Letters

Why Harry Potter Rules

"The Real Magic Of Harry Potter" brought tears to my eyes [ARTS, June 23], not just for the account of author J.K. Rowling's long-distance friendship with Catie Hoch, the young American fan befriended by Rowling as the girl was dying of cancer but also because of the far-reaching effects the Potter stories have on people of all ages. As a teacher, I appreciate the effort that goes into writing the books, and I have used them to teach my students how to use descriptive language to improve their writing. The stories all have lessons to be learned, and although some are subtle, each is a gem to discover. That children are recognizing those subtle lessons and learning from them is a credit to Rowling. LORI MUSA Henderson, Nev.

You noted that some conservative Christian parents think the Harry Potter books "promote witchcraft and Satanism." I don't understand why people would discourage reading this remarkable series, even if their religion holds that magic is bad. Rowling writes about goodness triumphing over evil, and although many of the characters are clearly either good or bad, there are also witches and wizards in the gray area in between. Even if the Potter books, as Yale professor Harold Bloom predicted, end up "in the dustbins everywhere," readers worldwide, young and old, will remember them as fascinating, magical stories of bravery and love. MELISSA PAN Plano, Texas

Contrary to what faultfinders like Bloom believe, Rowling possesses the one trait that all great writers share: the ability to make the reader want to turn the page. While I've always admired Rowling as a writer, when I read of her emailing Catie Hoch and reading the fourth book aloud to her on the phone, my respect for Rowling as a person increased enormously. Please, Ms. Rowling, ignore the critics! Your understanding of the human condition clearly surpasses theirs. ELAINE PAPPAS-PUCKETT Laguna Niguel, Calif.

It was gratifying that you focused on the positive aspects of Rowling's series and not on the headline-making, ban-this-book rubbish that so often takes center stage. Children (and adults) have found something they love that requires no keyboard to access--only imagination and an open mind. As a teacher, I relish discovering a book that students are eager to finish and reread. When students hustle into the classroom and want to share and discuss parts of a book they have read, that's truly magic. DANIEL WALTERS West Seneca, N.Y.

There is nothing more thrilling than seeing my 9-year-old son reading for hours. No watching TV, no playing video games, just reading a book. That is the gift Rowling has given parents. DAYNA O'GORMAN Olathe, Kans.

I'm shocked by those who believe that the Potter books promote witchcraft and so are bad for children to read. Have these critics forgotten the timeless classics, like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella, all of which include magic and even witches? The story of Harry Potter will be yet another classic tale that will generously feed the imagination of generations to come. LAUREN STEWART Geneseo, N.Y.

--Lots of grownups were eager to let us know that they love Harry Potter as much as kids do. "My college fraternity brothers made fun of me until I persuaded them to read the first book," wrote a Floridian. "Guess what? They were all addicted immediately." Sharing the Pottermania were two friends from Nebraska, "both well over 50 and great H.P. fans." They proudly declared that they drove "100-plus miles to a bookstore in Rapid City, S.D., for the 12:01 a.m. release of Book 5." And an Arizona man wrote, "If everyone under 18 were to disappear from the face of the earth, the newest Potter book would still sell 3 million copies, including one to me."

Clandestine Commandos

Your report on the increased reliance ON the U.S. special forces made them appear unbeatable and invulnerable [IRAQ: THE WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH, June 23]. You noted that next year U.S. taxpayers will probably spend $7 billion on special forces alone. This might lead people to think that national security will be enhanced and that soldiers will fight better and have the resources needed to win. How wrong. The best soldiers are elite not because of their physical resources but because of their experience, mental toughness, quick thinking and superior tactics. And perhaps the most invaluable resource of elite soldiers is the ability to adapt to circumstances. Maybe $7 billion could be used to boost the economy instead of creating a superarmy. SAM FERBER Ruthven, Canada

Ponderous armies supported by heavy tanks and other expensive military equipment are not the most effective means of protecting U.S. national security. A few lightly armed troops with special training can employ speed, stealth and surprise with spectacular results. Today's special forces have the added advantage of technology. Success in Iraq has earned special-operations forces a permanent place alongside the traditional military. JOSEPH J. WOODFORD Crestline, Calif.

