Letters

Show of Force

Our cover story on Revenge of the Sith, director George Lucas' final addition to the Star Wars saga, prompted readers to share their excitement about the new movie, their disappointment with Lucas' recent efforts and their happy memories of growing up with the space opera that changed popular culture

I was delighted that you put the highly anticipated third episode of Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith, on your cover [May 9]. It reminded readers that milestones in entertainment can be just as historic as the political news that swamps the media. Director George Lucas has conceived vivid characters that in many ways resemble some members of George Bush's Administration. The final installment in the Star Wars epic could prove to be quite an eye opener for moviegoers.

TENGBO LI

Brighton, Mich.

It is apparent that Lucas has totally lost touch with his creative genius. His embrace of special-effects technology over anything else has squashed the soul of the latest Star Wars films. His reliance on limitless digital technology allowed him to create his vision, but he fails to see that limitations inspire creativity. The original three Star Wars films are abundant proof of this. Lucas should realize that none of the special effects in the most recent trilogy look real. The lack of popular respect for these movies is a fitting fate for a failed idea.

DANIEL FETHERSTON

New York City

Richard Corliss wrote a great story on the new Star Wars movie. Revenge of the Sith looks like exciting summer entertainment and a real winner. I wasn't thrilled with the past two Star Wars movies in the prequel trilogy, but I'm looking forward to this one.

MEL MCCORMICK

Baltimore, Md.

Star Wars raised our boys, taught them how to read and do math, and put them on the fast track to an interest in computer science. Both are now young men and college graduates. I'm sure they will save this issue of TIME along with all their other Star Wars items. For Christmas, even after they grew up, we always gave our sons the latest Star Wars gadgets. But what will we do after this year, when there won't be any more new episodes in the series?

DALE HILL

Anadarko, Okla.

I saw the first Star Wars film when I was 14. I was blown away by the sheer scope of the film and the number of people who stood in long lines to see it. As a little person who stands just over 4 ft. tall, I've found strength in the depiction of Yoda. Before Star Wars, I had never seen anyone of such small stature portrayed as a hero with tremendous strength and dignity. Lucas brought Yoda to life, all 2 ft. of him, and created one of the greatest screen characters of all time. "Judge me by my size, do you?" That line from The Empire Strikes Back gave me courage as I was growing up and made me realize that strength is found within and is not measured by whether you are tall enough to slam-dunk a basketball! Yoda was a hero my size.

DAN MADSEN, FORMER PRESIDENT

THE OFFICIAL STAR WARS FAN CLUB

Aurora, Colo.

I don't know a Jedi from Yoda, but John Cloud's Viewpoint "How Star Wars Saved My Life" filled me with joy as I read how the movies enabled him to discover and lose himself in those characters and their experiences. Cloud's descriptions of his feelings and the impact those movies had on his life show why brilliant writing and the imagination of people in the arts are so important in our lives.

MICHELE ADASHEK

Bel Air, Calif.

Cloud's Viewpoint was delightful. It transported me to a quieter, more peaceful time. Thanks for the emotional and mental vacation. The piece was a refreshing respite from articles about politics and elected officials and the negativity that seemingly surrounds us today.

GERALD J. LUONGO

Pompano Beach, Fla.

Although I have been an ardent moviegoer for more than 35 years, I don't care that this is Lucas' last in the Star Wars series. That his movies have amassed billions of dollars in worldwide box-office receipts doesn't make Lucas a great filmmaker. If he wants to prove himself, let him come up with something in addition to spaceships and special effects. Until he does that, I will prefer directors like Steven Spielberg, whose films Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan show how deeply he can engage people's emotions. While I respect Lucas, if he wants to engrave his name in the annals of cinema, he needs to produce something quite different from the children's entertainment he has been making.

ABBAS ALI MASSAH

Tehran

What a coincidence: Almost exactly 60 years after the end of World War II in Europe, the Star Wars villain, Darth Vader, is on TIME's cover. I imagine he is there not only to attract readers but also to symbolize that the once mighty "evil empire" eventually collapsed. May the Force stay with you.

