To the Editor:
Re “Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case” (nytimes.com, Jan. 14):
The particular counsel Jack Smith’s report reveals an ideal storm of systemic failure. The Supreme Courtroom’s growth of presidential immunity and outdated Justice Division insurance policies have made overwhelming proof irrelevant — as a result of the accused regained energy.
This isn’t nearly one man. Collectively, these authorized gaps have created a harmful blueprint for future autocrats: Undermine democracy, then win workplace to evade accountability. The founders by no means imagined that their safeguards can be twisted into instruments of impunity, defending those that assault the system they swore to uphold.
The selection earlier than us is stark: Reform these deadly flaws — by limiting immunity, prosecuting election interference and reassessing Justice Division insurance policies — or settle for a nation the place energy trumps justice.
Donald Trump didn’t simply evade accountability; he confirmed how fragile it has develop into.
Jordan Ryan
Decatur, Ga.
To the Editor:
Early on in his clear, bone-dry and chilling report that documents Donald Trump’s determined makes an attempt to remain within the White Home after dropping the 2020 presidential election, the particular counsel Jack Smith states: “Mr. Trump then engaged in an unprecedented legal effort to overturn the official outcomes of the election with a view to retain energy.”
Just like the as soon as and future president’s habits, the report is stunning, however not stunning: We’ve recognized many of the particulars on account of Mr. Trump’s second impeachment, the investigation by the Home Jan. 6 committee, the dogged work of excellent journalists and, most impressively, the truth-telling by two teams of Republicans who’ve subsequently confronted unrelenting scorn and lots of threats: those that served on Donald Trump’s employees throughout these fateful days (e.g., Cassidy Hutchinson) together with scores of elected Republicans from everywhere in the nation (e.g., Rusty Bowers).
I encourage everybody to learn this doc. Doing so honors the many individuals whose definition of citizenship we should always emulate within the tough days that could be coming.
Mark Keller
Portland, Ore.
To the Editor:
With Jan. 20 quick approaching and the thought of a convicted felon taking over occupancy within the White Home a looming actuality, I really feel a deep sense of soul-shriveling disgrace in my id as an American.
Can anybody assist me take care of this crippling emotion in order that I can get again to being a useful citizen of this august land once more?
To the Editor:
Re “Historians Take a Misguided Stand on Gaza,” by Pamela Paul (column, Jan. 10):
Ms. Paul’s glorious piece in regards to the American Historic Affiliation’s latest passage (although not last) of a counterproductive and biased decision accusing Israel of “scholasticide” — basically, the “intentional destruction” of Gaza’s academic system — whereas ignoring the basis causes of Israel’s warfare with Hamas highlights a rising development we’re seeing in academia and the broader society. That is the perverse, all-or-nothing sport of blaming Israel for all the pieces whereas ignoring inconvenient and incontrovertible truths.
It is likely to be instructive to remind these historians that this all began with the terrorist assault on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, massacred about 1,200 males, girls and kids of their properties and at a music competition, and took about 250 others as hostages in Gaza. Then, as hundreds of rockets rained down on Israeli civilian areas for months from the Gaza Strip, the Hamas management all however refused to barter a cease-fire or a return of hostages.
One may additionally word that the Hamas management hardly has the training of its populace as a precedence. The group is infamous for utilizing hospitals and faculties to cover weapons and terrorists and has spent the previous decade pouring most of its monetary sources into build up an infrastructure of tunnels and an enormous arsenal.
Except it’s educating future generations the finer factors of antisemitism, hatred of Israel and in some instances learn how to use violence, the training of the youngsters of Gaza is generally an afterthought — whether it is considered in any respect.
Historic revisionism and denialism are ways lengthy embraced by Palestinian leaders. However they shouldn’t be the province of historians and scholarly teachers, who should educate an unvarnished model of historical past grounded in crucial inquiry and the acceptance of primary information.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt
New York
The author is the C.E.O. and the nationwide director of the Anti-Defamation League.
To the Editor:
I’m a historian, a member of the American Historic Affiliation and somebody who voted in favor of the decision at our annual assembly calling for a cease-fire and condemning Israel’s obliteration of Gaza’s academic system. Pamela Paul claims that the vote is “counterproductive.”
After all, our motion is symbolic. We search to halt the U.S. monetary and diplomatic help that permits Israeli warplanes to proceed destroying the remnants of Gaza’s faculties, libraries and archives — and killing its folks. We would like our decision to assist construct a motion amongst our fellow residents — nearly all of whom, polls present, share our concern about Gaza — to press Washington to do the proper factor.
However we’re not simply advantage signaling. Our archival analysis as historians typically reveals what previous leaders hid from their publics. Now we have realized, for instance, that the political dissent on American campuses over the Vietnam Conflict, like teach-ins and different types of protest, had been extra instrumental than beforehand recognized in persuading Richard Nixon to withdraw U.S. fight forces from a battle that historical past has judged tragically mistaken.
As students and academics, we can’t stay silent within the face of inhumane insurance policies that future historians will condemn.
Ellen Schrecker
New York
‘Pleasing’ Is Not the Correct Phrase
To the Editor:
Re “The Steep Financial Cost of ‘People Pleasing’” (Enterprise, Dec. 30):
This text raises consciousness in regards to the draw back of so-called folks pleasing. I ceaselessly hear my feminine sufferers use this time period to explain themselves. The issue is that the time period disguises what is de facto taking place, complicated a expensive habits that’s typically pushed by anxiousness and concern of battle with a optimistic altruistic trait.
Persevering with to make use of this language can truly encourage the unhealthy habits. Who wouldn’t wish to be seen as somebody who pleases others? However should you name it “emotional prostitution,” for instance, or “subordinating your self” folks start to really feel applicable interior battle.
I consider that being extra intentional with the language we use, and inspiring curiosity about what we are literally saying, is step one to altering folks’s habits.
Lynn Margolies
Newton, Mass.
The author is a scientific psychologist.
Democrats’ Fortunes
To the Editor:
The Democrats, little doubt, suffered a stinging defeat. It has led to a lot hand-wringing and apocalyptic commentary.
I’m sufficiently old for certain to recollect Barry Goldwater’s humiliating defeat in 1964, and I bear in mind studying about predictions of the top of the Republican Social gathering.
However historical past intervened, the Vietnam Conflict escalated, and Richard Nixon gained in 1968 and was resoundingly re-elected in 1972.
Sure, the Democrats have to essentially rethink some issues and reduce their obsession with sure points, however the obituaries ought to wait.
Francis Quinn
Port Washington, N.Y.