Inspired

I am sure that every Christian in America was deeply shocked when the news reported the Auca Indian massacre. I still have Olive Fleming Liefeld's book, Unfolding Destinies, which she wrote as a widow. I will reread her book now that I have been inspired by Clint Rainey's account in your Jan. 28 issue ("Beyond the happy ending") of what has happened to the Waodani people since. -Helga T. Swanson; Palm City, Fla.

3» We enjoy WORLD, but I was grieved by your cover photo. My 9-year-old son saw it and was offended, and rightly so, because it is of young girls without tops. I am sure you intended to portray the happiness in the culture because of Christ, but please proceed with caution. -Bev Wesner; South Bend, Ind.

Two-sided debate

I must disagree with "One-sided silence" (Jan. 28) that Mr. "Alito's ambiguity on abortion harms the nation." I would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned, but the Supreme Court, or any court for that matter, is not a place for individual bias. Now that he is confirmed, Samuel Alito's role is to justly make decisions based on the U.S. Constitution, not on his own feelings. "Pro-death" nominees view judicial positions as policy-making opportunities. Justice Alito has done the right thing. -Anthony Rossi; Montrose, Colo.

I have employed the Alito Response Strategy for the entire 30 years of my public-school teaching career. It has allowed me a seat at the table in a very politically correct, secular environment. If I had been totally up-front with my views, I suspect that my salt and leavening would have been short-lived. -Bill Deese; Eugene, Ore.

I agree with Joel Belz. In the same vein, I have often wondered why folks who are "pro-life" have not labeled organizations and individuals who are "pro-choice" as "pro-death." Let us not help cover up for those who promote the slaughter of innocents. -Pete Ross; Montrose, Colo.

It would have benefited our society to have an open discussion of Roe v. Wade at the confirmation hearing, but we should not blame Judge Alito for the lack of discussion. I blame decades of spineless Republican legislators for the shameful display. -Christa Spangle; Moon Township, Pa.

I agree that Judge Alito was ambiguous but I thought it was harmless and a highly appropriate way to answer an inappropriate question. If his ambiguity helped him become a justice on the Supreme Court, the nation is not in any way harmed by it and may be a lot better for it. -Floyd Robertson; New Oxford, Pa.

Heart murmurs

I appreciated Gene Edward Veith's comparison of the problems that Intelligent Design scientists face today with the problems Galileo had with the proponents of Ptolemy ("Textbook case," Jan 28). I have to admit, it has been a lot of fun watching the evolutionists play the heavy dogmatic institution to the Galileo of the Intelligent Design scientists. I'm sure there are many science students who regurgitate the evolutionary dogma for grades and promotions but, as they see the scarcity of the evidence for evolution, in their heart of hearts say, "Yet, it's designed." -Christine Crachi; Latham, N.Y.

"Textbook case" was a good, timely review that tied in history to the Intelligent Design debates of today. With more information coming out about DNA and the complexity of life, I'm encouraged more and more that the truth will bust out, and soon. -Mike Heinen; Cedar Grove, Wis.

Intelligent Design may be a Copernican revolution, but it still doesn't belong in public schools. Christian schools would be livid if the government forced them to teach evolution; why should government schools react passively when their worldview is threatened? -Brad Heath; Wilmington, Ohio

We've got tissue!

Poor Leon Kass. He's a brilliant scientist and a descendant of Abraham, yet he is agnostic about whether an embryo is the "moral equivalent" of his own grandchildren ("What's a human?" Jan. 28). When his daughter called to say she was pregnant, did she say, "Dad, we have a ball of tissue right now that may or may not become a human life," or did she say, "We're going to have a baby!"? -Elaine Neumeyer; Big Canoe, Ga.

Not so smart

I take issue with Melinda Penner, whose blog entry, quoted in Hugh Hewitt's column ("Reality TV," Jan. 28), refers to the hit show 24 as "morally smart." So far this season Jack Bauer has killed one wounded man in revenge (after promising to get him medical aid) and prepared to cut out another man's eyes to elicit information. Only 18 episodes to go. A hit suspense TV show for sure but, as a moral guide, Jack Bauer is not our best choice. -Jim Heggie; Camano Island, Wash.

I applaud the premise of the new TV show InJustice ("Bad cop, bad cop," Jan. 28). Decades of being a pastor and rubbing shoulders with our law enforcement officials have taught me that winning in the courtroom game and in the polls is far more important in our judicial system than truth and justice. Bad cops and judges are not the rule but they are far from exceptional, and we should occasionally "cast doubt on the whole criminal justice system." -Louis M. Day; Pagosa Springs, Colo.

Guaranteed

I was struck by the signs held by school-voucher supporters in the photograph accompanying "Give kids a choice" (Jan. 28). I hope that the "high quality education" that "Florida's Constitution guarantee's" includes instruction in the proper use of the apostrophe. -Eric Kistler; Lynchburg, Va.

The greatest

I don't get the point of John Dawson's article about Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander ("Alexander the great," Jan. 28). As far as I'm concerned, Alexander is great. -Ellen Paden; Arlington, Wash.

Open rebuke

What would Mr. Belz call his column on Pat Robertson ("Public disaster," Jan. 21), if not an "open rebuke"? I love your magazine, but Mr. Robertson is not the only one who believes that Mr. Sharon's stroke may have something to do with giving up part of the Promised Land. -Brad Schwab; Murrieta, Calif.

The real choice

Thank you to Marvin Olasky for telling us about chastity, fidelity, marriage, and the purpose of sex ("Broken sex," Jan. 21). Why are Christians falling just as far, fast, and hard as non-Christians? There is a choice, but that choice is abstinence. -Webb Stevens; Williamsburg, Va.