Judgment call

Marvin Olasky's article about Harriet Miers ("She doesn't fit the mold," Oct. 15) was a respite in a storm of innuendo, nastiness, and elitism. President Bush has not disappointed me. As for not picking a nominee who would provoke a great battle with liberals, James Dobson revealed that others on Mr. Bush's short list decided they didn't want to go through the ordeal of confirmation because the process has become so vicious. What a judgment on the Senate Judiciary Committee. -Mary E. Traeger; Forsyth, Mo.

I'm deeply disappointed in WORLD's tepid compromise on the Miers nomination. You sell out the conservative movement for a mess of pottage, and in doing so ultimately undermine what you hold dear. -Justice Litle; Reno, Nev.

The Miers nomination shaped up to be the right-wing pundits' Hurricane Katrina: A perfect storm of irresponsible, self-important media types giving voice to their most morbid fantasies instead of covering the news. The president has worked with Harriet Miers for years. That counted far more with me than the speculative ranting of the professional chattering class. -Rosslyn S. Smith; Hot Springs, N.C.

Ask

Marvin Olasky's "Name games" (Oct. 15) omits some of the place names that should surely make a David Letterman-style Top 10 List: Belcher and Lawyersville, N.Y.; Hot Water, Miss. (perhaps settled by people who left Lawyersville); Porkey and Panic, Pa.; Eek, Alaska; Cheesequake and Rudeville, N.J.; and in Texas, with the biggest and best of everything, is Looneyville, Weeping Mary, and my all-time favorite, Ding Dong. -Greg Haslow; Bakersfield, Calif.

The official motto of Dufur, Ore., is, "Ask not what Dufur can do for you, but what you can do for Dufur." Related to town names are names of its citizens. People in Yakima, Wash., are known as Yakimaniacs and people in Livermore, Calif., are known as Livermorons. There must be others like this. -Gerald R. Wheeler; Covington, Wash.

I always enjoy WORLD and feel like it is a "family journal." I haven't felt that way since Jim Comstock sold the West Virginia Hillbilly to some Yankee who prints it on slick paper, so it's no longer useful for anything but reading.

Anyhow, on U.S. 119 northeast of Charleston, W.Va., a road sign points to two communities named Pinch and Quick. My dad rarely failed to give me a rapid and friendly pinch as we drove past that sign. He explained that the sign told him to do it. North Carolina has Lizard Lick east of Raleigh on U.S. 64. -Rick Boggs; Raleigh, N.C.

Woe warning

I am dismayed at the rewriting of God's holy Word ("Worldly word," Oct. 15). My only response comes from the book of Revelation, which warns of woe to those who endeavor to change the meaning of our Creator's holy Word. -Chelsea Banks; Claypool, Ind.

Thank you for the rude awakening that not everything that purports to be the Word of God is. I suppose it's naïve to think the enemy would ignore God's mighty Word, the sword of the Spirit that is able to expose all the devil's lies. -Elizabeth Edgren; Lacey, Wash.

More honor

I hope they give Congressman Tom DeLay, charged with campaign finance crimes, a fair hearing ("DeLay reaction," Oct. 15). I think he displayed more honor than is typically seen in politics in this situation. If he's innocent, I think the GOP is better off with him; they can use all the honesty they can find. If he's guilty, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. -Nathan Bennette; Seattle, Wash.

Foolish wisdom

As I read Andree Seu's column on the Intelligent Design argument, ("Sneakers and wristwatches," Oct. 15)and I rejoiced in the truth of God's Word: "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of the age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" Just as by the grace of God we see the cross, so too in our pride we need God's help to see the beautiful evidence of His hand in the design of all creation. -Eric Norwood; Atlanta, Ga.

Mackenzie for prez

Your review of Commander-in-Chief was good overall ("TV review: Commander in Chief," Oct. 15). Unfortunately, with this series, Hollywood is helping the woman of its choice become president. Too bad Mackenzie Allen, the character Geena Davis plays, is not a viable candidate. -Cheri Thomas; Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Small WORLD

I am tired of your inclination to amuse readers by making light of unfortunate events in nature that are caused by man's selfish interference in the natural order (Quick Takes, Oct. 15). Your irreverent attitude toward God's non-human creatures is unbiblical and small-minded. Please cancel our subscription. -Christine Broberg; Storrs, Conn.

Nightmare science

Gene Edward Veith neglected to mention that many visitors view Dr. von Hagens' Body World as nothing more than a science exhibit ("Corpse art," Oct. 8). Dr. von Hagens himself is unsure as to whether his plastination of human bodies, which he invented by accident, is art, but he is sure it is both scientific and educational. -Ryan McIlhenny; Irvine, Calif.

In reading "Corpse art," I thought I was having a nightmare. I cannot find enough ladylike expletives to describe my shock. -Phyllis Giglio; North Brunswick, N.J.

Unorthodox

WORLD committed sins of both omission and commission ("Documentary disinformation," Sept. 3) when it said the Russian Orthodox Church in the 15th century became a "uniquely separate branch" of the Eastern Orthodox Church and over time incorporated paganism, animism, and religious icons into its tradition. The 7th Ecumenical Council of the undivided Christian Church restored the use of icons at Nicaea in a.d. 787. To say that the Russian Orthodox Church incorporates paganism and animism in its tradition besmirches the reputation of millions of Russian Orthodox. -Mike Christopulos; Milwaukee, Wis.

Corrections