To the Editor:
Re “They Were My Friends for Years. Trump Tore Us Apart,” by Artwork Cullen (Opinion visitor essay, Feb. 8):
I have to thank Artwork Cullen for his superbly rendered piece that speaks to one of many tragedies within the wake of the Trump presidency. This lack of friendship is a divide that’s usually forgotten within the wider lens of politics, decreasing the Trump impact into purple and blue states, Republicans and Democrats.
Mr. Cullen reminds us that the ugly influence of the Trump years is extra granular, chipping away at even lifelong friendships earlier than making the cracks too broad to heal. Of all of the meanspirited excesses of the previous president, maybe that is probably the most unforgivable.
Paul Thaler
Bronx
To the Editor:
Artwork Cullen describes the lack of pals as a result of political variations between them. He describes himself as “woke.” He doesn’t say who broke off the friendships, but it surely’s been my expertise, and people of pals of mine, that these on the left are more likely to shun and shut out pals and acquaintances with conservative views than the opposite manner round.
“If you happen to vote for Trump I can’t discuss to you anymore!” I’ve heard that many occasions, after solely mentioning that Donald Trump has accomplished some good issues — not that I assist him. The left has a horrible incapability to countenance differing viewpoints in my expertise.
Justin Cohen
Cedarhurst, N.Y.
To the Editor:
I take a look at folks in another way now.
For many of my life (and it now stretches into its eighth decade) I believed that the overwhelming majority of individuals had been basically good. At the least they had been pointed in the appropriate course, even when they had been typically tough across the edges.
However with the insinuation of Donald Trump into our lives and our brains I now not harbor such optimistic assumptions for the remainder of humanity. Now, my default place is when you’ve got abiding love for Donald Trump, you’re a deeply flawed particular person.
He has poisoned the nicely, made me query the essential nature of humanity. If there may be one factor past all others that makes me so livid with Mr. Trump, it’s that he has stolen my rose-colored glasses.
I now take a look at far too many with jaundiced eyes, now not seeing them of their greatest mild, however tinted now by my perception in regards to the hardness of their coronary heart and the vanity of their thought.
They don’t deserve such reprobation. And I don’t need to have my notion of our innate goodness ripped away.
However such is the lasting horrible legacy wrought by a person who has accomplished nothing however make this the divided and diminished state of America.
Robert S. Nussbaum
Fort Lee, N.J.
To the Editor:
Because of Artwork Cullen for his delicate and insightful visitor essay. He eloquently described the heartbreaking isolation and ensuing unhappiness which can be the true legacies of our former president. I’ve misplaced pals additionally, however I’ve additionally misplaced any enjoyment I ever had studying the paper, listening to the radio or watching the information on TV. It’s information about Trump 24/7.
And he loves it. In my view, he couldn’t care much less about truly serving to our nation or any of his followers. He simply desires to be the focal point.
Chandler Rosenberger
Suwanee, Ga.
Is the Purple-Blue Divide Overblown?
To the Editor:
Re “Toby Keith Was an Enigma Wrapped in a Riddle Wrapped in the Flag” (Opinion visitor essay, Feb. 10):
In his tribute to the nation singer Toby Keith, Michael Patrick F. Smith notes that Mr. Keith carried out for each Barack Obama and Donald Trump. His crossover attraction is telling of one thing broader and even heartwarming.
Our analysis persistently reveals there’s extra widespread floor amongst People than one would ever guess from what’s taking place within the capital or on social media. Nationwide polling for our new Connection Index, as an example, exhibits that 76 % of People see good in these they disagree with, 71 % have a pal who doesn’t share their views and 57 % assume the “tradition wars” are overblown.
No marvel Mr. Keith’s fan base defied the neat purple and blue divide.
Will Johnson
Chicago
The author is C.E.O. of The Harris Ballot.
The Tiresome ‘Imply Lady’ Trope
To the Editor:
Re “‘Mean Girls’ Has Lost Its Bite. Girls Haven’t,” by Jessica Bennett (Opinion, Feb. 3):
Having served as the top of two ladies’ faculties, one on the East Coast and one on the West, I not solely disagree with Ms. Bennett, but additionally query the authenticity of a small subset of women as a nationwide development.
I’ve noticed simply the alternative from my college students over 26 years. I’ve discovered them to be considerate and caring and deeply concerned of their world, all the time searching for methods to speak with each other and with their lecturers as they wrestle with complicated issues with nuance and compassion. They care about racial inequity, local weather change, gun management and politics as they seek for methods to bridge cultural and political divides, whereas discovering methods to speak with each other.
I graduated from a ladies college in 1965, and even again then there have been cliques and cruelties, as there have all the time been. However I’ve lived lengthy sufficient to see so lots of my classmates and former college students develop into sensible and caring girls.
I’m weary of the imply woman trope, because it smacks of a deeply rooted misogyny, pitting ladies towards each other. My skilled life spent within the firm of women has been a pleasure and an honor. The truth is, I’d put all of my hope for our fractured nation’s future of their palms.
Priscilla Sands
Los Angeles
Vote for Downside Solvers, Not Complainers
To the Editor:
It appears that evidently we’re taking fairly unsatisfactory means to pick our authorities officers. We have now been selecting the candidates who present probably the most superior talent in complaining and blaming different folks. We have now chosen some doozies.
I’d recommend that the qualities we needs to be deciding on for needs to be these extra useful to the folks and to the state and the nation.
It will be higher to vote for people who may remedy issues. The 2 talent units — complaining and blaming vs. downside fixing — don’t actually complement one another.
Subsequent time you might be at a candidate discussion board, hearken to how a lot time the aspirants spend on every strategy to governance. Then you’ll be able to resolve whom you’d fairly have main us. I personally gained’t vote for anybody who solely complains about different candidates and may’t give you methods to resolve issues we’re all experiencing.
Dan Shissler
Ellensburg, Wash.
Yard Skating Rinks
To the Editor:
Re “Let’s Go Ice Skating. In the Backyard” (Actual Property, Feb. 11):
Spend $12,000 for a yard skating rink? Good Lord! Within the Nineteen Thirties my dad used his backyard hose to create a skating rink within the empty lot subsequent to our home on Notre Dame Road in Hudson Falls, N.Y. Price: $0. The ice was a bit of tough, however we children had great occasions skating and taking part in hockey.
Jack Buchanan
New York
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