The mail.(Letter to the editor)

I enjoyed very much the writing in the April cover story "Good Sex" by Jennifer Morse. TAE has consistently exceeded my expectations for quality of writing and timeliness of content. I sincerely applaud you for delivering a magazine without peer. But I must take issue with you over the inclusion of the photographs in this story. I believe Morse is right on with her observations and prescriptions with regard to this highly charged topic. Using some of her own argument, I believe your use of such photography, however "tastefully" done, classically illustrates the problem with making "public" that which ought to remain "private." To quote her, "Either sex is a big deal, or it isn't." Her writing argues intelligently that it is. Your photographs argue visually that it isn't.

John Viehweg

Eagle, Idaho

James Glassman's latest column (April) suggests that the developing world could alleviate poverty by unilaterally lowering trade barriers. Interestingly, The Economist published an article in the same month depicting the unrest in rural China, testifying that free trade has not benefited the poor in that country.

In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith noted that China in his day was wealthier than Europe and had at the same time the most dreadfully poor masses. Thousands of years of history in China give evidence that there is no automatic connection that directs increased revenue generated by economic growth toward the alleviation of poverty. Smith had a useful under standing there, and The American Enterprise would do well to pick it up.

Stephen Madden

Virginia Beach, Virginia