A Not-So-Simple Plan

Re Joe Klein's column on the Senate's prescription-drug plan for seniors [IN THE ARENA, June 23]: I deliver meals to seniors who can afford to take their medications only every other day. If Congress can vote $77 billion to fund a war for six months, it can surely help out needy seniors. Better yet, how about eliminating the political contributions the drug companies make to politicians, so we can finally get some relief? SANFORD A. ZAFT Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bumpy Road to Peace

I was disappointed by the criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in "Sharon's Game" [WORLD, June 23]. Throughout his administration, Sharon has altered his beliefs about peace in the Middle East. By beginning to dismantle settlements, Sharon has been faithful to the road map for peace laid out in the meeting with President Bush and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, even when it has meant confronting Israeli opposition. Sharon was correct in labeling Abbas "a chick that hasn't grown its feathers." Bush ought to reconsider chastising Sharon for ordering attacks on Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi and other members of that group. The U.S. is creating a risky double standard. Yes, innocent Palestinian children may be killed, but how many poor Iraqi and Afghan children have died in the U.S. war against terrorism? J. FREYJA HELGESON Silver Spring, Md.

Clarification

The item "CEO Scandals: Get Your Scorecard," about the status of executives of scandal-plagued companies [NOTEBOOK, June 23], failed to note that the five indicted Adelphia Communications executives we mentioned, including John Rigas and two of his sons, are no longer with the company.

Corrections

In "The Story So Far, Book By Book," which accompanied our report on the appeal of Harry Potter [ARTS, June 23], we summarized key elements in the J.K. Rowling series. In the item describing events in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, we highlighted the magic glass ball, the Remembrall. Instead, this device figures prominently in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. We also referred to the Hogwarts School headmaster as "Aldus" Dumbledore. His first name is Albus.

Our item on exotic pets that can carry infections [Notebook, June 23] referred to the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) as a marsupial "from New Zealand." The sugar glider is found in Australia and New Guinea.

Tumult in Tehran

I fully support the Iranian students who are demonstrating against the theocrats who run their country [LETTER FROM TEHRAN, June 23]. They should fight for their right to live free. We must show our support for Iran's young people and help them. My thoughts and prayers are with the Iranians who are taking a stand against Islamic oppression. RACHEL HAGEN Spanaway, Wash.

As a native of Iran who is in daily contact with my family and friends there, I can assure you that Iranian girls want to be free. Not only do they reject the black-veiled chador, but they also do not want to wear any scarf, not even a colorful one. Freedom means having control of one's life. Freedom would keep the youth of Iran from having to sneak around behind closed doors. Freedom would give them independence and justice. SAHAR GHAVAMI Fair Lawn, N.J.

Software and Hardball

Your story on software Mogul Larry Ellison's hostile-takeover bid for PeopleSoft [BUSINESS, June 23] accurately analyzed the consolidation trend in the business-software market. Unfortunately, people like Oracle's Ellison approach these consolidations with the wrong mind-set. They believe they can improve market share by buying out and eliminating rivals. They don't care about PeopleSoft's customers. There is, however, no guarantee that Oracle's market share will increase even if it succeeds in a PeopleSoft takeover. Such a merger may only help rival companies increase their market share and make merry over Oracle's rash acts. SHANKAR GAUR Rochester, N.Y.

The Last Idealist

Richard Corliss's "The American As Noble Man" [ESSAY, June 23] was a fine and accurate description of Gregory Peck, a unique man and actor to whom we owe a large debt of gratitude. I was a teenager when I first saw the movie To Kill a Mockingbird, in which he starred; I was deeply moved by it. Peck could convey more with a look or a gesture than most actors can with several pages of dialogue. JIM LIPMAN Livermore, Calif.

Corliss's tribute to Peck seemed to lament not just the passing of a very admirable man but also the demise of men of strength and compassion in movies and in real life. Yet strong, compassionate men are as well represented as ever, perhaps in part because of Peck's shining example but primarily because it is the nature of humanity. Perhaps Corliss is hanging with the wrong crowd. WILLIAM C. BANKS Virginia Beach, Va.

Talent Trumps Sexy

Thank you for the piece on how the TV show American Idol and the movie From Justin to Kelly prove that teenagers value genuine ability over superficial sex appeal [TELEVISION, June 23]. Although I listen to stars like Britney Spears, I have much more respect for performers like American Idol's Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, whose talents far outshine the clothes they wear and the way their bodies look. Each has an incredible voice, and that is what makes them beautiful. Kelly doesn't need micro-minis and tube tops; Clay was still idol material with red hair and glasses. Talent and a good heart make you a teenager's idol today. CAILIN KELLY New York City