We had a bit of a tiff with the FBI last week. Seems the feds took umbrage at a piece we ran on usnews.com about the latest kerfuffle in their continuing efforts to put together a computer system worthy of the 21st century. You can read more about this on Page 30 of this issue, but the reason I mention it is that, as of today, the magazine's entire editorial staff is publishing a raft of new stories, features, and columns each day on the magazine's website. We've been publishing online daily for years, but with all of our writers, reporters, columnists, and photo editors engaged in the effort now, the menu of new offerings has exploded.
Interested in the latest health news from the medical journals? Check out Dr. Bernadine Healy's Inside the Doctor's Bag column. Tech Trends will keep you ahead of the hottest news on PDA s, cellphones, and laptops, while Arts & Ideas will bring you the latest on books, gallery openings, and museum offerings. For more than a year, BizBuzz has brought you a daily fix on the markets. Now you can also dip into Career Spotlight, Personal Finance, and Capital Commerce for business and financial news more closely focused on your personal and professional life.
The list of offerings is too long to go into here--and it will continue to grow. But suffice it to say, if the information you find in your magazine has you looking forward to its appearance in your mailbox each week, you're going to find a whole lot more of it on usnews.com every day. Give us a look-see, and let us know what you think.
Deep Throat
I applaud and endorse Mark Felt's revealing the Watergate mess, but I have a problem with his not identifying himself then ["Out of the Shadows," June 13]. He wanted to be a hero but didn't want to pay the price. He wanted to stop "the wrongdoing" without any danger to himself or his standing in the eyes of his peers.
TED DE ROSE
South Haven, Mich.
Reading "Out Of The Shadows," I found, buried six paragraphs deep, the real issues surrounding the story about Deep Throat: the anonymous source's motivation and the public's tendency to accept unsubstantiated information. I wonder if Woodward and Bernstein realized that if Deep Throat's identity had come to light then, Felt's true motivation and credibility would have been more closely examined.
DAVE KYZER
Plano, Texas
Adoption Dilemma
"Pitfalls For Parents" [June 6], about international adoption, covered the negative aspects. Referring to international adoption as "big business" and as a "murky world" sours public opinion about professional and ethical nonprofit agencies that facilitate international adoption and provide humanitarian aid to destitute children. Fees paid to accredited adoption agencies are necessary to ensure the appropriateness and the legality of the adoption, not to purchase a child. When my husband and I adopted our son, all fees were broken down and explained clearly to us upfront. When we traveled to his country of origin, the agency went out of its way to help us arrange a visit to his town of birth and gave us the opportunity to meet his former caregivers. The entire process was legal, ethical, and wonderfully positive.
CYNTHIA MCCULLOUGH
Princeton, Mass.
As adoptive parents of two biracial American children adopted at birth, we are always rankled by the subject of international adoption. With all the children in this country who need homes, from babies on up, I will never understand why people go outside our borders to adopt.
KAREN MACDONALD
Santa Barbara, Calif.
When we adopted two of our kids, it took about nine months and about the same cost as a hospital birth to get beautiful babies without strings attached here in the United States. Today, all the red tape involved has caused domestic adoptions to be slow and expensive.
FRANK WATTS
Winter Park, Colo.
Augustine's Influence
I was interested to read that St. Augustine came up with his plan for infant baptism because so many parents at the time "demanded baptism for their infants" ["What He Did Not Confess," May 23]. If Augustine had just read Ezekiel 18:20 to the people, he could have stopped this practice before it got started! The passage says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." To formulate a theory of "original sin" was unfounded and unnecessary.
MICHAEL GARRISON
Parrish, Ala.
St. Augustine's " Confessions" detail the development of his faith in a transcendental, loving God. Why is it that "observers might reasonably wonder . . . how a reform-minded adviser to Vatican II became a rigid defender of the church doctrine while through it all claiming a core consistency to his beliefs and teachings"? Progressive social reformers are understandably disappointed with Benedict XVI's election , but "a fresh, new look at St. Augustine and his legacy" contributes nothing to the understanding of Roman Catholic doctrine. Pope Benedict XVI is neither a contradiction nor a mystery. He is an Augustinian, influenced Pope John Paul II's encyclical on "Faith and Reason," and is the best thing that could happen to the Catholic Church today.
