In The Mail

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They are very dedicated people with an excellent work ethic. And most importantly, they are working hundreds and even thousands of miles away from their homes so that they can provide for their families. I don't know what the solution is to the problem of illegal immigration, but if it involves keeping the "Amigos" from being part of our community, I may have to move.
--Ted Hermann

Living in Kansas, illegal immigrants are a fact of life. But what shocked us was how you treated the businesses which actually follow the letter of the law and do not exploit their employees. My husband has worked in the landscaping business and has witnessed employers who knowingly sought out illegals to hire -- paying them less than minimum wage with a sack lunch and a beer for higher pay. What could these men say? They needed work and had no papers.

These men lived in tiny crowded apartments shared with as many as 10 other men in similar situations. They worked a back-breaking job without the benefits or security that so many of us see as a right. This is slave labor. ... Have we, as Americans, even changed since the time of the Irish immigration? These immigrants are men and women who sacrifice so very much, just as our parents and grandparents did, with the hopes of providing a better life for their children. How can we fault them for this, and how can we fault them for not wanting to become the slaves of vicious employers who exploit their status as illegal immigrants?
--Maia Ruby-Clemmons

Let's assume for a moment that the workers at the meat packing plant are illegal immigrants working under stolen identity, birth certificates and Social Security cards. Let's also assume that the meat packing plant is treating the illegal immigrants as U.S. citizens and garnishing their wages as such, including Social Security.

What does the U.S. Government do with the Social Security funds once "Ricardo Torres Camancho" is returned to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, etc.? Or is this a silence in the government, another dirty secret, another story behind the failing Social Security? It's as if the government is saying, "It's OK to work in the U.S. as illegal immigrants. We garnish your wages. You return to Mexico, we keep the money. Thanks for visiting."
--L.Schmidt

I am really angry about what is happening in our country in fighting immigration. It is obvious to me that the powers that be do not want to stop it. The cheap labor is too good for the economy, so they just let them cross illegally, obtain illegal documents and work illegally. That Schuyler, Neb., meatpacking personnel director was either a dunce or lying to comment that his employees were all legal.

The immigration authorities should forget about the borders and start really cracking down hard on those who hire illegals, and slowly but surely, the illegal flow will stop. Employers like that meatpacker need to be able to question the documents provided, and the authorities need to heavily fine and/or jail those employers who use the cheap illegal labor.
-- Russ Poole

When reporting about illegal immigration, I wish you would consider or clarify that not only the Spanish-speaking people crossing through Mexico are illegal immigrants in this country. What about the Chinese, Korean, Armenians, Iranians, Indians, etc.? There are millions of them buying Social Security cards just like the "Latinos," but it seems to me, or at least every time I read the paper or turn on the TV, all I see are pictures of Spanish-speaking people when talking about illegal immigration.

Why don't you do the same type of reporting in Chinatown or Koreatown? How about doing a report on all the Armenians ripping off welfare, Social Security or Medicare but yet are living in mansions and driving luxury cars. I would not mind the reports if it is done without discriminating against a specific group of people over and over.
--Arupikin

With regard to the comment from the government official referring to the southern border as being of lower priority in homeland security, why does the government assume everyone crossing our southern border is Hispanic? Bin Laden himself could just as easily sneak across that border.
--Sarah Rief

The article, "It's All About the Players" seemingly condoned that it's OK to gamble and play poker. In fact, that it is fun and OK to play poker. However, it is no laughing matter. The definitions of poker and gambling are two of the same according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Interrelated to those two definitions is the fact that many people lose money engaging in those activities. Instead of only addressing "how to succeed in poker," you should have addressed the flip side of that as well.
--Justin Perkins

P.S. -- Did you ask the other guy for a refund?
--Susie Risser

Can I just say you paid way too much moola for those bad cuts. My husband has been going to a barber in our home town for awhile now. The cut will cost you $5 plus a tip. And I must say I like his hair every time he comes home from there. If you are interested in a great one-time $5 plus tip cut, please come to my town and I will personally take you to Sharon's. ... The only good cuts you get are at shops in small-town America.

