Letters

The Lessons of D-Day

"The veterans who fought the crucial battles of World War II are real heroes. We should thank them every day of our lives." KATHY HUGHES Lansing, Ill.

Nancy gibbs' article "The Greatest Day," on the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion [May 31], was one of the most moving pieces I have ever read on the topic of war. As the daughter of a soldier who served in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge, the wife of a sailor who served on river patrols in Vietnam and the friend of a young man who died in Iraq last October, I thank Gibbs for her insights and for putting the lessons of those conflicts in perspective. MARION DENNEHY Wakefield, Mass.

Like many children of World War II veterans, I was raised with a sense of patriotism. My father saw action in that war as a medic, but we never discussed his combat experience. It wasn't until I received orders to go to Vietnam in 1971 that I finally realized what he must have endured. His goodbye to me contained little commentary about what to expect, but his eyes spoke volumes. While the nature of our wars was different, the willingness to sacrifice for others was identical. Like him, I didn't want to talk about what had happened after I returned from Vietnam. Sadly, my father passed away in 1991 without our ever having discussed those wartime experiences. After reading TIME's D-day stories, I feel as though my father and I have finally shared what we went through. GARY J. BOSCO Dublin, Ohio

The memories of my childhood in Europe are filled with the horrors of World War II--death, hunger, cold and fear. I cannot look at it as the "Good War," as some people call it. There is no such thing. War at any time is a total collapse of civilization and is ultimately a terribly dehumanizing event. ISABELLA MIRAM La Jolla, Calif.

I am a U.S. army veteran, wounded in combat in Vietnam in the 1968 Tet offensive. The firsthand accounts you published of the D-day veterans brought back an unsettling, queasy sense of fear and inevitability, emotions I hadn't felt in decades. The Normandy invaders' day in hell humbles me. TERRY SCHAUER Sherman Oaks, Calif.

To suggest that D-DAY turned the tide of World War II exaggerates the significance of the landing. A widely acknowledged turning point was the 1942-43 Battle of Stalingrad, which ended in a dramatic reversal for the German army. Unfortunately, the Soviet Union's critical contribution to Germany's defeat is often downplayed by the West. JURGEN SCHMIDHUBER Manno-Lugano, Switzerland

There is the belief, apparent in commemorative issues like TIME's Dday anniversary special, that decisive events, such as the landing on Normandy beaches, were almost entirely American. Only brief mention is made of other countries' contributions. But look at the facts. Of the first waves of invading army divisions landing on five beaches in Normandy, two were American, two were British and one was Canadian. Because all they hear is the U.S. version of events, most Americans would be surprised to realize that in the early hours of D-day, the invasion was only 40% American. Could Hitler have been defeated without the U.S.? Not likely. Could America alone have defeated Hitler? Also not likely, but it is very possible the U.S. would not even have tried. Americans must learn to curb their tendency to self-congratulation and silly boasting, about current and historic events. COLIN HIGNETT London, Ont.

How can the heroic efforts against a monster like Hitler, who was slowly swallowing up Europe, possibly be compared with the war in Iraq, one being waged for America's political interests? TERESA FONTAINE Antibes, France

A Belgian brigade was part of the invading forces on D-day. Those soldiers fought as well as any others and should not be overlooked as participants in the liberation of Europe. GAETAN BORGONIE Ghent, Belgium

The Shame of Abu Ghraib

Your report on the psychological and physical mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib by U.S. soldiers came as a great shock and exploded the myth that we live in a civilized world [May 17]. If the U.S. attacked Iraq to rescue its people from the cruelty of their dictator, then what kind of example has been set by those abusive American soldiers? Today the whole world is disgusted by their acts. There is a lot of talk about human rights nowadays. Does such a thing exist? Abu Ghraib will haunt the world for years to come. SANGHITA C. BHATTACHARJEE Calcutta

After Abu Ghraib and the insurgents' attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of Iraqi civilians, many people around the globe are asking when Washington will realize that invading Iraq has not solved that country's problems. Public sentiment has turned against the U.S. because of Iraq. America represents many beliefs that the world values in the 21st century, but the insensitive and arrogant behavior of the Bush Administration is tarnishing the image of the U.S. Americans should expect better from their government. ATILLA A. IFTIKHAR Stavanger, Norway

The U.S. should certainly not rely on the same methods that terrorists do. Because of events at Abu Ghraib, the U.S. will need even stronger determination in order to win the hearts and minds of Iraqi people. ALEXANDER GRASBECK Southampton, England

Curtailing Communion

Re Andrew Sullivan's essay "Showdown At The Communion Rail" [May 24]: As a Roman Catholic, I was appalled to learn that some bishops would actually withhold Communion from believers because of their views on abortion. One would hope that the upper echelons of the church hierarchy would have learned tolerance by now and ceased engaging in petty political machinations. Has the church come to terms with the numerous allegations of sexual abuse of young boys by priests? Is it possible that all priests who are giving or taking Communion are without sin? I think not. Withholding a sacrament from a Catholic because that person's political beliefs are deemed not worthy is totally against the teachings of Christ. ANNE-MARIE MASSE Pierrefonds, Que.

