Letters

Letters: ‘We Never Get Formal Teaching in How to Argue’

Readers discuss whether “erisology”—a new discipline studying unsuccessful disagreement—can usefully augment the work of preexisting fields.

• April 30, 2019

Letters: Is Political Comedy Dead?

Readers respond to Andrew Ferguson’s argument that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner represents a kind of joke telling whose moment has passed.

• April 27, 2019

A Georgetown Student Defends the Reparations Referendum

“I have no interest in seeing Georgetown front the money promised by this referendum, because I have no interest in seeing Georgetown co-opt this referendum as its own contribution.”

• April 24, 2019

Letter: The Census Citizenship Question Is a ‘Nonissue’

An interviewer for the U.S. Census Bureau explains that citizenship information is already available through the American Community Survey.

• April 23, 2019

What Atlantic Readers Thought About Marijuana in the ’90s

In 1994, Eric Schlosser made the case for decriminalizing marijuana and eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing. Readers had a wide array of responses.

• Mara Wilson
• April 20, 2019

Letters: ‘My Heart Broke When I Found Out Notre-Dame Was Burning’

Readers lament the damage sustained by the cathedral—and discuss its rebuilding.

• April 18, 2019

Atlantic Readers on Reading (and Rereading) Slaughterhouse-Five

“If you are troubled by your life, your relationships, politics, cruelty in the world, turning 50, global warming, that’s why you need to read this book.”

• April 16, 2019

Letters: ‘You Should See What He’s Done to Satire’

Readers debate whether President Trump has rendered fiction redundant.

• April 14, 2019

Readers Respond to Caitlin Flanagan’s Argument on the College-Admissions Scandal

“Her conclusion at the end that the traditional donations … actually does significant good for underprivileged students is questionable at best and likely closer to flat out false.”

• April 12, 2019

Letters: Progressive Policy Proposals ‘Are Not Far Left; They Are Dead Center’

Readers react to Peter Wehner’s argument that the Democratic Party is radicalizing.

• April 10, 2019

Letters: ‘Who Does Homework Work for?’

Readers consider whether after-school assignments are worthwhile for students.

• April 7, 2019

Letter: The Trouble With Staying Silent on Ideological Extremism

A commentator argues for a thorough probe of the ideological spectrum of Islamophobia.

• April 4, 2019

Readers Discuss Extreme Drug Prices—And What to Do About Them

“The public should receive a cut of any drug profits, just as any other investor might.”

• April 1, 2019

Readers Remember W. S. Merwin

“His writing inspired me to continue writing poetry as well, mostly for my own sanity.”

• March 29, 2019

Letters: ‘The Deck Is Heavily Stacked Against Low-Income Students’

Readers discuss the challenges faced by students at elite universities who don’t come from a wealthy background.

• March 27, 2019

Letters: ‘First Rule of Wite-Out. Don’t Talk About Wite-Out.’

Readers respond to David A. Graham’s question “Who still buys Wite-Out, and why?”

• David A. Graham
• March 25, 2019

A Veteran’s Message to Congress: ‘I Am Not Honored. I Am Disgusted.’

“If Senators Paul and Udall really want to honor our service members, here are a few things they could do with that money instead.”

• March 23, 2019

Letters: The Growing Recycling Crisis

Readers share their thoughts on how to improve recycling processes in the United States.

• March 20, 2019

Letters: ‘I Have Not Fallen Out of Love With My Cabbage’

Readers share what they eat for lunch—and why.

• March 18, 2019