America’s Election Endgame As an election special, your Nov. 20 issue could not be beaten. But it should have been just that: an election special supplement. America is important. But for 5.7 billion people there’s other important news that we wish to be informed about. I feel I’ve missed a week of international news. Nigel Hywel-Jones–Bangkok, Thailand
What a sad day for American democracy! As Scandinavians watching the presidential election, we find what’s happening in Florida amazing. Your president is not only the president of the United States but also leader of the free world. We worry about America’s voice in future discussions if Governor Bush is elected president without a mandate from the people. Nowhere else is democracy seen as a system where the majority may have no say. Is the United States really going to have a “systems” president (Bush) instead of a people’s president (Al Gore)? Pia and Peter Pinkowsky–Copenhagen, Denmark
There are no real winners in this election. Instead, there is a big loser: American democracy. As the farce in Florida has shown, both candidates and the party machines are so determined to win the elections that they will do everything they can to achieve that aim. It seems that market confidence, America’s image abroad and a possible constitutional crisis do little to stop them. It is not about what is best for the United States. In the end, it is all about power. Sadly the parties are losing their own legitimacy and giving more edge to opinions like Ralph Nader’s. Ville Niinisto–Jakarta, Indonesia
What can possibly be wrong with taking a little extra time and effort to count every vote and make sure that the electoral will of the people–the crown jewel of American democracy–is completely expressed? Sure, machines are sometimes inaccurate and people are sometimes corrupt. It appears to me that it is easier, with appropriate bipartisan oversight, to minimize potential corruption than it is to eliminate machine error. If we truly believe in democracy, then we must believe in the absolute necessity of making sure that each and every vote is cast. The only fair thing to do in any closely contested race is to carefully recount the votes–by hand–and if that means Iowa and Wisconsin as well as Florida, then so be it. In an election like this one, the most important thing is not who wins but rather that the moral integrity of the electoral process is preserved. Aaron Raines–Prague, Czech Republic
Your Nov. 20 merged cover photo summarizes the answer to the question of who the winner is: two presidents-elect! Let them share power as president and vice president taking two-year terms each. After all, that seems to be the message from the voting population. And let that be a lesson to nonvoters. It has been made abundantly clear that they must participate because every vote really counts. Erling I. Heintz Siggerud–Lillestroem, Norway
Why not make Bush and Gore joint presidents? Split their functions vertically, laterally, by their choice or by rotation. Or put them together for executive purposes like conjoined twins. It would make for an interesting and different four years of running the world’s best example of a democratic government. John Mussell–Harare, Zimbabwe
I loved your Nov. 20 cover. It personifies our country’s votes and our approval ratings of how they’re handling the battle for the White House. I guess we still have half a chance to galvanize America. Tim Walker–Raleigh, North Carolina
The current situation in Florida looks like the most clumsy attempt at electoral fraud in recent history. If we believe the media, some of the facts that surfaced concerning the Florida vote (19,000 discarded ballots, African-Americans turned away at the polls, et cetera) should be cause for suspicion. If this is all true, the Bush clan and the Republican Party have done damage to democracy and the United States’ place in the world. The only solution seems to be a revote in Florida. W does not have the “right stuff”; perhaps baseball management is more his level. Klaas B. Vanderpoel–Sorgues, France
The Bush campaign is back to whining again. If Bush wins, Americans are going to have to endure four years of nonstop whining every time something doesn’t go the way a Bush White House wants it to go. Is the United States going to whine when someone won’t sign a treaty or vote with it in the United Nations? I guess if I’m having a bad hair day, I’ll blame Gore and his team. Who else’s fault could it be? Helen Hardwick–Ft. Worth, Texas
After seeing your photograph of the Palm Beach County ballot paper in the Nov. 20 issue, I am amazed that anyone could find it too complicated. Beside each name is an arrow pointing to the hole to be punched. It does not get much simpler than that. Kevin Stock–Hanches, France
I am a U.S. citizen living in Denmark with my Danish wife. The Danish people I have met and read about in their papers are very pro-American. Now for the first time that has changed because of the presidential election in Florida. How can the world’s leading country and greatest champion of democracy make such a mess of an election? How can the United States instill in other countries the benefits of democracy? In the last few days I have been asked these questions more than once. For the first time I am ashamed to be an American. Alan G. Tait–Viborg, Denmark
