The Foreign Service Journal, September 2007

8 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 L E T T E R S As for the latter, Honley’s words speak for themselves: “Perhaps the parallel Harris proposes here is a fallacy ... only time will tell whether the United States is repeating that fatal error.” Would that Boyatt had read them. Alan D. Berlind Senior FSO, retired Bordeaux, France Getting the Point on Iran The June focus article by Ambas- sador John W. Limbert, “The U.S. and Iran: Mything the Point,” sends a breath of fresh air and common sense over “a quagmire of myths and fester- ing grievances, real and imagined.” It is a valuable contribution to coverage of this important issue, made by a distinguished diplomat who has a unique and deep understanding of what drives both sides, and practical, hands-on experience with the problem. The Limbert article should be read and discussed by all decision- makers involved in the U.S.-Iran issue, as well as those with responsi- bility for wider Middle East issues. I suggest that AFSA distribute it to every member of Congress as well as executive branch policymakers, and that AFSA approach its contacts to have the piece read into the Congres- sional Record. (Don’t think it will not be read: staff personnel will recognize its value and flag it for a summary report and possible discussion with their principals.) Amb. Limbert’s article is must- reading for everyone concerned about this issue. Francis Xavier Cunningham FSO, retired Arlington, Va. Researching College Options To Francesca Kelly’s excellent, comprehensive suggestions on how to research college options (June Schools Supplement), I would add a new online resource, www.finfo.com . This Web site includes an inter- active college simulator that not only provides fast, up-to-date information on tuition, room and board, and other expenses for colleges and universities in the United States, but also offers customized reports with graphics that show at a glance the comparative financial advantages or disadvantages of different schools under considera- tion. Users can select multiple schools for the simulation and enter infor- mation on what they are able to pay through savings and monthly contri- butions. The simulator then retrieves data to provide an instantaneous personalized report, including projec- tions on the amount of funding that will be needed over two or four years from scholarships, loans and other sources, to cover costs for each college or university. It also factors in variables such as residency or non- residency, local cost of living and future tuition increases due to inflation. And it offers easy access to lenders on a competitive basis. Anyone doing financial planning for college may want to have a look at this new site. It also has a Foreign Service connection: one of its found- ers, currently its chief technical officer, is Hal Mecke, who accompan- ied his father, Frederick Mecke, and me on our State/USIA tandem tours in the former Soviet Union and in Belgium, where he attended St. John’s International School. Carol Doerflein FSO, retired Montpelier, Vt. Beware of Health Insurance Clocks Everyone under the Federal Employee Health Benefits program needs to be aware that the clock for submitting a claim starts when