Africa Farewell

Charles T. Powers’ farewell to Africa (Times, June 17) was as moving as a poem. Having read it, I understand more clearly the bitter and deeply personal disappointment so evident in his series last year on the failure of so many African nations to achieve political maturity.

I believe in objective journalism as the rule, but I also appreciate the exceptional reporter who can go deeper, who can convey a unique sense of place and people, who can make us care all the more by letting his emotions show. This is what Charles Powers does so well.

As a reader, I’m grateful that you had him in Africa for six years, and that you let him call it as he saw it--and felt it.

TIM McGARRY

San Diego