The New York Times Magazine, Sunday, August 22, 1999

Letters
another remote spot, and how he caught the last flight to Beijing to cover the
death of Deng Xiaoping.
Is that the way things are in that notorious police state? A Western journalist can
skip out of police custody and freely find his way back to the nation's capital,
thousands of miles away? Some police state!
JOSEPH D. POLICANO
East Hampton, N.Y.
Tyler's point that 1.3 billion Chinese want only to develop their economy would
be more reassuring if ordinary Chinese citizens were able to shape their country's
foreign and defense policies. The Chinese Government's recent record
demonstrates its intent to increase its power in order to challenge America's
influence in Asia.
The correct response to China's rise as a superpower is neither the fear that Tyler
discounts nor the complaisant optimism he advocates. Instead, the United States
should meet the challenge by defending its values and by strengthening its
alliances in Asia.
FRANK LECHNER
Atlanta
THE TRUMAN SHOW
James Truman says he doesn't get good press, and he's right (Alex Kuczynski,
Aug. 1). He has come twice to the New School to talk to students in my
journalism classes. The last time he had just got off a plane and was jet lagged.
We offered to reschedule, but he did not want to disappoint the students. In his
first lecture, he talked about query letters, how to try to specialize in a subject
and how to work with editors. He was kind, attentive and spoke clearly on the
business of freelance writing. On the second occasion, his office phoned and
asked whether your reporter might attend. She was there for several hours
listening to Truman giving advice and encouragement. Yet not a minute was
mentioned in your article.
ELISABETTA DI CAGNO
New York
ROBOKITTY
Nicholas D. Kristof's article (Aug. 1) scared the bejesus out of me. It paints
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