hurricane is both disgraceful and foolish. TIME needs to do a reality check.
Tim Creedon
Hollis, N.M.

I know he hasn't a snowball's chance of winning, but my nominee for Person of the Year is filmmaker George Lucas. His Star Wars saga is not merely one of the greatest epics in the history of the cinema, but sets forth in parabolic terms some great truths we in America would do well to heed. Originally conceived during the Watergate era, the story's parallels to the current Bush Administration -- unintentional though they may well have been -- are so obvious that one would have to be blind to not recognize them. Interesting that a science fiction fantasy should shed such illumination upon events in the real world.
John Allen Small
Tishomingo, Okla.

Bono Vox (a.k.a. Paul Hewson). No doubt about it, he has reshaped the focus on humanity. Love and peace pour out from his very existence. Jesus sent Bono to lighten the dark paths of our societies. Can't you feel the powerful force of love and grace through him and his band of brotherly love?
Teresa Mannke
Eastland, Texas

In case any of us had forgotten who's really in charge, 2005 reminded us over and over that the "person" of the year has to be Mother Nature!
Cynthia Green
Morganville, N.J.

Karl Rove.
Jack
Los Angeles, Calif.

Tony Blair, the British prime minister. If only becuase it is long overdue that a non-American be selected as POY. And also for being the first British Labour PM to secure three consecutive election victories and remaining resolute in the face of unrelenting criticism.
John Zic
Sydney, Australia

The suicide bomber.
John
Maryland

Bono -- He is passionate about his appeal to end poverty. He is the perfect example of how all people should live their lives. He is willing to give credit where credit is due, even if it is sometimes politically incorrect (i.e President Bush, Jesse Helms). Bono is a great example for young and old alike.
Kaye Haskell
Oak Park, Calif.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard on the radio this morning that Mother Nature was in the running for person of the year. Nature is not a person. What's next: a Congressional Medal of Honor for the Energizer Bunny for keeping National Guard flashlights going? What about all of those brave, hard-working women and men who helped out in time of need? Isn't it better to honor them than to honor a non-tangible concept?
Brenda Christians
High River, Alberta, Canada

Chinese President Hu Jintao is now playing the pivotal role both in domestic and world affairs! He will not only change China's but the whole world's future!
Song Xiaowen
Zhongli City, Taiwan

Patrick Fitzgerald -- it's an obvious pick. He, not Congress, has been the biggest check on executive authority this year.
Matthew Struhar
Oxford, Ohio

The long-suffering citizens of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region are the People of the Year. Their hideous travails underscored the sorry link of poverty with race in our nation. The failure of President Bush's loggy administration to move swiftly to help them was the turning point for the effective demise of the G.O.P. stranglehold on our politics.
Carol
East Windsor, N.J.

"Dirty Harry" Senator Harry Reid for taking the bull by the horns. A real leader.
Nopp Thongsa
New Iberia, La.

George W. Bush -- but only if Person of the Year can also include "biggest buffoon" of the year as well.
J.W.
Chicago, Ill.

Rafik Hariri. It is very rare that a man from the Middle East is recognized as man of the year, and a man who even in his death bed, God rest his soul, has incited such passion not just nationally but internationally. When one man dies and over 70% of the world shuts down, mourns, that person has more respect, influence and popularity especially for someone who less than 15% of the world knew his name before his death.
Zerriny
Princeton, N.J.

Dr. Paul Farmer - not only is he successfully and single-handedly treating and curing infectious disease in some of the poorest nations in the world, (Haiti, Cuba, and Russia, to name a few...,) but he is also making fabulously influential strides here. Case in point - look into the influence behind Bush's decision to step up monetary support for the AIDS campaign in Africa.
Melissa
Philadelphia, Pa.

Lt. General Russell Honore, the hero of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
R. Paul Adams
Baton Rouge, La.

He's a greedy bum, but who better personifies our 21st century American gluttony (and has gotten more attention for it) than the man, the mouth, Terrell Owens?
Ben
Columbia, S.C.

Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. As elder statesmen, working together to help humanity after natural disasters in the past year, they are mentoring the nation on how we could and should behave.
Debby Newman
St. Paul, Minn.

Bono - he has campaigned tirelessly for debt relief and the ONE campaign and U2 have had one of the most successful tours this year.
Maria Lynch
San Jose, Calif.

The fallen American soldier.
Frank
Washington, D.C.

Patrick Fitzgerald.
Kathleen
Stamford, Conn.

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