To the Editor:
Re “Please Do Not Talk to Me About Epstein,” by David Brooks (column, Nov. 22):
I have a four-word response to Mr. Brooks’s column: “spoken like a man.”
Sure, “the Epstein files” story is a political circus. Sure, everyone, including some certifiable wackos, is trying to score points off it. Sure, Ukraine, democracy and the price of eggs are more important to more people.
But these are the reasons we need to keep talking about the Epstein files — not the reasons to look away. Because it is too easy to dismiss a bunch of largely anonymous and helpless teenage victims. Case in point: There is not one word of sympathy for or concern about them in Mr. Brooks’s 1,200-word piece. Yet powerful men raped and abused them and have been able to largely hide it with the apparent help of our government.
For me, moral rot on this level is right up there with reading scores, China’s growing techno might and the other things Mr. Brooks finds more important.
Heidi Fiske New York
To the Editor:
People are not fascinated with the Jeffrey Epstein story because they are QAnon conspiracy theorists. They are not fascinated because they do not understand or cannot comprehend the extent of the existential threats we face. They are not simply “a social media mob.”
People are interested in the Epstein story because, in a deeply divided country, there is one thing we can all still agree on. Pedophilia and sex trafficking are wrong, and those who use power to abuse minors should be held to account. Republicans and Democrats. And the fact that we have one thread of shared humanity that we all still agree on means that there might just be hope for our country yet.
That’s why we’re fascinated with the Epstein story. You may, as you say, “know a thing or two about the American elite, ahem,” but as for everyday Americans, I resent the implication that we are all either looking for a conspiracy theory or too simple-minded to process anything other than our TikTok feed.
This take is a swing and a miss. The Epstein victims deserve better.
Dawn Sadler Nazaré, Portugal The writer is an American living in Portugal.
To the Editor:
I believe that Democrats are right to focus on Jeffrey Epstein rather than agree with David Brooks’s wish that Democrats focus on more important issues. Their “obsession” has resulted not only in the fracturing of the MAGA base and defection of Marjorie Taylor Greene, but also in Democrats taking the lead in a unanimous-minus-one bipartisan vote for release of the Epstein files.
President Trump’s weakening hold over his party that has now been exposed could be used to achieve another bipartisan consensus, opposing Mr. Trump’s attempt to impose Vladimir Putin’s peace proposal that would cause even more suffering for the Ukrainian people.
Harlan Green Santa Barbara, Calif.
To the Editor:
David Brooks is off the mark. Of course, there are many complex global issues facing us, as Mr. Brooks posits. Honest political discourse is needed more than ever to find unity, integrity and hope. But this has nothing to do with elites. Rather, this has all to do with predators, say what you want about conspiracy theories. As a clerical abuse survivor, I know.
In his column, there is not one word mentioning the victims involved. Pope Francis, in his autobiography, “Hope,” found it essential to write about the sexual abuse crisis in and out of the Catholic Church. He wrote: “Covering up adds shame to shame.” Spot on.
Nov. 18 was the U.N. World Day for the Prevention of and Healing From Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. The Jeffrey Epstein saga is a stark reminder that the sexual violation of children occurs worldwide, and as we speak young girls are being trafficked in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.
Mr. Brooks ends his column with this question about this Epstein moment when the time comes to look back: “What the hell were we thinking?” Well, this is what I will be thinking: Covering up adds shame to shame.
Mark Joseph Williams Basking Ridge, N.J.
Humanities Agency Firings
To the Editor:
Re “At Humanities Agency, Fired Scholars and a Tilt Toward Trump’s Agenda” (news article, Nov. 18):
In an academic career of more than 50 years, I have had extensive experience with the National Endowment for the Humanities: as an applicant (successful and unsuccessful), as an evaluation panel member (many times) and in advisory capacities.
Without exception I found the N.E.H. staff to be diligent and dedicated, the grant review process to be rigorous and balanced, and the applicants and projects selected for funding to be of high quality.
It is a shame and a disgrace that hardworking N.E.H. staff members have been summarily fired as the agency itself is turned to narrow political ends. I hope to live to see the day when this venerable institution is returned to its proper position and function.
Richard Salomon Seattle The writer is an emeritus professor of Asian studies at the University of Washington.
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