P.S. -- Next time you want to spend over $300 for something that you don't want to look at, mail me a savings bond.
--Emily Jenkins

There have been too many deaths of our young men and women at checkpoints, because they hesitated to fire on cars only to find the occupants were intent on killing them. Possibly, if your son, daughter, spouse, father, mother or friend were on the front lines, your attitude would be different. These young soldiers make split-second decisions and a mistake could cost not only their lives, but the lives of those in their command.

While I would not expect journalists to look the other way if true atrocities were to occur, such as at Abu Ghraib, the day-to-day decisions of war that sometimes result in the death of others should not be blown into intentional murder. Imagine the way the soldiers who were involved in this incident feel. I would think that they will suffer from this, much as they would if they had been the driver of a car that could not avoid someone who ran directly into his path. Do not make this any harder on them.
--Patricia White

I remember, when I was growing up, how 60 Minutes was a well-respected and hard-hitting investigative news forum, and was a staple on Sunday nights in so many homes across the country. So I was really shocked at how far your show has fallen in journalistic relevance. I felt it was very shallow, with no attempt whatsoever to even try to get to the bottom of what happened. It was basically, "This is what she says," and "This is what someone else says."

So what? Anyone could drag two people in front of a camera and let them speak. What exactly is the journalist's role these days? To look earnest and serious while asking vapid questions? Big disappointment and a disservice to the public who counts on the media to do the "investigating."
--Angela N.

Fla. Foster Children At Risk?
April 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
It's really easy to blame the system for these sad stories. While it is true that there are social workers and foster parents that are only in it for the money, that is not the case for most of them. The fact of the matter is that there is never enough funding for this type of problem, and so many people would rather gripe about the system than try to help it.

For those of you who are griping, stand up in your community and volunteer your time. Become a loving foster parent or a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. These innocent children need caring people to help them through the terrifying experience of feeling unwanted and unloved.
--Beth Adkins

Your story is truly a story of tragedy. As a foster/adoptive parent for 20 years, I understand the struggles of the Children's Services to get the job done correctly, and obviously Florida failed miserably this time. Please find time to do a story on the state with the best foster care system and a few of the most caring foster parents ever. I know quite a few, and like to think they are in the majority, rather than the exception. The struggles are great for everyone involved in foster care. How about a positive story to help with encouragement, recruitment and successful placements?
--Ronald Harless

It is hard to describe all the emotions that I feel after viewing your segment on Florida Department of Children and Families, but I'll try. Utmost, I am sickened and profoundly saddened by this story, as I am a parent of a 3 year old. Secondly, I am totally embarrassed as a Floridian. How much longer will we tolerate this pathetic agency's screwups? Lastly, I am angry as a voter that we continue to elect a hypocritical governor and state legislature that claim to be pro-life, yet show little concern for the welfare of our living children.
--Michael Hammon

The story about the little girl who "fell through the cracks" of the child welfare system in Florida is truly heartbreaking. I can't believe the governor of Florida fought hard to save Terry Schiavo, a woman who had no chance of recovering and living a productive life, but let these poor children suffer. It's obviously not the same issue, but it does show how misguided the system can be and how it's always the smallest and most helpless that suffer.
--Jackie Skender

Jack And Suzy Welch
March 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
I am disappointed that Dan Rather let Jack and Suzy Welch off so easy. They claimed they had an ethical business dilemma with their relationship, but no dilemma that he was married. Talk about situational ethics for an egomaniac. Shame on Jack.
--David F. Sears

Another guy leaving his wife for a more beautiful woman. Who cares! Haven't these stories become tiresome? Gee, what could she find interesting about an old codger like Jack Welch? A much more interesting story would have been an interview with the ex.
--Natalie McFall

I am writing you from Austin, Texas. Texas was the home of Enron and counts among its representatives Tom DeLay. We are used to seeing abuse of power and leaders with the moral compass of a roulette wheel. You have decided to give publicity to a new book by Jack Welch and his new wife. Given the story of their infidelity, and his hiding of retirement benefits from GE shareholders, I find their desire for attention painful and somewhat pathetic.

