Opinion | Readers critique The Post: A caveat to condolences

Might Mr. Limbaugh relaxation in peace, after all, however let’s be clear: He was a person whose grownup skilled life was dedicated to mendaciously fomenting something however peace, and he did his job effectively. He wasn’t only a sharply important, sharp-elbowed political-social commentator; he was, for 4 a long time, an acid-tonged, offended fomenter whose assaults and diatribes usually veered into the ugly and worse. Anger, animosity, concern, distrust, misunderstanding, ignorance, hostility and division within the American physique politic are the merchandise of his abilities. Tragically, he leaves behind a military of imitators zealously carrying on his damaging mission. A through-line runs from him and his work, starting within the Nineteen Eighties, to the hyperpartisan mayhem we see in the present day, together with the surprising show in D.C. on Jan. 6.

Our humanity cautions us to carry again our criticism presently, however this man has performed an excessive amount of harm to our nation to be silent. The Publish didn’t shrink from the duty to be candid, nor did Charles Sykes in his Feb. 18 Thursday Opinion essay, “We’re all living in Rush Limbaugh’s world.”

The Feb. 9 obituary for tennis legend Tony Trabert, “Hall of Fame tennis champion of 1950s won 10 titles, became a broadcaster,” introduced again a treasured highschool reminiscence.  In 1958, Jack Kramer’s professional tennis barnstorming tour, that includes Kramer, Trabert, Pancho Gonzales, Pancho Segura and Lew Hoad, amongst others, blew into my hometown of New Citadel, Pa., and my highschool tennis teammates and I have been thrilled to be drafted as line judges. Though my teammates and I have been critically intimidated by having to shout “fault” when the likes of Gonzales or Trabert erred on serves that we might barely see, the professionals handled us schoolboys courteously and respect.

That tour went a good distance in establishing the recognition of tennis amongst U.S. sports activities followers, and Trabert, each as a participant and later a broadcaster, performed a pivotal function in creating enjoyment for tens of millions. Thanks for the reminiscence.

The Feb. 11 information article “Majority of people charged in riot have had money woes,” which investigated the monetary histories of alleged Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, deserves commendation for its rigorous analysis. It rightly prevented suggesting that rioters’ monetary issues brought about their acts of treason. Nonetheless, I used to be disillusioned to see no dialogue of a risk that appears pretty apparent: {that a} third factor might be a causal consider each. For instance, it appears pretty believable {that a} disdain for presidency might result in each tax liens and participation in an anti-government riot. A sense that “the principles don’t apply to me” might conceivably lead to each enterprise troubles and arrest for property destruction. And although it’s noteworthy that many rioters have confronted eviction or foreclosures, we all know from Matthew Desmond’s work that Black People are overrepresented in these statistics, however the Capitol rioters have been overwhelmingly White; positioning eviction by itself as causal leaves out this necessary actuality.

Did financial difficulties contribute to the rioters’ actions, or was some third issue causal in each their financial difficulties and their acts of treason? With so many distinguished students quoted within the article, it appears a missed alternative to not have requested them this query.

In his Feb. 9 op-ed, “Convicting Trump is necessary to save America,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Sick.) quoted Winston Churchill: “Those that fail to be taught from historical past are condemned to repeat it.” However Churchill himself was merely repeating thinker George Santayana’s a lot earlier observation: “Those that can’t keep in mind the previous are condemned to repeat it,” which is inscribed on a plaque at Auschwitz, on this translation: “The one who doesn’t keep in mind historical past is certain to reside by means of it once more.” Allow us to all hope we gained’t should.

Lois Lowry, Falmouth, Maine

American observe and discipline athletes set three indoor world information and there have been 11 nationwide marks set on the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Feb. 13 in New York. Sadly, the information didn’t crack The Publish’s sports activities part on this Olympic Video games yr. Along with these noteworthy performances, lacking was protection of Noah Lyles, who gained the 200 meters on the meet. Lyles, the world champion within the occasion, gained nationwide acclaim at T.C. Williams Excessive College and is very favored to win a gold medal on the Tokyo Video games. The failure of The Publish to supply outcomes concerning the New Steadiness meet, in an Olympic yr, with a regionally raised athlete, is deeply disappointing. Going ahead, Publish readers could be effectively served by in depth protection of the world’s main observe and discipline group, the US and Lyles.

As Givhan famous, “Every day begins with a prayer.” Certainly, not solely does every legislative session in each the Senate and Home start with a prayer — even earlier than the Pledge of Allegiance is recited — however the custom goes again to the start of Congress.

The leaders of each events — Trent Lott (R) and Tom Daschle (D) — offered the gathering to all senators with this message: “We hope that the phrases of Dr. Ogilvie will proceed to offer you consolation and inspiration within the days forward.”

The author is the creator of “When Rabbis Bless Congress: The Nice American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill.”

In his Feb. 14 Truth Checker column, “Biden overstates the effect of a $15 minimum wage,” Glenn Kessler wrote, “As any pupil of Economics 101 can inform you, greater wages are anticipated to result in much less demand for labor, leading to greater unemployment.” As a former pupil of Economics 101, I’m going to have to offer that thinly supported assertion 4 Pinocchios. A competing idea is that when low-wage staff are given a rise in wages, they have an inclination to spend it instantly, thus rising demand for items and providers and resulting in elevated or regular employment.

A assessment of 5 articles estimating the impact of a increase within the minimal wage reveals that two predict an increase in unemployment, two predict no job loss, and one states that the outcomes are unclear.

