Readers write: Trump's appeal; children and dogs; the Monitor's purpose
Letters to the editor for the Feb. 1, 2016, weekly magazine
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump signs autographs for supporters during a campaign stop at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass., on Monday.
Charles Krupa/AP
Trump鈥檚 appeal to voters
Regarding the Jan. 25 cover story, 鈥�The Trump effect鈥�: The article鈥檚 insightful analysis underplayed the substance and appeal of Donald Trump鈥檚 campaign message. It is not an exploitative Trump fantasy that the United States longs for a dynamic chief executive. It is not groundless fear or tea partyism that keeps Mr. Trump rolling, and not only with Republicans. It is a well-documented, publicly felt need for a leader who is perceived as being able to make America exceptional. Effective leadership is as always a matter of perception.
Albert L. Weeks
Sarasota, Fla.
Teach children to love dogs
Regarding the Jan. 11 cover story, 鈥�The dog savior鈥�: Saving thousands of the estimated 1.2 million dogs from being euthanized is a remarkable accomplishment. The work by Greg Mahle with his nonprofit rescue road trips as well as those willing to adopt rescue dogs is inspiring. But perhaps a long-term focus should be on helping to change the culture of animal abuse through education. Programs presented to Boys & Girls Clubs, preschools, or churches by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or by those in the South who care deeply for their dogs would help to prevent this inhumane treatment of dogs. To change this culture of ignoring lost, abandoned, neglected, or abused dogs, it is best to start by educating children using inspiring role models such as Mr. Mahle.
Linda Griffiths
Blaine, Wash.
A century of purpose
Regarding the Jan. 18 Monitor鈥檚 View 鈥�The underreported good news鈥�: I am reminded of the 1960s slogan of General Electric: 鈥淧rogress is our most important product.鈥� To me, the Monitor鈥檚 reporting of progress has always been sown in the fertile soil of worldwide hope and aspiration and is in so many ways spot on in fulfilling its founder鈥檚 stated objective, 鈥渢o bless all mankind.鈥� Thank you, writers and editors, for more than a century of attention to this important purpose.
David McClurkin
Beachwood, Ohio