SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Go Rob and Amber! You both played a great game, and what a bonus you gave us. It was a real treat watching your sweet and sincere romance unfold.
Eileen Vargas
Palm City, Fla.

Ah yes, America's Survivor sweethearts. He's a lying, backstabbing, sarcastic man who used his snakelike charm. She's a pretty, sweet woman who chose to ride the back of the snake at any cost of self-respect. Amber and Rob, enjoy your 15 minutes of fame and then see how real life works for ya.
Patricia Locke
Colorado Springs, Colo.

Should the magical genie ever appear in one of my vases, my three wishes would be to have Rupert Boneham appear. He's the only one on Survivor who had integrity, honesty and true brotherhood. I never saw him stab anyone in the back or lie his whiskers off for his own benefit. I'm absolutely thrilled he won the second million.
Norma H. Ludowitz
Summerfield, Fla.

I was offended by the use of the phrase "fat naked guys" in your Survivor cover story. It reads like a pointless slam on competitor Richard Hatch and people everywhere who struggle with their weight. Are fat naked people worse than thin naked people?
Barbara E. Martinez
Westminster, Mass.

Thanks so much for the great Survivor: All-Stars cover and update. Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich, well done! Congratulations on winning a million dollars and each other's heart.
Eileen Middleton
Stuart, Fla.

MILITARY DISSERVICE
I'm outraged that the soldiers featured in your article "The Accused" were "following orders" when they abused and humiliated prisoners at Abu Ghraib. I'm a sailor in the U.S. Navy—it's expressed over and over again in the armed services that it's our duty only to follow lawful orders. The orders these soldiers claim to be following clearly did not fit that category. The responsibility falls on the individual to act in a manner respectful of the power our country entrusts to us.
Kathleen Davis
Chesapeake, Va.

These soldiers proved to the whole world that they aren't any better than the enemy they're fighting against.
Ryoichi Morita
Coarsegold, Calif.

Your magazine spent four pages on the story of American soldiers mistreating Iraqi prisoners, yet there was only a box devoted to American Nicholas Berg, who was beheaded. In no way do I condone the behavior of our soldiers toward the detainees. However, their behavior was child's play compared to the barbarians who killed Berg.
Jenny Ottenstroer
Scottsdale, Ariz.

WEIGHING OPTIONS
As a recent gastric bypass patient, I was pleased to read "The Pain of Regain After Gastric Surgery." It's very important to know the weight can be gained back after surgery. A lot of people think it's an instant cure-all for their problem, but in fact the surgery is merely a tool that can jump-start weight loss and healthier eating.
Betsy Kenney
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Gastric surgery should be the last resort. Many continue to abuse their bodies after surgery, making excuses why they can't take the weight off. What happened to diet, exercise and willpower?
Shellee Gero
Clifton, N.J.

LOHAN GETS REAL
I'm 16 and want to thank you for showing a real teen star: Lindsay Lohan. I adore her not only for her acting but also for her integrity. She's the only one with enough guts to say what she thinks, and she should be a role model.
Jillian Classen
Rutland, Vt.

JENIFER'S LEGACY
After reading your story "Soul Sisters" I immediately purchased a copy of Jenifer Estess's memoir about her battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. My deepest condolences to Meredith and Valerie Estess. It's my belief that the sisters' eternal pact to stick together was never broken. Their beautiful sister Jenifer will always be with them.
Haleh Foroutan
Agoura, Calif.

More From This Article

Correction
In our May 10 story "Hey, Good Lookin'! What You Got Cookin'?," Food Network host Rachael Ray's name was misspelled. We regret the error.