Why Are We Wired and Worried?

Hats off to NEWSWEEK for publishing the article “Stress,” on how stress makes way for disease (Society & The Arts, June 28). This article will go far in helping millions of your readers cope better with this universal torment. Jamil Ahmad Pitafi Muzaffargarh, Pakistan

Thank you, NEWSWEEK, for your story “Stress.” I really needed it after reading an article in your June 14 issue, “Silicon Heaven,” about the “town of ineffable wealth and monumental silliness.” The stress I experienced was for not having a $1,500 bottle of balsamic vinegar in my pantry, nor an on-site winery. There’s also the barren social life I face, with not a chance of a Barbie-style party in my future. But then I read your story on stress and took your advice. I took a deep breath, called the local masseuse and ran the three miles to my appointment. Hey, your feature article probably saved my life. Carol Painter Beaufort, South Carolina

Your story “Stress Busters: What Works,” omitted the following stress-busters: laughter–a sense of humor does wonders; intellectual pursuit–a sense of curiosity provides great relief from stressful thoughts and may even lead to solutions for one’s problems, and sex–for reasons too obvious to explain. Bob Steiner Pinole, California

As someone who has seen the effects of stress on her own life, I was pleased to see your story about the high cost of this once adaptive response. I was dismayed, however, by your statement that “we inflict it on ourselves.” Individuals who have been subjected to childhood trauma, for example, may be more sensitive to the effects of stress as adults. Also, chronic physical-health problems impose stresses of their own. When we stop blaming ourselves for feeling stressed and begin focusing on reducing the stress in our lives in ways such as those your article suggests, we’ve taken a positive step toward improving both our physical and our mental health. Susan Milstrey Wells Halfmoon, New York

I’m glad I have stress in my life, since it provides obstacles to overcome in the pursuit of life’s achievements. Without it, why bother to do anything! Mark Sawyer Salinas, California

Idealistic Warfare

I’d like to congratulate you on the article “The Lessons of a ‘War of Values’, " (World View, June 28). Michael Elliott gave us a brilliant and unbiased analysis of the Kosovo war as a “humanitarian” war. He’s right in underlining that although the Kosovo war is over, thanks to the leadership of the United States, the healing of a people–traumatized by ethnic cleansing and the horrors of war–will take time. We have reasons to wonder whether this region will ever be safe and peaceful. Soumoy Etienne Metz, France

I was really impressed by your article “The Lessons of a ‘War of Values’.” NATO has won the war over Milosevic–but at what cost? We witness thousands of victims, devastated economies of the countries involved, refugees and political instability. However, I’m proud of Bill Clinton. He did everything in his power to prove that democratic norms do exist and should be respected. Almaz Sandybayev Almaty, Kazakhstan

Michael Elliott raises some interesting points about wars and values. The “humanitarian” war in Kosovo is indeed a first in the history of human conflicts, and lessons must be drawn from it. But why don’t the media mention anything about the human rights of the Palestinians? Perhaps the subject is too hot and is better left untouched, in spite of the numerous similarities with what went on in Kosovo. Elliott is right: “Human rights are human rights,” whatever the color or creed of the people concerned. However, it seems that in the eyes of Western politicians and media, some people are more equal than others. Djenane Kamil Cairo, Egypt

Wrestling With Sumo Traditions

Thank you for an excellent story on sumo’s adaptation to the modern world (“Selling Sumo,” Society & The Arts, June 21). But more recognition should have been given to Jesse Kuhaulua (Takamiyama)–the American pioneer who paved the way for others to follow. He came to the foreign world of Japan alone in 1964, with little support and no role models to look up to. He learned, endured and succeeded not only as a great rekishi but also in his present role as Japan’s first American stable master. He’s forever my hero. Helene Jarmol Uchida Fukuoka, Japan

Your article “Selling Sumo” suggests that the Japan Sumo Association should sell out to Japanese business and entertainment interests as Konishiki has done. That would certainly be a sad day for sumo and something that not even Konishiki would care to see. The appeal of sumo is in its traditions and rituals. William May Yokohama, Japan

China’s Youth Spirit

I was disappointed with your article “Wasted Youth,” about China’s new subculture of “disaffected punks” and “casual sex” (Asia, June 7). The description of this group may be true, but this is a minority and it doesn’t represent most of China’s youth. I’ve toured most of China, and I know my generation’s spirit. We pursue our goals. I think a major reason for the bad Sino-U.S. relationship is that you impose your ideology on us. If it is different from yours, it will be regarded as weird or primitive. You should get insight into China by viewing it from our perspective. We need understanding–not antagonizing. Deming Xiao Beijing, China

All for One, One for All?

In your article “Getting Serious?,” we learn about the provisions EU members’ defense budgets are making for military research, development and equipment–and that military experts consider them too small (World Affairs, June 28). But what about funds for peace research and peace work? Isn’t it high time to discuss which proportions of the defense budgets are being allocated for these? Heide Richter New Delhi, India

How can you say that the war in Kosovo was “a political success for Europe, but a military embarrassment”? The only winners are the U.S. arms dealers and manufacturers. Thank God there are still people like Finland’s President Martti Ahtisaari, who understands that the only way we will ever achieve global–and European–peace is if all countries follow international agreements and procedures. It’s like with democracy: it takes time and is often ineffective in the short term, but it’s the only way people can learn to live together in peace. Vilhelm Franck Tampere, Finland

European Health Consciousness

What is “widely exaggerated” about the reaction of millions of European Coca-Cola drinkers who are simply worried about getting ill by consuming their favorite soft drink (“A Little Hard to Swallow,” World Affairs, June 28)? European consumers have become more discriminating in recent years about what they eat and drink. This is not only because of incidents like the animal feed-dioxin scandal. What worries Europeans more is that the global food industry, with its fixation on shareholder value, is willing to take risks with our health and lives. One example is the widespread European rejection of gene-manipulated agriculture products, which seem to be no problem in the eyes of most Americans. Helmut Bredigkeit

American Gun Politics

Many factors may influence children to become more aggressive, but the availability of guns provides a dangerous possibility to vent their anger (“Caught in the Cross-Fire,” U.S. Affairs, June 28). It’s naive to believe that putting the Ten Commandments in every school would have a mellowing effect on the mind and consciousness of a potential juvenile felon, who feels left alone and thinks that the best thing at home is the firearm in Daddy’s cupboard. It’s a sad truth, but American congressmen are more concerned with the political power of the National Rifle Association than the well-being of the coming generation and the growing decadence of society as a whole. Sebastian Schmucker Winklarn, Germany

Correction

In a chart accompanying our story “Caught in the Cross-Fire,” on gun control (U.S. Affairs, June 28), the numerical values on its vertical axis should have ranged from 0 to 40,000, not 4,000. And the graph line itself reflects total firearm-related deaths in the United States from 1962 to 1996, not deaths per 100,000. If the graph had been adjusted for population growth, its shape would have been much flatter.