Readers write: Celebrating workers, the hearts of parents, libraries in danger, direction for White House
Letters to the editor for the May 21, 2018 weekly magazine.
A tree that was planted by President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron is seen through the media van window on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 28, 2018.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Celebrating workers
The Feb. 26 Home Forum essay, “Why I’m so grateful to Steve,” is excellent! I work with guys like Steve, and they need to be celebrated! They do hard, gross work that no one else wants to do or understands how to do. Thanks!
Ben Gladden
Framingham, Mass.
The hearts of parents
The March 12 cover story, “Two mothers, a son’s death, and the struggle for forgiveness,” is a phenomenal article. Thank you for taking us into the hearts of parents suffering unbearable tragedy and doing so with tenderness, honesty, and respect. This is something I can pray about daily, and I will listen for and explore ways to actively participate in healing.
Karyn Mandan
Berkeley, Calif.
Libraries in danger
In his March 5 Home Forum essay, “An unquiet realization about libraries,” writer Christopher Andreae refers to the fact that some public libraries in Scotland are threatened with closure. Throughout the United Kingdom, hundreds of libraries have closed in the past five years because of regional budget cuts. Libraries need to redefine their purpose and identity in the 21st century. Mr. Andreae’s essay is a useful reminder, however, of a library’s most valuable function: to promote the activity of reading books – quietly.
Alistair Budd
Kent, England
Direction for White House
The March 2 Monitor Daily piece “How ‘chaos theory’ puts strain on White House” is a very good and analytical article, but where do we go from here? What are the possible ways to improve the situation?
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok, Thailand