Todd Nelson identified Walt Whitman’s great Reconstruction-era essay “Democratic Vistas” as a way to understand our perilous time (“Revisit the cautionary words of Walt Whitman,” Nov. 11). Whitman was a great soul who witnessed many of the transformative events during the still-controversial period after the Civil War. Although one commentator described Whitman’s prose style here […]

I do not believe in a general theory of evilness. The great majority of us have, in the past, felt a motivation to be kind and considerate to one another. Some force is causing many of us to now fear and ignore this instinct. I cannot claim to understand the nature of this change. I […]

Donald Trump will soon be our president – my president – again. It is not the outcome I wanted, but it is what many other citizens do want. I accept this. If we must implement Trump’s vision, let’s do so in ways that respect our shared immigrant history and the promise of “life, liberty and […]

President Biden and Vice President Harris have both expressed their timely commitment to a smooth transition as well as their gracious congratulations and concession to President-elect Trump. What a remarkable contrast to the terrible and devastating events of four years ago when our nation was torn by division, hatred and violence immediately following Election Day […]

It sounds as though Mr. Herrling (“We are way past hand-wringing with Trump, MAGA,” Nov. 9) isn’t aware of the efforts of millions of people, mostly women, who have been doing far more than just protesting in the streets ever since Trump’s inauguration in 2017. Those of us engaged for years now are way past […]

The Democrats have lost the average Joe. Most of our fellow citizens could give a care about what pronouns to use, and the “wokeness” that is eroding free speech. The Dems need to get back to the basics with a clear vision and common-sense policies. A party that calls people racist, deplorables, Nazis and garbage […]

During the campaign, Mr. Trump repeatedly denigrated the U.S. as a bleak and dangerous, crime-infested country, overrun with vermin. That is not the country I see every day, in which people are looking after their children, going off to work, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, weddings and retirements, costuming up for Halloween, enjoying fairs and local […]