Role models

I was glad to see the article on Kurt Warner and the Rams ("Warner brothers," Feb. 12). I heard him speak at a Billy Graham Crusade in St. Louis, and he is a dynamic young man willing to speak openly about his faith. During a television interview he said that the best thing about the season was the chance it had given him to tell people about Jesus without being cut off by reporters. Like it or not, people in the limelight, like Kurt Warner, become role models for young and old, and far too many in this day and age are poor role models. It is great to see people like Kurt (and Isaac, Mike, and others) not only willing to speak up about their faith but living it in their lives. This world needs to see that. - Linda Cox, Baldwin, Ill.

Wazzup with WORLD?

Take a few deep breaths and come back to your senses. The Super Bowl super Christians that you idolize are instrumental in shifting the focus away from Sunday worship, drawing men away from quality time with their families, and pushing mass quantities of beer and other worldly commercial products. I have enough trouble keeping my family's priorities straight on Sundays, and your Super Bowl coverage is no help. - Rob Leake, Fresno, Calif.

Rather be in church

As someone who loved football before I knew about Jesus Christ, I struggle with certain aspects of the game now. For instance, how do Christians deal with the fact that the games that are played on Sundays are often more important than the Sabbath? And what about the idolatry? I mean, we're lucky to get 500 people for our church service, but 65,000 fans will fight traffic and high prices to sit so far away from the field that the players look like ants. The truth is that I watched the game, and enjoyed it. But something inside felt a little uneasy, like, "Wouldn't I really rather be in church right now?" - Douglas Mickey, Belleville, N.J.

Blatant

Playing football on Sunday, even the Super Bowl, and even by professing Christians, is not putting "first things first." It is blatantly breaking the Sabbath commandment. - Robert & Rosie Parker, Mesa, Colo.

Get really real

In "Reality makes a comeback" (Feb. 12), Gene Edward Veith argues that the Nielsen ratings of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the Super Bowl indicate a "worldview shift toward objective meaning." Get real. If anything, the high ratings of Millionaire and the NFL demonstrate the ever widening gap between popular entertainment and actual reality. Take the Super Bowl. Is this an example of "real sport"? Certainly not. Everything about the game is inhuman in scale, from the over-developed athletes to their over-developed salaries and network-television contracts. And what is the half-time show but the multi-sensory equivalent of shopping-mall Muzac? Those who truly crave reality do not watch the Super Bowl. They step outside and toss the ol' pigskin around. - Sam Torode, Chicago, Ill.

Embarrassed

As one who has given WORLD subscriptions as gifts I was embarrassed by "Explaining McCain" (Feb. 19). William Safire, who writes for The New York Times, called it religio-political sleaze in action. I'm a retired 64-year-old Air Force veteran and Sen. McCain represents what we stood for in our day, and still do. - R.J. Ellis, Columbus, Ohio

Even journalists

In light of the high-octane controversy raging in the Republican party over George W. Bush's visit to Bob Jones University and John McCain's response, it does seem to push the boundaries of journalistic credibility for Bob Jones IV to write a negative article on Mr. McCain in WORLD. For even journalists have family loyalty. - David John Seel Jr., Montreat, N.C.

Left out

Your vitriolic examination of John McCain was so slanted and biased I'm not sure I would attribute the word journalism to it. Bob Jones's tone is scathing and even his isolated facts are expressed with such utter loathing that I was embarrassed that WORLD published this as an accurate assessment of this candidate. Mr. Jones conveniently left out the traits of character and philosophy that won Mr. McCain the landslide in New Hampshire. - Carol Anderson, Black Mountain, N.C.

He served nobly

I just finished reading your article on John McCain. I thought it to be untrue. I have been backing this candidate since he announced that he was running for president. Try to respect what we feel about our candidate. This man has served his country very nobly and was in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" for 5 1/2 years. - Alice W. Seabrook, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

All you need to know

Here is all you have to know about the McCain phenomenon: The NY/DC/LA autocracy loathes and fears more than anything Southern conservatives, especially those who don't mind telling you where they stand on their religious beliefs. Should John McCain end up with the Republican nomination, it will be a testament to the reality that most Americans can no longer live without their televisions. - Dick Davison, Bryan, Texas

Utterly disappointed

Please cancel my subscription. I am a conservative Christian minister who subscribed to WORLD as an alternative to the biased media spin found in Time, Newsweek, and other mainline newsmagazines. I am also a John McCain supporter, utterly disappointed by your biased, careless attack piece. Truth is, John McCain is one of the most important presidential candidates to come along in a long time. American voters rarely have an opportunity to select a leader of such strength, courage, and intellect. - David N. Slater, Nashville, Tenn.

A fine mixture

So this is Christian journalism, a fine mixture of paranoia, innuendo, and misleading statements (read lies). Some of us Christians, Mr. Bauer and me among many others, will not be tied to the lapdog of business interests, George W. Bush, and will be voting for Mr. McCain. - Tim Morriss, Wheaton, Ill.

Right on target

No doubt about it, the media love John McCain. You're right on target in pointing out the way the media have pandered to him. Generally speaking, the media are and have been very liberal, non-Republican, and anti-Christian. Mr. McCain is not nearly liberal enough for them, and never will be. So, the game plan is this: Array all the forces against George W. and stop at nothing to get the Republican nomination for Mr. McCain. Then overnight all the unreported "stuff" in the cover story will be moved to the fore by the media in order to elect Al Gore and a Democratic Congress. - Dale Hooper, Lindale, Texas

It could be divine

I have read your cover story about Mr. McCain and wish to challenge you not to consider this race with a natural mindset. I challenge you to consider if it is the Lord who might be granting this man favor in the eyes of the American people. It has been a long time since this country has seen any candidate that the American people can unite to support, regardless of platform or issues. - Elizabeth Ferguson, New Haven, Conn.

