To the Editor:
Re “In Farewell Address, Biden Warns of an ‘Oligarchy’ Taking Shape in America” (information article, nytimes.com, Jan. 15):
On Wednesday evening, from the Oval Workplace within the White Home, Joe Biden delivered his farewell deal with to the nation. It was not only a closing deal with to his 4 years as our president, but additionally a farewell deal with to his 50-plus years of public service to the nation that he so clearly and deeply loves.
He selected to not “crow” about his many legislative accomplishments, or all that he feels he did to enhance the welfare and the well-being of us, the American folks. As a substitute, probably the most memorable a part of his speech embodied a warning that the folks should preserve their guard as much as push back the risks posed by a small group of tech oligarchs who’re wielding undue and harmful affect over our lives. Though he didn’t say so explicitly, he was additionally warning of their undue affect on the person shortly to be sworn in as our subsequent president.
He mentioned that it’s as much as us, each considered one of us, to guard one another and to guard this nation. Mr. President, we’re grateful to your many lengthy years of service, and sir, we’re properly suggested to take your warning to coronary heart.
Ken Derow
Swarthmore, Pa.
To the Editor:
President Biden’s farewell is a bittersweet second for America. He took workplace because the nation struggled to get well from Covid and tried to deal with the assault on democracy initiated and fueled by the person who will probably be our subsequent president. His expertise within the federal authorities and his promise to make use of his 4 years as president targeted on our nation’s future had been reassuring to the nation.
His lengthy listing of accomplishments is testimony to his distinctive political skills. For many presidents it’s how they’d be remembered. Nonetheless, for Mr. Biden, his failure to guide on the singular most grave risk to our democracy for the reason that Civil Conflict will probably be how he’s remembered.
What personal thought targeted him on working for re-election we are going to by no means know for certain. We do know the impact. A convicted felon will quickly be our president.
Sadly this will probably be Mr. Biden’s legacy.
Sidney Weissman
Highland Park, In poor health.
To the Editor:
President Biden, in 17 minutes you mentioned a lot. With tears in my eyes I thanks. Tears of gratitude for all you might have performed and tears of worry for what’s forward. Your warning is felt. I’ve felt powerless. You gave me the braveness that I — not a billionaire — may help overcome these instances. I pray you might be proper.
I taught my kids to play by the foundations. It’s bizarre to observe many adults and leaders so comfortably not play the identical approach and nonetheless have the ability to sleep at evening.
Sure, the Statue of Liberty — and America — stands tall, sways with the wind and shines. Could it — and we — proceed to take action.
We’re ceaselessly grateful to your service, President Biden. Really feel good. You probably did make a distinction. We are going to carry your message.
Dody Osborne Cox
Guilford, Conn.
To the Editor:
Like President Harry Truman, President Biden will probably be seen extra respectfully by historians than he’s seen by his contemporaries. Having entered workplace with the Covid-19 pandemic nonetheless raging and on the heels of a deep recession, Mr. Biden has left the U.S. with an economic system that a recent article in The Economist calls “the envy of the world.”
Furthermore, in response to Russia’s assault on democratic Ukraine, Mr. Biden has organized and led a army provide coalition of greater than 50 nations that, for 3 years, and nonetheless counting, has sustained Ukraine’s brave battle for survival.
Even a one-term president may be traditionally important. America’s biggest president, Abraham Lincoln, served solely six weeks of his second time period.
To the Editor:
I used to be shocked to learn “Considering the Cost of Purchasing Greenland” (DealBook, Jan. 13). This isn’t a innocent “thought experiment,” as you framed it.
Episodes such because the Louisiana Buy date again to an period during which territory — and folks — had been handled as property. The post-World Conflict II worldwide order, which the USA performed a central position in creating, acknowledges peoples’ proper to self-determination and outlaws territorial acquisition by the risk or use of pressure.
I helped advise Greenland on its self-determination choices again in 2001, and the core precept stays the identical: Greenlanders have the proper to find out their very own political future.
From a U.S. perspective, the important thing to safety is constructing and sustaining alliances. Sadly, the incoming administration appears extra intent on burning bridges than constructing them.
Chimène Keitner
Davis, Calif.
The author is a professor on the College of California Davis College of Regulation.
To the Editor:
I learn “Living Through Wildfires Leaves Psychological Scars” (information article, Jan. 10) with nice curiosity. Nonetheless, I used to be disillusioned by its heavy emphasis on “lasting psychological hurt,” “nervousness” and “post-traumatic stress dysfunction,” whereas neglecting an equally vital message: Most individuals are resilient.
Study after examine, throughout nations and contexts, has proven that individuals are remarkably resilient within the face of adversity. Even amid the devastation brought on by the Los Angeles fires, the human spirit’s capability to endure, get well and thrive is a strong story that deserves consideration.
It is usually price emphasizing {that a} key think about fostering resilience is help. Robust connections with household, associates and neighborhood members are very important in serving to folks navigate trauma and emerge stronger. In these tough instances, encouraging people to hunt help, supply assist and construct networks of care is essential. These acts of connection and compassion are what resilient folks do and what enable communities to heal collectively.
By focusing primarily on the psychological scars of wildfires, we threat overshadowing this hopeful reality. Sharing tales of resilience alongside accounts of trauma can encourage readers and empower them with instruments to face their challenges. It isn’t about denying the difficulties however displaying that even within the darkest instances, restoration and progress are doable.
Caren Baruch-Feldman
Scarsdale, N.Y.
The author, a psychologist, is the writer of “The Grit Information for Teenagers” and a co-author of “The Resilience Workbook for Youngsters.”
Close to-Loss of life Experiences (or Not)
To the Editor:
Re “End-of-Life Phenomenon Became Real After They Survived to Tell the Tale” (information article, Jan. 12):
Thrilling and enchanting because the near-death experiences could have been to those that had them, I’ve a special clarification for them.
A yr or so in the past, I dislocated a hip. It’s the worst ache I’ve ever had. Within the emergency room, I used to be administered ketamine in order that two medical doctors might bodily wrest my hip again in place.
In the course of the 20 minutes or in order that I used to be below the affect of this robust drug, I noticed myself in a tunnel of clouds, drifting towards a vibrant gentle, and realized I used to be in heaven. If that is loss of life, I believed, I’m OK with that!
In fact, it wasn’t loss of life, nor do I imagine it was near-death. It was, quite, the affect of a powerful drug that made me imagine I used to be elsewhere. Given the truth that our mind, below stress, is able to many “miraculous” skills, I believe that the near-death experiences are merely the mind’s “ketamine” in motion.
Christopher Lukas
Sparkill, N.Y.