JOHN L. KNECHT
Belvidere, N.J.
Clarification: The website address for the military adventures for civilians in "Let's Play Soldier!" [June 6] should have included a hyphen: incredible-adventures.com.
[20050606049731]
Gambling Fever
I am stunned to discover that a high school encourages the students to play poker ["Against the Odds," May 23]. I am the mother of four children and a dealer at a casino. To use casino games to learn about statistics is one thing, but to have a poker study hall in a high school is unacceptable. Even if these kids are not playing with real money now, they will the first chance they get. Why don't we just give them cigarettes, or alcohol, or drugs? They can learn a lot about science, chemical reactions, and behavior that way, too.
TAMERA BUENO
Blue Springs, Mo.
"Against The Odds" gives new meaning to the phrase "virtual reality" by stating that "overseas casinos all too often take advantage of the lawlessness of cyberspace to hoodwink patrons." Like land-based casinos, many in cyberspace are audited, often by large accounting firms. Online casinos are tested by third parties for fairness and randomness. Blogs, bulletin boards, and websites rate online poker sites and expose problematic ones. Only the sites that pass muster continue to draw in customers.
NANCY TODD TYNER
Chairman
Internet Gaming Alliance
Las Vegas
I believe that gambling greed does change brain chemistry ["The Worst of All Bets"]. And so does the rush of other types of greed. We all know the rush. How about people in California who are gambling on real estate? Why not test compulsive shoppers? Everything is going to have a brain chemistry response. Psychiatrists can find a market for any kind of emotional addiction. Is nothing the responsibility of an individual any more?
JERRY BETTS
Garland, Texas
Abortion Advice
"The Supremes Take On Abortion--Again" [The Week, June 6] was both disturbing and disappointing. Rhetoric like "performing an abortion on an underage woman" could be replaced with the more accurate term minor. In addition, Jennifer Dalven of the American Civil Liberties Union was quoted about abortion rights but no alternative viewpoint was given. As a physical therapist, I know that generally minors are required by law to have parental or guardian consent before undergoing a surgery or even noninvasive physical therapy treatments. Is abortion less risky than physical therapy?
LEAH PATTON
Murray, Ky.
Rescue at Sea
I was shocked to read Rep. Don Young's comment questioning why some "snot-nosed lieutenant" should be able to inspect a boat to determine whether or not it is safe to operate ["Dangers of the Deep," May 23]. The high degree of danger involved in conducting rescue-at-sea operations gives the "snot- nosed" lieutenant all the right he or she needs. While the fate suffered by the boat Big Valley was indeed tragic, had the captain followed the Coast Guard's crab pot carrying limit, and had the vessel been inspected, perhaps none of the crew would have died. Representative Young should appreciate the number of his fellow citizens whose lives are saved by the selfless professionals who serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and how many more might be saved if Coast Guard inspections were mandatory.
BRANDON DOMINGUEZ
Auburn, Wash.
Early Cancer Detection
Thank you so much for writing the article on the difficulty and need for a reliable early-detection test for ovarian cancer ["Deadly Perfectionism?" May 30]. It has been very frustrating for the ovarian cancer community of survivors to get its hopes up in expecting an early-detection test to be approved, only to find out that it is years away from becoming available. I am one of the very few lucky survivors of advanced ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed when I was 41 years old in 1987. I had two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and a recurrence in 1993, but I am doing well without having any treatment since 1994. I wish there were more happy endings like mine. I try to give hope, because I needed hope when I was in treatment.
HELEN PALMQUIST
Lincolnshire, Ill.
After being diagnosed with Late Stage 3 ovarian cancer, I wonder if my health insurance company wishes it had been more proactive with blood testing and the newer protein-analyzing tests. My family and I appreciate your getting the word out on how sneaky and deadly this cancer is. I had been in treatment for acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome when a CT scan showed ovarian cancer.
