To the Editor:
Jessica Bennett’s compelling essay “The Audacity of E. Jean Carroll” (Opinion, Feb. 4) vividly captures the occasions in that New York courtroom final month.
It’s really astonishing to me, even within the wake of the decision, that the previous president continues to command a considerable base of assist, particularly amongst girls of all ages. I discover it perplexing how girls of integrity can seemingly compartmentalize his abhorrent habits and nonetheless forged their ballots for a infamous womanizer.
What’s much more disturbing is his public trashing, maligning and dehumanizing of anybody who dares to carry him accountable. Remarkably, the ladies who assist him consider his lies, many asserting that his insurance policies trump his habits.
Moreover, the quite a few indictments and upcoming trials appear to, unbelievably, solely bolster his recognition. The prospect of his re-election as president of america isn’t just disconcerting; it’s additionally a chilling reminder of the challenges we face as a divided nation.
God assist us all!
(Rabbi) Reuven H. Taff
Sacramento
To the Editor:
Like E. Jean Carroll, I’m a author. I used to be additionally sexually assaulted. Not as soon as, however twice.
Like E. Jean, I saved silent for years. Fifty to be precise.
I’m a member of the silent technology. I spent my profession writing nonfiction and historic fiction, most not too long ago “Sisters at Battle,” about courageous girls who fought again towards the rape and brutality of the SS in wartime Paris.
Writing my guide impressed me to come back ahead about my very own story. The perpetrators who assaulted me nonetheless hang-out me. The primary was an unknown assailant in Italy; the second was date rape and kidnapping in graduate faculty.
I’ll quickly rejoice 55 years since I graduated from the college. I’m on a committee to recreate the faculty expertise within the Sixties. Once I advised the occasion coordinator my story, she steered that I educate incoming college students about date rape and what occurred to me.
I can’t carry the lads who harm me to justice like E. Jean, however I can discuss it. After half a century, I can say the phrase “rape” and transfer on. Educate a brand new technology of younger girls.
And that’s my win.
Jina Bacarr
Irvine, Calif.
To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s Libel Case Exposes the Law’s Limits,” by RonNell Andersen Jones (Opinion visitor essay, Jan. 30):
It’s true that even the $83.3 million in damages awarded towards Donald Trump could not deter him from defaming E. Jean Carroll once more. As Ms. Jones notes, “the incentives to serve up lies for politics or revenue” could now be so robust that damages awards not suffice to discourage repeat offenders.
However Ms. Jones overlooks a further treatment that might be far simpler in stopping persistent defamers: an injunction towards continued defamation. Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the Georgia election employees who gained a $148 million award towards Rudolph Giuliani, have sought just this type of remedy.
If Mr. Giuliani repeated his defamatory statements after the issuance of such an injunction, he would face the danger of a contempt order and a while in jail. That may give him a robust incentive to assume lengthy and arduous earlier than he defames them once more.
Stuart Altschuler
New York
The author is a lawyer.
The U.S., Iran and the Dangers of Battle
To the Editor:
Re “As U.S. Acts, Biden Deems Iran Unlikely to Shoot Back,” by David E. Sanger and Farnaz Fassihi (information evaluation, Feb. 4):
Mr. Sanger and Ms. Fassihi provide a really nuanced and thorough prognosis for what could ensue because of the American airstrikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria and Iraq.
They write that the expectation in Washington and amongst its allies is that the Iranians is not going to reply, to be able to keep away from a wider struggle. In my thoughts, this raises a important query: When does army motion supposed to discourage aggression grow to be a tripwire for all-out struggle?
I’m particularly involved that that is going down in an election 12 months, because the article notes.
For Western minds to attempt to mission how international locations within the Center East will reply is a big gamble that might end in all-out struggle, and never simply within the Center East. Tensions are rising between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, whereas the struggle between Ukraine and Russia nonetheless has unpredictable outcomes.
John A. Viteritti
Laurel, N.Y.
Options to Biden
To the Editor:
“The Democratic Party Is Having an ‘Identity Crisis,’” by Ezra Klein (column, Feb. 4):
Sure, the Democratic Get together has a picture of being the occasion of the working class, however is now discovering its voters extra college-educated and cut up between these wanting progressive change and people wanting the established order.
But when President Biden appears too previous to run for re-election, as many Democrats really feel, the query stays, who higher within the occasion to be nominated? Not Vice President Kamala Harris, many additionally really feel. Maybe the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer? Maybe a Democratic senator from the Midwest?
Whereas there are numerous in a position Democrats, each progressive and centrist, there aren’t any apparent selections to run for president with nationwide enchantment. Why is that this so? As a result of the Democratic management has failed to coach up its subsequent technology of leaders.
James Berkman
Boston
Combating Again at Penn
To the Editor:
Re “At Penn, President’s Exit Fails to Quell Turmoil” (information article, Jan. 30):
I’m extraordinarily completely satisfied to see that professors on the College of Pennsylvania have reacted strongly to a doc despatched by the billionaire Marc Rowan to, in essence, create a extra conservative campus.
With the current Republican assaults on the presidents of Harvard, M.I.T. and Penn, the hostile authorities takeover of New College of Florida, the banning of D.E.I. initiatives, the elimination of sociology as a core course in Florida’s public universities, and so forth, it’s about time that professors are starting to battle again.
Furthermore, as professors, we must always not let college donors or politicians dictate to us about our career. We’re definitely able to operating our universities freed from interference from rich people and biased politicians who pander to their base.
To my colleagues at Penn, I say: Collectively we stand, divided we fall, and sustain the great battle.
Michael Hadjiargyrou
Centerport, N.Y.
The author is a professor of organic and chemical sciences on the New York Institute of Know-how.
Pets in Chilly Climate
To the Editor:
Re “How to Protect Pets From Cold Weather” (Right here to Assist, Jan. 27):
Thanks for sharing details about defending animal companions throughout chilly climate.
I hope that readers will even look out for canine whose homeowners have left them chained or penned outdoors. These animals aren’t any higher outfitted to outlive freezing temperatures than people are, they usually generally endure from frostbite and hypothermia. Some die from publicity.
Good Samaritans who see canine saved outdoors for lengthy durations with out ample shelter from the weather (not less than a sturdy doghouse insulated with dry straw that has a coated entrance to dam the wind) ought to notice the animal’s precise location and alert native law-enforcement authorities instantly.
If officers don’t reply, they need to name PETA. Anybody who leaves animals outdoors to endure in extreme climate could face legal prices.
Kristin Rickman
Norfolk, Va.
The author is the director of the emergency response crew at PETA, Individuals for the Moral Remedy of Animals.