Restoring America’s Reputation Fareed Zakaria’s analysis in “after Bush” (June 11) was first-rate. In order for America to regain its lost prestige and fundamental values, we need dedicated men and women willing to cherish the concepts of the Founding Fathers. Americans have a moral and a practical obligation to stand behind a commitment to human rights, fair laws, justice and equality for all. But this is not the case today, as President Bush has been empowered to blindly pursue his disastrous policies. Twice he’s been given the green light, and we know how bitter the aftermath’s been. What happened to the political and ethical principles to which the Founding Fathers were dedicated—principles that were believed to be of universal applicability? Why have these been discarded by Bush? Look at the mess in which the United States is floundering now. The world is watching to see if the greatest democracy in the world can get back on track again. How long will it take for America to return to the first seeds it sowed and regain its credibility? Dan Chellumben Mmboise, France
Why doesn’t Fareed Zakaria get it? The only way for America to regain its place in the world is to admit its responsibility for its past misadventures. Remember all the Middle East despots who owed their existence to Uncle Sam? Remember Nicaragua, the bearded mujahedin in Afghanistan, the Shah of Iran—even Saddam Hussein, who profited from U.S. aid in the war against Iran? The key word for the future is “scruples.” There will be no healing process as long as America thinks “others” are the only bad guys. Gautham Venkata-Chalam Paris, France
If America “hunkers down” and reverts to an isolation policy, it’s what the enemies of democracy want. Being the world’s policeman is an impossible task even for the wealthiest country. Unite now to reform the United Nations to make it effective to carry out essential global tasks. John Quinn Dublin, Ireland
Like Sen. Hillary Clinton, Fareed Zakaria has been spending the past few years struggling to justify his position on the war in Iraq. His “After Bush” essay sounded like the ultimate attempt to put the issue behind him for good. For John Ashcroft and his fellow neocons/theocons, George W. Bush didn’t fail but brilliantly succeeded in his strategy, especially in the Middle East: the collapse of Iraq, the rise of fanaticism in Iran and the mass destruction of Palestinian hopes were not collateral damage but the very aim of the game. Bush didn’t act as a president of the United States for the good of his country. He didn’t even act as a Republican for the good of his party. He acted as a fundamentalist for the good of all fundamentalisms—because Islamist radicals, Christian fundamentalists and Israeli hawks share the same goal: to become mainstream within their own ranks and sideline the moderates. Considering the results, the Bush administration waged the best foreign policy possible to fuel fundamentalism across the globe. The best way to restore America’s place in the world is for it to restore the values that made it respected and reject a theocracy. Stephane Mot Paris, France
Again a penetrating analysis of the state of things with a healthy dose of plain common sense from Fareed Zakaria. The illustrations were also well chosen. On the photo of the fence that scars the coastal beauty of the California-Tijuana border, two words on the Spanish sign are misspelled: danger, or peligro, is spelled pilegro, and water—agua—is spelled auga. This last is so absolutely basic it’s impossible not to suspect a direct insult. Could a border-sign painter really be so ignorant? So insensitive? This has to be the blackest humor I have ever seen from the dumbest government. Frances Fischer Svendborg, Denmark
Zakaria’s appraisal—that China would act more responsibly in the world than America—is refreshing. To say that America is too strong, arrogant or insensitive is an unfortunate misconception. It is strong in its hypertech military prowess, but not in its mind-set or willpower. It appears arrogant and insensitive to cover its weakness. China, on the other hand, has awakened from its torturous past to realize that the only way for the Chinese to live peacefully is to let others prosper and lead a satisfying, better life. Han-Venn Ti Bangkok, Thailand
Congratulations on your excellent cover story on how to restore America’s place in the world. Fareed Zakaria has once again provided a foreigner like myself the clearest picture yet to emerge from the mess that is now Iraq. I applaud his insights about the way forward when the current administration leaves office. In my part of the world, people are mostly against the war in Iraq. I, too oppose this war and hope that the United States can engage the enemy with ideological means instead. Eng-Tat Ang Singapore
Revisiting Japan’s War History Hideaki Kase’s article “the use and Abuse of the Past” (April 2) explains why Japan has not won the respect of its Asian neighbors 60 years after World War II ended. It is especially disturbing because it’s written by a historian and past adviser to two Japanese prime ministers. A society can progress only by understanding its past and coming to terms with it. But Japan is still in denial about its war of aggression and the atrocities it committed both on Asia’s civilian population and Allied prisoners of war. Instead, it tries to project itself as the victim. Most young Japanese today do not know of the atrocities committed in the name of their emperor, such as the thousands murdered in germ-warfare experiments. By contrast, every German youth knows what crimes the Nazi state committed because Germany has faced up to its WWII history: it is taught in schools, and programs about the SS and the death camps run regularly on TV. The terrible fate of “comfort women” (women forced into sexual slavery), the denial of war crimes like the Nanking Massacre and the “private visits” of government officials to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine all need to be acknowledged. Japan must apologize for its past atrocities, since many Japanese perpetrators and many victims are still alive. It must also educate its new generations to ensure that such crimes are never repeated. Stephen Belcher Christ Church, New Zealand