CAROL POWNING
Sacramento, Calif.
Transcending Politics
Fourteen Senators--seven Democrats and seven Republicans--showed there is still a sliver of statesmanship alive in the U.S. Senate ["Power Play," June 6]. Their courage and ability to compromise have not been seen lately in the Senate's hallowed chamber. They will take a lot of heat from extremists, but they saved us for now from the self-destructive "nuclear option" and from those who want to ruthlessly dominate our lives. Reason and preservation of minority rights triumphed over unthinking, blind partisanship. It was a setback for those possessing an arrogance-of-power mind-set.
PAUL L. WHITELEY SR.
Louisville, Ky.
Thank you for raising the Controversial issue of stem cell research ["Reigniting the Stem Cell Debate"]. In contrast to embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have already been used in the United States and other countries to successfully treat patients with over 70 diseases and conditions. It's time our nation's medical researchers and elected politicians shifted their focus away from unproven theoretical approaches that require destruction of life and more vigorously invested their time, talents, and funds in techniques that have demonstrated clinical success and hold a true promise without the ethical issues.
ANTHONY ZYCH
Centreville, Va.
The human embryo as well as those in most mammals consists of a small group of living cells with the potential of eventually developing into a living organism. Since stem cells will be used to replace diseased tissues with healthy ones, these cells coming from embryos will live on instead of dying in the process of disposal. One would hope that, in light of this knowledge, we would favor the use of stem cell research to create better tools for doctors to use in their attempts to cure patients. We are at the crossroads where the human race will live not only longer but healthier. Many of our soldiers returning from the Middle East without arms or legs may be able to acquire new limbs by this stem cell regeneration process.
ALLAN JAY SILVER, M.D.
Albany, Ore.
Safety Net
I am amazed that you seem surprised at the amount of federal pork created by the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security ["Security at Any Price?" May 30]. While the war on terrorism is the first example of largess by the federal government in the 21st century, there are examples from the previous century where our government created a war and then turned on the money spigot. Some of the prime examples are the Cold War, the war on poverty, and the war on drugs. Each in its own way consumed more of our hard-earned dollars and, in the case of the latter two examples, did not have much to show for it. We should have expected no less from the war on terrorism.
ROBERT ROSE
Apex, N.C.
Prior to 9/11, security at all transportation points was considered acceptable. We were proved wrong. What was the congressional solution? Establishing more bureaucracies like Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration and, most recently, appointing a new director of national intelligence. Has anyone been held accountable or made our intelligence agencies more efficient? Have we made our citizens more secure? Instead, we've increased our intelligence bureaucracy and taxpayers' burden.
JACK A. MILAVIC
Melbourne, Fla.
One week you inform us of all the pork in the highway bill. The next you inform us of all the pork in the Department of Homeland Security. It's amazing that the people who keep loading us down with all of this unnecessary spending are consistently re-elected. When are the voters in this country going to realize we can change things by voting these people out of office?
R. E. WEST
Hancock, Mich.
You said Science Applications International Corp. radiation portal monitors installed by Customs are less than effective because they cannot differentiate the radiation from nuclear and naturally occurring radioactive materials ["A Radioactive Contract"]. These first-generation RPM s, the best technology available when selected several years ago, adequately detect and provide protection against the importation of nuclear materials. The occasional "nuisance alarms" from naturally radioactive materials are resolved by a secondary inspection. For the past two years, SAIC has been delivering RPM s that meet lab and Customs specifications.
LARRY J. PECK
President
Enterprise and Infrastructure Solutions Group
Science Applications International Corp.
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Housing Bubble
The opportunity for the average Joe to purchase a home and raise a family is disappearing ["Through the Roof," June 6]. Housing is increasing in value tenfold. The increased value is great for people who bought a home years ago, but what happens to newlyweds and college grads who want a starter home starting at $250,000? Soon America will look like a ghost town with thousands of empty homes just waiting for the next millionaire to purchase.
