Misbegotten praise
The WJW editorial lauds Donald Trump “for loyalty to those loyal to him” (“Trump stands by his man,” April 7). Such praise is horrendously misbegotten.
As reported by Politico, The Donald turned his back on his closest friend and personal lawyer, the scurrilous Roy Cohn, when he learned that he was afflicted with AIDS.
“Donald found out about it and just dropped him like a hot potato,” Cohn’s longtime secretary Susan Bell reportedly said. “It was like night and day.”
Cohn was reportedly stunned by the betrayal after all he’d done for Trump.
Trump is loyal only to his own ego and id, in service to which others exist only to be exploited, and then eventually discarded.
Indeed, shrewd businessman that he is, I would not be surprised that the original impetus for the wall Trump promises to erect between the United States and Mexico, was, on this side of the border, to claim dibs on the construction contracts for his own companies to build it; and, on the other side of the border, to lay the groundwork for his in-laws, to excavate the tunnels to be employed in circumventing it.
Ah, the art of the deal!
GIDEON DONNELLY
Parkville
In denial
It may be hard to find kind words for Donald Trump’s personal qualities, but I’ll bet he is a loving father, a doting grandfather and maybe even the perfect host. But to praise the man for dismissing the seriousness of battery charges — documented on video — as evidence of his personal loyalty is stunningly ridiculous (“Trump stands by his man,” April 7). And to suggest that the victim is in any way to blame for the actions of her attacker is conduct unbecoming.
I hope this publication has left behind the notion that an abused spouse should stand by the offending partner out of loyalty. I expect that there will never be a report here that provocative dress would justify an assault or vigilante attack. And while the admirable love of family members for accused criminals is rightly unconditional, denying the crime itself is not loyalty. It is “accessory after the fact.”
Washington Jewish Week, you got this one really, really wrong. I am embarrassed for you.
RABBI JACK MOLINE
Executive Director,
Interfaith Alliance
Washington
List missed its mark
With more than 1.79 million Twitter followers, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, @SenSanders, has more followers than all of the top names on JTA’s updated Jewish Twitterverse list and more than all but three names on the Guest Stars list (“The 25 most influential people on ‘Jewish Twitter,’” March 31).
Virtually all of Mr. Sanders’ tweets reflect quintessential Jewish issues of tikkun olam like economic and social justice; ending bigotry; environmental stewardship; adequate health care for all citizens; and affordable, quality education. JTA’s juvenile algorithm for identifying influential people in the Jewish Twitterverse missed the mark widely. It succeeded in generating a list, but it’s bupkis.
JOYCE MIGDALL
Falls Church
Emily’s List report spot on
Your front page article, “Edwards’ Emily’s List support rankles Van Hollen backers” (March 31), is certainly correct.
Even aside from Rep. Van Hollen’s much stronger support for Israel than Rep. Donna Edwards, it is outrageous and counterproductive for Emily’s List to pump in $2.4 million to help Edwards defeat the much more capable Van Hollen in the Maryland Democratic primary for Senate.
Van Hollen is head and shoulders above Edwards in his proven ability to work in in this very difficult partisan Congress and cope with a host of issues, as the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, a member of the House Democratic leadership and, early in his career, as a Senate Foreign Relations Committee professional staff member.
He is far more likely to be effective in pushing for issues important to women than Ms. Edwards, who is stronger on rhetoric than showing a proven ability to have an impact in Congress.
MICHAEL and LISA KRAFT
Silver Spring
From washingtonjewishweek.com:
Choosing what not to eat
Even as a Reform Jew, I am uncomfortable with this ruling … not for anyone else, but for me (“After ruling, Passover arrives with bigger menu,” April 7).
Passover enables me to sacrifice my normal food in order to focus on injustices in the world … if I find workarounds for all of our most sacred traditions, it loses its value (in my opinion).
As a Reform Jew, I think this is a choice thing. If you feel differently, then it’s cool. Not my job to judge, or opine on your traditions.
MIKE
Not enough kitchen time
To prohibit food just because [of] some men with too much time on their hands was wrong (“After ruling, Passover arrives with bigger menu,” April 7). String beans and rice cannot rise. Maybe if they had spent some time in the kitchen they would have known that.
AL
