Letters

FEELING THE HEAT

"As Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice has been nobody's fool. I may not agree with her, but I respect her integrity." GABRIELLA PETERSEN San Francisco

Could the Bush administration have done more to combat terrorism before 9/11 [April 5]? The answer is a resounding yes! Unfortunately, that is also true for governments of other countries. No investigative commission can undo 9/11, but we have a chance to thwart other attacks. That's where our time, money and manpower should be directed. I wish the U.S. would lead that effort and not use valuable resources to second-guess what happened leading up to 9/11. RONALD ERICKSON Downers Grove, Ill.

The blame for 9/11 lies with Osama bin Laden and his followers. They, not our government, are the ones who perpetrated those crimes. Sure, there are things that both the Clinton and Bush administrations could have done differently, but such actions probably would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks. People would like to pin the responsibility on Bush, but it isn't his fault or Clinton's. They are not the people responsible for those atrocities. That person is bin Laden. WAYNE RENFROE Lansing, Mich.

I have profound respect for Condoleezza Rice and her accomplishments as Bush's National Security Adviser. Whether she should have been more proactive in addressing terrorist threats during the months before 9/11 is open to debate. Americans have a right to know, however, what went wrong and how future attacks might be prevented. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, one can say that although the Bush Administration went all the way to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction, it failed to realize the fatal errors committed right here in the White House. SRINIVAS BALLA Fairfax, Va.

There is no reason to focus on the government's activities before 9/11 except to learn from them. To do otherwise is simply another Democratic Party campaign ploy. For the country to have focused on terrorism before the attacks would have been an irresponsible use of resources. As anyone who has been victimized will say, You are never careful enough until it happens to you. DAVID LINEMAN Houston

CLARKE AND THE 9/11 COMMISSION

Richard A. Clarke, whatever his political leanings or allegiance, served the U.S. ably for decades as counterterrorism adviser [April 5]. His portrayal of the Bush Administration as probably lax in preventing the 9/11 attacks is accurate and truthful. The Bush Administration has impugned Clarke's character and attacked his testimony. It is obvious that Clarke's observations have exposed the Administration's vulnerability and raised fears about the outcome of the November presidential election. RICK ZIMMERMAN Solon, Ohio

Had Clinton fulfilled his duties in protecting us from terrorism, Bush wouldn't have been confronted with it. The lack of action during the Clinton Administration convinced terrorists that they could have their way with a soft U.S. It became Bush's job to convince terrorists that they will be confronted and defeated. JERE TROTTER Deltona, Fla.

Clarke only reinforced the obvious. Shortly after 9/11, the U.S. went after bin Laden, and most of the world approved. Then Bush shifted our anger to Saddam Hussein. Before long, we invaded Iraq, as if Saddam were a real threat to us. Most of the world did not approve. Bush had his own agenda and used 9/11 as an excuse to invade Iraq while putting bin Laden on the back burner. DAVID CACCIA Honokaa, Hawaii

When Clarke began his testimony before the 9/11 Commission, he said the government, others entrusted with protecting Americans and he had failed our citizens. Your article noted that some people found Clarke's apology melodramatic, but I thought it was innately decent and human. There is no shame in fallible human beings admitting mistakes. That sentiment isn't shared by politicians. It seems that sorry is not in the Bush White House's dictionary. DAVID ESTES Washington

Why did Clarke apologize for 9/11? He isn't part of a terror cell or an associate of bin Laden's. Clinton, Clarke and Bush did not fly those planes on that horrible day. Let's stop apologizing for something we didn't do and rally behind a leader who will take these madmen out. IAN ERICKSON Oldbridge, N.J.

STEINEM GOING STRONG

Thank you for the interview with Gloria Steinem [April 5]. She has been my role model throughout my life, which would be very different had it not been for Steinem and the women's rights movement. She has given me strength and courage. I thank Steinem for being articulate, sexy, smart, strong and passionate. I am proud to be a feminist. SARA A. FLICKNER Chicago

Steinem said, "Achieving a society in which men raise children as much as women do is crucial." But the role of men in the family has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. As a father and husband, I cook, wash dishes, do laundry and love and nurture my children--and I'm not the only father who does. What planet has Steinem been living on? DOUG EASTON Corvallis, Ore.

BAND OF BOMBERS

Johanna McGeary's "Inside Hamas," A report on the secretive Palestinian group known for its suicide bombings, was comprehensive, insightful and an example of increasingly rare but welcome journalistic courage [April 5]. It was good to read an in-depth story on this organization. I do not condone Hamas' violent militant methods, but too often the media do not attempt to examine the validity of its grievances. Until a political resolution is developed, innocents will keep dying on both sides. RAZAB CHOWDHURY Oakland, Calif.

Your article portrayed Hamas members as regular family men who blow up innocent Jewish women and children between trips to the dentist and the beach. Any organization that practices terrorism to achieve its goalsno matter how honorable or correct its cause should have no voice, no credibility and no place in civilized society. Your reporting only reinforced the belief that Jewish blood is cheap, that anti-Semitism is valid and that Israel should quietly disappear into the sea. PAUL STEVENS Palm Beach, Fla

KERRY AND THE CHURCH

In "A Test of Kerry's Faith," on the conflict between Roman Catholic Church authorities and John Kerry on issues like abortion [April 5], TIME reported, "For now, theologians say, Kerry's conduct is principally a matter between the candidate and his own Archbishop." As a practicing and struggling Catholic, I believe that Kerry's conduct is a matter between him and God. His Archbishop should have nothing to do with it. GLORIA W. SMITH Eden Prairie, Minn.

Many modern catholics have adapted their beliefs to the realities of today's world. St. Louis, Mo., Archbishop Raymond Burke's public warning to Kerry "not to present himself for Communion" because of his stance on abortion will not deter Kerry from making it to the White House. That warning will, however, further impede the Catholic Church's ability to meld relevant spiritual values with the choices all Catholics face today. JILL HOLDAWAY San Jose, Calif.

If every Catholic who uses birth control or has had a vasectomy or an abortion were denied the sacraments, there would be very few people at the Communion rail on Sunday morning. GRETCHEN W. MARING Ellison Bay, Wis.

LOWER THE VOLUME

"Just Too Loud" stated not only that excessive noise may cause hearing loss but also that high volume levels may be linked to hypertension, heart damage and depression [April 5]. I agree with Ted Rueter, who heads the advocacy group Noise Free America, that noise levels are becoming unbearable. During the summer months, I like to open my windows and enjoy the fresh warm air, but I have to shut them quickly because of the racket from outdoors. You said that Rueter may move to New Zealand for some peace and quiet: Can I go too? ELVA WOITO Cambridge, Ont.

So "a single motor scooter driving through Paris in the middle of the night can wake up as many as 200,000 people"? Oh, to be awakened like that in Paris! Anything would be better than the Harley-Davidson hell where I live. MARK JONAS Columbia, Calif.

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE?

Donald Trump, in referring to his hit TV series, stated [April 5], "All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me--consciously or unconsciously." Amazing! It must be the hair. JACKIE RILEY Glendora, Calif.