The events surrounding the World Trade Organization conference in Seattle have engaged me in the debate about labor rights (“The Battle of Seattle,” National Affairs, Dec. 13). I am fearful that not only the WTO, but also our government, is strongly swayed by business interests when making decisions that affect us all. Just as I am wary that U.S. delegates to the WTO may not have my interests as a worker at heart, I also wonder if delegates from other nations are truly watching out for the poor and powerless in their respective countries. While protesting the WTO, I felt as if I were speaking for working people around the world. Now we need to hear their voices as globalization moves forward. I hope that the Seattle protests marked the beginning of that participation.
Seth BundySeattle, Wash.
I am puzzled that people fear the WTO enough to disrupt meetings that could possibly help millions of people around the world. The Seattle protesters had no clue about what they were trying to do to jobholders around the globe in Third World countries. Fareed Zakaria writes (“After the Storm Passes,” National Affairs, Dec. 13) that economic growth is needed for poorer nations to get out of poverty, and to fight malnutrition and disease. And the only way to have economic growth is to be a part of the world economy. The Seattle protesters, in my opinion, were acting selfishly. From Ralph Nader to Pat Buchanan to feminist activists, they all were there to save an extremely minute number of jobs that could be lost to free trade. But do America and Americans have the right to deny the rest of the world, especially poorer nations, job opportunities that can potentially rid its civilizations of the poverty that afflicts a majority of its citizens? Absolutely not.
Jonathan PiegnetStockton, Calif.
I am a resident of downtown Seattle and have observed firsthand the aftermath of the WTO chaos in our neighborhood. In response to your article “The Siege of Seattle” and the news clips of the “victims” being played over and over on the local TV news along with the smashed-up storefronts I walked by daily, I’ve come up with a two-word solution for the next WTO meeting: phone conference.
Leah CollinsSeattle, Wash.Danny NewmanLyric Opera of ChicagoChicago, Ill.
Editor’s note: New York-based David Gates also reviewed Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “A View From the Bridge” (Oct. 18)–very favorably.
Harry R. ClementsWichita, Kans.
