America's push for war

The war mongering tone of the article "U.S. policy facing a 'nightmare' " in Pakistan" (Oct. 22) is alarmingly in synch with U.S. hawks. After the chaos that U.S. military intervention has brought to Iraq, the neocons had better call it a day.

Having failed in its efforts with the Pakistani military to curb the infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan, the United States must immediately withdraw its troops from the areas near Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan.

It is time for the U.S. to cut its losses.

Saira Yamin, Arlington, Virginia

Brain power

David Brooks ("The external brain," Views, Oct. 27) seems to be genuinely satisfied with "externalizing" his brain. I can't share his enthusiasm.

My own little brain has not let me down, so far. I'd like to continue to relying on it for as long as possible, rather than outsource my own thoughts to the "universal consciousness." I suspect that if more and more people would try to do the same, rather than follow the theories of Brooks, perhaps some of the latest disasters, like the "war on terror," might never have happened.

Ed Nacinovich, Brussels

A museum visit

Even though I live in Paris, which is known for its museums, the article "The many lives of the Vasa" (Oct. 24) reminded me of my all-time favorite museum experience, which took place at the Vasa in Stockholm.

The Vasa is unique in that the entire museum is focused around a single big fact, unlike most museums, which usually offer an exhaustive collection of objects displayed in room after room.

I was captivated for hours by the focus on one grand object, a Swedish warship; on a single compelling event, how it capsized without warning on its maiden voyage; on a single moment, 20 minutes after setting sail in 1628.

Such intrigue lead me from one question and answer to another as I wandered through the exhibits around the huge vessel.

Why did the Vasa capsize? How was the wreck discovered? How was it salvaged and restored?

Bob Mohl Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Highly skilled labor

Regarding the article "EU seeks migrants (if skilled)" (Oct. 24): The European Union should ask whether it is wise to bid with other similarly disposed nations for skilled migrants.

Both the West and the developing world are short of highly skilled labor. Would it not be easier and much appreciated by developing countries if the EU stepped up education and skills training for its own citizens? Unskilled labor positions would open and be available for migrants. Such a program is likely to be more acceptable to the citizens of the EU than would be the introduction of a class of highly paid noncitizens.

Any policy change in immigration should not be dictated by the shortage of certain skills for the business world. Businesses should be encouraged to give to the state-sponsored education and skills-training programs.

A. J. UnsworthDraguignan, France

Advice for Bush

Rami Khouri ("The U.S. has run ouf of tricks," Views, Oct. 18) is quite right: Not an ounce of sincerity emanates from the White House regarding the Palestinian problem. The Bush administration should accept the excellent advice tendered in this column.

James Canning, Seattle

A timid U.S. public

While Frank Rich ("The 'Good Germans' among us," Views, Oct. 15) is to be complimented for his article, it seems that he has only recently come to the conclusion that "we Americans are lying to ourselves" regarding the transgressions of the Bush administration.

But Americans have been fooling themselves at least since they voted for President George W. Bush a second time. Bush's win in 2004 was an unambiguous indication of American will; Americans knew exactly what they were getting.

But I don't think Americans are liars; most likely they are just not interested or curious enough in the president.

The half-page litany of Bush failures described by Rich are a consequence of public apathy as much as they are of a deceitful or incompetent president. The U.S. public wasn't demanding enough or didn't ask the right questions because their elected representatives and journalists displayed exactly the same shortcomings.

If the United States cannot deliver an organized political opposition there should be a chosen "Opposition Leader" with the job of challenging the president specifically, directly, publicly and without fear. This person must be a an excellent orator, a natural leader and should stop treating the president with kid gloves. And American journalists need to be a lot more courageous and fearless, supported by news organizations unafraid of offending a sitting president.

Paul Sweeney, Jakarta