I’m shocked by Kase’s article. it denies war crimes committed by the Japanese military in World War II. For the Chinese, the Nanking Massacre is like the Holocaust to Jews. If the denial of the Holocaust is considered illegal in America, so should the open denial of the Nanking Massacre. I urge you to apologize to the Chinese community in the States and the 1.3 billion citizens of China. M. I. Wu Via internet
I was surprised by your decision to publish, without any accompanying comments or editor’s notice, an article by a Japanese right-wing historian casually stating that the Nanking Massacre never happened. Would you ever publish a similar article claiming that the Holocaust or the Srebrenica massacre were hoaxes? This is a highly emotional issue, with all sides claiming that “objective facts” support their view of history. The article’s description of how the Japanese feel about this subject is far from balanced and should have been accompanied by a disclaimer and/or an alternative perspective. Miguel Quintana Tokyo, Japan
Kase is at least honest in his cynicism: the Nanking Massacre is a myth—it never happened! Comfort women? They were commercial workers, well fed and paid by the Imperial Army, which was well known for its humane treatment of non-Japanese women. Japanese schoolbooks almost totally ignore Japan’s war crimes, a fact Kase seems especially proud of instead of feeling shame. His countrymen should bear blame for the unspeakable—and unspoken—crimes committed in the name of the emperor and the Nihon motherland. The world has yet to hear a full and comprehensive coming to terms with history on the part of those who tried hard to match the Nazis in their crimes against humanity. The Japanese economic miracle should provide generous compensation for the victimized countries—and sex slaves. Failure to do that will leave Japan with the scarlet letter of guilt for generations to come. China and South Korea should not offer forgiveness to the oppressors unless they get a full apology and hefty financial damages. Andy Leitner Haifa, Israel
Japan will find it difficult to “resume its place in the world as a normal nation” if Hideaki Kase and other educated and influential policy advisers choose to stay in the denial mode over the suffering caused by Japan’s military aggression in WWII. Rationalizing away the existence of comfort women and the Nanking Massacre does no good to anyone. Kase, as a historian, should be the first to understand this. Perhaps the Diet members who are now forming a caucus to study the facts can speak directly to the surviving comfort women, or pay a visit to the graves at Nanking. As long as people deny the suffering and death caused by military aggression, then those of us who can, must speak up for those who can no longer speak for themselves. Lest we forget. Steven Lau Hong Kong
Many people in my local Chinese community were dismayed by Hideaki Kase’s column. I am all for freedom of speech, but I believe the column should have been prefaced with an explanation of Kase’s background, which clearly shows that he has very radical ideas regarding WWII. Your readers deserve to know that Kase believes that “the majority of our people believe that Japan was forced into war by the United States.” I hope that NEWSWEEK shows more care in handling issues that are sensitive to so many people in the international community. Vicky Liu Seattle, Washington
“The use and abuse of the past” should be renamed “The Use and Abuse of History,” as it is factually inaccurate. Kase’s misrepresentation of the comfort women who were forcibly kidnapped into a life of prostitution is an abuse of history, and it angers me that you published it. The lies this person perpetrates is offensive to thousands of people. As a news weekly, you should not publish historical inaccuracies touting them as fact. Kase is using your magazine to distort history. John Ko Via internet
Hideaki Kase claims that comfort women worked (voluntarily?) in private brothels. This falsehood must be conclusively refuted. Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer has described how the Japanese Army persuaded families in Java to send their daughters for “education in Japan.” Then the ships delivered them to brothels in Southeast Asia, where they were forced to serve as prostitutes. After the war, most of these women were too ashamed to contact their families. Toer collected much testimony—from these women and from people who spoke with them both before and after their captivity—which is published in his book. Richard Stallman Cambridge, Massachusetts
It’s laughable to assert, as kase does, that all should now be forgotten because the Japanese have supported the War on Terror. Mutual back-scratching is not an appropriate response. Kase blunders by underestimating the conscience of the U.S. Congress and Americans who did so much to rebuild Japan after the war. Ennis Lee Leidschendam, Netherlands
title: “Mail Call America After Bush” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-16” author: “John Duran”
Fareed Zakaria’s essay “beyond Bush” (June 11) was the most clear-eyed, cogent and, dare I say, hopeful summation of America’s future I’ve yet read. It is my hope the piece is read not only by my fellow concerned citizens, but by those around the world who wish us both good and ill, as it persuasively argues why the United States still matters and how it can regain the greatness so tragically squandered these last six years. Gary Sherwood Santa Rosa, Calif.
