Bill Gates

Re “Bill Gates’ ‘Diversity’ Subverts Merit,” Commentary, Nov. 1: Bill Gates has done plenty of things for your paper to take him to task about. But when he donates a big gob of money for education, why discourage this generous behavior by complaining? Ernest Lefever’s whiny diatribe will not encourage more thoughtful giving--it will only discourage any giving!

I’m not overly fond of Gates either, but his recent generosity is not the reason. It’s wonderful, and you and I should encourage him to do more of it.

RODNEY STRANGE

West Hollywood

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America would be a better place if people like Lefever would stop knocking Gates for spending his money as he sees fit and start actually doing something for the very people they claim to be so concerned about. Lefever should set up a scholarship fund to help all poor people. I’m sure with his scholarship fund, merit would win out, as it has always won out in a country that practiced legalized segregation for the better part of the century. As it stands, he is all talk.

VINCENT WARE

Redondo Beach