Readers Report
The Hurdles That Japan's New Prime Minister Faces
I agree with "A mandate for change in Japan" (Editorials, May 7). It really is a soft revolution, if we take Junichiro Koizumi's reform agenda at face value and if the new administration can swiftly implement all the reform measures without making any concessions to the Liberal Democratic Party's Old Guard. Japanese voters, fed up with the empty promises of successive LDP governments, welcome Koizumi's initiative but still are a bit skeptical about whether he can tackle all the problems singlehandedly. Koizumi was not elected Prime Minister by popular vote, but by the majority of MPs belonging to the LDP. Eventually, reformers risk being forced to compromise to LDP bigwigs. Also, reformers will face fierce resistance from bureaucrats who seek to preserve their alliances with LDP factions.
Hideki Kitamura
Nishinomiya, Japan
Koizumi may have a genuine chance to make substantive changes quickly ("Japan's reformer," Cover Story, May 7) because the LDP can't afford to give him the heave-ho. A cynic might conclude that the rust-encrusted party would rather defend its traditional perquisites than give the reformer the opportunity to do his job. But realpolitik may prove stronger with the winners: the Prime Minister, the LDP, and most important, Japan.
Michael G. Driver
Ichihara City, Japan
Debating Religion's Place in the Locker Room
Spiritual growth and development as a Christian is a process that takes time ("God and man at Madison Square Garden," News: Analysis & Commentary, May 7). If an athlete incorrectly states something based on his study of the Bible, the misstatement should be treated as a "fumble" in that athlete's growth process. By sponsoring sports, Corporate America sponsors the display of athletic ability, not Biblical scholarship. Youngsters looking for role models who are "giants of faith" should have a wider range to choose from than athletics.
Reve' M. Pete
Albany, Ga.
Jay Weiner's commentary was shocking. While it might be worthy to see these athletes in prayer, the specter of promoting anti-Jewish attitudes must be condemned by everyone including NBA officials. John Rocker could not get away with insensitivity, nor should the Knicks.
William J. Levy
National Director
Organization of World Jewry
Fogelsville, Pa.
Jay Weiner's commentary was a real air ball. It's refreshing to see young National Basketball Assn. players spend time studying their faith and that not all such players fit the role of the "tattoo and tough guy personas" as depicted in "How bad is the NBA hurting?" (Sports Business, May 7). These pro players need to be applauded, not condemned, for actively practicing their faith.
Robert J. Milis
Apple Valley, Minn.
This is religion? This gets preferential tax treatment? Is professional sports part of the farce where millions of students spend school time playing basketball, hoping for a shot at 50 to 100 big-league opportunities each year while real value-producing businesses can't find the millions of workers they need?
Stephen Kay
Severna Park, Md.
As a consumer, I would not be turned off by a Mormon presence at the Salt Lake City Olympics or by rock stars or athletes who thank God for their success. However, I would be terribly offended by any business that tried to impose restrictions on an athlete's freedom of speech or freedom of religion.
Hannah E. Bond
Hamilton, Ohio
In religious matters, from a national standpoint, it matters not what is true or false. It is the right to believe and express that belief that our forefathers cherished when they discussed and passed the First Amendment.
Bruce D. Oliver
Oakland, Calif.
Stability Is the IMF's Goal in Indonesia
It is incorrect to see failure in Indonesia ("The IMF should quit playing politics," International Business, May 7).
In 1999-2000, macroeconomic stability was restored, the threat of hyperinflation firmly averted, food security assured, and foreign exchange reserves rebuilt. Moreover, important steps were taken to recapitalize the banking system. The current dialogue with the Indonesian authorities has focused on how best to sustain the recovery and to build upon it.
The International Monetary Fund has acknowledged that its programs have attempted to accomplish too much too quickly. That is why the fund and its 183 members are moving to streamline the approach to conditionality. Indeed, stability is the whole point of recent Fund-supported programs, which your reporters deride.
Thomas C. Dawson
International Monetary Fund
Washington
A Long-Range Nuclear Program Needs Breeder Reactors
"A comeback for nukes" is timely; and "Safe enough for your backyard?" rightly points out the advantages of building smaller nuclear plants (News: Analysis & Commentary, Apr. 23). However, the real development necessary to have a long-range nuclear program is to build breeder reactors. Uranium 235 is the isotope that fissions, but it is an extremely small part of natural uranium; only seven atoms in a thousand. The rest is uranium 238. A breeder reactor would convert uranium 238 to plutonium that we could burn. So a breeder reactor would burn nearly all the uranium. If we just burn uranium 235, our nuclear fuel will run out in about 100 years. If we convert uranium 238 to plutonium in breeder reactors, we can extend the life of the nuclear industry to 10,000 years or more.
Volney C. Wilson
Sister Bay, Wis.
Editor's note: In 1942, the writer directed the instrument group at the University of Chicago that designed and built the neutron detectors and the control and safety devices for the first chain reaction, supervised by Enrico Fermi.
America's Dangerous Shortage of Caregivers
A key element of the current difficulties stems from a dangerous national shortage of nurses and Certified Nurse Aides ("Nursing home care: Code blue," Social Issues, May 7). Perhaps no group works as hard under extremely difficult conditions as the dedicated caregivers in America's nursing homes. Federal and state policymakers should place on the policy front burner the task of finding, training, and retaining nurses and CNAs. This is an essential step toward improving long-term care in America.
Dr. Charles H. Roadman II
President & CEO
American Health Care Assn.
Washington
Why Do Europe's Station Wagons Rule the Road?
I was gratified to see that your review of estate cars featured so many European models ("Not your mother's station wagon," BusinessWeek Lifestyle, May 7). The reason that we Europeans "still haven't figured out how to make a decent cup holder" is that we consider such an item out of place in a vehicle. If you want to get from A to B, use a car. If you want to have a drink, go to a cafe--and indeed we Europeans have figured out how to make excellent cafes.
Susan Grossey
Cambridge, England
I was amazed at the omission of any mention of Ford's Taurus and Sable station wagons in your article. I've owned these cars ever since they came out in 1986. For me they are the ideal combination of utility, comfort, and economy. They're perfect for transporting my wife's concert harp and accoutrements.
John Eliason
Bloomington, Minn.
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Copyright 2001 , by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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