To the Editor:
Re “A Progressive’s Loss Signals a Shift to the Center” (entrance web page, June 27):
However the penchant for handicapping that permeates the article, Jamaal Bowman’s landslide loss tells us nothing about the way forward for “the left” or the “Squad” (scare quotes).
Not solely did Mr. Bowman face “the opposite aspect’s huge sources, together with a torrent of unprecedented spending by an excellent PAC,” however he was additionally burdened “by a novel assortment of luggage.” Most vital, it appears that evidently he failed to deal with the truth that he was extra progressive than his district.
What the article does inform us, and it’s not rocket science, is that Democrats have to be operating moderates in average districts and progressives in progressive districts if we wish to take again the Home. There’s loads of time to argue after we change the present clown present.
Michael Ok. Cantwell
Delray Seaside, Fla.
To the Editor:
You provide needlessly complicated causes for why and the way Jamaal Bowman misplaced his seat in Congress, starting from broad shifts within the voters away from progressive ideologies to variations in organizational ability and marketing campaign spending between teams like Justice Democrats and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.
The reality is way easier and extra direct: In 2020, Mr. Bowman was elected with assist from the Jewish voters in his district, who enthusiastically backed the Black Lives Matter motion. After the Oct. 7 bloodbath, Mr. Bowman provided not solely “criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza” but additionally expletive-laden tirades towards any assist for Israel.
Those self same voters shaped the clear impression that Jewish lives don’t matter to Mr. Bowman, and switched their assist to a candidate who appears extra focused on representing his precise constituency in Congress.
Ari Kermaier
Englewood, N.J.
Trump’s Deep State
To the Editor:
In all probability nobody thinks of Donald Trump as a coverage wonk. By most reviews, throughout his presidency Mr. Trump was not focused on listening to briefings, studying memos or in any other case listening to particulars. As an alternative, he likes to speak and be listened to. Above all, he calls for obedience.
So it appears extensively anticipated that if elected president, Mr. Trump will encompass himself with loyalists. That interior circle won’t contradict him.
In the meantime, there’s a group of suppose tank intellectuals writing blueprints for future governance. (See “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise.”) There’s a cadre of 1000’s of political and coverage individuals who could be recruited into a brand new Trump administration at numerous ranges.
These usually are not the inner-circle loyalists, precisely. These will probably be outer circles of individuals doing the precise work of presidency. These outer circles could function with little oversight. They are going to be consulting with trade lobbyists, rich donors and coverage zealots to implement a choose set of agendas behind the scenes, with minimal accountability to the general public.
This will probably be basically an invisible governing power. A real Deep State.
Max Jacobs
Seattle
The True Value of Anti-Weight problems Medication
To the Editor:
Re “Obesity Drugs Changed Lives, Until the State Stopped Paying” (entrance web page, June 26):
Sadly, government-funded and different insurance coverage suppliers are actually recognizing that they can not afford anti-obesity medicine (e.g., Ozempic) for everybody who wants them. This quickly increasing funds hole threatens to ultimately bankrupt the U.S. well being care system except change happens: 70 percent of American adults are obese or overweight. These rates have tripled since the 1960s.
These medicine value roughly $1,000 to $1,400 per particular person per thirty days and are supposed to be taken for all times. If everybody who may profit from them obtained them, the prices could be over $2 trillion per yr. Greater than $633 billion was spent on pharmaceuticals within the U.S. final yr.
To sort out weight problems, we can’t depend on medicine alone however should as an alternative develop a nationwide strategic plan. Nearly all weight problems is preventable. Grownup weight problems generally arises from childhood weight problems, which could be stymied by way of further taxes on high-caloric sodas, “entrance of the field” warnings on sugar-rich cereals and school-based packages.
Policymakers ought to work with Large Meals — which has fought such efforts — and incentivize growing more healthy meals.
Many individuals now suppose, “I can keep away from train, and simply take medicine if wanted,” however train additionally has neurological and cardiac advantages, and encouragement packages are wanted. Such holistic approaches are very important, or we are going to by no means meet up with this ever-growing epidemic.
Robert Klitzman
New York
The author is a professor of psychiatry at Columbia College and the creator of “Physician, Will You Pray for Me?: Drugs, Chaplains and Therapeutic the Complete Particular person.”
To the Editor:
Re “A.I. Devices Want More of Our Data,” by Brian X. Chen (Tech Repair column, June 26):
Mr. Chen makes a very good level concerning the privateness and safety dangers of corporations accumulating buyer information to coach synthetic intelligence fashions. However the corporations usually are not ready for person permission to repurpose this information. They assume they’ll do that except clients object.
In a latest assertion to Slack, we opted out of its plan to make use of our information and the info of our pals and colleagues who collaborate with us for coaching A.I. fashions. We can’t assume that they’d need their content material, created for our widespread initiatives, for use by the corporate for different functions.
We’ve got additionally urged Slack to withdraw the proposed change in its enterprise practices and undertake an opt-in mannequin for the usage of buyer information for A.I. coaching.
If some customers want to present their information to Slack for A.I. coaching, that must be their alternative. However it’s merely unfair and misleading for Slack to take person information with out express permission, significantly after it introduced, “You own and control the content within your Slack workspace.”
We’ve got additionally notified the Federal Commerce Fee of our issues.
Marc Rotenberg
Christabel Randolph
Kara Kelawan
Washington
Mr. Rotenberg is government director of the Heart for A.I. and Digital Coverage. Ms. Randolph is affiliate director of the middle. Ms. Kelawan is a scholar at Harvard Regulation Faculty.
Identify That Child
To the Editor:
Re “Have We Reached Peak Baby Name?” (Model, nytimes.com, June 16):
It’s fascinating to me that folks wrestle with child names. I’ve a system:
First identify: Give your child a reputation that’s simple for individuals to spell and pronounce. Use widespread, well-liked names and spellings or widespread English nouns. Try it out by utilizing it at a espresso store or have pals pronounce/spell it. Attempt to not give your child a headache.
Center identify: Go wild. Use the identify(s) you need. Center names are utilized by alternative, not default. Uncommon is right right here; it offers your child some identity-theft and confusion safety as a result of a novel identify can assist show who they’re with simply their ID, avoiding utilizing their Social Safety quantity the place attainable.
You’ll be able to test how uncommon or well-liked a reputation is by trying it up within the Social Security website database.
Do not forget that relating to standing out (or not), your child can all the time use a center identify or a nickname. A girl I do know has used a nickname persistently since highschool, and web searches of her household tree give that identify as an alternative of her actual one.
Kat Milton
Wrangell, Alaska