As a longtime activist for peace and social justice, I am distressed by Alex Kent’s response to Jay Fleitman’s recent column. While I disagree with Dr. Fleitman, his column was civil in tone and asked questions which could reasonably be responded to. Mr. Kent’s reply was insulting (“rant,” “retrograde ideas”).
One does not need to make personal comments about Mr. Fleitman’s intelligence to disagree with his ideas or to express one’s disgust with President Trump. The Economist recently observed that many voters support Trump because he attacks people they hate: namely progressives and Democrats, in large part because we express ourselves in elitist, patronizing, know-it-all ways. This letter will only increase that hatred, and I am sorry that it expresses ideas that need to be considered in a way that prevents them from being considered.
Mr. Fleitman’s questions need to be answered, and his expressed distress respected if we are to move beyond a civil war of words into dialogue.
Bruce Hawkins
Northampton