The Truth Checker assigns President Biden two Pinocchios for not alerting voters that a rise within the minimal wage might lead to 1 p.c of U.S. employees dropping their jobs, as estimated in a single research. This units a really excessive customary for full disclosure. I hope The Publish will alert me when any politician discloses the attainable antagonistic penalties of a coverage that she or he is advocating. I wish to look as much as the sky to see if any pigs are flying.

Richard Leverone, Arlington

I spent my total grownup life working within the wine business, so the Feb. 14 The World article “In Lebanon, a winery boom at risk,” caught my consideration. The article was effectively written; nevertheless, I do have one critical criticism. The article appeared that winemaking on a industrial scale in Lebanon is a brand new phenomenon. In truth, profitable industrial wineries date again many a long time, with the crown jewel of Lebanese wineries, Chateau Musar, courting to 1930. Musar is taken into account by many “specialists” one of many best wineries on this planet, and its Bordeaux-trained winemaker, the late Serge Hochar, earned the Man of the Yr award from the distinguished British wine journal Decanter within the mid-Nineteen Eighties. 

Lebanese wines have been discovered on the cabinets of Washington-area wine retailers and liquor shops for effectively over 25 years and, in my humble opinion, are effectively price in search of out.

Steven Schattman, Chevy Chase

The Feb. 11 “Ask Amy” column, “A survivor of childhood sexual abuse wonders how to talk to her siblings” [Style], offered recommendation to a lady who had skilled sexual abuse as a toddler and who suffered from trichotillomania (additionally referred to as “hair-pulling dysfunction,” or HPD). As a psychologist who has studied and handled HPD for greater than 30 years and who totally appreciates the doubtless damaging penalties of sexual abuse, I agree that each circumstances are vital and usually require skilled assist. Nonetheless, there have been some factors about hair-pulling dysfunction that needs to be clarified lest readers be led astray. 

First, the column referred to as HPD “a type of self-harm,” which in an off-the-cuff sense is true. However most specialists who research HPD and carefully associated issues corresponding to skin-picking dysfunction clearly differentiate these circumstances (referred to as “body-focused repetitive behaviors”) from clinically related self-harm behaviors corresponding to intentional reducing or burning of the pores and skin as a result of they differ within the features served by these practices. Subsequently, educated clinicians often deal with them with very completely different therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, proof suggesting hyperlinks between HPD and trauma or abuse, sexual or in any other case, has not been supported by scientific research. There’s proof of comparatively excessive charges of publicity to all kinds of early stressors amongst folks with HPD, however not unusually excessive charges of sexual abuse.

 The big numbers of people that suffer with HPD, usually in secrecy and with unwarranted disgrace, deserve essentially the most correct details about their situation to assist them of their private selections. A wonderful useful resource for victims and therapists desirous about HPD and associated circumstances is the TLC Basis for Physique-Targeted Repetitive Behaviors.

Charles S. Mansueto, Silver Spring

Amy Fusselman’s Feb. 7 Outlook essay, “My favorite online Scrabble opponent had a secret: He was a robot,” was amusing, however it might have given readers the deceptive impression that participating with robots on-line is the popular solution to play one in all our favourite phrase video games. In truth, 1000’s of Scrabble gamers frequently match their phrase expertise on-line with actual human beings. I head the North American Scrabble Gamers Affiliation membership within the Washington space. Although we’d fairly play in individual, social distancing guidelines gained’t permit that in the course of the pandemic, so we convene our membership on-line each Tuesday. One latest week, our members performed such seven-letter phrases as “blankie,” “hirsute” and “nonself” and lots of extra widespread, shorter phrases. Anybody is welcome to hitch us. Not like the robotic featured within the essay, we reply messages.  

The Feb. 14 Sports activities part had 23 pictures — all of males. Actually, in 2021?

Nelle Fonseca, Washington

The Feb. 14 Metro article “At 25 weeks, panda cub is thriving, on the move,” concerning the Nationwide Zoo’s panda cub, declared, “Considerably, the zoo indicated that his will increase in avoirdupois don’t stem from any sedentary lifetime of lolling concerning the den, sampling candy potato, bamboo and biscuits.”

What’s “considerably” indicated? The animal’s weight achieve is a crucial milestone for a species that weighs effectively over 200 kilos. Biscuits are a dietary complement, and cooked candy potato or honey are offered in hint portions solely.

It might appear amusing to recommend “regardless of the cub’s reputation, there isn’t any indication that he has endorsed any model of sneaker or observe shoe,” however the big panda faces a world of woe. As soon as-vast expanses of habitat have been obliterated by human improvement. All native species within the area, together with the snow leopard, the clouded leopard and the Amur tiger, teeter on the brink. It’s removed from clear whether or not zoo populations can maintain them or finally whether or not they are going to even have someplace to go.

And the fault actually lies not with feral cats however feral people, strayed far certainly from Olduvai Gorge. The cats make immensely extra benign neighbors.

Dave O’Connell, Gaithersburg

Hmm, I’ve been doing it incorrect for 77 years. I learn left to proper.

Barbara Waite-Jaques, Silver Spring

Kudos to The Publish for working references to Shakespeare into headlines. I’m sure I’m not sufficiently well-read to acknowledge all of the intelligent literary allusions in The Publish’s headlines. However even I couldn’t miss the pleasant connection to the Bard’s work within the Feb. 13 Sports activities article “Without unity felt in bubble, NBA battles toil, trouble.” Maybe as a result of my center faculty English trainer allow us to watch the film model of “Macbeth,” I can nonetheless image the witches chanting “Double, double toil and bother; Hearth burn and cauldron bubble.” 

I’d wish to recommend that the headline for a characteristic on the hapless Washington Wizards draw on this quote from “The Comedy of Errors”: “Candy recreation barred, what doth ensue however moody and boring melancholy, kinsman to grim and comfortless despair.”