AREK DRUZDZEL

Radom, Poland

The New Pontiff

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was a reasonable choice to lead the Roman Catholic Church [May 2]. Succeeding an icon like John Paul II is never easy. Being elected to do so requires the right personality and a myriad of skills. As one of John Paul's closest confidants, the new Pope knows best where to begin his pontificate, presumably without departing significantly from his predecessor's agenda. Benedict might well fool his critics by becoming more than the intellect-driven, dogmatically conservative transitional figure they expect him to be. My first impression of his papacy is that it is promising.

DANIEL BREITENMOSER

St. Gallen, Switzerland

Praise God for a conservative Pope. The world does not need a Pope who would bend to its questionable secular values. What is necessary is to have leaders who will stand up for what's right and fight for the morals of God's timeless word. Each generation has lowered the bar a little further and been more lenient than the previous generation. It's time we raise our standards again. No one said it would be easy, but everything of value comes at a price.

DANIEL LEHMANN

Johannesburg

John Paul II's Legacy

Pope John Paul II is best remembered as a peacemaker and defender of the underprivileged [April 11]. His experience of deprivation and tyranny during the Nazi and communist eras made him understand his important role. He cherished dialogue with people from different religions, and that helped promote understanding among nations and religious groups. He was a Pope who never hesitated to visit and reach out to Third World countries.

EMMANUEL CHUASOTO

San Juan, the Philippines

The Pope's leadership crossed all barriers, and his love extended to Muslims around the world. His efforts to promote peace and defuse the chronic Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and his sensible stand on the status of Jerusalem, were sensitive to all religions. As one of the leaders of an interfaith organization, I particularly valued his role in developing understanding and trust among the faiths. We are in dire need of sane voices like John Paul's in this world torn by lust for power and neglect of human rights.

S. FAIYAZUDDIN AHMAD, PRESIDENT

LEICESTER COUNCIL OF FAITHS

Leicester, England

The Pope is still living among Christians all over the world. It was overpowering to see how his death affected people. Perhaps those most moved are in Latin America, where so many of the world's Roman Catholics reside. John Paul II visited Latin America 18 times and established a relationship with all its peoples. He understood the injustice and problems facing the region. He ignited profound love and devotion as well as a deep understanding among Latin American Catholics.

PABLO IZURIETA

Quito

You can read additional articles from TIME's archives about Pope John Paul II at timearchive.com/collection

Verses for the Spirit

Your critique of "7 Books of Poetry Worth Curling Up With" [May 9] was welcome. It is nice to know that poetry has not lost its place in our misguided material world. When we as a society lose interest in poetry, we further alienate ourselves from the spiritual realm of human existence. Perhaps, in addition to free verse, there is room for old-fashioned rhyme and meter. Fashion should not apply to poetry.

JAMES A. PAPASTAMOS

Hamilton, Ont.

Ethically Challenged?

Your interview with controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who gave his views on the ethics scandals roiling Washington [May 9], proved that more stringent campaign-finance reform can no longer be postponed. It is appalling that Abramoff hides behind the defense that he is not the worst-behaved lobbyist in Washington. Abramoff and his friend House majority leader Tom DeLay need to be reminded that representing the people is a privilege, one not to be exploited for personal gain. I feel no sympathy for Abramoff, who now must spend a lot of money on lawyers instead of making money from his clients.

PAUL W. CLARY

Evansville, Ind.

Weighty Evidence

In "Is It O.K. To Be Pudgy?" [May 9], You reported that a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded that people who are overweight but not obese are at no greater risk of dying prematurely than those of normal weight. You also reported the views of the food industry-sponsored group Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), which says there is no obesity problem and it is all hype. The American public does not need the CDC, the CCF or anybody else to tell them what to think. Just spend a few weekends observing the crowds at amusement parks, the local zoo, or other popular spots. The obesity problem is glaring. If you don't believe your own eyes, ask foreigners visiting our country what they notice most about us.