The United States has the unique opportunity of selecting its president in a manner that truly reflects the majority choice. In a democracy, the only true representative of the people is the one who receives more than 50 percent of the popular vote. Julian D’Souza–New Delhi, India
An Irresponsible Act I am deeply disturbed by the number of people who say that driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), as George W. Bush did, does not really matter (“Unhappy Hour,” u.s. affairs, Nov. 13). Alcoholism is a disease, and people who have this disease should certainly be treated with compassion and not be discriminated against. However, driving while drunk is not a disease. It is an irresponsible criminal act that shows a total disregard for the lives of other, innocent people. I know a few alcoholics, and some of them are good people whom I respect–despite their problem. But I would not want them to be president of my country. Robert Pierson–Pasadena, Texas
In hearing all of Governor Bush’s responses to the inquiries about his past drunken-driving arrest, I’m reminded of Bill Clinton’s protests about protecting his family, or [Hillary’s] it’s a vast right-/left-wing conspiracy (take your pick), or it was a long time ago that inhaling or draft dodging or drunken driving, et cetera, took place. I thought George W. Bush was supposed to be a solution to Clinton, not just a Republican version of him. E. Howard–via internet
A Footnote in History Your columnist Jonathan Alter insists that there are deep differences between Al Gore and George W. Bush (“Where Nader Went Wrong,”). Well, the differences are the same as drinking Coca-Cola or Pepsi, being mugged by a thug or a robber, or stepping in mud or dog litter. Roland Hunger–Hamburg, Germany
Congratulations to Ralph Nader for throwing the election to the very man who will make sure that none of his goals are achieved. Yes, Ralph, you will get your footnote in history–as the Bush campaign’s greatest asset. Is that the way you really want to be remembered? Frances Fischer–Svendborg, Denmark
The Kursk Tragedy It is not surprising that Vladimir Putin, an ex-KGB man and a product of the cold war, is doing what he is doing regarding the Kursk (“A Cry From the Deep,” Nov. 6). The Kursk crew were killed because of Putin’s refusal to enter the new era of world cooperation and free enterprise, and instead stick to decaying, cold-war trash. How do you “test” a “more volatile” fuel with 118 people onboard without first ensuring their safety? This mess should be straightened out immediately, though it is unlikely that Putin can tell the people the truth. If he could waste lives in a stupid war to boost his personal image, then he could surely lie until the story dies down. Jamil Toyo–Lagos, Nigeria
What’s been happening in Russia over the last months is a shameful show of the government’s powerlessness and total lack of respect for human life. Determined to keep up the image of control, Putin lost all real control. Struggling to save the appearances of power at all costs, he lost not only his sailors but the respect of the Russian people. Putin is wholly responsible for the death of the Kursk’s crew. The government, instead of offering comfort and providing the families of the deceased with reliable information, simply went into denial, hoping to cloud its incompetence with vague explanations. I was deeply moved by the tragedy, but I wasn’t surprised by it. Putin and his government want to be perceived as “modern” and “European,” but his behavior reveals what he strives to hide–his KGB past. It exposes what we’d seen here in Poland for years–the old ways of the U.S.S.R. Malgorzata Zylinska–Gliwice, Poland
Andrew Nagorski’s story rightly points out the wider dimension of the Kursk tragedy (“A Callous View of Human Life”). While the Russian population decreased by 750,000 last year, one overhears Russian being spoken in Britain, Spain or the Czech Republic. It is tragic because, where there is no young generation, there is no hope for a future. Unfortunately, Vladimir Putin doesn’t give much hope for improvement. In addition to failing to request international help for the Kursk, he has annihilated Grozny and its inhabitants, supported Milosevic’s fraud in Yugoslavia (as well as Lukashenko’s in Belarus) and asserted his control over Russia’s independent media. It seems to me that “None of us can get to the surface” may well prove to be the last cry of the Russian people. Andres Garcia Slavicek–London, England
In Praise of an Outsider’s Life Congratulations from an outsider on your breathtaking and revealing New York-London booster (“The NY-LON Life,” Nov. 13). As your writers correctly point out, NY-LON “all but ignores the outer boroughs” where most of us live. I look forward to an article comparing life in outer New York and London. For starters, Barking (in East London) has an Elizabethan mansion in the middle of a public-housing estate, Costa Coffee has hit the local rail station and tonight the town will show an amateur performance of “The Pajama Game.” I can’t wait to hear what’s going on in outer New York. Robin Yeates–Ilford, England
It is interesting to see how two modern cities now seem to be merging their fast-developing cultures across the Atlantic. No doubt this is one of the positive concomitants of globalization and the Internet. While there are some hints of the two continents’ drifting apart, especially politically, the growing bond between New York and London may be read only as an encouraging sign. Werner Radtke–Paderborn, Germany
