Opinion | Commemorating Jan. 6, and Meting Out Justice

To the Editor:

Re “Biden Condemns Trump as U.S. Remembers Capitol Riot” (front page, Jan. 7):

Finally! Finally! The president gave a powerful, forceful, and inspiring speech in which he explained in stark terms how terrible the insurrection was, how venal the former president is, and how complicit the vast majority (Republicans) are.

We can only pray that this speech will stiffen the spines of every Democratic elected representative to adopt the same battle cry. It is, indeed, a fight. And let’s hope, against all recent evidence to the contrary, that at least some Republicans will snap out of their Trump stupor, will place country over their personal ambitions and will try to bring their party back to some semblance of sanity and truth.

And, let’s now hope the Justice Department will pursue, with increased vigor, the investigation and prosecution of all those complicit in these traitorous acts, regardless of the position those persons may hold.

MacKenzie Allen
Santa Fe, N.M.

To the Editor:

Re “Garland Vows to Pursue Investigation ‘at Any Level’” (news article, Jan. 6):

Attorney General Merrick Garland’s speech on the Justice Department’s response to the Jan. 6 attack was somewhat reassuring, but less than satisfying. It looks as if the department’s approach is to go after the puppets now, and get to the puppeteers later, disregarding the fact that the election clock is ticking.

If the Republicans win control of the House and the Senate in 2022, as some are predicting, the House committee on the Jan. 6 attack will be quashed, and the attempted coup will be for the history books — that is, if the books aren’t burned. The high-ranking conspirators behind this coup attempt will be exonerated. Only their minions will be sent to jail.

Subir Mukerjee
Olympia, Wash.

To the Editor:

I was 8 years old when we crossed the bridge at Andau, Austria to our freedom. It was a cold December 1956 night. My dad looked at me with tears in his eyes. Then looking straight at me he said: “If we can’t live in Hungary, America is the country to live in. You and your brother will have the opportunity to live and work and believe freely.”

The United States was the global beacon of hope — the promise of individual rights, democratic governance and economic strength.

Jan. 6 and the way we remember and act upon it is in the hands of “we the people.” We must protect the rule of law and independent truthful media here at home to build and sustain democratic forces globally.

We the people We must act immediately to defend and empower democratic ideals and realities. Only this way can we set an example for other countries and ensure a better future for our families.

Stephen Fuzesi Jr.
Greenwich, Conn.
The writer is a member of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

‘And He Did Nothing’: Trump on That Day

To the Editor:

As we look back on Jan. 6, a date that will live in infamy, here is one view of former President Donald Trump and his mob of supporters — with a nod to the German pastor Martin Niemöller and his harrowing poem “First They Came”:

First they chanted “lock her up!” — and he did nothing,

Because he also wanted her to be imprisoned.

They stormed the Capitol with riot gear and brutalized police officers while waving an American flag.

He did nothing.

The two of them walked the halls, carrying nooses in each hand, to try and track down his political foes.

And he did not do anything.

While reports of the injured and possibly dead continued to flow in,

Family members and trusted advisors urged him not to do it.

He did not do anything.

He finally got the courage to speak out at last.

He did something worse than anything.

He told the criminals responsible for those abominable acts that his love was with them.

Andrew Sherman
New York

To the Editor:

Re “‘I Am Screaming Inside’: Parents Agonize as Schools Reopen, or Don’t” (news article, Jan. 5):

I am a high school student living in New York City. It is destroying me mental health to go to school. It’s incredibly crowded, with no room for social distancing, and masks aren’t heavily enforced.

I’m worried about catching Covid and bringing it home to my mother, who’s a health care worker. I’m worried about giving this disease to someone on the subway. I’m worried about killing my classmates.

I’m so anxious about hurting my classmates or my teachers or their family members that I can’t focus on any of my classes.

A vaccine mandate for schools would help me worry less about seriously hurting any of them, and I’m upset the state hasn’t put one into effect yet. We already have vaccine requirements for many things, so why is this any different from other vaccine requirements?

Rose Fleischer Black
Brooklyn

Baby Furniture Recalls

To the Editor:

Re “Baby Grows, as Do Delays for Furniture” (Business, Dec. 31):

Let’s have some perspective! A delay in baby furniture is not a “nightmare.” The expectant mother who is profiled needs only warm arms to cradle her new baby. A box can serve as a bed, a table can be used for diaper changing. The car seat? I’m sure one can be borrowed.

These supply chain issues can be disappointing, but not nightmares.

Laura Abramson-Pritchard
Denver