Mailbag

"Tilting at turbines" (July 17)

As a wind farm developer, I would say that wind energy has far more positives than negatives. It should not be considered a replacement for oil but for coal plants. Also, it is quite a stretch to say wind energy requires massive amounts of land; our initial project of 500 megawatts uses up less than 250 acres of pasture and crop land. The main problem is transmission. The wind resources are in the Midwest but the energy is needed in urban markets on the coasts. Let's be wise and develop what God has provided for us to use. Jim Newcomb; Fort Collins, Colo.

While trumpeting natural gas, you did not mention serious concerns over long-term environmental damage from the "fracking" process in natural gas extraction. Also, you should have acknowledged that our ever-increasing dependence on foreign oil is perhaps the greatest threat to our national security, and we must change that trajectory in some way. Aaron Cowan; Slippery Rock, Pa.

"No dumping" (July 17)

I enjoyed Emily Belz's informative article but heard only one shoe drop. How does nuclear waste disposal take place in other countries? For example, I have read that France recycles spent uranium until only a fraction of the original mass is left, then it's bound in silicon and stored in a relatively small area. Can't this be an example for the United States? Doug Frechtling; Bethesda, Md.

Nuclear energy is necessary. It's a clean source, and although storage of waste is a problem, it can be solved. For example, containers stored in caves, such as at the facility at Yucca Mountain, can be inspected for leaks. Congress needs to have some backbone and override President Obama on the use of Yucca Mountain. Lloyd Tiegs; Cambridge, Wis.

"Higher culling" (July 17)

This column hit so close to home that I had to respond, not least because my son wants me to agree not to cull our backyard wild rabbit population. After three years of dealing with cancer as it metastasized, my wife Bernie became one of those senseless deaths in our local congregation. She was in hospice from January to March of this year. Thanks for the comment on Isaiah 57. It is such a great truth to remember as I sigh and look at Bernie's pictures in my iPod and work my way through this dreaded grieving process. Jim Kitchen; South Lyon, Mich.

Thank you for the powerful message. I've lost two family members in the last year, and another is dealing with cancer while in her 30s. I know that Jesus heals, but what takes more faith: to trust in healing or to trust that Jesus is Lord even in death? I praise Him for healing, and for the ultimate healing that comes with that step into eternity. Barbara Thurman; Hartford City, Ind.

No doubt many Trekkies have already informed you that Dr. Leonard McCoy (aka "Bones"), not Capt. James T. Kirk, saved Edith Keeler, thereby prompting the destruction of the human race in "The City on the Edge of Forever." Nevertheless, thanks to Andrée Seu for another excellent column, and I'm glad to hear she is sleeping well after years of suffering. John Torczynski; Albuquerque, N.M.

"This important war" (July 17)

For too long the American church has been uncritical of a policy in Afghanistan that has armed and funded a Shariah law--based Islamic regime under Karzai in which naming the name of Isa Masih in faith is a death sentence. Thank you for speaking up. Jeanette Windle; Lancaster, Pa.

Mindy Belz's insights into the predicament of Christians in Iraq and Afghanistan have been particularly helpful. Her columns should be in newspapers across the country. I'll be praying for her. Tim Held; Saint Paul, Minn.

"Let's admit who we are" (July 17)

The next time Marvin Olasky talks to Jim Wallis, he should remind him of Ecclesiastes 10:2: "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Ron Olson; Rugby, N.D.

"To breed or not to breed?" (July 17)

The Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:2 means to brood; by implication, to be relaxed, to flutter, move, or shake, kind of like an eagle does to its young. I am really dubious that the word in any sense conveys hesitation, as if God were divided within Himself about the acts of Creation. I think the verse conveys just the opposite of hesitation. God said it, and it was so. Eric Bierker; Mountville, Pa.

"Don't blame Tom" (July 17)

The review of Knight and Day puzzled me. I thought the film was a very entertaining, funny, exciting, and plot-twisting experience. I can hardly wait to see it again! Bob Spray; Fort Smith, Ark.

"Heart enough to look back" (July 17)

I enjoyed Mindy Belz's article on former NBA center Manute Bol, an adept shot blocker with his spindly 7'7" frame. But I'm sorry, Bol was not even close to inventing the expression "My bad." Two years before Bol was drafted into the NBA, the freshman point guard on my college basketball team had already heard the phrase and was using it, and within a week several of the rest of us were, too. Ivan Lambert; Winter Haven, Fla.

"Speaking out" (July 17)

This article states that Congress passed a veto-proof law codifying the military policy that homosexuals are ineligible for military service, but that President Clinton responded with the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. Since when does a "policy" override a law? When such things happen so often, it really doesn't matter what our laws and ultimately our Constitution state. We just make it up as we go. Jim Johnson; Grand Rapids, Mich.

This article really frustrated and upset me. Why does America have to continue down this road? L. M. Jonson; Hayden, Colo.

"Help that hurts" (July 17)

I was going to compare pork barrel politics to spreading manure. But as any good farmer knows, manure is a valuable resource that increases yields, whereas political pork has the opposite effect. It steals from taxpayers and siphons business cash out of the economy, all to get politicians reelected. Thank you for your real reporting. Bev Roe; Hamilton, Ohio

"Writers on writing" (july 3)

Just after I turned 17 last fall I self-published my first novel. The tips and advice from the four authors helped me evaluate my own writing and reminded me that I am doing this for God. Danielle Jarvis; Hamilton, Mont.

"A look at books" (July 3)

While I have enjoyed WORLD for quite some time and find every issue to be relevant and informative, I especially look forward to the annual books issue. Often, when I am recommending the magazine to someone (which I do regularly) I will point out that the books issue alone is worth the price of the subscription. Jeff Lonsinger; Winston-Salem, N.C.

"How Mark Souder fell" (June 19)

Natural adultery reveals that we have committed spiritual adultery first, in that we set our heart on someone other than God. When we break God's contract, we end up breaking our contract with one another. God wants and deserves all of our heart all the time. Raymond Troyer; Rocky Mount, Va.

"The thirty years war" (June 19)

Our family will be returning to China to adopt a third special-needs daughter this summer. Some time ago one of our daughter's doctors (an AIDS researcher) had mentioned the growth of the sex trade in China. I realized then that my daughters would never have married because of their birth defects and would likely have been destined for life in the sex trade. It was so sobering. I pray more Christians will find ways to help. Stephanie Wright; Fletcher, N.C.

Corrections

The main character in the movie Despicable Me is named "Gru" ("Despicable Me" July 31, p. 24).

The "creation mandate" is in Genesis 1:28 ("Singing the gospel," July 31, p. 28).

Esther is Mordecai's cousin in the biblical book that bears her name ("From Esther to evolution," June 19, p. 132).