Letters

When I began to read your tsunami report [Jan. 10], I immediately recoiled. I was angry that your photographs showed the faces of the dead, until I realized that my anger was a reaction to human suffering. Then I softened and opened my heart--and wept. I never again want to be unmoved by the suffering of another human being. Thank you for bringing the struggle and anguish of our brothers and sisters into our comfortable homes.

SCOTT WYMAN Chico, Calif.

I was glad to see the outpouring of support from people and nations around the globe for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. It demonstrates that there are still some very compassionate philanthropists in the world. Yet as the badly needed support arrives, the news is all about which countries are pledging the most assistance--and the U.S. is criticized for not giving more. Don't we in the U.S. contribute enough to the world? We are engaged in a war on terrorism that is draining our bank accounts, and we already send money to countries in need. I am sure we are doing the best we can to help tsunami victims. If the same sort of disaster were to strike the U.S., would other nations give as much as we have?

BRYAN YOUNG Niantic, Conn.

The magnitude of devastation from the tsunami has exposed the limits of scientific knowledge and the lack of cooperation among nations in using sophisticated tools to prevent human suffering. Considering the breathtaking technological innovations of today's era, it was shocking for so many people to perish instantaneously. Had there been a global tsunami-warning network in place, the death and suffering of tens of thousands could have been avoided. Natural disasters cannot be predicted with absolute certitude, but appropriate technological tools can minimize devastation by providing warning. The international community must develop a global early-warning system to inform people of any looming threat, and the U.N. should set up permanent regional disaster-aid centers so that quick relief can be provided.

AHMED S. KHAN Addison, Ill.

The U.S.'s response to tragedies that occur beyond its borders is often woefully inadequate. The loss of human life and livelihood is always worthy of our attention, compassion and benevolence. Today I can say that our nation--from politicians to philanthropic organizations to ordinary people--has done us proud in reaching out to the victims of this unimaginable catastrophe. I can only hope that such an outstanding display of generosity will not be limited to this one event but will be extended wherever and whenever disaster strikes and the citizens of the world need our help.

SHERRI SWIMAN West Roxbury, Mass.

I've had enough of the media's second-guessing the U.S.'s contributions to tsunami disaster relief. Such criticism only cheapens the aid and compassion we are offering. Instead of expending energy on useless questioning of our generosity and motives, all efforts should be directed toward helping the victims.

TOM NESBITT Keatchie, La.

By??causing??unprecedented??death??and destruction, the tsunami has mocked our marvels of science and technology and humbled us. But it has also given us an opportunity to bolster faith in our capacity to unite and fight against the common enemies of war and terrorism. Let us pledge to show more compassion to one another. That could be the best tribute to those who have lost their lives.

HARISH C. SHUKUL Jacksonville, Fla.

Why, when there are so many things that have to be done here at home in the U.S., do we continue to be the world's safety net? Our infrastructure is slowly crumbling while we repair other parts of the world. It is nice to give, but shouldn't charity begin at home?

MARK WILEY Portland, Ore.

Rapid Reaction Required

I was appalled by President Bush's slow response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia [Jan. 10]. By waiting until three days after the event to make a public statement, he appeared cold and indifferent. Bush will be asking Congress to come up with billions of dollars this year for the Iraq war and related costs there and in Afghanistan. His initial pledge of $15 million in humanitarian aid was an insult. Only after days of criticism did he increase the pledge of U.S. aid to $350 million. The U.S. is the wealthiest nation in the world, and generosity is our greatest virtue. Helping others in time of need is the right thing to do. It's the American way.

RICK SCHREINER San Marino, Calif.

After 9/11, the U.S. government was criticized for not anticipating the lengths terrorists would go to in their efforts to hurt us. Since then, the Bush Administration seems unable to appreciate how simple words or careless acts can tip the balance of world opinion. The President's flatfooted response to the tsunami disaster is an example. Handed the perfect p.r. opportunity to demonstrate compassion for Muslims and other non-Christians in the developing world, Bush took his time before personally responding to the disaster. And when he finally spoke out, he was petulant about criticism of the U.S. for being "stingy" with its aid. Once again the world perceives America to be a self-centered and culturally insensitive country. And, as the saying goes, image is everything.

ROBERT J. INLOW Charlottesville, Va.

The Ongoing Iraq Disaster

The public outpouring of support for tsunami victims is impressive and admirable [Jan. 10]. But why are the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians met with silence or head-in-the-sand denial? While the media are preoccupied with feel-good, human-interest stories stemming from the tsunami catastrophe, the killing in Iraq continues. And unlike the tsunami, the death and destruction in Iraq were completely avoidable, as no defensible justification for the invasion, such as possession of weapons of mass destruction, has yet emerged. How can the compassion and empathy of the American people be so selective? Bush stated that the scale of the death and destruction in South Asia is "beyond comprehension." I suggest the President study more carefully the situation in Iraq, where thousands have also died.

PAUL MURTAUGH Corvallis, Ore.

