Good grief ... you couldn't wait for the turn of another century? Your 20th century list had meaning and historical perspective; creating a list of 100 that only covers the last five years is an apalling lack of relevant editorial content for a weekly news magazine.
Chaim Mattis Keller
Flushing, N.Y.

Thank you once again for reminding us how the larger American society continues to ignore the contributions and accomplishments of Black people who live in this country. The list shows Oprah, Condoleezza Rice and Outkast? In your opinions, Black men and few Black women do not matter (to you) when it comes to being influential. Ralph Ellison's book Invisible Man seems so profound and prophetic.
Marty Williams
Washington, D.C.

How can Limbaugh, or Hannity, or even O'Reilly not be on the list? But you put Nicole Kidman and Simon Cowell. This just shows how ultra-liberal TIME is because those three guys helped revolutionize conservative talk radio. Also, how is the U.S. soldier not an influential person? They can be the Person of the Year, but can't be a part of the most influential people list?
Matt Farrey
Dubuque, Iowa

Twenty-two women on your list out of more than 100 people of influence — that is depressing! No teachers on the list either. How can that be?
Michelle Adams and Tiffany Adams Curci
Atlanta, Ga. and Ketchum, Idaho

Where's Madonna? Hasn't she "explored new territory and set new standards?" Love her or hate, she was definitely influential.
Marc LaRusso
Orlando, Fla.

I'm shocked to find out that Saddam Hussein didn't make the list. Regardless if he made a good or bad influence, he certainly made an influence on everyone's life in America. We've spent thousands upon thousands of dollars searching for him in Iraq. He's been on our minds for the past year. I don't think that Bush has made much of a positive influence besides capturing Saddam. He's misused our nation's power and is a hypocrite. If any other nation did what we have done, Bush probably would have sent troops to stop them.
Kody Hitchcock
Holt, Mich.

Donald Trump. He made a lot of us realize that business doesn't have to be dirty and that being rich is not a sin. He is the biggest of all big shots.
Jonathan
Valdosta, Ga.

Although not physically here, Jesus Christ continues to be the most influential person in the world today. He is the daily inspiration for half the world's population.
Young Che
Clifton, N.J.

I am quite surprised. What about European leaders? [Jacques] Chirac, [Tony] Blair, [Gerhard] Schroeder, etc.? Moreover, some other foreign leaders like [Ariel] Sharon have a strong influence in the world today. Is [Condoleezza] Rice more influential than Vice-President Cheney, or Rumsfeld and Powell?
Roland S.
France

In my opinion, Sachin Tendulkar's name should appear in the most influential 100 people. He is not only a great cricketer but his gestures inspire billions of sports lovers all around the world.
Arun Pandey
Toronto, Canada

Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity aren't included. Why not? How is Hillary Clinton on it, and what did she contribute? She shouldn't have even been considered!
Jeanette Chang
Yorba Linda, Calif.

Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Stephanie Pursglove
Sandy, Utah

What about George Steinbrenner? Though I may not like it (I'm a Cleveland fan), he has had a profound impact not only on America's pastime, but on the world of sports in general. Just look at the dynasties he has put together over the past few years. The other George has yet again proved he is worthy of making "the list" by snatching Alex Rodriguez, arguably the best all-around player in the game, away from the city of Boston, with seemingly no more effort than a simple snap of his fingers.
Steve Aguilar, Jr.
Albuquerque, N.M.

Michael Powell. The man is rattling every FM radio station with no sound regulations nor any clear guide lines on what is wrong and what is right, but he has enough power to fine stations. Who else has that power?
Mike Nehmer
East Lansing, Mich.

My choice for one of the most influential people is Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapetero for keeping one of his election promises and pulling his troops out of Iraq. How refreshing is that these days?
Karin Pasnak
Vancouver, Canada

Your bias is showing: Without Rush Limbaugh [there would be] no talk radio as we know it today, no Fox News network and no liberal radio network.
Sal Martino
Mandeville, La.

What about Ariel Sharon and the Israelis? With all that's been going on in their country, the Israelis continue to have a love for life, a want to help other people and a need to better themselves. We don't give them nearly enough credit!
Eva Ginsberg
Rye, N.Y.

Sen. John McCain. The list is incomplete without him.
P. Allman
Hendersonville, Tenn.

You have missed Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, who has played a most important role in rooting out terrorism. Pakistan is the most affected and front-line state in the war on terrorism. Pakistan is very effective in shaping this part of world.
Wakar Bashir
Pakistan

Since Formula 1 is the most watched sport in the world, I cannot fathom the exclusion of Michael Schumacher.
Anthony V.
Howell, N.J.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Tim Yaczo
Oxford, Ohio

Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life.
Lisa Merry
Ladera Ranch, Calif.

How can you have the nerve to list Islamic extremists on your list? How dare you further legitimize them and their "cause"? I am ashamed for you and I will never buy another magazine of yours again. Your list disgusts me.
Jennifer McCorgary
Ballwin, Mo.

George W. Bush hands down is the most influential person. Love him or hate him, he's accomplished so much as a leader Kerry keeps calling "ineffective." Taking back the Senate, freeing 50 million people, wiping out the Taliban and al-Qaeda, passing Medicare reform, capturing Saddam Hussein, passing educational reform, and giving my middle-class family a gargantuan tax cut. No one else comes close.
David P. James
Fairfield, Ohio

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