To the Editor:
Re “Austin Is the Wrong Choice,” by Jim Golby (Op-Ed, Dec. 9):
Mr. Golby’s Op-Ed is especially important as a defense of the supremacy of the United States’ civilian leadership in matters relating to the military.
As he correctly states, George Marshall and James Mattis were not particularly effective in their performance as defense secretary, at least in part because of the short time since their uniformed service. Further, generals are not necessarily the best big picture strategic minds (e.g., George McClellan, George Patton and Curtis LeMay). There is no guarantee that former officers are especially wise or effective or honest, nor can — or should — democracy depend on them to be the “adults in the room.”
This administration has elevated current and former military personnel to security, policy and strategy positions much more frequently than was done previously. As we know, the current president took pleasure in surrounding himself with “my generals.”
Res ipsa loquitur — the thing speaks for itself.
Howard J. Radzyner
New York
To the Editor:
Re “Biden to Choose Retired General to Lead Defense” (front page, Dec. 8):
It was depressing to see Gen. Lloyd Austin denigrated as being “less known for his political instincts,” having “stumbled” in his congressional testimony by admitting that the Defense Department wasted $500 million in a failed attempt to raise an army of Syrian fighters.
So we’re supposed to instead want another cabinet member adept at sidestepping difficult questions and providing the type of non-answer that has become the norm in our political discourse? Here’s hoping for more appointees who suffer from the politically naïve desire to answer questions honestly.
Martin Cohen
Brooklyn
Biden vs. Trump on the Virus: Voters Chose Empathy
To the Editor:
Re “Stark Contrast in Messaging as Biden and Trump Assess Pandemic” (news article, Dec. 9):
On Tuesday Joe Biden and President Trump addressed the coronavirus issue, clearly showing their different approaches. Mr. Biden saw the problem in realistic terms, offering useful advice and heartfelt empathy. This was responsible leadership.
Mr. Trump, on the other hand, indulged in an orgy of self-congratulation, devoid of any recognition of the pain and suffering afflicting millions of Americans, and falsely claiming for the umpteenth time that the worst is over. This was a failure of leadership, consistent with his months of denial of the extent of the Covid problem and refusal to recommend the measures necessary to control the outbreak.
Listening to these two men, I found it easy to understand why the nation’s voters chose Mr. Biden.
Harvey M. Berman
White Plains, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Re “Lamenting the Lost Opportunities of a Year Without Travel” (news article, Dec. 7):
Such a good assessment of what those of us in the “older” category are going through.
My husband and I canceled four trips in 2020, not to mention the conferences I planned to attend. After years of working to get to the place where we could enjoy travel, we see our late years slipping away.
Yes, we have a beautiful home and a lovely backyard and live in a temperate climate where we can take long walks. So we’re not angry. But we are wistful.
Terry Shames
Berkeley, Calif.
Goodbye to Movie Theaters?
To the Editor:
Re “Warner Bros. Will Stream New Movies” (Business, Dec. 4):
Warner Brothers has just announced that it will soon stream all of its new releases at the same time as they arrive in theaters. Obviously, this is a Covid-related decision, but one has to wonder whether it doesn’t portend the end of the moviegoing experience that has been a part of American life for more than a century.
Now, first-run movies will be available to anyone, anywhere, even in the most remote locations, as long as an internet connection is available. Yes, being in a theater with other patrons and seeing movies on a large screen has its appeal. But I won’t miss the high cost of tickets, popcorn and a Coke.
And I especially won’t miss the chatter of other patrons who behave as if they have never left their own living rooms. Plus, when was the last time you could pause a movie at the multiplex to take a break? Just asking.
Henry Von Kohorn
Princeton, N.J.