To the Editor:
Re “Schumer Pressed to Name Penn Station After Trump” (news article, Feb. 7):
So President Trump wants to name Penn Station in New York and Washington Dulles International Airport after himself. No surprise: Narcissism has no limits, and perhaps we should go along, so New York can have its Gateway tunnel.
But if we’re going to go full cult of personality, why stop with a single train station and airport? Maybe every train station and airport in the country should be named after Mr. Trump.
And how about a colossal statue of the Leader, covered in gold, on a visual line with the Washington Monument (which could itself be renamed)? That would show our utter submission to the Leader, as in Stalin’s Soviet Union or Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
David Sundelson Berkeley, Calif.
To the Editor:
Here is a modest proposal: Let’s just stop naming public places after people. It has backfired so many times. If you want to donate, you can get a plaque. As for names of city facilities, let’s go generic. West 34th Street Train Station, anyone?
Susan J. Behrens Brooklyn
To the Editor:
If future administrations follow this administration’s precedent of erasing every part of American history it finds uncomfortable or inconvenient, a future administration should surely take chisel, scraper and jackhammer to anything branded Trump.
Anthony A. Boyadjis Maplewood, N.J.
To the Editor:
What’s the big deal if Penn Station and Dulles are renamed after President Trump, in order to get the Gateway tunnel project restarted? After he’s gone, a saner U.S.A. can re-rename the hubs. I think that would be a nice slap in the face.
Robert Moss Bloomfield, N.J.
I Watched TV as a Kid. I Turned Out OK.
To the Editor:
Re “Just Let Your Kids Watch TV Already,” by JoAnna Novak (Opinion guest essay, Feb. 3):
I am 71 years old. My mother had long summers with my sister and me at home. There was no money for day camp.
In the morning, while she did her chores, she plopped us in front of “The Three Stooges” and cartoons. In the afternoon we went to the beach. In the evening, back to “The Three Stooges” while she prepared dinner.
We grew up to be hard-working and successful. We both have children and grandchildren.
I have been in the business world for more than 40 years; my sister is a lawyer. Our eyes aren’t crossed, and our brains weren’t fried.
You have to do what you have to do to make it work for you.
Miriam Kutnicki Brooklyn
To the Editor:
JoAnna Novak’s essay recalls some of her experiences watching TV shows as a child. That brought back a memory of an experience of our daughter, Liberty.
At age 4, she knew how to turn on our TV and set it to “her” channel, the local public broadcasting station, where she enjoyed watching Bert and Ernie and their friends.
But one afternoon, she came running to my wife in the kitchen: “Mommy, Mommy, they’re talking nasty to each other on the TV.” My wife went back with Libby to the living room. The TV was replaying a recent broadcast of “Macbeth.”
Victor Lidz Chesterbrook, Pa.
To the Editor:
The story with TV watching is as old as “you are what you eat.” Not to mention the cherished feeling of wasted time becoming wasted life. But if you’ll forgive me, I’ve got to go. All this letter writing is distracting me from my favorite rerun.
Peter Yates Culver City, Calif.
A Long Life
To the Editor:
Re “Genes, Not Healthy Habits, May Determine Your Longevity” (news article, Feb. 1):
As the 78-year-old daughter of a mother who made it to 100 with all her marbles shining bright and a father who, despite the same health habits and general lifestyle, didn’t even make it to 72, I read this article with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I hope that this will mean a reduction in media pieces in which very old people brag that their positive attitudes and good health habits enabled their longevity. On the other hand, I hope even more strongly that I got the better part of my parents’ genes!
Felicia Nimue Ackerman Providence, R.I.
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