Inbox

The Tsar of Stability

Since you acknowledge that Person of the Year Vladimir Putin has distinguished himself by "choosing order before freedom," I wonder why you didn't select President George W. Bush a third time for his choosing safety from terrorism before terrorists' rights [Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008]. No, TIME would much rather recognize a virtual dictator for his supposed achievements: violently suppressing dissent, crushing the free press and leading a regime that has been accused of murdering opponents and expropriating private property for the state. On the other hand, TIME loves to natter on about how Gitmo prisoners should be granted U.S. constitutional freedoms, privileges and rights. You have lost all perspective and are (quite literally) incredible.

PAUL BURICH, LOS GATOS, CALIF.

Your article about Putin was informative and insightful. I find him more honest and certainly more intelligent than Bush. Your article mentioned that the people of Russia are willing to give up some of their freedoms for stability. I would make the case that many Americans are also willing to give up freedoms for security.

EDDIE STAPLES, AURORA, COLO.

Putin comes across as a leader of great character and vision. In years to come, the Putin era will be a case study of how to use oil riches. Surely many oil-producing countries in the Middle East can learn valuable lessons about ways to use petrodollars that don't involve supporting terrorist organizations.

SUDARSHAN KUMAR SINGH, NAINITAL, INDIA

In explaining how the influence game is played in Putin's Russia, you quoted an insider who referred to "money that the politicians raise quietly from corporate 'sponsors' that expect special treatment in return." Golly, the Russians are becoming as democratic as we are.

HARRY TORGERSON, GREAT FALLS, MONT.

Maximum-Security Manger

Like Jamil Hamad, I too bemoan the changes that have transformed Bethlehem [Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008]. I do so as a former Israeli soldier who had the honor of guarding the Church of the Nativity when the city was still under Israeli control. But I take issue with a number of subtle insinuations in Hamad's article. He was critical of the security checkpoints, but since the city is no longer under Israeli control, why should the crossing into Israel be different from those between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico, for instance? Hamad also took issue with the Israeli security wall but failed to mention that it was put in place to stop suicide bombers from crossing and snipers from shooting at apartments in the southern part of Jerusalem. When I was stationed in Bethlehem in the mid-1980s, the Christian population was thriving, and tourists arrived by the busload throughout the year, not just at Christmastime. One needs to ask what the difference is between then and now.

ARON B. SAFRAN, WILLOW STREET, PA.

The Legacies of Those We Lost

Thank you for your farewell to The Scooter, Phil Rizzuto [Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008]. After I read the piece and took in the photo from his days on the field, it was clear to me that Scooter was key to my love of the game of baseball. Although I grew up in New York after his playing days were over, he was with me every game from his broadcast booth. He shared his take on the plays, but even more important, he shared his enthusiasm, which was 100%. His coverage was clearly biased--he loved his Yanks--but boy, did I love it.

RALPH R. VAN HOUTEN, LIMA, N.Y.

How could you leave out the fabulous, irreverent writer Molly Ivins? She died of breast cancer on Jan. 31, 2007, at age 62, in Austin, Texas. She was a co-editor of the Texas Observer; worked for the New York Times, Dallas Times-Herald and Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and later became a syndicated columnist. She wrote for TIME and authored numerous books. In her writing, Ivins stood up against the lies of the powerful. She devoted her life to questioning authority. She minced no words, and her loyal readers can't find the words to say how sorely they miss her.

MARGRET HOFMANN, AUSTIN, TEXAS

R.B. as J.C.?

My Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008 issue arrived just in time for Christmas. While I admire 10 Questions subject Richard Branson, I think you overdid it with the picture. He looked like a Western vision of Christ: long, flowing hair; beard; eyes raised to heaven. All he lacked was a crown of thorns.

GERALD WHITE, PORT ORCHARD, WASH.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The credit accompanying the picture of Ron Paul in the Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008 Inbox was incorrect. It should have read Geoff Robins--AFP/Getty.

The Dec. 24 Milestones item on Ike Turner erroneously reported that he played guitar on the album Rocket 88. That is the title of a song, not an album, for which Turner played piano, not guitar.