An end to the age-old old-age shunning? [Big Nate letter]
Pamela Ehrenberg, Washington
Washington Post February 3 2024: A15
Pamela Ehrenberg, Washington
Kudos to Lincoln Peirce for the recent "Big Nate" series in which Nate and his grandparents toured a senior living facility. That was the first time I've seen this topic addressed in almost 50 years of reading what used to be called the funnies.
Perhaps this, together with the Dec. 24 Business article "Aging in America," about living options for those over 85, will usher in a new beginning for how our society views this life chapter: using love, openness and humor to address collectively the opportunities and challenges associated with elder care, rather than our current model of each family figuring things out as best as we can on our own (with most then fearing we've done it "wrong" in some way). "Big Nate" and The Post helped multiple generations feel seen in this topic.
He just can't wait to get on the road again [ Michael Ramirez letter] Susan Clark, and John Spitzak
Washington Post February 3 2024: A15
Susan Clark, and John Spitzak
Washington Post February 3 2024: A15
In his Jan. 20 editorial cartoon, Michael Ramirez forgot to include former president Donald Trump as the driver of the truck. Trump, as The Post has noted, increased the debt by nearly $7.8 trillion, one of the largest percentage increases in federal debt in U.S. history.
Susan Clark, Annandale
Michael Ramirez should be reminded that political cartoons are funny only when they contain a kernel of truth. In his Jan. 20 editorial cartoon, he depicted President Biden kicking a can in the path of a (admittedly very well-rendered) truck labeled "National Debt." I would expect Ramirez to be aware that it is Congress that controls the budget and that is "kicking the can," and that the bulk of the debt is something Biden inherited (in particular, from his immediate predecessor).
It is an unwritten understanding that those with the privilege of making their living through political art should contribute to the conversation (with a right-wing slant if they desire) but not peddle fantasies. If Ramirez cannot agree to this understanding, perhaps he should stick to just drawing trucks.
John Spitzak, Arlington
No, *you're* the nice guy [Doonesbury letter] Vinod K. Jain, Ashburn
Washington Post February 3 2024: A15
Vinod K. Jain, Ashburn
Washington Post February 3 2024: A15
I have enjoyed the "Doonesbury" comic strip for a long time. The strip's creator, Garry Trudeau, has a knack for highlighting the quirks of everyday social and political life in the United States. The Jan. 21 strip was particularly telling.
The strip depicted a caller to a radio show, perhaps former president Donald Trump, who attributed his own unacceptable behavior to others, which psychiatrists call "projection." Trudeau illustrated Trump's actions with several examples, such as lying and being a sexual abuser and a fraudster — allegations that Trump leveled against others. This reminded me of an incident in my own life decades ago when I complimented a neighbor with "You are a really nice guy." He responded to the compliment with a saying in Persian, which translated to something like "I am but a mirror; you are seeing yourself in me." That's what projection is all about. Some people attribute to others what is true of themselves.
Trump's utterances accuse others of behaviors that effectively mirror his own. For example, his baseless claims of a deep state show that he is projecting his own behaviors on others. As the New Republic aptly reported in October 2020, "The Real Deep State Is Trump." Such a portrayal in "Doonesbury" is not merely satire but a poignant reflection of reality.
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