To the Editor:
Re “Angelou’s ‘Caged Bird’ Is Out, but Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ Stays; 381 Books Are Banned From Naval Academy” (entrance web page, April 12):
My grandfather was Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. The US Naval Academy’s library was named in his honor in 1973. My household was proud to attend the dedication.
He can be appalled by the removing of books by authors like Maya Angelou from its cabinets — as am I and are his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was a humble, honorable, clever and supportive chief who was honored and liked by everybody he got here into contact with.
We’re all ashamed to listen to that books akin to “Mein Kampf” have been left on the cabinets whereas others had been eliminated.
Thanks to The New York Instances for that includes this story!
Sarah Nimitz Smith
Boston
To the Editor:
Kudos to The Instances for reporting that the U.S. Naval Academy has banned and eliminated 381 books from its library, clearly demonstrating ideological censorship in promotion of the Trump administration’s assault on range, fairness and inclusion insurance policies.
One of many first steps a totalitarian regime takes is to manage what residents might learn and what info is offered to them from print and digital media. State management of knowledge is nothing greater than propaganda.
Ought to George Orwell’s novel “1984” be renamed “2025”?
Robert D. Greenberg
Bethesda, Md.
To the Editor:
If President Trump’s censorship group didn’t sweep up Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451” when it raided the Naval Academy’s library (it apparently didn’t), it had higher get again there earlier than some harmless academy scholar finds the e book and learns how censorship, e book banning and e book burning poison democracy and freedom.
Jim O’Rourke
Newfoundland, N.J.
To the Editor:
Evidently our librarian in chief, Donald Trump, thinks our Naval Academy college students are too delicate to learn books usually assigned in highschool.
The pen actually is mightier than the sword, or battleship.
Susan H. Schwartz
Palm Seashore, Fla.
To the Editor:
Thanks very a lot for publishing in full the list of books faraway from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library. It has already proved to be immensely useful in compiling my very own listing of “should reads”!
To the Editor:
Re “Why I Got the Measles Vaccine at Age 63,” by Margaret Renkl (Opinion visitor essay, March 26):
Thanks for publishing this trustworthy, considerate article concerning the historical past of the measles vaccine and the advantage of vaccination towards lethal illnesses. I used to be born a number of years earlier than the measles vaccine was developed. My siblings and I all got here down with measles in addition to mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Whereas catching a illness confers some immunity, it isn’t as efficient as vaccination. The consequence for me was that my physician examined my blood for antibodies towards measles whereas I used to be pregnant with my first little one. The consequence confirmed that my immunity was poor, and I obtained a contemporary measles vaccine in 1987 to guard my child. My kids obtained the BCG vaccination towards TB whereas we lived in Europe.
I really feel fortunate to have had observant docs and to have lived in nations the place vaccination is offered. There’s a lot to do to suppress and counter the misinformation being unfold by the well being secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and different ill-informed vaccine skeptics to guard our neighborhood.
Allison Gannon
San Ramon, Calif.
Slashing the E.P.A.
To the Editor:
Re “Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm” (information article, nytimes.com, March 17):
Throughout each Republican and Democratic administrations, I served because the deputy assistant administrator for science within the Environmental Safety Company’s Workplace of Analysis and Improvement — the highest profession scientist in an workplace of devoted and hard-working staff. I additionally led the event of the E.P.A.’s Scientific Integrity Coverage.
My over 30 years of expertise within the Workplace of Analysis and Improvement is in direct battle with the unsupported and inflammatory phrases of Venture 2025 quoted on this article. Since its inception, the O.R.D. has introduced its evaluation of the perfect accessible science to the company’s prime policymakers. When mandatory, O.R.D. scientists “communicate scientific fact to energy,” impartial of political occasion.
Each the E.P.A. and its analysis and improvement workplace have contributed to defending the well being of People and the environment. This mission has change into more and more necessary due to the rising variety of environmental disasters, together with wildfires and extreme storms, prompted or exacerbated by international warming.
Present proposals to dissolve the workplace will certainly result in a degradation in People’ well being and the environment.
Kevin Yale Teichman
Rockville, Md.
A Value to Farmers
To the Editor:
Re “A Story About the Environment That Almost Had a Happy Ending,” by Jacques Leslie (Opinion visitor essay, March 23):
As a fifth-generation Klamath farmer, I used to be disenchanted that Mr. Leslie’s essay failed to incorporate the attitude of farmers and ranchers. My household has farmed this land for 116 years, but we’re repeatedly shut out of the dialog.
The article celebrates the Endangered Species Act and dam removing for salmon restoration however ignores how the federal authorities has used the act as a blunt instrument, resulting in the financial and social collapse of our communities. Farmers within the Klamath Basin have endured devastating water shut-offs, forcing many out of enterprise.
We assist salmon restoration, however actual options should acknowledge that farmers, tribes and fish can all coexist. We’ve invested in water effectivity, habitat enhancements and different conservation efforts, but we’re handled as expendable. If the one answer is to take water from agriculture, what occurs to the households who’ve fed America for generations?
There’s a manner ahead — however provided that the dialog consists of those that develop the meals America depends upon. We deserve a seat on the desk.
Rodney Cheyne
Klamath Falls, Ore.
The author is the president of the Klamath Irrigation District.
Leaders, Rise Up
To the Editor:
I’m 84 years outdated and can inform my grown grandkids to not despair concerning the present state of affairs within the nation.
Sure, I, too, really feel the breath of despair sighing in the back of my neck. I really feel unhappy watching our proud nation disappear daily in a riptide of lies and ignorance. I fear about bleached reefs and wildfires, too.
Nevertheless, I’ve confidence that outdated and new leaders will stand up. An amazing restoration will start; wait and see. I can belief that vein of hope as I examine how Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have rallied crowds of 1000’s into solidarity.
I’ll inform my grandkids what occurred when my heroes got here alongside — Barack Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders, to call a number of. I’ll ask them to not run away. America wants all of us now greater than ever.
Judy Ticehurst
Ashland, Ore.