Preventing Runway Accidents Your article and sketch of Chiang Kai-shek Airport give a vivid description of Singapore Air’s recent accident (“A Fatal Mistake,” Nov. 13). With a raging storm going on and poor visibility, the pilot could not rely on the support–like runway lights–that he needed. Instead he had to rely on verbal communication from the control tower. Instruction to take runway 05L may have sounded like 05R to the pilot–quite possible, since Chinese pronunciation of L and R can be difficult to distinguish. Following a system that the Swiss use at Zurich Airport, in which a well-marked car takes the plane to the correct runway, might be worth considering. M. C. Gupta–Hyderabad, India
Where’s Whitehorse? I am a Canadian living in Germany, and while reading “A Cosmic Gift of Great Price” (world view, Oct. 23), I noticed that the author incorrectly wrote that Whitehorse is a small town in northeastern British Columbia. In fact, Whitehorse is the capital city of the Yukon, and it is in the southwestern part of that province. M. O’Brien–Paderborn, Germany
Boorish in Britain? I hope that your article on “the New Booze Economy” (Oct. 30) shatters some illusions about Britain, which is far from its reserved, well-mannered stereotype. In Britain today, it is considered “cool” to be drunk, boorish and foulmouthed. To venture into just about any of our city centers on a Friday or Saturday night is to run a gantlet of abuse, urine and vomit from drunken revelers. But the British legislature, police and judiciary fail to protect the public and criminalize those who protect themselves. Rudolph Giuliani, we could definitely use you here! Alistair McCleery–Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland
I believe your analysis of the new Booze Economy is somewhat flawed. The women and youths you see in modern British pubs are the New Working Class. The British economy has switched from production to service, and has actually increased the working classes by adding more young women to the work force. The education levels of this new class are hardly higher than those of the old working class because universities in Britain still cater only to a small, privileged elite. The disposable income of the new working class is higher and so their drinks are more expensive. But I’d say education, not available income, reflects real social change. Rene Gardea–Prague, Czech Republic
Modern Cuisine, Italian Style The officials preparing Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Italy have asked that food with garlic, onions, “long pastas” and tomato sauce be excluded from her menu (“Spice Girl,” periscope, Oct. 23). Italians are not outraged by this because they know that modern Italian cuisine is no longer based on such ingredients. “Real” Italian restaurants have proved it to millions of delighted customers all over the world. Mario Rigolio–Varese, Italy
Of Pickets and Blockades The British government informs us that fuel pickets and blockades are il- legitimate and that no democratic government can be expected to yield to them (“Fuel and Fury,” Europe, Sept. 25). But surely a logical inference of this is that disruptive action against the IMF and World Bank, two unelected behemoths with power of life and death over many nations, is wholly justified. Shakeel Ahmed Suleman–Birmingham, England
title: “International Letters” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-28” author: “Harold Shirilla”
Readers responding to our June 11 Special Report on AIDS stressed the importance of global responsibility. “The great powers of the Western world speak of equality for all,” one wrote, “but millions of people in the developing world are dying.” Another asserted, “This isn’t just a health problem, it’s an economic-development crisis.” As one letter writer pointed out, “AIDS is a virus that does not discriminate, no matter how innocent or guilty a person may be.”
An AIDS Anniversary
Congratulations, Newsweek! You delivered yet another excellent article on one of the most important issues in the world today (“AIDS at 20,” Special Report, June 11). No longer just a health concern, AIDS has now become a major political and economic issue. It is disturbing that the great powers of the Western world speak of equality for all, but millions of people in the developing world are dying because their richer counterparts worry only about profit. It is also ironic that when powerful nations talk of reaching out to help, all they really care about is helping their “friendly” neighbors. How can we teach ideals to the uneducated when they see no role models setting a good example?
Krystle Chua Ang
Manila, Philippines
A vaccine is our last best hope of stopping the AIDS epidemic. When is this dream going to become a reality for the people of Africa? Our continent has lost teachers, professors, engineers, farmers and researchers to this epidemic, before they could contribute to the economic development of their countries. This is not just a health problem; it is an economic-development crisis. How long can these developing nations sustain their people on anti-AIDS drugs when they are already dependent on donor aid? World leaders need to act decisively and give hope to these less fortunate people.
