To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s Power Is His Biggest Weak point,” by David Brooks (column, April 25):
Mr. Brooks is overthinking once more. In his column, he praises President Trump’s power, and implicitly compares him to the army grand strategists Solar Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz.
A extra apt comparability for Mr. Trump’s habits in his first 100 days as president this time period can be with gamers of violent video video games, through which the problem is just to slaughter as many opponents as doable as shortly as doable.
It’s you towards the enemy. No grey space. Shoot immediately and transfer on. In any other case, you’re destroyed, and the sport is over.
Mr. Trump’s unprecedented onslaught towards so many opponents doesn’t outcome from one thing he possesses however from one thing he lacks: a conscience, which is superfluous to online game warfare.
From this attitude, Mr. Trump’s supposedly astounding “power” is unremarkable. Many people may have achieved the identical — if we lacked a conscience, if we didn’t debate whether or not or not it was really in the very best pursuits of our nation to undermine the ability of the judiciary, to encourage tyranny overseas or to hazard the well being of the world economic system.
Mr. Trump’s singular accomplishment will not be “verve,” as Mr. Brooks places it, however the utter absence of an ethical compass.
Bruce Lilly
Bloomington, Ind.
To the Editor:
David Brooks’s insightful evaluation of the Trump administration could have overestimated the diploma to which the present momentum may be attributed to any private power of Donald Trump’s.
Having surrounded himself with a coterie of flattering ideologues, Mr. Trump is free to occupy himself with plans for retribution and better fame whereas the enablers slide a steady stream of government orders throughout the Resolute Desk for his signature.
As soon as they’ve geared up him with the requisite 20-word sound chunk on the newest regressive maneuver, they’ll transfer on to a brand new stack of orders, whereas Mr. Trump preps himself for the following episode of White Home theater.
Peter Muller
Wilmington, Del.
To the Editor:
I admire David Brooks’s thought-provoking column about President Trump’s drive. However I’d add that it’s at all times simpler to tear down and destroy than it’s to create, construct and broaden.
I additionally consider that if it weren’t for Elon Musk and his DOGE wrecking crew and Venture 2025’s ready-to-go government-obliterating blueprint, such speedy harm, chaos and hurt wouldn’t have occurred as quick nor maybe on the widespread scale that it has.
Sally Jorgensen
Santa Cruz, Calif.
Chopping Rules
To the Editor:
Re “Behind the Rush to Discard Guidelines and Reshape Life” (entrance web page, April 17):
If the Trump administration succeeds within the efforts described on this article, a horrifying future awaits. President Trump and Elon Musk’s newest mission is an government order designed to intestine the system of safeguards upon which People rely.
A long time-old guidelines could possibly be on the chopping block, irrespective of how basic they’re to the well being and wellness of our society. Our office security, clear air and water, civil rights and extra are at fast threat. Firms and the rich may have almost free rein to chop corners, cheat shoppers and pad their pockets.
Coral Davenport’s reporting says the administration is already at work compiling its so-called kill checklist of rules. And since it is aware of that this might be deeply unpopular with the general public, it’s trying to fully skip the general public discover and remark course of that’s required by regulation.
Even worse, it intends to say no to implement the general public protections that stay on the books. The bitter irony of calling this a “kill checklist” is that the administration’s try to intestine safeguards is more likely to hurt and kill folks.
Lisa Gilbert
Washington
The author is a co-president of Public Citizen.
A Venture for Democrats
To the Editor:
Re “Don’t Be Afraid of a Struggle” (Spherical Desk, Opinion, April 25):
On this dialogue, Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow on the Brookings Establishment and a former adviser to President Invoice Clinton, accurately affirms that the Democratic Occasion wants to interact in an inside battle to find out its future route.
Each battle wants an enviornment, and on this case Democrats want one the place occasion members of each stripe can work out their variations, decide on shared objectives, articulate particular insurance policies and put together for the restoration of a real democracy.
I don’t know who the host group is likely to be — a basis? a assume tank? a really courageous college? — however I do have an applicable title for the trouble: Venture 2029, anybody?
Daniel Okrent
New York
The author was the general public editor of The Occasions from 2003 to 2005.
A Normal’s Name to Arms
To the Editor:
Re “Be Not Afraid,” by Stanley McChrystal (Opinion visitor essay, April 18):
Normal McChrystal so articulately expresses ideas that exemplify the foundations upon which our nation has rested since its start, and but it now teeters fearfully.
Ethical rectitude appears to have misplaced its which means for many individuals. I concern that, whereas I hear the final’s name to arms clearly, it’s not obvious to me that others are as attuned to this clarion name.
Might all of us take braveness from one who has not forgotten his oath and responsibility.
Kathleen Mylotte
Buffalo
To the Editor:
Stanley McChrystal’s essay was sensible, informative and insightful. How I want, although, that he had not used a impartial voice, referring to “our leaders” quite than naming the corrosive cultivator of concern within the Oval Workplace. Is it an indication of our instances that he declined to place a reputation to the person and his motion?
Simply to be clear, I imply Donald Trump and MAGA.
Peter Greiff
Madrid
How you can Age Effectively
To the Editor:
“How you can Be a Comfortable 85-12 months-Outdated (Like Me),” by Roger Rosenblatt (Opinion visitor essay, nytimes.com, April 13), made me pause and smile.
I flip 50 subsequent 12 months. As that milestone approaches, I’ve been pondering extra about getting old, not with dread however with gratitude.
I bear in mind being a child and pondering my mom was historic when she turned 30. Now, approaching 50 looks like a present. I don’t draw back from sharing my age. I’ve misplaced too many pals who didn’t get the prospect to dwell thus far. Every single day I get up, I’m grateful to nonetheless be right here.
Mr. Rosenblatt’s piece places life into perspective. His reminders, particularly that “no one’s fascinated about you,” are releasing and grounding. His reflections assist me deal with what really issues: kindness, presence and the enjoyment of nonetheless being alive and capable of be taught.
I hope I’m fortunate sufficient to make it to 85. And if I do, I hope to hold the identical readability, humor and knowledge.
Don C. Sawyer III
Hamden, Conn.
To the Editor:
I’ve learn Roger Rosenblatt’s sensible set of tips about find out how to be joyful at 85. They’re a positive recipe for having enjoyable, and they need to be given to all octogenarians on their birthday.
Being about to show 100 in a number of months, I’ve just one tip I would add: Deal with your legs. So long as you’re nonetheless cell, every thing else is only a stroll within the park.
Bob Neighbour
Toronto