Candid

Thank you for the candid article by Bob Jones IV on Sen. John McCain. It was well written and the facts were stated. I read a scathing article in my newspaper by William Safire and he missed all the facts. I pray for the people of our country and the media to look at the facts of the candidates who are running. - Elaine J. Macomber, Cincinnati, Ohio

The painful truth

Thank you for printing the article on Sen. John McCain. I had just finished reading yet another supportive piece about him in The Washington Post. Thanks for always reporting the truth, even when it hurts. - Karren McGlohn, Woodbridge, Va.

A sad state of affairs

I remember Mr. Gore's 1992 debate with Mr. Quayle when Mr. Gore also denied ever being pro-life ("Al Gore's abortion lies," Feb. 12). It is a sad state of affairs when politicians can get away with such outright falsehoods. - Al Shumard, Woodbridge, Va.

Don't tweak it

I read with dismay Mr. Olasky's apologetical editorial regarding the changes in WORLD's format ("Tweakings," Feb. 12). Many of the reasons you cite for changes are the reasons I love your magazine just the way it is. - Gary Simmers, Wake Forest, N.C.

Bravo

Bravo for the upcoming "tweakings" of WORLD. I share it with my liberal Christian and agnostic friends, and I think the integration of Christian jargon has at times made it hard for them to trust the authors and consider the truthfulness of some articles. - Nannette Lawrence, Middleton, Idaho

WORLD is the Antichrist

WORLD is not the pope of evangelicalism. In fact, I'm forced to conclude that you are the Antichrist. Why? You hate all Christians you don't agree with. This is evidenced time and again within your rag, from your NIV garbage to your trash about Baker Book House. Now we see you are in bed with Bob Jones (I, II, III, or IV-who cares?). - Dave Michie, Indianapolis, Ind.

The lunch curve

What is our country coming to when, instead of looking at the facts and the fundamentals of education, we grade on a curve based on the number of school-lunch applications ("What price pride?" Feb. 12)? Wow. - Adam Wolfgang, Gaylord, Mich.

Throwing stones

From your article about Gary Bauer's departure from the race ("Flapjacks and the flu: Case study in political journalism," Feb. 12), I got the impression that you thought only liberal media were guilty of stoning conservative candidates. You have, surprisingly, joined in the public humiliation. One whole column retold the "great pancake flap" that you decried the liberal media for using. You mentioned his rift with Alan Keyes because he "lectured" him. Don't solely blame the left on this one; you're holding a few stones in your right hand as well. - Mark Otero, Shoals, Ind.

Same old hypocrisy

I had a sad laugh while reading about the antics of pro-homosexual writer Dan Savage at the Gary Bauer campaign. If a pro-life or pro-family activist had tried to infect someone of the opposite convictions with a flu virus, it might well make national news as yet another hate crime. However, being done to a conservative, it can be written about freely in the national news. - J. Robert, Oswego, Ill.

Not in Cuba

Thank you for your truly balanced articles regarding the Elián Gonzalez tragedy ("Cuban conundrum," Feb. 5) and for exposing the National Council of Churches. I am a member of the Cuban Exile Community in Miami and am opposed to the return of Elián to Cuba, but I can see the complexity of the issue and understand why someone would feel otherwise. I think most of us would love to see him with his father again, just not in Communist Cuba. - Ernesto J. de la Fé, South Miami, Fla.

Not that hard

This case is not as difficult as the propaganda on both sides of the Florida Straits has made it to be. A surviving parent has the right to raise his child and right now there is a surviving parent in Cuba waiting for his child to be returned to him. - Jesus Noriega, West Palm Beach, Fla.

A swabby remembers

The review of the Aubrey Maturin novels by the late Patrick O'Brian ("Sailing into the sunset," Feb. 5) was excellent. The magnetism of his historical sea novels is hard to define, but I think that "community" says it all. As a former "swabby" aboard the carrier Essex, I shared a small room with 11 companions sleeping three deep in bunk beds. The night watches, relentless waves, harsh weather, obnoxious personalities, and officious officers were part of my experience, too, and they brought the novels to life. Mr. O'Brian's legacy will live on for those who love the sea. - David M. Weston, Lancaster, Pa.

Stupid, indeed

There are always "High stakes at the high court" (Jan. 29). When five justices can carve out a previously unknown "right" to privacy resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of babies, you better believe the stakes are high. People should realize that these justices are "elected" in the sense that our elected presidents appoint them. Casting a vote because "it's the economy, stupid" is stupid indeed, and very shortsighted. - Mike Jackson, Montgomery, Ala.

Certain inherent rights

Before they decide these cases, I hope the Supreme Court Justices will read and ponder the Bill of Rights from the Virginia Constitution of 1776: "That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely the enjoyment of life ..." - Lawrence Andrade, Swampscott, Mass.

Wrong? Us?

I have been reading WORLD for quite a few years now, and the more that I read, the more I realize that you are at times very, very wrong. Often you are too soft when you should be strong on an issue or too harsh when you should be graceful. If I refused to read anything I disagree with I would say cancel my subscription. Instead, keep them coming. Thank you for challenging my thinking and giving me another orthodox opinion on the issues. - Chori Jonathin Seraiah, Cherokee Village, Ark.