Kokil Shah
Mombasa, Kenya
Your special report on aids was informative, interesting and frightening. However, I was bothered by a comment in the article “The Other AIDS Crisis.” Your writers say that AIDS in India first infected prostitutes and drug users, who are a high-risk population. Then they say that AIDS eventually spread “to innocent women like Manisha Talwar.” I believe you meant to say that AIDS is now creeping into lower-risk populations and that Talwar was unknowingly infected by her husband. The use of the word “innocent” leads one to think that wives and mothers are innocent, prostitutes and drug addicts guilty and deserving of their affliction. AIDS is a virus that does not discriminate, no matter how innocent or guilty the person may be.
Tiffany M. Dunham
Lyon, France
Your April 30 story “A Victory–and a New War” (world affairs) was interesting. It’s great that the court case about HIV-drug patents between the South African government and the drug companies has finally ended. It’s a victory for the government, but an even greater one for the drug companies. Most HIV-positive individuals and AIDS patients appreciate the research efforts made by these companies to develop drugs that have made this dreaded disease manageable. The companies’ bid to make a profit should not be construed as a crime, because business is meant for profit. Their action to drop the charges should be hailed as a courageous step to save millions of victims who could otherwise not afford the high cost of patented drugs. The challenge now is for the government to cooperate in a spirit of true partnership to ensure that AIDS is combated through the establishment of an effective health-care delivery system and support for further research.
Samuel Afeisume
Islamabad, Pakistan
Correction
In “Mexico’s History Test” (World Affairs, July 2), a photo caption incorrectly described Sergio Aguayo as a former “rebel.” In fact, while several of his teenage friends joined the Mexican guerrilla movement of the 1970s, Aguayo turned down an invitation to enlist and instead went on to become an academic and human-rights advocate. Newsweek regrets the error.
A Mideast War Story
After reading Joshua Hammer’s " ‘We Are Kidnapped’ " (World Affairs, June 11), one cannot escape the impression that Hammer has been brainwashed or intimidated by his captors. Otherwise, it is impossible to explain the gross bias against Israel that permeates his article. Hammer goes into painstaking description of the suffering endured by the Palestinian family who have Israeli soldiers stationed on their roof–soldiers who are there only to prevent Arafat’s snipers from shooting at the inhabitants of Kfar Darom. But when it comes to the heinous suicide act in Tel Aviv, Hammer writes only one sentence, dryly referring to the 18 people killed and 90 injured. He does not mention that almost all the victims were teenage kids celebrating the completion of their high-school exams. There is no empathy with the plight of the bereft parents searching in the night for their children. The same bias causes Hammer to turn a blind eye to Arafat’s responsibility for the deterioration of the peace process.
H. Arelimo
Jerusalem, Israel
In vain I searched your June 11 issue for coverage of an event that shook Israel with the force of an eight-point-magnitude earthquake, constituted the Israeli equivalent of the Oklahoma City bombing and pushed the Middle East one step closer to war. I’m referring to the terrorist bombing of a Tel Aviv discotheque that killed 20 youths and injured 100, mostly teenagers whose only fault was to visit the wrong disco on the wrong night. How is it possible for an experienced and responsible news magazine like Newsweek to have missed out on an event of such significance? I can only conclude that your Mideast reporter Joshua Hammer was too intimidated or too self-absorbed by his four-hour kidnapping experience.
Beryl Macner-Licht
Maccabim, Israel
How nice for Joshua Hammer and photographer Gary Knight to play touchy-feely with murdering terrorists and get out safely after a nice meal and a handshake! Unfortunately, during that same week, 20 young Israelis in a club were not so lucky. These kidnappers are not freedom fighters. They are despicable terrorists. And Arafat cannot or will not control them, which makes him a terrorist, too. However, he managed a major feat in these last eight months. He united the Israeli people–against him.
Timnah Rosenburg
Lower Galilee, Israel
When did the word “terrorists” get watered down to “militants”? You write about Palestinian “militants” and then go on to describe some of the atrocities they perpetrate: suicide bombings, roadside booby traps, ambushes and mortar attacks. If this is not terrorism, what is? Is it militants who cold-bloodedly murder mothers, babies and teenagers dancing at a club? I think it is terrorism, pure and simple. It is inaccurate to call it anything else.
Gloria Magence
Jerusalem, Israel
Another Scary New Year?