It's time President Bush and Congress take their cue from the American people and examine their priorities in spending our tax dollars. We have spent $130 billion on the war in Iraq and only $350 million for tsunami disaster relief. That is shameful.

ROGER GOODE Hillsborough, N.H.

After the tsunami, humankind truly united with universal grief. But at what point did we become complacent about the killing and suffering of the tens of thousands in Iraq?

ROBERT F. ROSENBERG Brighton, Mich.

Why the Poor Suffer More

In??his??essay??"The Class System of Catastrophe" [Jan. 10], economist Jeffrey D. Sachs argued that "what the rich world suffers as hardships the poor world often suffers as mass death." That says it all. The U.S. has, with its wealth and abundant resources, the ability to lead the world in reaching out to those far less fortunate. Instead, over the years we have chosen to put our resources into military spending and most recently into a war that has become an enormous money pit. Perhaps if we had used our resources more wisely over the years, we could have helped reduce the death and destruction caused by the tsunami.

LAURA GEISEL Redondo Beach, Calif.

Sachs' essay, while an excellent description of the vast differences in how rich and poor nations are affected by catastrophes, slammed the U.S. for providing only 15?? of assistance per $100 of income. Sachs stated that raising the level of U.S. assistance to 70?? would save millions of lives. How ludicrous! Such an increase could only lead to widespread corruption among the bureaucracies handling the assistance; a mere trickle of aid would reach those who need it most. What the rich countries can do is unilaterally remove the trade quotas and restrictions on goods and services that poor nations can provide to rich countries, thus directly enriching the people of underdeveloped countries. That type of assistance would be more efficient and less prone to corruption.

JOSE BRIGOLI Downingtown, Pa.

Sachs neglected to mention that one reason more deaths occur in poorer nations is their extreme overpopulation. Moreover, governments disburse their money as they see fit. If those poor nations, many of which have extensive internal political corruption, choose to pay for things other than more hospitals, better roads and coastal barriers, they have no one to blame but themselves when disaster strikes. Poor nations of the world, take heed: Spend your money wisely, and hold your politicians accountable.

CHRISTOPHER VERA Carlsbad, Calif.

As??much??as??I??am??all??for??humanitarian??aid, it is wrong to expect wealthy countries to baby sit poor ones. We must set up these nations so they can help themselves. We can't do all the work for them. As the saying goes, Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime.

ANDREW HARTMAN San Jose, Calif.

Tall Order for Abbas

In??his??"letter??from??Gaza,"??Matt??Rees??unfairly placed the responsibility for peace with Israel on Mahmoud Abbas, the newly elected successor to Yasser Arafat as President of the Palestinian Authority [Jan. 10]. Rees said Abbas must "disarm the gunmen of the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades" and "persuade [the Islamists of Hamas] to accept a long-term cease-fire with Israel." Only then will he be able to "persuade Israel to return to the negotiating table." The article implied that the Palestinian economy was ruined by Arafat's corrupt leadership and overlooked the persistent economic destruction caused by the stifling web of Israeli settlements, roads and now the dividing wall. If Israel and the U.S. truly want a lasting peace with a viable Palestinian state, they will have to take economic as well as political steps. Focusing only on what the new Palestinian leader must do will not stop the killing.

MAE TINKLENBERG Palo Alto, Calif.

Dangerous Games?

"Video Vigilantes," on legislative efforts to keep computer and video games with violence or sexual content from children [Jan. 10], quoted a law-school professor as stating that the bill regulating realistic depiction of sexual acts in video games had a better chance of judicial success than the bill on game violence. I am against censorship yet am disturbed by tolerance of violence. Puritanical Americans may disapprove of sex in computer games, but fewer of us raise objections to violence. Whether we have government or personal regulation, the larger issue may be that our priorities as a society are out of whack.

ALLYSON RUSH MCAULEY Fremont, Calif.

Violence in video games is a hook. ??It turns the pleasure of an innocent game into a hypnotic experience, yet we trivialize the problem by asking whether parents should be making the decisions. The real question that the media should be emphasizing is, What sort of people create such sick games in the first place?

GUY GRAYBILL Middleburg, Pa.

Since when should the government regulate what parents buy for their children? Shouldn't that be the parents' responsibility? Some people are perfectly willing to complain about young children getting their hands on violent video games but will not take action to prevent it. Parents, if you don't want your kids playing violent games, don't purchase them. Look at what you're buying. Even better, talk to your kids in advance about what games they want, then research them so you can determine whether they're appropriate for your children. Stiffer regulations will not prevent irresponsible parents from buying inappropriate games for their children.

LOGAN VER HOEF Carmichael, Calif.

I am amazed at the selection of computer and video games out there for anyone, even minors, to purchase. I'm 25 years old, and it wasn't all that long ago I played video games as a child. Back then, the games had rectangles, flashing lights and beeps. They were nothing like today's games that feature killing, blood-spattered fights and prostitution. Our children can play games that send them into battlefields in Korea and Vietnam. No war should become an entertainment device. Such games insult our troops, who don't have the option of simply shutting off the game and returning to normal life.

CHRISTOPHER BARNES Emmaus, Pa.

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