Wow, it's been 2,000 years, and the Catholic Church still doesn't understand Jesus. The bishops should keep in mind that Jesus preached tolerance toward all. Everyone was invited to his dinner. When the bishops preach about the sanctity of life, they must remember the church's teaching of tolerance. MARIUS RENN Kaiserslautern, Germany

Chalabi's Woes

Re "From Friend To Foe" [May 31], about the U.S. investigation of its formerly favored Iraqi Ahmad Chalabi: The Bush Administration would have us believe that Chalabi duped us Americans into going to war against Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein and into thinking he had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that posed an imminent threat. Anyone who believes that is playing into the Administration's hands. Chalabi provided a convenient justification for a war that was being urged by Bush advisers. The blame for the unfortunate misadventure in Iraq lies squarely with the Bush team, and accusing Chalabi of providing false information is disingenuous. It is just one more example of the Bush Administration's penchant for not accepting responsibility for its mistakes. FEROZ TALYARKHAN New York City

Either the Bush Administration used sketchy intelligence from a source who could benefit enormously from an Iraq without Saddam to justify sending America to war, or the Administration was too stupid to realize that Chalabi and his Iraqi National Congress might have ulterior motives. Neither scenario makes me feel better about Bush's ability to lead our military and our country. The President did not care how he got us into Iraq as long as we went in. Chalabi gave Bush the perfect justification with his false intelligence about WMD. Bush and his buddies got their way, and we are left with a rising death toll, an astronomical deficit and an even more dangerous Middle East. KRYSTA FILIACI Louisville, Ky.

Unconventional Ideas

Your item "Hold The Acceptance Speech?" explained how John Kerry might delay accepting the Democratic Convention's nomination for five weeks in order to raise more campaign funds [May 31]. I am glad he ultimately rejected the idea. I remember fondly the suspense and excitement of conventions decades ago in which the presidential candidates were truly selected. I have a plan to restore some degree of drama to what has become a meaningless exercise. A person nominated for President would not follow the current custom of naming the vice-presidential candidate before the convention. Instead, the candidate would present delegates with a short list of three potential running mates and let the party members hash out who should be chosen through the democratic process. RICHARD JACOBI Belton, Texas

He's Baaack!

Ralph Nader should be lauded for his unwavering resolve to reform what he sees as a plagued and corrupt political system [May 31]. Although supporters of John Kerry have the right to assume that Nader "spoiled" the 2000 election, the state chairman of Arizona's Democratic Party is absurd when he says the 2004 election is only "about George Bush and John Kerry." To deny Nader, who is running as an independent candidate, a place on the ballot is dangerous to the electoral system. Furthermore, voters who support Nader should resist claims that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush. Instead, they should focus on Nader's government-reform movement, which, without proper support in the 2004 election, would come to a firm halt. BRIAN MAHONEY Cranford, N.J.

Nader has apparently picked up some political pointers from Bush, the man who insists on "staying the course" despite mounting evidence contradicting the wisdom of his agenda. Nader, despite polls that show he is drawing more votes from Kerry than from Bush, insists he wants to oust the President. With friends like Nader, the progressive movement doesn't need enemies. RANDY POPLOCK Seattle

I thought democracy was about the people choosing their government, not about Democratic and Republican party chairmen forcing us to pick between the two people they support. Although I would much rather see a Democrat in office than Bush again, I refuse to continue to vote for the lesser of two evils. My vote for Nader is not a vote for Bush. It is a vote for Nader, and I hope it will shake up the hegemonic two-party electoral system so in the future voters will have a real choice. ELIZABETH DAWN CREACH Beaverton, Ore.

Stem-Cell Potential

In "The False Controversy Of Stem Cells" [May 31], essayist Michael Kinsley argued for government-funded embryo research. He noted that fertility clinics regularly destroy far more human embryos than stem-cell research ever would and that getting rid of a microscopic cluster of cells is not tantamount to murder. Preliminary research that has been privately funded indicates that stem cells derived from human embryos have unique potential to help improve the lives of those who suffer from many terrible diseases. Since private foundations, clinics and drug companies are unaffected by government funding, stem-cell research is here to stay. But federal funds are necessary to ensure that new discoveries are widely shared and research is directed toward the greatest public good. President Bush must decide whether compassion for sick people clashes with his campaign promise to protect the unborn. SILVERIO A. BARROQUEIRO Guilford, Conn.

Kinsley referred to an embryo used in stem-cell research as a few dozen cells, a "microscopic dot." He stated that "the smallest insect is far more human in every respect except potential." But no microscopic dot of cells other than a fertilized egg is capable of becoming an embryo, a fetus, a child, a human being. I believe life begins at conception. As a person with a progressive, incurable disease, I am hoping for a cure for my affliction and for that of a family member who has early-onset Parkinson's disease. I believe a human child will die if I support embryonic stem-cell research that might find a cure. But by not supporting it, I know I am not contributing to the death of a child to prolong my life. Maybe the child who is not killed for stem-cell research will find cures utilizing other methods. JOE BOREK Langhorne, Pa.

Red Wine in a Pill

Your item "Recent Vintage, No Bouquet," on the health benefits of red wine and the antioxidant compound resveratrol [Feb. 16], stated that Longevinex, a company marketing wine supplements, is the only firm whose pills are made of real red-wine extract from France. Life Extension Buyers Club also sells a red-wine extract product made from organic French grapes. WILLIAM FALOON, DIRECTOR LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION Fort Lauderdale, Fla.