JOHN PAPETTI
Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
Media Lessons
In "The Media In Trouble" [May 30], John Leo laments that so few of today's journalists have done military service, contributing to an antimilitary bias in reporting about the armed forces. He also laments that journalists are hired directly out of college, bringing their elitist liberal views to the newsroom. Journalism has grown ever more technical and specialized, and no one is going to roll back the need for college-educated reporters. However, there is a solution to the lack of military service: Restore the draft for men and women, with no college deferments. Give everyone, journalists included, a full stake in whatever military adventures the United States gets involved in.
KEN BODE
Pulliam Professor of Journalism
DePauw University
Greencastle, Ind.
For years we've heard complaints from the far right about the biased liberal media, and now, as Leo points out, that criticism has become fashionable for the mainstream. In my experience, however, the popularity of an idea is not always highly correlated with truth. In fact, the separation of the media from the influence of popular opinion should be a hallmark of a healthy democracy.
ERIC D. STOLEN
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Religious Roots
"European, Not Christian" [May 30] complicates what is happening in Europe and America. Both regions seem to be at war with the principle of institutional religious control. Greater Europe continues to walk away from this smothering principle toward the fresh air of individual freedom and its collective expression, an uncontrolled democracy. America, on the other hand, is being stampeded toward religious control by the religious right, which includes the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Should the right win, in time America will go the way of greater Europe. Christianity and other religions, when interpreted on the basis of the universal principle of individual freedom, are still powerful forces for good.
DICK MCCOY
Independence, Mo.
As a European living in the United States and working for freedom of religion and belief, I was astonished to read "European, Not Christian." Separating church and state does not equal "Christianophobia." As a result of this separation, America has a degree of religious freedom and diversity that is without parallel in human history. After centuries of religious conflict, Europe has finally embraced the surest guarantee of freedom and peace: the complete separation of religion and government.
MATT CHERRY
Executive Director
Institute for Humanist Studies
Albany, N.Y.
WHILE "European, Not Christian" worries about "secular fundamentalism" and turning away from religion in Europe, Fouad Ajami's "The Way Forward" in the same issue quotes terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi as saying, "It is more important to safeguard our religion than to safeguard human life." In a recent radio broadcast, an atheist said that since atheists believe that life on Earth is the only one we have, it behooves us to make the world a better place. If secular fundamentalism leads in such a direction, more power to it.
JEAN J. LANG
Hudson, S.D.
Drug Ad Debate
I'd like to give you credit for writing "The Big Pill Pitch" [June 6]. In a country that prizes its free-market economy, I have no problem with drug companies advertising. But in a society whose citizens seem to believe what they hear on TV more than what they hear from other people, advertising medications cannot be a good thing. Your article said doctors are finding that their patients are self-diagnosing. While people should understand their bodies, they should consult their doctors first.
ERIC MCCLELLAND
Nashville
I am very grateful for drug ads. I had taken allergy medication for years that helped only somewhat. After seeing an ad on TV, I asked my doctor if I could try the drug, and he wrote a prescription. It's giving me much more relief. Without the advertisement, I'd still be taking the less effective drug.
KENNETH GRUBB
Bolingbrook, Ill.
Battle Plans
Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon are making plans for the next war and its aftermath ["When the Fighting Ends," May 30]. Do they have one in mind? They should be planning to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then to find an alternative to war.
JEAN BRIGGS
Gambier, Ohio
The United States should form, train, and equip four divisions of three brigades each, specifically for peacekeeping and stability operations. With American officers and senior NCO s, the primary staffing should come from the areas of the world where these services would be needed: A Latino division recruited from Mexico, Central America, and South America. An Asian division recruited from South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific Islands. An African division recruited from East, West, and Southern Africa. And an Islamic division recruited from Central Asia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Each brigade would be provided with training in English and the required military occupational specialty. The soldiers would be equipped with light weapons and wheeled vehicles. Career completion should bring with it American citizenship.
BRUCE BIBEE
Rosemead, Calif.
This story appears in the June 20, 2005 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.