Letters to the editor

Giving alliance

Coalition of the wealthy: Weapons of cash found in a desert of want

Editor, The Times:

Bill and Melinda Gates and their new partner, Warren Buffett, are the true leaders in the "War on Terror," in reality a "War on Global Economic Inequality" ["Bulk of Buffett's fortune goes to Gates Foundation," Times page one, June 26].

Their generosity and leadership should also help improve the sagging image of Americans among the people of the world. It's exciting to think that the Gates Foundation in Seattle will play such a positive role in the world's future.

— Mike McBeth, Redmond

More money than good

The recent announcements by billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett may obscure the fact that, as admirable as their philanthropy is, philanthropy is an inadequate substitute for a just, equitable society.

— Sol Saporta, Seattle

Working utopia

Congratulations to Bill Gates for his career transition to emphasize philanthropic projects for a better world ["Gates' next full-time job: trying to save the world," page one, June 16]. His balanced personality, together with a rich sense of humor, have obviously been able to pull him through all the stress and strain of his superb corporate career. An acquaintance of mine who sat next to him at a charity dinner felt his humor so great that if he ever left the corporate world, he could easily make it as a stand-up comedian!!

I share Gates' concern regarding immigration problems here. There are clean-record, skilled people from overseas who are needed immediately. However, they must often wait years to complete the immigration process. This dysfunctional system needs a thorough reform.

Having finally gained citizenship, I feel privileged and honored to be an American and enjoy the great benefits that have come my way through the hard work, sacrifice and determination of achievers like Gates. I wish him every success in his efforts to develop new ways to benefit everyone everywhere, and help rid the world of an unequal distribution of capitalism.

— John Playfair, Redmond

Less is moral

Bill Gates has had two major impacts [Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]. He could have a third. He has markedly improved the world of computers and of philanthropy. Now he could set a most shining example to the world by living a life of voluntary simplicity and reduced ecological footprint.

Imagine the impact from the publicity of his moving to, say, a mere $500,000 house or condo, where he could walk to his offices at the Gates Foundation. This would absolutely convey the message that wealth does not buy happiness or here-and-now enlightenment. And the world would benefit greatly from more ecologically minded leaders and example setters at the top of the pyramid.

— James Merkner, Snohomish

Green without envoy

I applaud Warren Buffett and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their efforts to change the outcome and destinies of so much of humanity. However, billions for humanity without equal attention to the environment we all share is blind at best. Who will step forward to put billions into protecting the waters, forests and fertile lands of this fragile Earth upon which we all depend??

— Joan Smith, Edmonds

Credit's no good here

"Seattle's way with philanthropy"? [Editorial, July 27.] Warren Buffett is from Omaha, Neb.; give credit where credit is due.

— Tom Kochanowicz, Omaha, Neb.

Insidious Web

No place for a child

I read in "MySpace: the dangers of cyberspace" [editorial, June 14] MySpace being accused of not having enough protections for its younger users. You say its moves [to protect underage users against predators] are "almost laughable." Then you cite a case where a 14-year-old teenager, who was raped by a 19-year-old she met on MySpace, is suing for $30 million.

The 14-year-old is suing My-Space? For what? Her bad decision? The 19-year-old perpetrator didn't lie about his age — she knew he was 19. Is MySpace responsible for the 14-year-old's decision to meet this person and get into his car? It was her decision, albeit a bad one.

What if she [had] used the phone to arrange this meeting? Should the phone company be responsible for the communication that goes on between its users as well?

As usual, you say more needs to be done and that MySpace must do more, but you offer no solutions. There's no way to make sure everyone is being honest on the Internet. This is the reality of cyberspace. Only responsible parenting, Internet education and policing of your child's Internet use will reduce these tragedies.

— James Knapp, Auburn

Landing control

Keep wings here

Expanding international aviation markets as advocated by Ambassador John Bruton ["The sky's the limit for trans-Atlantic air travelers," guest commentary, June 23], is a worthy goal but allowing foreign interests to take control over U.S. airlines is not the answer.

First, it is not true that the agreement would "put an end to all those head-scratching rules and competitive restrictions." Limitations on access to [London's] Heathrow Airport for U.S. air carriers are alive and well. Just ask Continental Airlines.

Second, the U.S. government is so obsessed with placating the EU and striking a new aviation deal that it is poised to give away a critical American industry to foreign control. And dismissing as "protectionism" American concerns about foreign control of U.S. airlines ignores the very real national-security and economic issues being raised by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate.

Third, the ambassador would have your readers believe that American workers will benefit from foreign control of our airlines. We beg to differ: You can be sure that if foreign interests control the commercial decisions of U.S. airlines, thousands of aviation jobs in America — from pilots and flight attendants to mechanics and Boeing workers — will be sold off to the lowest bidder.

Please tell America's aerospace, steel, auto and textile workers about "the many jobs" created by reckless U.S. trade policies.

— Edward Wytkind, president, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Washington, D.C.

By the sea

Art intimidates life

Concerning the discovery of a previously unseen "treasure trove" of colorful corals and sponges off Washington's coast ["Colorful coral seabeds a 'breathtaking' discovery," page one, June 27], I assume glass artist Dale Chihuly will now sue the Pacific Ocean for stealing his ideas.

— Jane Lotter, Seattle