Danish Dilemma
"Culture Clash in Denmark" [January 8] included the comment: "I don't want to impose my ways on them, and I don't want them to impose their ways on me." Immigrating to a country should mean the immigrant wants to become a citizen of that country and learn its ways. If the immigrant does not want to accept the ways of the new host country, then the immigrant should stay at home. I was born in Denmark, immigrated to the United States, became a citizen and a proud American. I received U.S. citizenship in Seoul while serving in the armed forces. I fly the American flag every day to show my appreciation for everything the United States stands for.
OLE L. BRANDAL
Renton, Wash.
"I don't want [the Danes] to impose their ways on me," said the Muslim immigrant in the story. That quote sums up the problem concerning many Muslim immigrants today, not only in Denmark but also throughout Europe. To a certain degree, even the most multicultural and tolerant societies can and should expect immigrants to be imposed upon by their new countries, especially when the welfare benefits provided to immigrants are extremely generous, as in Denmark. Immigrants who do not want European ways "imposed" upon them are free to emigrate to Islamic countries.
DANIELLE MCKANE
Fremont, Calif.
Why wasn't "Culture Clash in Denmark" a cover story? If my wife hadn't noticed the article, I would have missed it, and the content of that story was too important to miss. It made clear that Muslims in European countries are not minorities but part of a billion-people Muslim world. That was evident when a cartoon published in a Danish newspaper last year became a cause for Muslim rioting and killing.
DAVID BASCH
Fairfield, Conn.
Upstate Frame of Mind
"The Forgotten New York" [January 15] correctly cites the economic challenges upstate cities like Schenectady have faced for nearly half a century but fails to report the dramatic economic comeback Schenectady has made over the past three years. Under a new city administration, and working with our partners in county, state, and federal government, we have eliminated an inherited $10 million deficit, finished last year with a near $5 million surplus, raised our municipal credit rating from junk-bond to investment grade, and provided property owners with a welcomed tax cut for 2007. At the same time, we have brought more than $150 million in new business investment to our downtown, including a new hotel, cinema, restaurants, high-tech offices, and loft housing. The sprawling riverfront property, once home to the American Locomotive Co., the rusting hulk pictured as emblematic of upstate in general, is targeted for a 65-acre, multiuse redevelopment project that will include housing, businesses, and recreation. Gov. Eliot Spitzer publicly proclaimed Schenectady's dramatic economic turnaround as a model for how economic revitalization should work across upstate New York. Schenectady's future is brighter than it's been in decades.
BRIAN U. STRATTON
Mayor, Schenectady, N.Y.
I am one of those "under 25" who got out of upstate New York as fast as I could. I grew up in the beautiful area outside Rochester, watching as many businesses, like Eastman Kodak Co., sank and took entire towns with them. I watched as one person's parents after another got laid off and as many businesses closed without any new ones coming to replace them. All anyone has to do is take a look at the American side of Niagara Falls for an accurate description.
BOBBIE GOODRICH
Charlotte, N.C.
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