To the editor:
Re «It is not hypocrisy. It is stupidity», by Hillary Clinton (essay of opinion guest, March 30):
The dismay of Mrs. Clinton for the panoply of «dumb» actions of the Trump administration is justified and understandable. But this raises the awkward question of whether there is an underlying purpose.
These are not acts of random stupidity. They are linked by an apparent intention to destroy the fundamental institutions and values that have defined us as exceptional. The greatness of the United States comes from the strength of our moral, cultural and economic leadership, that these silly activities systematically undermine.
It is not clear to what interests are being served here, but it is certainly not from the United States. This is simply deplorable.
Steven J. Scheinman
Skaneateles, NY
To the editor:
I read the Hillary Clinton essay, and for me it covers our current situation.
To prefer my argument, let me say that I baked a Hillary Clinton logo cake on election day in 2016, which ended with me and all politically active democratic women who know I know crying to sleep. I supported Hillary. When I was a child of the 80s, I have admired almost all my life.
But this essay is a disappointment. While echoing the feelings that many of us have, it does not propose concrete solutions, it does not offer action steps. It is a microcosm of the democratic response in all areas to the atrocities of this administration.
Ira’s statements are not enough, especially those who have so much influence. There are many of us here desperate for leadership, asking for direction and wanting to help prevent some of these horrors from happening.
But what can any of us do? Every day we see law firms, judges and universities that shrink and give up these power grips. And an outstanding member of the opposite part simply offers, as the online headline of his essay said, «how foolish this will be?»
The answer is probably a lot. But I shouldn’t have to do it. We only need a leader who can help us organize and put all that anger in action.
Paige Cram
Burban, California.
To the editor:
I write this with a lot of admiration for Hillary Clinton, who did a professional job that represented US interests abroad as Secretary of State. However, given the unfortunate circumstances of your «deplorable» commentary during the 2016 electoral campaign, the repeated use of the term «fool» in your opinion article reduces the impact of your reflexive article.
In these times of high polarization and sensitivity to the class, some more descriptive adjectives could have been used with greater effect.
Peter Holewinski
Healdsburg, California.
Autism is not a disease
To the editor:
Re «Sorry, Kennedy, there is no mystery of autism», by Holden Thorp (opinion guest essay, March 27):
The Autism Society of America is solidarity with the author’s powerful message regarding the harmful nature of autism’s misinformation.
The recent campaign «Make America Again Again» by the Trump administration, which Marcos Autism within the context of chronic disease is misleading and harmful. Autism is not a disease, but a disability of neurodevelopment that requires greater acceptance, research and support.
The national disability groups are aligned: financing should not be wasteful by reviewing dispersed vaccine theories. It must be invested in research that can improve long -term results and clarify the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism.
It is important to recognize that the increase in the prevalence of autism is due in large part to the advances in the detection, diagnostic and consciousness criteria, not conspiracy theories.
Christopher Banks
Rockville, MD.
The writer is the president and executive director of the Autism Society of America.
A trace of destruction
To the editor:
For almost 250 years, the United States had been the bright city in a hill. Donald Trump took a short time to turn it off, destroying everything the Americans had worked, lived and dead so that the light could shine even more for future generations.
And to think that a strong minority of Americans invited this destruction to happen, all because they were promised that undocumented immigrants would be sent back and the cheapest eggs would be at their tables.
Mr. Trump has now been crowned as the one who governs them all. I miss the light.
Bob Bascelli
Seaford NY
