Election Ironies
The cover headline "Can the Economy Save Bush?" ["Campaignomics," October 9] is understandable in view of the usual election year controversies, but the irony is striking! Six years ago, that same headline could have been written backwards: "Can Bush Save the Economy?" The administration's focus on tangible growth has greatly helped get the U.S. economy and key financial indicators back on the track of sustainable growth. If more voters were conservative investors whose experience during the dot-com years roughly tracked the balanced-fund curve and not the wide swings of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, then there would be no question about the outcome of the upcoming November election: Maintain the present economic direction of both the Congress and the administration.
JOHN N. PIKE
Pleasantville, N.Y.
Rapidly falling gas prices may make one wonder if the Bush administration has been manipulating prices in time to benefit Republicans in the important November 7 midterm elections. If so, surely discerning voters will not be fooled. Bush and the Republican Party are so out of touch with the needs of regular people.
PAUL L. WHITELEY SR.
Louisville, Ky.
How long did it take to find the picture for your cover? Was the assignment to find a picture of President Bush that was the least flattering, depicting him as weary and uncertain?
PEARL HAMMERAND
Ojai, Calif.
I was amused by the picture of the gas station price board that showed $2.08 a gallon for unleaded. According to the article, gas prices were down an average of 66 cents a gallon from seven weeks ago. I recently paid $2.79 a gallon here for regular unleaded. That's still 71 cents a gallon more than the picture showed.
SAMUEL KATAGI
Calabasas, Calif.
Walking the Walk
Each of us who professes adherence to a credo that promotes the love of others needs to measure the strength of our convictions against those shown by the Amish in Pennsylvania following the shooting of several children in their own schoolhouse ["Eyeing the Unspeakable, and Forgiving," October 16]. As one who attended a similar school on the Iowa prairie, I can attest to the sense of belonging and security I felt in that rural setting many years ago. But I cannot imagine how an event of such horror would have been dealt with in that community. Would I measure up to the exemplary Amish standard of forgiveness in the event of a similar tragedy? I need to do some heartfelt soul-searching to determine the answer.
MILTON E. JORGENSEN
Winchester, Kan.
"Eyeing the Unspeakable, and Forgiving" reveals the uncommon behavior, the unpretentious element, and unfailing love practiced by a community of the Christian faith, not witnessed much in American society. In the wake of a senseless and merciless tragedy, the Amish offered the spirit of forgiveness and compassion for the gunman and his family, showing not a hint of revenge or criticism. The Amish walk the walk. What a real lesson this is for professed Christians.
ISAIAH J. ASHE
Huntsville, Ala.
The Border Burden
I thought the construction of a 700-mile fence along the Texas-Mexico border was merely a political diversion ["Good Fences and Such," October 16]. The picture of President Bush signing a bill to fund the fence project convinced me that this ludicrous plan may in fact become a reality. I find it hard to believe there are enough lawmakers in Washington that are so far out of touch with reality and so lacking in common sense as to think that this fence would actually help the problem. If sneaking into the United States were less attractive, illegal immigrants would quit coming. We have laws already on the books that provide large fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants. Why not enforce these laws and curtail the job opportunities for illegals? Why not eliminate welfare dollars and other social program benefits to illegal immigrants? We need to stop rewarding them. This and perhaps other sensible ideas would help stem the tide of illegals a lot better than some ill-conceived, noneffective, overpriced fence. Taxpayers and voters should turn out in great numbers in the 2006 and 2008 elections to put some people in Washington who at least have a bit of common sense.
FRED HAYES
Goliad, Texas
While your article does a good job of covering the details about the fence along the Mexican border, you failed to ask one significant question: Who will build the fence? As the majority of construction labor is Mexican in the Southwest, will we ask these workers to build a fence to keep themselves out of the country? To avoid having illegal Mexicans building the fence, perhaps we should require them to work from outside the fence. I hope that every incumbent running is questioned on this in the upcoming midterm elections.
NED MCFADDEN
Charlottesville, Va.
Hungarian Rhapsody
Your lengthy report "Revolution!" [October 16] was a welcome piece commemorating an event that changed the course of the Cold War. For a brief period of time, the Hungarian nation was spontaneously united in what author Victor Sebestyen was quoted as calling "the least organized revolution in history." This magnificent failure caught the western world off guard, and the Anglo-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt sealed Hungary's fate as the western and Communist powers de facto agreed to separate spheres of influence. This also heralded the end of British and French colonialism.
