To the Editor:
Re “Vance Implores Europe to Settle for Excessive Events” (entrance web page, Feb. 15):
On the 2025 Munich Safety Convention, you report, “Vice President JD Vance urged European leaders on Friday to finish the isolation of far-right events throughout the continent, a unprecedented embrace of a once-fringe political motion.”
These political events have a historical past of pro-Nazi behaviors and antisemitism. In his toxic matchmaking, Mr. Vance each ignores this historical past and repudiates America’s profound funding within the battle in opposition to totalitarianism.
Disgrace on the Trump administration for this twin acceptance of antisemitic events and repudiation of America’s management over the previous eight a long time — and in Munich of all locations!
Judith Goldstein
Catharine R. Stimpson
New York
Dr. Goldstein is the founder and previous president of Humanity in Motion, a global instructional group. Dr. Stimpson is an emerita professor of English and dean emerita at New York College.
To the Editor:
Whereas advising Europeans to cease shunning extreme-right political events, Vice President JD Vance stated, “There is no such thing as a room for firewalls.”
This was from the second in command of an administration that gained’t enable local weather change to be talked about in official paperwork, stifles educating or discuss concerning the evils of our historical past of slavery, shuns point out of D.E.I. and bars information reporters who work for media that proceed to name the Gulf of Mexico by the identify the worldwide group has acknowledged for hundreds of years.
I can think about George Orwell and Franz Kafka collectively and having an excellent giggle about this.
Burton J. Kushner
Madison, Wis.
To the Editor:
Vice President JD Vance’s speech in Munich was an excessive instance of one among President Trump’s favourite vocal tips: the usage of projection.
When Mr. Vance assailed Europeans for “the retreat of Europe from a few of its most basic values,” it was apparent that he might have been talking about precisely what the administration is doing to the U.S.
Ellen S. Hirsch
New York
To the Editor:
As a Canadian, I consider that it has been unhealthy sufficient that the U.S. has turned its again on us, however now Vice President JD Vance has basically accomplished the identical factor to Europe. Has the U.S. determined that it not wants buddies?
I really feel unhealthy for any People who wish to journey wherever. They’re probably going to really feel unwelcome in case your authorities retains this up.
Most Canadians up to now haven’t equated the American individuals with their loopy authorities, but when your authorities continues to toss away its longstanding relationships, I think that issues are going to vary for the more serious. I’d not wish to be an American vacationer overseas.
Jane McCall
Delta, British Columbia
The Broad Results of Federal Funding Freezes
To the Editor:
Re “Funding Stops, as Do Solutions, Amid a Freeze” (entrance web page, Feb. 13):
Sweeping federal funding freezes and indiscriminate cuts that have an effect on colleges, group well being clinics, analysis facilities, nonprofits and different public service organizations have grave penalties — not only for these they serve but additionally for the devoted people inside them.
Past job loss and uncertainty, these actions inflict ethical damage by stripping individuals of their capability to serve their communities and leaving them feeling anxious, exhausted and helpless.
As a group well being researcher and a nonprofit chief, I’ve seen this misery firsthand. As a pediatrician, I’ve skilled the identical ethical damage, generally unable to supply the care that my sufferers and households want due to elements outdoors my management.
For a lot of, this work is commonly greater than only a job; it’s a calling they’ve pursued, typically at nice private price. When that calling is unjustly taken away, burnout, cynicism and despair comply with.
To deal with this downside, our nation’s leaders should acknowledge and acknowledge how brash and chaotic actions can have an effect on these on the entrance strains — a few of the most altruistic and devoted people in our communities, who’re crucial to the material of our society.
Obligatory reforms, akin to decreasing redundancies and inefficiencies in federal packages and contracts, have to be considerate and focused, making certain that these people and their very important work are valued and guarded.
Whereas funding could be restored and organizations rebuilt, the misery suffered by individuals who serve our communities could take generations to heal.
David Higgins
Centennial, Colo.
A Trump Third Time period?
To the Editor:
Re “A Third Time period as President? Some Allies Push the Concept” (information article, Feb. 11):
Permitting President Trump to run for a 3rd time period would appear to permit former President Barack Obama to take action as effectively. Watching a debate between Mr. Trump and Mr. Obama would nearly be well worth the threat of one other 4 years of Mr. Trump.
George Klosko
Charlottesville, Va.
To the Editor:
Can any individual please finish this nonsense now? Or do we’ve got to muse by way of years of hyperbole a few third time period?
The press has a duty to name it out for what it’s: nothing greater than one other distraction whereas President Trump and his minions do the whole lot they’ll to destroy democracy.
To the Editor:
Re “I’m Trans. I Ought to Nonetheless Be In a position to Serve My Nation,” by Bree Fram (Opinion visitor essay, Feb. 5):
I’m not trans. I’m an 80-year-old grandmother who believes that our navy wants one of the best, most proficient and dedicated troops to defend our nation.
Colonel Fram is precisely that. Her essay states the values she stands by: braveness, connection, character and dedication. She is clearly a courageous patriot.
Not in a position to depend on the draft, the U.S. navy has had problem recruiting individuals. Our nation is sorely in want of succesful enlisted troops in addition to proficient officers who can lead them. What a loss for us to bar anybody who has the very qualities we’d like most.
Roberta Berrien
Dennis, Mass.
A Heartsick American
To the Editor:
I’m a girl approaching 93 and am heartsick at what is going on to our nation below the management of President Trump.
Throughout my lifetime I’ve witnessed America undergo tough instances (wars, assassinations, and so on.), however there at all times remained the idea that by some means the long run nonetheless promised hope for a extra simply and kinder union in the long term.
These hopes are actually being shattered, and I can’t perceive the greed for energy, revenge and monetary achieve that has compelled so many into silence and complicity.
I, like so many others, seek for moments of pleasure whereas harboring emotions of helplessness and unhappiness.
Rhoda Keller
New York
