From the Publisher

By Louis A. Weil III

I get lots of memos, and I throw away lots of memos. But I thought I would share with you this wry note that I recently received from Alexander Tresniowski, one of the seven staffers who answer letters from our readers:

Our lives in the TIME Letters department are not glamorous. Alone at our word processors, the wrath of irate readers squarely on our shoulders, we sit and write letters. We write cajoling letters, apologetic letters, defiant letters, witty letters, pleading letters but, always, letters. There are no awards and no bylines, only signatures. But every once in a blissful while, a reader is touched enough by a letter to write back.

So here it is, the best (and worst) of what readers had to say about the letters they recently received:

"As a result of your letter, I am renewing my subscription to TIME after a ten-year hiatus." (Smile)

"I was just about to scratch TIME off my list when I received your note. Anyhow, here is the payment for my subscription. Show the boss that you earned your salt!" (Big smile)

"You used 225 words in answer to my short note. It is easy to see the same message could have been conveyed with six: 'We know, but we don't care.' " (Frown)

"Your letter is such a monument to obfuscation and sophistic logic, I feel compelled to pursue this issue." (Big frown)

"Think you can get rid of me with that smarmy, unctuous reply, do you? Well, no such luck." (Tears)

"Please forgive my rather rude attempt at bringing to your attention an error. The approach I took was uncalled for, and I am truly sorry." (Grin)

"Your points are so overwhelmingly convincing and candid that I concede every point I made in my letter, and my faith in TIME is once again restored." (Big grin)

Alex assures me that he really does like his job, even when he finds himself frowning. And keep those cards and letters coming. After all, I get very few memos that make me smile, let alone ones that are worth sharing with you.