Feed back.

ON PATRIOTISM I am very disheartened by those who find my patriotism suspect because I question my country's policy in Iraq. In many countries, it is mandatory to adhere to the prevailing regime. In our country, we have the freedom, the obligation, to ask questions of our government and to receive adequate answers. To suggest that such inquiring is unpatriotic does gross injustice to our democracy.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands that each of us become as informed as possible. I would suggest it is unpatriotic to sit idly and allow our government, beneficent or not, to act without providing answers to legitimate questions posed by its citizens. We, the people, need to prod our leaders using any of the various legitimate means afforded us under the freedoms of our great country.

I support our troops. It is their sworn duty to follow all legal orders without question. I understand what they are experiencing as I, too, served our country in the military, during the Vietnam Era. It is for them and in memory of friends lost in Vietnam that I feel an intense obligation to express my profound skepticism about the current situation.

As a former vice president of the League of Women Voters of Dade County (FL), I urge the League to continue its great traditions and press our current leaders to provide adequate answers regarding military action in Iraq. The League actively worked for the establishment of the United Nations and continues to work to ensure U.S. participation in that body. We need the League's voice here, now more than ever.

Paul C. Hunt

South Miami, FL

ELECTION REFORM

Your comprehensive coverage of HAVA and what it has done and can do was not only very interesting reading; it points out how much remains to be done to make the legislation achieve its goal. All Leagues--national, state and local--must follow this very closely. The last pages of the Voter also give an easy-to-follow way of dealing with LWVUS on the Internet--I am using the information provided to write this message. Congratulations and thanks.

Ilse Gunby

Rockland County, NY

LEAGUE IN AFRICA 

As an "expat" and former local and state LWV leader who fell in love with Africa during a safari four years ago, I was delighted to read about the League's efforts at education for democracy in Africa. My grandson and I became quite close to our guide, Kamau, who told us of his mother's efforts to raise the standard of life in her rural village. I told him that his mother sounds like an LWV leader. I hope the women to whom the League provided leadership skills will be able to outreach to village leaders such as Kamau's mother.

Muriel Goldhammer Israel

Having been privileged to meet two of the African interns when they were in Howard County, MD, I was happy to read the followup report on the program. It is inspiring to think of the effect so few people can have on their countries. Zaida Arguedas has done a marvelous job, and I am proud of the League for participating in this international effort.

Laura Platter

Howard County, MD

INCLUSION

Thank you for your coverage of "League Connections" and "League in Africa." Living out on the "Left Coast," many times I feel isolated from Washington, DC. League partnerships with the Global Interdependence Initiative and By the People as well as the grassroots programs in Africa verify the League's inclusive spirit. What I most admire of LWVUS is its constructive criticism of U.S. foreign policy.

Carmen Hartono

Oakland, CA

We want to hear from you Send your comments, observations, questions and criticisms by e-mail to: The National Voter c/o. League of Women Voters, 1730 M St., NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036-4508. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].