To the Editor:
Re “What’s That You Discover within the Boring Silence? It’s Your Consideration,” by Chris Hayes (Opinion visitor essay, Jan. 5):
I like Mr. Hayes’s candor and insights as he struggles with makes an attempt at calming his thoughts.
His antidote for the distractions he experiences from the every day bombardment of digital stimuli, nevertheless, seems to be different types of distraction.
He daydreams, is misplaced in thought whereas on his every day stroll, finds mental initiatives to work on or permits his thoughts to wander whereas chopping wooden. These actions little question present him with pleasure and achievement. They rescue him from boredom and idle distraction, however do they really quiet the thoughts?
Though Mr. Hayes mentions prayer, meditation, and different religious and psychological practices as inside disciplines to quiet distraction, he acknowledges that his thoughts is simply too stressed and unsettled to seek out these practices of assist.
However such religious practices are simply what are wanted.
The problem is that such practices require an inside self-discipline, endurance and perseverance which are missing in our world of instantaneous gratification. They provide a path to step out of our tangled net of ideas and feelings and into an area of tranquillity and inside peace.
Paul GoldbergArlington, Mass.
To the Editor:
As an individual, father or mother and grandparent, I’ve at all times disallowed the phrase “boredom” — it’s a curse phrase. Youngsters feeling misplaced can draw, write, learn, take a look at, play one thing. For those who’re an grownup, daydream about one thing, assume one thing.
Entertain your self; take pleasure in your self with that magnificent organ you might have referred to as your mind.
Margot HeadLew Seaside, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Chris Hayes’s essay struck a profound chord with me. I take an early-morning stroll day-after-day, accompanied by our canine, The Scooter. At my spouse’s insistence, I carry my iPhone. I’m 80, and she or he worries about me. Whereas this “window to the world” is at all times in my pocket, I resist the urge to take heed to the information, podcasts or music. As an alternative, as Mr. Hayes suggests, I take advantage of these treasured 45 minutes to replicate and let my ideas wander.
For the reason that onset of Covid, I’ve dedicated to writing at the least one journal entry day-after-day, with out fail. My walks constantly present a wealth of fabric, and after I return house, I’m desirous to dive into my laptop computer.
Most individuals assume that these walks are primarily for The Scooter’s profit, however I’m satisfied that I acquire much more from them than he does. I’m fairly certain that he doesn’t thoughts.
Henry Von KohornPrinceton, N.J.
Evasive Solutions at Cupboard Hearings
To the Editor:
The interviews of Trump cupboard picks being performed by the Senate are a disheartening farce. They constantly fail to reply easy questions, recite preprogrammed phrases, change the topic and say no matter they assume will advance their appointments.
However ultimately, none of it actually issues as a result of as soon as in workplace they, like latest Supreme Courtroom nominees, are free to recant no matter they mentioned in these hearings and to behave in a opposite method. What a waste of time.
Lawrence WeismanWestport, Conn.
To the Editor:
Re “Bondi Evades Questions, however Guarantees No Politics” (information article, Jan. 16):
What a disgrace that Pam Bondi, our doubtless subsequent legal professional common, couldn’t utter the phrase “misplaced” when requested if Donald Trump misplaced the election to President Biden. The worry of Mr. Trump’s retribution looms massive over your complete Republican Get together.
How can the citizens trust that these entrusted to be loyal to the Structure will uphold the rule of regulation? Time will inform.
Kenneth OlshanskySan Rafael, Calif.
Politicizing Assist for Los Angeles
To the Editor:
Re “Gavin Newsom Criticizes Republicans for ‘Politicizing’ California Wildfires” (information article, nytimes.com, Jan. 15):
So Home Speaker Mike Johnson desires to position “situations” on California if it desires any emergency funds to cope with this human disaster. In fact, it’s attainable that Democratic officers made errors, however the largest error is one which each events are responsible of, and that’s failing to deal with local weather chaos because the worldwide catastrophe that it’s.
Scientists are telling us some ways to minimize the gasoline accessible to wildfires, to create new land use insurance policies, to rebuild the place attainable in new methods that may save lives. However I don’t hear Mr. Johnson calling for situations on cash for pink states the place these visionary proposals are being ignored.
He’s floating the idea of punishing all of the individuals of Los Angeles as a result of a few of their elected leaders are Democrats. Is that this what we would like America to be? A spot the place victims of pure or unnatural disasters can get lifesaving assist provided that they voted a sure method?
For those who voted for Donald Trump, and also you need all Individuals to be helped when catastrophe strikes, please contact Mr. Johnson and inform him to “do unto others, as you’ll have them do unto you.”
Phyllis HasbrouckDunn, Wis.
Rebuilding to Scale back Hearth Dangers
To the Editor:
Re “Wildfire Evacuees Scrambling to Discover Shelter” (entrance web page, Jan. 15):
It’s time to assume forward. We will see {that a} fireplace pushed by 100-mile-an-hour winds will destroy the whole lot in its path. The one technique to cease this devastation from occurring once more is to remove the issues that burn. Low-vegetation landscaping and noncombustible housing are the answer.
You possibly can’t do that on a voluntary foundation; all homes and property within the space have to adjust to the rules. Now that the whole lot has burned, it’s the excellent time to implement “no fires” areas. All homes have to be product of noncombustible supplies and all landscapes will need to have minimal vegetation.
Owners will save with vastly decreased fireplace insurance coverage prices and decrease water payments. Figuring out that your home might by no means burn is an additional benefit.
Allen L. Wenger Boise, Idaho
Ex-Presidents, Unite
To the Editor:
Might now be the time for former President George W. Bush to rejoin the nationwide dialog? Is now the time for our former presidents to seek out widespread floor in service to our nation?
America’s democracy and discourse have basically modified since Invoice Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama served as president. We’ve misplaced former President Jimmy Carter and the ethical heart he occupied.
Couldn’t these nice leaders discover a technique to work collectively and decide up that mantle? Maybe begin with a joint exhibit at their presidential libraries targeted on an optimistic imaginative and prescient of our future. Maybe make the most of the brand new methods the physique politic will get its info and debates our future.
I hope that the concord they confirmed us at Mr. Carter’s funeral was the beginning, not the top, of their shared legacy within the service of the nice American experiment.
David M. RodmanActon, Mass.
