Water of death

In "The new killing fields" (March 18), a Cambodian woman expressed the cultural tolerance for unfaithful husbands by commenting that she could not expect her husband "to come home for a drink every time he is thirsty." It almost sounds practical, but it's the road to death given Cambodia's AIDS epidemic. Proverbs tells husbands to "drink from your own cistern" and to "rejoice in the wife of your youth" or else they will "die from lack of instruction" when their "flesh and body are consumed." - Keith Wolstenholme, Collegeville, Pa.

New hope

I just returned from a two-month mission trip to Cambodia and was able to see firsthand hopelessness and devastation caused first by the regime of Pol Pot and then by AIDS. But I also saw a new hope in Jesus that is springing up there. - Anna Esvelt, Bainbridge Island, Wash.

It's politics

The buzz on coverage of fundraising scams shows again that TV news isn't merely biased-it's partisan ("It's a hard day," March 18). They've even eliminated the middleman by hiring their own spin doctors. But this isn't new. Nineteenth-century newspapers were often closely identified with political factions. We should be surprised that there is any independent coverage at all. - Ralph Gillman, Burke, Va.

As long as

Joel Belz's piece "Beyond pack journalism" (March 18) was right on the money. We will subscribe as long as you publish, and especially as long as you publish good, hard, no-holds-barred pieces like that on John McCain ("Explaining McCain," Feb. 19). Congratulations on getting William Safire's attention, and proving who he is in the process. - Bob Palma, Brownsburg, Ind.

No different

I resent the way you absolve yourselves by saying that you are a "different" kind of magazine and that you just reported the facts. Mr. Jones compared John McCain to Bill Clinton. I don't find that having any basis in fact. John McCain isn't perfect, but he was a good conservative candidate. I'm saddened that WORLD contributed to bringing down a good man. We will not renew our subscription. - Annette Tierney, Valrico, Fla.

Just the facts

The one thing missing from all the bitter diatribes, denunciations, and invective leveled at WORLD by irate John McCain supporters was any statement showing where the article was inaccurate. - Bill Johnson, Greenville, S.C.

Still two

I hate to burst your bubble, but there are still two Republican presidential contenders ("It's Bush vs. Gore," March 18). Why did you black out Alan Keyes? - Stephen P. Engels, Athens, Ala.

Baby wreckers

20/20 reported what Congress has known for months: that abortionists and unscrupulous profiteers are illegally selling aborted baby parts ("Ups & Downs of the Week," March 18). Even reporters and Planned Parenthood expressed shock and outrage. But why get so bent out of shape? ABC News won't report that what makes this so abominable is that abortionists are killing children, cutting them up, and tossing away low-value portions like rusted car parts in a salvage lot, all for profit. To concur with the advocates of "choice" is to have to explain what makes the harvest and sale of baby organs a particularly sick form of greed. In the wake of a murder that is "justified," what could possibly be wrong about a scattered and undignified burial in the name of science? - Shawn Meyer, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Life starting

Regarding "Heart starting" (Mailbag, March 18), the writer correctly points out that the fetal heartbeat begins between the third and fourth week of pregnancy. But in this age of the Emergency Contraceptive Pill and RU-486, it is important to note that life begins at conception, not with the first heartbeat. - Diane Clark, Hanford, Calif.

Safe from fashion

Thanks for your historically informative exposé on the "mullet" ("The perils of fashion," March 18). As a beleaguered mullet-wearer myself, you may have overlooked how the mullet is worn by we who lend little credence to the drumbeat of fashion. One of my uncles has kept a running crew cut and thick-rimmed glasses for nearly 50 years, never aware that he was out of fashion in the '70s, equally oblivious that he was back in vogue in the '90s. I will take your well-meaning hairstyle advice as assurance that, for now, I remain safe from the scourge of fashion. - Steve Corey, Seattle, Wash.

We are not the Borg

"Strange new world?" (March 18), about using new technologies to change human nature, reminded me of the cyberfascist Borg of Star Trek. What with talk of nano-technology and holodecks, all in the hands of people who reject the God-given distinctives of individual humans, and people who want everyone to conform to their vision of utopia, I was waiting for the ending tag line: "We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." - Tom Neven, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Fiddling with hymns

Your music chart (March 18) reveals an obvious snobbery against contemporary Christian music. I was ready for you to break out into a rendition of "Tradition," like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Maybe it's OK to have simple melodies that people can sing without straining to read the hymnbook. Maybe it's also OK to sing worship songs to God instead of just about Him. Having said all this, I concede that some popular Christian music is not theologically sound or reverential. And I am learning more and more to appreciate some of the old hymns I grew up with. I think there's a place for both. - Jeanette Sheeran, Waxhaw, N.C.

Cheaper trash available

Parents need to be reminded that just because a college has a Christian name doesn't mean that "biblical standards are upheld in the classroom and in assigned readings" ("The distinctives," March 18). I recently visited the extension of a Baptist university in my city and asked to see the English composition textbook. After noting pages of profanity and vulgarity, I realized that my children can read this kind of trash at our secular community college for a lot less money. - Donna Gassner, Albuquerque, N.M.

Then who?

Mr. Olasky writes that professors at denominational colleges should agree not to oppose denominational decisions, but church authorities are not infallible. If those called to teach the Word of God and reflect on its implications, like college professors, are not free to help keep the church true to the Word, who will? - William S. Barker, Glenside, Pa.

Wrong man

Cal Thomas makes an excellent point in saying that Al Gore's view that the Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution in light of America's "evolving experience" is wrong, but FDR was the wrong man to use as an opposite example ("A 'living' Constitution?" March 18). In 1936 Roosevelt tried to get Congress to pass a law that would have allowed him to add up to six new justices to the Court. The bill failed because people saw through FDR's slick language to his true intentions. - David Morgen, Raleigh, N.C.

What it took

I'm glad to hear that Bob Jones University has dropped its ban on interracial dating, but I'm disgusted that it took a media outlash and an attempt to slander George W. Bush's good name to do it ("No-Comment Zone," March 18). What they claimed was a small thing to them was a disappointing misuse of biblical principles. I wish they had done it more out of respect for the truth than appeasement of the world. - Phil Wade, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ditching the albatross

Having been at Bob Jones University for five years, I know it is not racist. Dr. Bob, recognizing that the issue had become an albatross, did away with the rule on national television along with a clear gospel testimony. The national media responded to this with hardly a peep. But the university and its students will continue to practice true racial reconciliation by reaching out to all classes and races in upstate South Carolina with the love of Christ. - Stephen Dersch, Indianapolis, Ind.

Southern salt

Thanks for the piece on John Grisham ("Southern Baptist scribe," March 11). I have used him as an example in our homeschool of a Christian "salting" our culture with his writing. I should point out that the baseball complex he built is for the entire community, not just his kids. Many of us here appreciate his humble, community-minded spirit. - Susan Finck-Lockhart, Charlottesville, Va.