CSABA L. KOHALMI
Indianapolis
I would add to the fine article "Revolution!" that in 1456, the Hungarians defended Europe from the Turks and were thanked for that by ringing of the noontime bell and the treaties signed at Trianon and Yalta. In 1956, 500 years later, the Hungarians uncovered the brutal face of communism and thereby mortally wounded the red empire. Radio Free Europe promised help, but it was never sent. As a result, Hungary lost 2 percent of its population. America and the West owe much to Hungarians. The West could repay its debt by helping Hungarian minorities regain their autonomy. This could be done by redrawing the borders around 1,000-year-old towns to regain territorial autonomy and self-government.
BELA LIPTAK
Author of A Testament of Revolution
Stamford, Conn.
Although the United States did not participate in the fighting, we provided help to the thousands of Hungarians. The U.S. Army set up a refugee camp in Germany near the German-Hungarian border. We took the people who escaped across the border and provided them with medical care, shelter, and food. I was a first lieutenant in the Army stationed in Germany and in charge of feeding these people while they were in our camp. I recall when several hundred Hungarian Jews came to the camp, I had a Jewish chaplain flown from Munich. He performed a food-blessing ceremony, and then the people ate. Later, we sent them to Munich, where they boarded U.S. military planes and were flown directly to the United States.
LT. COL. ADAM MICK
U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Palm Desert, Calif.
I was living in Frankfurt, (West) Germany, with my wife and baby son at the time of the Hungarian revolution, employed as a Department of the Army civilian working for the Refugee Relief Commission administered by the Army. When the revolt started, we were put on notice that we would be mobilized if the situation escalated. We were also ordered to pack our automobiles with food and blankets in case the women and children had to evacuate. I might add in response to the remarks that the United States did nothing that the military did take some action. There were some troops in Hungary, though they were not in uniform. The troops were composed of Hungarian, Russian, and German language speakers seeking intelligence. That was 50 years ago. I am now nearing 80 but remember when this problem erupted, several officers and noncombatants were suddenly away from their regular duties.
DON SAMPSELL
El Paso, Texas
Thank you for a great story. It brought back memories. In 1956, I was a young American soldier stationed in Germany as a Morse code intercept operator with the Army Security Agency. My job was to copy communications in the Soviet countries but did not include decoding, so I had no idea what I was copying. But we were all aware of what was going on in Hungary. I remember some of the names in your story; revolutionary leader Imre Nagy, in particular.
KEN ATEN
Richardson, Texas
Scandals to Sweeps?
"House Afire" [October 16] was, to me, very depressing. I have never, in my 87 years, voted for the Democratic candidate for president. Deeply conservative, I find that I am nearly always opposed to their policies. But look at the Republicans and the issues: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela. U.S. foreign policy is a shambles. We've already had Tom DeLay, Bob Ney, and Duke Cunningham. Now we have Mark Foley. It looks to me like a Democratic sweep next month, and I shudder at the thought. But where do I turn?
JOSEPH H. PAGE
Hillsborough, N.C.
When the Foley scandal broke, and the Democrats and the media began trying to link it to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, I hoped that he would not be removed. Sometimes there just aren't a lot of explanations to be made. Since when is cleaning people's closets the job of the speaker of the House? Does anybody believe that if Hastert knew years ago what he knows now about Foley that he wouldn't have requested his resignation? One person is responsible for this: Mark Foley. He wasn't censured or reprimanded. He didn't go into spin control to save his job; he resigned. If I could vote for Hastert, I'd be proud to do so.
ALLEN S. THORPE
Orangeville, Utah
Under a dark cloud of scandal, there are those who are lobbying to end the Congressional Page Program. It's taking an incident out of context and lowering the ax on something that is full of tradition and honor. I served as a congressional page in the spring of 1993. It was by far the greatest honor of my life. From my page experience, I gained leadership skills, garnered an understanding of the legislative process, developed character, self-sufficiency, and an informed worldview, and made lifelong friends who continue to be a positive influence in my life. We should not allow the vile actions of one individual to end a program that has meant so much to so many for more than 200 years. May the tradition continue to inspire teenagers.
JONI KIRK
Moscow, Idaho
Correction: The map of Cold War Europe accompanying "Revolution!" [October 16] should have indicated that Kaliningrad Oblast, just north of Poland, was part of the Soviet Union. Also, while Yugoslavia was not part of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, it should have been identified as a Communist country.
This story appears in the October 30, 2006 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.