The book is titled "Winning." Perhaps instead it should be called "Cheating." This offers a demonstration of sad arrogance. The Welchs, who lied to his wife and her editors, want to be instructive to the rest of us on how to succeed. The boldness of their effort will hopefully lead them quickly to the obscurity of the remainder table. In the excesses of the Welch's world of the management elite, they want the public to reward them by paying for their advice. Memo to the Welchs: Please just shut up and go home.
--Mike Kelly

As a GE employee, I was interested in your interview with Jack Welch. Even though the interview was very enlightening, I was deeply disturbed by his answer to the question, "Do you think you'll go to heaven?" Being a Christian, I'm sorry to say his answer was wrong. Just being a good friend and helping others will not get you to heaven. He must be born again and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. ... No matter what we have done in this life, the Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This may not be a "politically correct" answer in this day and age, but it's still the only way to heaven.
--faughn

It is one thing to alert the proper authorities about possible illegal prescribing activities; that is commendable. To provide that information to your reporters was wrong, and hopefully those people will be prosecuted. Health information is private, it should not be aired on national TV, and I am truly disappointed with your show.
--Janet R. Underhill

The idea presented in the story of regulating cold medicine that contain pseudoephedrine hydrochloride could definitely help the problem. Unfortunately, just such a system would cost money. What I'm wondering is, why didn't you ask the tough question? Why not just pull the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride cold medicines from the shelves? That way there is no need for an expensive tracking system. It's not like there are no other cold medicine formulations out there.

Could it be that Pfizer, the largest company of the most profitable industry on the planet, would lose money? Stopping the spread of meth, or lining the pockets of a drug company. What choice would you make? That's a question made all the more interesting by all the pharmaceutical ads run during the 60 Minutes commercial breaks.
--Roy P.

I am all for stomping out meth. The only problem with making Sudafed harder to buy is that it pushes the price of meth up. This increases the profits for drug dealers, which in turn enables them to buy more weapons to hurt officers. ... If your plan is to do objective reporting, you need to consider the effects of making meth harder to get.
--Andrew Hazle

Don't you see a trend here? Ban one thing and another pops up. Stop all the the Sudafed, then you will see more glue sniffing. Gas huffing, it will never stop. Banning without education makes you more a problem then solution. Maybe those peaceful potheads weren't so bad.
--Dan Caron

Thank you for an excellent segment on this out-of-control problem. My nephew is now finally back on track in life after having been caught operating a meth lab at the age of 19. Now 26, he has been released from prison, fulfilled his probation, graduated from tech school, held down an electronics job for a year and is the proud father of a baby boy. Please pass this testimonial on with my blessings.

I am in full support of the proposed reclassification to a Schedule 5 narcotic. I have severe allergies and live with many animals. I have to take these pills daily just to survive all the dust and pet dander. Three boxes a month is more than enough even for someone like me. And for those who might think otherwise, registering with the pharmacist is a lot easier and faster than picking up a prescription.
--Thomas Cole

I was arrested in February 2004 for manufacturing meth and child endangerment in Washington County, Okla. My ex-husband went to prison for 10 years. I have been clean for over a year and I totally support all legislation to limit the sale of cold medication. But, please check out such products as "Rooster Booster." There are some products made for animals that contain ephedrine, and meth cooks are learning to extract the ephedrine out of those products, too. I think in some states, you can still purchase ephedrine blocks for livestock, and the latest I have heard is about this product "Rooster Booster."

All of the products have to be done away with or meth cooks will find a way around it. There is no legislation in Oklahoma for matchbooks. You can walk into any grocery store and buy every box of matches on the shelf and not have to show ID or sign anything. They won't even ask what you want them for. Cooks use the strip on the back to extract the red phosphorous used to cook meth. Kansas has a law that you have to produce your ID if you purchase more than two boxes of matches, but they don't have a law about the purchase of iodine, which is also needed.

