He is alive

After reading "Sackcloth and ashes" (Aug. 26) on the political death of Bill Clinton, I cannot help but wonder if Ms. Seu and I are living in the same universe. I, for one, can take no joy in his political death because he is not dead. This man remains popular with some two-thirds of the American public, and perhaps the only thing preventing his reelection is a Constitutional limit of two terms. And he is certainly not held at arm's length by the Democratic Party. They welcomed him like a god at their recent national convention ("Can't stop thinking about yesterday," same issue). - Daniel L. Black, Cleveland, Tenn.

No shelter

Thank you for "Sackcloth and ashes." It helps put the Clinton scandals into proper spiritual perspective. Our focus on Mr. Clinton's need for accountability can easily blind us to our own culpability before God (personal or collective). Mr. Clinton's sins are horrifying and felonious, but they will be a lousy smoke screen before God if we refer to them to excuse our own lack of repentance. Our own sins should outrage us more than the president's. - Joel Mark Solliday, New Haven, Conn.

One of many

I was appalled by "Sackcloth and ashes." It describes Bill Clinton as being "brought down by a 24-year-old intern." Ms. Lewinsky was just one of several women who claim to have suffered at the hands of this man taking advantage of his position of power. And what about the babies whose brains have been sucked out through the infanticide called partial-birth abortion? Mr. Clinton twice vetoed a bill that would have ended that. I have neither malice nor a grudge toward Bill Clinton. I do, though, take great joy at his political death for our country's sake. - Bernard A. Stukenborg, Goodson, Mo.

Counting the days

I disagree that we cannot take satisfaction from the end of the political career of someone like President Clinton. I, for one, am counting the days to the end of his term. I would also like to know what "consequence of sin" Ms. Seu thinks Mr. Clinton has demonstrated to our children. He used his office to promote the homosexual agenda, continue the slaughter of the unborn, perform illicit sexual acts, and run perhaps the most scandal-ridden administration ever, and has so far escaped criminal punishment. The only example this president has shown our children is that people in positions of power are above the law. - Andrea Schumann, Moberly, Mo.

Punishment needed

While there may be grounds for being cautious about rendering pious sentence upon Mr. Clinton for his personal moral downfall, it is expedient, for the welfare of our nation, that the public chastise him for a multitude of governmental evils. - H. Eugene Eslinger, Green Bay, Wis.

Pharisee Joseph?

Mr. Lieberman's self-imposed rules sound very much like those of the Pharisees who, if alive today, might have their own walking lane to the airport ("Lieberman lovefest," Aug. 26). - Larry Bradley, Houston, Texas

Here they are

In his excellent column on Sen. Joe Lieberman, Joel Belz asks where among professing Protestants and Catholics in public life are those with the discipline and diligence of their faith shown by the senator. May I propose that Protestants can point to S. Truett Cathy, founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, who keeps his stores closed on Sunday, and Catholics can point to Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza, who is working hard to give to worthy causes all of his reported $1 billion fortune. - Marshall Fritz, Fresno, Calif.

No surprise

"Lieberman lovefest" was an interesting observation on how affectionately the media has embraced Mr. Lieberman's practice of his faith. Why are we surprised? It has always been more palatable to unbelievers to work for salvation than to place faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. - Olivia Williams, Montgomery, Ala.

It's a child

When New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Poritz states, in a decision striking down a parental notification law, that the teen has a right to decide "whether to carry a child to term," she admits that the unborn is in fact a child ("Parenthood is 'insubstantial,'" Aug. 26). If the fetus is a child, then the killing is murder. - Al Shumard, Woodbridge, Va.

Count it

Regarding the 8-year-old girl who was forbidden to perform "Kum Ba Yah" at a summer camp talent show: Chalk up another one for the "freedom of religion equals freedom from religion" crowd ("Hitting a low note," Aug. 26). - Paul M. Elliot, Westminster, Md.

Not yet unethical

I appreciated WORLD's article on reparative therapy, in which I was quoted, describing the difficulties therapists encounter as they try to help dissatisfied homosexual clients change ("Politicized psychology," Aug. 26). But I'd like to clarify that I would not attempt to force counseling on satisfied homosexuals. That would not be ethical, nor would it work. Also, when I said, "What I do all day is against the ethics of the American Psychological Association," I should have said that my view, that homosexuality is a developmental disorder and potentially changeable, is contrary to the position of the A.P.A. but is not necessarily deemed unethical. The Association has come very close to labeling reparative therapy "unethical" but some wiggle room remains. However, unless other therapists speak out-and quickly-we remain in danger of losing our right to counsel homosexual strugglers. - Joseph Nicolosi, Encino, Calif.

Praying and voting

As a missionary living in a country where homosexuality is still a sin and abortion is still illegal, I am often aghast at the coverage of my homeland contained in WORLD. Although I attempt to avoid articles that would render me "wise concerning evil," I appreciate knowing which name to choose on my absentee ballot and how to earnestly pray for my America. - Deborah Wells, Papua, New Guinea

Untroubled

The Faces column is always inspiring, but the Aug. 19 item about police chief Jeff Francis used the term troubled to describe not only young gang members but also mentally challenged adults, who are very different. As the mother of a mentally challenged 16-year-old who may soon live in a supervised home like that of Mr. Francis, I applaud him and his family. Mentally challenged folks are sometimes forgotten and often ostracized, but are usually happy in their world. Most can be taught about the love of Jesus. They are, by and large, far from troubled. - Candace Banks, Richmond, Va.

Touched heart

I rarely listen to anything other than Christian music, but your review prompted me to listen to Human Clay and My Own Prison by Creed ("The music," July 22). Wow. Several songs on those albums really touched my heart, and if not for WORLD I never would have tried them out because they are "general market." - Eric Smith, Windsor, Mo.

Totally

I totally agree with your review of Autumn in New York ("The movies," Aug. 26). Not only was it the worst movie I've seen since Ed-TV, it had the worst dialogue I have ever encountered. - Beckie Gruen, Lindenhurst, Ill.

Timely

Time is scarce in my life, and WORLD has been a great way to get the scoop quickly on news and culture. I highly recommend it to others. Please renew my subscription. - Michele Ebben, Sullivan, Wis.

One-sided

Please cancel my subscription. It is quite apparent that this is a one-sided magazine. - Ethel Grimm, Mannford, Okla.

Correction

Ceil Levatino refused to participate in abortion training as a student nurse and has never assisted in any abortion or worked in an abortion clinic as a graduate nurse (Sept. 2, p. 22).