“Beyond Bush” was one of the most intelligent and honest pieces of journalism I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Instead of merely criticizing our current administration, Fareed Zakaria offers suggestions for improvement; instead of focusing solely on our country’s weaknesses, he also highlighted our strengths. In a time where negativity and fear have become ingrained in the public mind-set and critical thinking has almost become a thing of the past, it was refreshing to read an article with such optimism and, most importantly, overwhelming patriotism. Sam Blackwell Delafield, Wis.
Thanks to Fareed Zakaria for his fine article. He has put into clear language many of the thoughts that I and so many other people have longed to hear. It is infuriating to hear some of our political leaders fan the flames of fear. Our great nation has faced serious problems many times in the past and has handled these situations with courage and determination. Let us stay calm and recognize that these fears are self-defeating. I can remember listening to Franklin Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address in 1933, when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Those words were wise and true then and they are equally so today. Harris E. Fischer White Plains, N.Y.
Fareed Zakaria has intelligently and concisely described the state of disunion that we face as a result of Bush administration policy. My political views, as well as those of other young voters, have come to fruition during this administration. The culture of fear and thoughtless strong-arming that’s evolved over the last seven years has left us adrift and disillusioned. Is it any wonder that less than half of young voting-age citizens participate in elections? This is not the America that we were taught to believe in. I am grateful, however, that Zakaria does not dwell on the obstacles of the post-Bush era. This nation has incredible resources, both human and material. The mistakes of one administration will not ruin America’s boundless promise. I will vote in my first presidential election with a renewed sense of responsibility and a hope that our next leader will work to restore our nation in the spirit of thoughtful bipartisanship. Margaret A. Carr Langhorne, Pa.
nNever have I been so incensed by an article than by “Beyond Bush.” I’m amazed how the events of 9/11 seem such a distant blur to so many Americans. The left would lull us into sympathetic feelings toward the enemy, question our resolve in worldly affairs and exacerbate the anti-Americanism so prevalent around the globe today. So troubling is it that we virtually stand alone against global terrorism, that not even our tremendous sacrifice is able to unite our great nation in this critical time of war. Granted, it’s fitting to focus on what will occur after Bush, given the number of miscalculations that have occurred under his watch. But perhaps more important is the vision of America after Al Qaeda and all forms of radical terrorism have been eradicated. Unless we reunite as a country to overcome this wickedness, we’ll never portray the confidence or means necessary to restore tranquillity within our shores and around the world. Robin Wayne Moss Colorado Springs, Colo.
I totally disagree with Fareed Zakaria’s gloom-and-doom article. As an immigrant born in Prague and raised in Brazil, I settled in California in 1960 at the age of 21. I married an American, raised a family, went to college and pursued a gratifying career in the aerospace industry. During my almost 50 years in this country, my family, friends and colleagues have almost invariably been optimistic about America’s future, proud of its accomplishments and supportive of its policies. Certainly there have been some lows that were and still are not easy to cope with, such as the Vietnam War and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I firmly believe that the vast majority of Americans are behind their government and its ideals. There’s no doubt that it is much easier to bash a president and his policies than to stress the positive and paint a picture of this nation as the best place in the world to live. Miroslav Polak Calabasas, Calif.
Correction In the June 4 periscope item “no Male, No Problem,” about the shark born from asexual reproduction, the first egg in the illustration of parthenogenesis should have had only one chromosome set instead of two. The resulting embryo would not be genetically identical to the original egg, but would have twice the amount of genetic material. Additionally, the empty first egg in the illustration of normal fertilization should have had one chromosome set, and the sperm in the diagram should have had one chromosome set, not two. NEWSWEEK regrets the error.