AMIR MEHRAN, M.D.

UCLA DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

Los Angeles

Your report confirmed that we are in a state of denial about our health, particularly about obesity. People in the U.S. are ridiculously overweight compared with those in Europe, let alone Asia. The money spent here to treat increased numbers of cases of diabetes and coronary disease alone should tell us that it is not "O.K. to be pudgy." Wake up, Americans! You are fat and paying a dreadful price for failing to eat less and exercise more. Obesity is an epidemic.

JEFFREY SEARS

Redwood City, Calif.

Manly Hand Holding

Joe Klein's column "The Perils of Hands-On Diplomacy" [May 9] called attention to the photo of President Bush walking down an uneven path in Texas hand in hand with the infirm 80-year-old Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. There is nothing "unmanly"-as Klein characterized it-in extending a helping hand. Klein seems to lack any cultural awareness of the world outside the U.S.

DAN BLOOM

Chiayi, Taiwan

Klein was insightful in asking if Bush might have done better to concentrate on energy independence instead of revamping Social Security. Klein's column was fun to read, but it missed the real point: Was our President being subservient to Prince Abdullah to get better oil prices so the American people might benefit? Or was it an attitude characteristically displayed by Bush, his father and their business associates in their longtime relationship with the Saudis and therefore having nothing to do with affecting current oil prices?

JOSE L. PEREZ

Clearwater, Fla.

Of Parties and Prayer

Your report "Faith and Frat Boys" told of college students who are pursuing a relationship with God [May 9]. You successfully described the courage and faith necessary for Christian students to live their beliefs in a secular college culture that is sometimes hostile to them. As a college minister, I appreciated TIME's accurate portrayal of today's college students, the vast majority of whom are giving serious thought to where they are on their spiritual journey.

TIM CASTEEL

Fayetteville, Ark.

Your article seemed to suggest that college students are divided into two groups: professed Christians-who abstain from drugs, alcohol, premarital sex and other vices-and all other students, who indulge in continuous debauchery. That is absurd. When I was a college student, I didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't go to many parties. And I graduated with high honors. But I was a liberal agnostic, not a Christian. For anyone to imply that all non-Christian students are immoral is insulting and misleading.

THOMAS HAUCK

Gloucester, Mass.

Confronting a Threat

Michelle Cottle was misguided in her Essay "Shoot first, Regret Legislation Later" [May 9], on Florida's new "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows citizens to use armed self-defense. I fully support my state's strong stance against criminals. The new law is geared toward protecting yourself if you feel threatened. It doesn't give you carte blanche to pull out a gun if someone threatens you with fists. Ultimately, this law could prevent crime. I am reserving my opinion on whether it is successful until I see whether it results in any unnecessary deaths. I suggest that others do the same.

STACEY KROTO

Gainesville, Fla.

Legislation that expands the right to use firearms is a growing threat to our domestic safety. Cottle describes the Florida law as allowing a person under attack to "meet force with force, including deadly force." This law sends the message that Americans can't trust one another and that it's every man for himself in this country. We already have enough anxiety from the growing threat of terrorism. Having to worry about unfriendly neighbors who own guns is the last thing Americans need.

MAREK MERY

New York City

Cottle seems to think that criminals have more rights than an individual defending his person and property. The gun-control crowd claims that a Wild West shootout will break out if people have the right to carry a firearm. But if the government cannot protect its citizens, then they have every right to defend themselves. When confronted by a criminal, the law-abiding citizen should not be required to run-with the possibility of getting a bullet in the back.

GENE EDGE

Hayward, Calif.

Girls Skate Too

In his interview with TIME, skateboard champion Tony Hawk did a disservice to young women everywhere when he noted that his arena tour showcasing the stars of skateboarding is "one of the few events dads and sons can equally enjoy" [May 9]. What, girls don't skateboard? In his offhand statement, Hawk reveals the prevailing mentality: there are places where girls belong and places where they do not. Stop the brainwashing of young girls!

SHELLY RILEY

Steamboat Springs, Colo.