See Bill Run for History
My initial reaction to your Clinton cover story was annoyance. My second reaction was to smile broadly and simply enjoy the fact that Bill Clinton is no longer president of the United States. Megan Shapiro Purchase, N.Y.
Jonathan Alter’s interview with former president Bill Clinton was a welcome view into the current activities of a man who influenced so many lives. During his presidency, Clinton succumbed to the pressures and opportunities available to people in power. It was a continual disappointment that the news media chose to focus on his extramarital activities or personal financial dealings. The spotlight should have been on the booming economy or the movement of many children and elderly people out of poverty. Bill Clinton has emerged from the right-wing-supported witch hunts that were Whitewater and the Monica Lewinsky investigation with his commitment to the American people intact. Having grown up in poverty, I was a young adult during the Clinton administration and received loans and grants that allowed me to go to college. My husband and I are now able to provide a financially secure middle-class upbringing for our children. My determination was inspired by President and Hillary Rodham Clinton’s leadership and focus on making the United States a better place for everyone. Amy Jo Ellefson Omaha, Neb.
Your article on Bill Clinton made me wish he were still in the White House; if he were, I am convinced that we would not be in such a mess in the Middle East. His incredible popularity around the world was a reflection of America’s fair and balanced approach to foreign policy and of his passionate desire to mediate at the risk of damaging his personal prestige. Unfortunately, our current policy–characterized by refusing to get involved in foreign affairs until there is a true crisis, and exhibiting superpower arrogance–has led to increasing hatred for our country. I commend Jonathan Alter, always a fair journalist, for an admirable job of presenting a balanced article on Clinton. It is satisfying to know that the former president is finally able to take care of his family, much to the chagrin of his right-wing detractors. Haresh S. Satiani Brea, Calif.
In saying the Marc Rich pardon damaged his reputation, Bill Clinton has finally found his legacy. It is one of self-obsession and self-delusion. Kevin Willmann San Rafael, Calif.
It is nice to read that President Clinton has found some comfort in his post-presidential life. However, as a 24-year-old woman, I am dismayed by his lack of humility about the disturbing acts he committed as our 42d president. Throughout my high school and college years our nation had to suffer through one scandal after another, with little regard by their perpetrator for the damage they inflicted on the honor and respect U.S. presidents once deserved. For some, these scandals were simply another subject for late-night humor, but for many like me they were a direct assault on the integrity of the office of the presidency. I wish Clinton the best in his retirement years, but I am relieved that our current president reveres the presidency more than his own ego. Kelly Doane Beverly, Mass.
I remember the mantra I continually chanted as a college student in the late ’70s and early ’80s as my friends bemoaned what they perceived as the ineffectiveness of Jimmy Carter, the man I proudly voted for in my very first presidential election. The mantra: someday it will become dazzlingly apparent that the man was an exceptional president. I find myself again chanting the same mantra, but with a different name: Bill Clinton. And I believe that I will be vindicated this time too. Jean Tobias Kenosha, Wis.
Mideast ‘Deathlock’
shahidin
The Bush administration has blown it badly in the Middle East ("‘He Knows It, He Feels It’," International, April 8). The situation has certainly not improved since the president boldly declared that “enough is enough” and decided to send Colin Powell over there to save the day. A primary focus of the Bush presidential campaign was his ability to “bring people together.” Generously assuming that he actually has the wherewithal to negotiate peace with the likes of Sharon and Arafat in the first place, why hasn’t he worked his famed magic on them? When and where has Bush exhibited this talent at all since his election? The September 11 tragedy? Sadly, the terrorists themselves get the credit for uniting Americans in that instance, and the Bush administration was lucky to be at the right place at the right time to gain an issue on which to focus its retrograde, unilateralist domestic and foreign policies. I agree with the president: enough is enough. I’m looking forward to the 2004 election, and I’m hopeful that the Supreme Court will stay out of it this time. David Shrader Richland, Wash.
National Pride, Racial Divide?
myall
Joseph Phillips deserves a round of applause for standing up for his convictions. He will get a lot of flak from his peers, but he is fundamentally right. Grudges may die hard, but die they must, because the alternative is civil unrest. My 4-year-old Japanese-Mexican-Italian-Polish daughter is learning that she is an American first and foremost, and sings “It’s a Grand Old Flag” at the top of her lungs! Jane Ramirez Salinas, Calif.
As an African-American who lives in New York, I’m disturbed that some African-Americans would use the terrorist attacks on September 11 as an opportunity to air their grievances against our country. At the same time I absolutely defend their right to do so. Voicing discontent is as American as it gets. We fought for the right not only to walk and sit where we wanted, but also to think and speak freely. This includes unpatriotic speech. Racism is not just “ugly history”; race and prejudice still have not been adequately addressed in this country, and that’s at the root of much of the current anti-American sentiment Phillips perceives in the African-American community. Can he not see how accusations of racial profiling of Arab-Americans struck a nerve for African-Americans? Has he forgotten how much some bigots like to drape themselves in the American flag? The varied African-American reaction to fierce patriotism is very understandable and very American. Melody Cooper Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
I applaud Joseph Phillips. He is right that “America is by no means a paragon, but… is still the best thing going.” As a student of African-American history, I understand that the road to success for blacks in America is burdened with obstacles. I appreciate the difficulties of social mobility. But there are means to mitigate those obstacles within the confines of our political system. As a white male, I must confront the shame and embarrassment of my forefathers’ transgressions. This alone, however, does not indemnify African-Americans from equal responsibility in the healing process. In the wake of September 11, now seems a most appropriate time to work together to highlight our commonalities as a culture, a people and a country. Michael Grayson Griffin, Ga.
The College Crunch
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As a high-school senior who recently won the game of college admissions, I appreciated your article. But why the emphasis on Harvard early in the piece? With all respect to Harvard and its alumni, I think your story missed one critical point: not every school is a good fit for every student. As a computer-science major, I would feel completely out of place at a liberal-arts school, no matter how prestigious. Moreover, many lesser-known schools offer great programs in certain fields of specialization. Responsible research, not skillful persuasion by recruiters, should be the definitive factor in any college choice. Amelia Lacenski Bellevue, Wash.
Your article “How to Win the College Game” carries an important unspoken message: that it is a sense of personal responsibility and a love of learning more than almost anything else that will gain a student acceptance to the college of his or her choice. And this begins in preschool, not ninth or 10th grade. The ability to appreciate and value real learning–even in areas students feel certain are not “for them”–is priceless. In truth, whichever college a truly committed student is accepted to will turn out to be “the right school” because he or she will have developed the tools to make it so. Amanda Uhry New York, N.Y.
Farewell, Queen Mum
Noisy But Joyous
The Spy Who Says He’s Sorry
Attorneys at LawCurtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
The Islamic Institute Responds
Chairman, Islamic Institute