States have to get together on this stuff. When one product is outlawed or restricted, they will find a way around the law as long as there are other states where they can go, or as long is there is some product out there that they can get the chemical they need from. There is so much to this story and I wish that law enforcement didn't always seem to be one step behind the cooks.
--Dragonflydmp

Steve Hartman's cheap, tacky shots at Martha Stewart, comparing her to Paris Hilton, are beyond the pale -- the height of stupidity and obnoxious, attention-seeking journalism. Martha Stewart is the epitome of the American Dream -- a woman who made herself very successful, and rendered a valued and appreciated service to millions. Paris Hilton is a born-rich, spoiled, sluttish, exhibitionist brat with no redeeming virtues that can be spotted -- who has become a "celebrity" simply due to her notoriety and tastelessness. And that's the way "celebrity" seems to work nowadays.

Martha will be fine, and better! Paris will disappear from the radar screen in no time, if there is any justice in this world. And so will Steve.
--Jay Robbins

The American military given this daunting mission in training this rag-tag bunch should be commended on their courage and patience in teaching these skills to these brave Iraqis. I would like to see a movie about this underdog kind of story of life-affected bravery instead of one about an underdog sports team that makes a championship game. I am glad to see some positive from this war.
--Marty T.

Thank you for airing the story on the progress of the Iraqi soldiers. It was refreshing to hear a mainstream news organization run a story on Iraq that was not trying to focus on gloom and doom.

We all know that there is progress in Iraq, and that good things are happening in that country, and we want to see more of the positive.
--Tommy

Your program on Iraq was the most blatant suck-up to the current administration that I have ever seen. Ever since Rathergate, 60 Minutes would be better to rename itself Fox News.
--Dan Smith

Thank you for a wonderful positive story on training the Iraqi troops. It is the first story I have seen that was truly positive and not told in a way to put down the work that has been done over there.

These stories are a welcome change from all the negativity. I seldom watch CBS anymore because of all of the biased toward the bad things going on. You must realize that we need positive stories to balance the others. No one wants to hear all bad news. If they do, then something is wrong with them.
--Billie Southard

It is an insult to artists worldwide who devote their lives and their passion to their work, often struggling for most of their lives before reaching some measure of success.

To see a pre-schooler getting paid huge five-figure prices for obvious mediocrity, while the truly gifted struggle, is a slap in the face to any true artist. Why doesn't the gallery owner seek out quality work from those who have paid their dues, and need to support their art and their livelihood, and stop duping their gullible clientele? I have nothing against the innocent child, but those around her are sharks.
--B. Fallows

Marla's painting are beautiful, but so are many other 3 year olds. If other children her age had accsess to giant prep canvases and high quality paints, I believe we would see works not too unlike Marla's. Children truly are wonderful artists because they are not yet corrupted by society's definition of art. Yet it seems crazy that one child has the spotlight on her for something so natural to many children her age.
--Natalie Unzueta

Whatever happened to investigative journalism? In a week that included some pretty important domestic and international news...what do you feature? A non-story on a four-year-old "artist," and a glorified bio of a 40-year-old adolescent making lots of money contributing to the shallow commercialism of rich celebrities.

You should be very, very embarrassed to call these stories "news." We have come to expect so much more from 60 Minutes It used to make important contributions to the political discourse of this country, and make some attempt to keep our policymakers honest.
--Katherine Foster and Gary Boehmer

You influence too many young minds to indulge in such irresponsible journalism. I don't mind you doing the story; it's just that you made him such a hero.
--Linda Ruble

Then, without further ado, we are treated to the phrase, "his God-given talent." If he believes that God has given him his talent, then let him tell you so. Ask a question, "Where does your talent come from?"

It is sufficient to celebrate his talent without superfluously attributing it to supernatural forces of which you have no proof, and which your subject does not directly claim.
--Everett L. Williams