Your story on e-day, the day when the euro currency will enter general circulation in Europe (“The Euro Panic,” Business, June 11), smacks of tabloid-style reporting, which I did not expect from you. Your hype reminded me of the forecasts of the Y2K disaster two years ago. Of course, some problems can be expected, but they will be solved. There is no epidemic around the corner waiting to paralyze Europe. As a longtime reader of Newsweek, I’d like to see more constructive and informative writing on the common euro currency to be introduced on Jan. 1, 2002.
Emmanuel P. Georgantas
Athens, Greece
Your doomsday vision of the day when the euro becomes the currency for most countries of the European community gave me a deja vu feeling of the hysteria that the media tried to stir up over Y2K on the eve of the new millennium. Then nothing happened. A change of currency may be a frightening scenario for Americans who have never used foreign currency. But Europeans are accustomed to changing money when they cross their national borders. I do not know anyone who is not sufficiently informed about this after so many years of preparation and discussion. Prices in shops and restaurants have long been shown in local currency alongside their euro equivalents. We expect no trouble, only the advantages and convenience of a single, unified currency.
Carsten Hinze
Hannover, Germany
When we traveled abroad, I had to learn what the banknotes and coins of the countries we went to looked like. It’s not too difficult to adapt to the look, feel, current value and exchange rate of currencies–whether in shops or restaurants, on the bus or in a taxi. I managed to adapt within hours. Next year I’ll adapt to the euro, as I’ve adapted to Philippine pesos or to U.S. dollars when I’ve traveled. It’s just another currency. By March 1, 2002, many national currencies will be out–or the euro will disappear before its delivery.
Eckhardt Kiwitt
Freising, Germany
We’re insulted! We’re not dumb: since childhood, we’ve been changing francs into liras or marks or whatever while on holiday–it’s a good math exercise in the summertime. The euro will be quickly assimilated. Price tags, bank statements and credit-card bills have been “bilingual” for a long time. It’s so easy–Europeans are more imaginative than you believe. As for the coin machine in remote tourist places, the solution is easy: provide local change, and keep the same coins rolling day after day until the machine is adapted to euro coins. Your article should have been titled “The American Panic Before the Euro!” For us Europeans, Jan. 1, 2002, will be the day when we’re relieved of the burden of separate national currencies. If you listen well, you might hear the “Hymn to Joy” rise from our hearts. (It’s our national anthem.)
R. Orban
Oslo, Norway
Bloodbath in Nepal
Media reports and eyewitnesses agree that Nepal’s royal family was gunned down by Crown Prince Dipendra, who allegedly was provoked to do so because his parents were oppossed to letting him mar-ry Devyani Rana, the woman he loved (“Bloodbath in the Palace,” Asia, June 11). He was warned by them that if he married her, he would forfeit his succession to the throne. But if Dipendra really loved Devyani, he could have forgone his claim to the throne, married her and spent the rest of his life with her outside Nepal. This episode is so reminiscent of Edward VIII, king-emperor of Britain and India, who abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee and commoner. In his historic broadcast of Dec. 11, 1936, he said, “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.” When he took this momentous decision, the British Empire was at the peak of its glory, having within it dozens of countries bigger than Nepal.
Sharad C. Misra
Mumbai, India
As a Nepalese citizen, I’m embarrassed to face the truth of the inhumane act that took place in my country. I appreciate that you have provided updates of what is happening in Nepal, but I was disappointed that a fair publication like yours has taken the word of some government official in Nepal who may not be telling the truth. You should have considered the accounts of some of the suspicious attempts the government has made to cover up the truth.
Sanjeev Dipak
Katmandu, Nepal
Your article makes a number of incredible assertions to the effect that the crown prince of Nepal killed his father, his mother and his siblings. What were your sources for this account? Your story notes that there is little by way of any official explanation from the palace. So where did you get your information? You suggest that the Nepalese people are confused, that they’re demanding answers from the government but that there is a wall of secrecy. Are you going to add to the suspicion and secrecy by not disclosing where your information comes from?
W. John Taggart
Sydney, Australia
I am not satisfied with the prevailing theory about the murders in Nepal. No sane person would slay his whole family for a woman. Without foolproof evidence, we should not blame Dipendra. Such news should not be treated as gossip, as it could hurt the country and those who believe in the monarchy. We should rethink why such a massacre happened and who would benefit from such an act.
Diwas Pradhan
Sydney, Australia
News from Nepal is often ignored, but the murders of the royal family should have received better coverage. Your article is full of assumptions and baseless rumors. A magazine such as yours should consider what it prints, as it might add to the already growing instability in Nepal.
K. C. Prasanna
Katmandu, Nepal
