Inbox
Introducing Sarah Palin
Although I am not a Republican and do not agree with Senator John McCain's war policy on Iraq--my son was killed there--I respect Sarah Palin for her decision to keep her Down-syndrome baby [Sept. 15]. I am the father of a 28-year-old Down-syndrome daughter, whom I've cared for almost single-handedly since the death of her mother 16 years ago. My daughter has been a source of joy and hope in the midst of family setbacks. Even if Palin does not win the election, she at least has put a new face on Down syndrome. I thank her for that. Joseph P. Nolan, WATERBURY, CONN.
TIME's great photo of Governor Palin on this week's cover should scare the Democrats. You see a strong, intelligent, attractive and determined mien, a reminder of the women pioneers who helped make the Western U.S. great. She's an ideal partner for McCain, one who will help bring this country back to the position of strength and idealism it has occupied in the world. Joe Chernicoff, LAS VEGAS
As many others do, I believe Bristol Palin's pregnancy is a family matter. Yet Governor Palin decided to accept McCain's offer to be his running mate knowing her daughter's pregnancy would become fodder for the press. Who thinks it's O.K. to put a 17-year-old girl through this? Christopher B. Romeo, KNOXVILLE, TENN.
You have to admire Palin's handlers, who have created an image of her as a victim of the media. It allows them to justify Palin's not having a single press conference: She is just protecting herself and her family. How convenient! Janan Weinstein, CRYSTAL LAKE, ILL.
McCain is no Maverick. He has picked the religious right's dream VP candidate and put America in jeopardy. Karen Wagner, ROLLING MEADOWS, ILL.
Pain in Louisiana's Capital
I was happy to see your article on Hurricane Gustav [Sept. 15]. Yet after reading it, I was sorry to see that TIME missed the boat. Nearly the entire two pages were about the city of New Orleans. New Orleans got lucky with Gustav. Baton Rouge, the state capital, is facing the worst electrical damage in its recorded history and isn't even mentioned. Ninety percent of the city was without power after Gustav hit. Thousands of homes were lost or suffered significant damage. New Orleans isn't the only city on the Gulf Coast. Sarah Glover, BATON ROUGE, LA.
The Case for Slow Food
Thanks for your coverage of the Slow Food movement [Sept. 15]. It is misleading, though, to claim that industrialized food "is the only way to economically feed a global population." There is nothing economical about a system contributing a big chunk of our greenhouse-gas emissions. The drivers of global deforestation are large-scale agribusinesses--not Sunshine heirloom-tomato farmers from Sonoma. Anna Lappe, BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Finding an Answer to Cancer
The extraordinary missed opportunity in fighting cancer centers on the lack of primary prevention: avoid, reduce and eliminate exposure to carcinogens [Sept. 15]. Shamefully, the National Cancer Institute invests only a minuscule amount to prevent cancers, opting predominantly for a posteriori treatment. Mortality for certain cancers has decreased slightly in the past few years, but the incidence of cancers has not. With more than 100,000 chemicals and formula combinations on the consumer market and less than 5% evaluated for cancer-causing potential, it is past time for identifying chemical and environmental carcinogens. James Huff, Ph.D., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.
I fear that the battle against cancer has turned into a study of greed. I am 60 and have been watching family members die from cancer all my life--among them were my grandfather and uncle, both nonsmokers who died of lung cancer. I believe scientists could find a cure, but will there ever be one? I can't believe so. How many jobs would no longer be necessary if a cure were found? Cancer has become big, big business. S. Michael Long, LEVITTOWN, PA.
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