To the editor:
Jessica Bennett’s compelling essay “The Audacity of E. Jean Carroll” (Opinion, February 4) vividly captures the events that unfolded in a New York courtroom last month.
It is truly amazing to me that even in the face of the verdict, the former president continues to have a significant base of support, especially among women of all ages. I find it strange that honest women can distinguish between his seemingly abhorrent acts and still vote for a notorious womanizer.
Even more worrying is his public bashing, slander, and dehumanization of those who try to hold him accountable. Remarkably, the women who support him believe his lies, with many claiming that his policies trump his actions.
Additionally, numerous indictments and upcoming trials, incredibly, seem to only increase his popularity even further. His prospects for re-election as president of the United States are not just perplexing. It is also a chilling reminder of the challenges we face as a divided nation.
God help us all!
(Rabbi) Reuben H. Tuff
sacramento
To the editor:
Like E. Jean Carroll, I am also a writer. I was also sexually assaulted. Not once, but twice.
Like E. Jean, I remained silent for many years. 50 to be exact.
I’m part of the silent generation. I have spent my career writing nonfiction and historical fiction, most recently writing Sisters at War, about the brave women who fought back against rape and brutality by the SS in wartime Paris.
Writing the book inspired me to come forward with my story. The person who assaulted me still haunts me. The first was an unknown assailant from Italy. The second was a date rape and kidnapping in graduate school.
It will soon be 55 years since I graduated from university. I’m on a committee to recreate his 1960s college experience. When I told my story to the event coordinator, she suggested educating new students about date rape and what happened to me.
I can’t judge the men who hurt me like E. Gene, but I can talk about it. After half a century, I can say the word “rape” and move on. Educating a new generation of young women.
and it is my win.
Gina Bakar
Irvine, California
To the editor:
About “Trump’s defamation suit reveals the limits of the law” by Ronnell Andersen Jones (opinion guest essay, January 30):
Indeed, even the $83.3 million in damages awarded to Donald Trump may not deter him from defaming E. Jean Carroll again. As Ms Jones points out, the “incentives to lie for political and profit reasons” are now so strong that claims for damages alone may no longer be enough to deter reoffending.
But Ms. Jones overlooks an additional remedy that could be far more effective in stopping persistent defamation: an injunction against continued defamation. Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss, the Georgia campaign activists who won a $148 million bounty against Rudolph Giuliani, have been seeking just this kind of relief.
If Mr. Giuliani repeats his defamatory statements after the injunction is issued, he faces the risk of a contempt order and a period of imprisonment. That would give him a strong incentive to think twice before vilifying them again.
stuart altshuler
new york
The author is a lawyer.
The United States, Iran, and the risks of war
To the editor:
On “U.S. action, Biden judges Iran unlikely to strike back” by David E. Sanger and Farnaz Fassihi (News Analysis, February 4):
Mr. Sanger and Mr. Fashihi provide a very nuanced and detailed prediction of what could happen as a result of American airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets in Syria and Iraq.
They write that the hope of Washington and its allies is that Iran will not comply in order to avoid a wider war. In my mind, this raises a serious question. When does a military action aimed at deterring invasion lead to all-out war?
As the article points out, I’m especially concerned that this is happening in an election year.
For Western minds, trying to predict how Middle Eastern countries will react is a gamble that could lead to all-out war, and not just in the Middle East. Tensions between the United States and China are rising over Taiwan, while the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to have unpredictable consequences.
John A. Vitellitti
Laurel, New York
Biden Alternative
To the editor:
“The Democratic Party is in the midst of an ‘identity crisis,’” by Ezra Klein (column, February 4):
While it is true that the Democratic Party has an image as a working-class party, we now know that voters are divided between those with a college degree or above who want progressive change and those who want to maintain the status quo. .
But if President Biden appears too old to run for re-election, as many Democrats feel, questions remain about who within his party would be best suited to be the nominee. Many people feel that way, not just Vice President Kamala Harris. Perhaps Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer? Maybe a Democratic senator from the Midwest?
There are many talented Democrats, both progressives and centrists, but there is no clear choice to run for president with national appeal. Why is this happening? It’s because the Democratic Party leadership has failed to develop the next generation of leaders.
james berkman
boston
counterattack to the pen
To the editor:
Regarding “President’s resignation fails to quell unrest in Pennsylvania” (news article, January 30):
I am very pleased to see that University of Pennsylvania professors are reacting strongly to a letter sent by billionaire Mark Rowan to create a campus that is more conservative in nature.
Consider the recent Republican attacks on the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, the takeover of New College, Florida by a hostile government, the banning of DEI initiatives, and the elimination of sociology as a core subject at Florida’s public universities. That’s when the professors started fighting back.
Furthermore, as professors, we should not let university donors or politicians dictate our profession. We can certainly run our universities without interference from wealthy individuals and biased politicians who pander to their support bases.
To my colleagues at Penn, I say this. “United we rise, divided we fall, and let us keep up the good fight.”
michael hajiargirou
Centerport, New York
The author is a professor of biological and chemical sciences at the New York Institute of Technology.
cold season pets
To the editor:
About “How to protect your pet from the cold” (help here, January 27):
Thank you for sharing information about protecting your animal friends during the cold weather.
I would also like readers to be wary of dogs whose owners have chained them or put them in cages and left them outside. These animals are no better able to survive subzero temperatures than humans and commonly suffer from frostbite and hypothermia. Some people die from exposure.
Good Samaritans are concerned about dogs being kept outside for long periods of time without proper shelter from the elements (at least a sturdy kennel with a covered entrance and insulated with dry straw to keep out the wind). If you see one, you should record the exact location of the animal and notify local law enforcement immediately. .
If a police officer does not respond, you should call PETA. Anyone who causes an animal to suffer by leaving it outside in inclement weather can face criminal charges.
kristin rickman
norfolk, virginia
The author is director of the emergency response team at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).