More Correspondence:
- Synchronizing Election Timetables for Higher Voter Turnout
- Exportation of Natural Gas
- Embracing the Semicolon
Letter to the Editor:
The personal essay “I Wrote Jokes About How Parenting Stinks. Then I Had a Kid,” penned by Karen Kicak (Opinion guest essay, Dec. 25), resonated with me deeply.
Despite the challenges of parenting such as night waking and tantrums, I refrained from complaining. While other parents vocalized their desire for adult time away from their children, I found immense pride in my daughter and cherished every moment with her, even though I suppressed that sentiment.
Ms. Kicak astutely points out that diminishing our parenting accomplishments and our children’s magnificence deprives us of happiness.
Our tendency to downplay our achievements as parents may stem from a desire to conceal our genuine pride in our children. It could also be a preemptive measure to shield ourselves from judgment by fellow parents.
These insecurities hinder collective celebration, and Ms. Kicak urges us to acknowledge that we are “doing great.” She encourages us to recalibrate our perspective so we can balance the genuine trials of parenting with its delicate and fleeting moments.
Perhaps by embracing and expressing the joy we find in parenthood, we could forge deeper connections. Let’s strive to communicate the aspects of parenthood that bring us immense joy before our little ones outgrow these precious years.
Warm regards, Elaine Ellis San Francisco
School Social Worker
Letter to the Editor:
I extend my gratitude to Karen Kicak for her enlightening essay on parenting and positivity. During a period of sleep-deprived chaos with my two young children, a neighbor—a public school art teacher and artist—remarked that she believed I was not merely “surviving” but actually “thriving.” This simple yet kind observation prompted me to focus on the positive aspects of my life and made a significant difference.
I, too, make a conscious effort to offer only uplifting remarks to fellow parents. Thank you, once again, for emphasizing the profound impact of kind and reassuring words in bolstering parents’ confidence and fostering a supportive community.
Warmly, Angel D’Andrea Cincinnati
Letter to the Editor:
Karen Kicak’s essay resonated with me as she highlighted our society’s tendency to overly emphasize the challenges of parenthood. This narrative aligns with the prevalent focus on children’s perceived “misbehaviors,” which parents often use to shame and mock their kids, despite the fact that they are still evolving into their future selves. Children are not inherently “bad” individuals.
Motherhood, like life itself, encompasses both joys and struggles, ease and difficulty. It is essential to acknowledge the profound joys inherent in this unique and intimate relationship alongside the acknowledgment of its challenges. Mothers deserve this dual recognition. Embracing the love, care, pleasures, and transformative identities that motherhood offers does not negate the difficulties it entails.
I often remind parents to embrace this extraordinary and demanding journey of parenthood, recognizing its multifaceted nature.
Warm regards, Tovah P. Klein New York
Director, Barnard College Center for Toddler Development
Synchronizing Election Calendars to Increase Voter Turnout
Carl Iwasaki/Getty Images
Letter to the Editor:
In her piece “A New Law Will Help Bolster Voting in New York” (Opinion, Dec. 27), Mara Gay discusses a critical statistic: for every one person voting in the mayoral general election, two participate in the presidential election. This discrepancy should concern anyone invested in local democracy.
Recently, New York took a significant stride towards addressing this issue by enacting legislation that shifts some local elections to even-numbered years. Aligning local election cycles with federal or statewide elections, which typically witness higher voter engagement, will not only enhance voter participation but also diversify our electorate and save public funds.
Following Los Angeles’s lead, which held its first election in an even-numbered year in November 2022 and nearly doubled voter turnout, other cities adopting this approach have experienced similar positive outcomes. Research indicates that this reform effectively reduces participation gaps, particularly among young voters and communities of color.
While the New York State Legislature cannot unilaterally transition all elections, lawmakers have expressed a commitment to passing more comprehensive legislation via a constitutional amendment to synchronize local elections with even years statewide, including municipal elections in New York City.
Advocates for good governance must persist in championing this reform, which promises to establish an elections calendar that better serves voters and fortifies our local democratic processes.
Sincerely, Betsy Gotbaum New York
Executive Director, Citizens Union
Natural Gas Exports
A Venture Global liquefied natural gas facility on the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron, La. The company wants to build a new export terminal at the site.Brandon Thibodeaux for The New York Times
Letter to the Editor:
In the article “Decision on Natural Gas Project Will Test Biden’s Energy Policy” (front page, Dec. 27), the Biden administration faces a pivotal decision concerning climate policy: either uphold its policy objectives or continue endorsing gas export terminals. Rarely in politics is a choice as clear-cut as it is in this scenario.
The fossil fuel industry touts liquefied natural gas (L.N.G.) as a “natural” and transitional fuel. However, this narrative is misleading; L.N.G. primarily comprises methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While it may emit less smoke and particulate matter than coal, exporting it amplifies greenhouse gas emissions.
Recent reports on U.S. gas exports underscore that existing L.N.G. exports are adequate to meet Europe’s demands. Why, then, approve additional plants? Approving all proposed terminals would escalate U.S.-sourced L.N.G. emissions beyond those of the European Union, contradicting the administration’s climate objectives.
It is imperative to heed scientific evidence, disregard industry rhetoric, and reject further gas expansion to align with climate goals.
Respectfully, Russel Honoré Baton Rouge, La.
Founder and Head, Green Army
Embracing the Semicolon
Ben Wiseman
Letter to the Editor:
Frank Bruni’s piece “Our Semicolons, Ourselves” (Opinion, Dec. 25) resonated with me as he humorously reflects on his penchant for discussing grammatical intricacies with his students. Much like him, my students likely perceive me as an enthusiastic advocate for proper grammar.
Throughout my three-decade tenure as a writing professor, I have mandated that my students peruse my concise seven-page style guide, “Candy Schulman’s Crash Course in Style.” My mentor’s relentless corrections, particularly his disdain for phrases like “Between You and I,” compelled me to refine my writing.
Did you notice the semicolon I just employed? I hold a deep appreciation for this punctuation mark, akin to Abraham Lincoln, who regarded it as a “useful little chap.”
On the contrary, Kurt Vonnegut dismissed semicolons, asserting they signify “absolutely nothing” and merely indicate one’s collegiate background. Despite such dissenting views, I persist in teaching my students that effective writing transcends casual communication—wherein capitalization, punctuation, and spelling are often overlooked.
As academia shifts focus away from the humanities, I remain steadfast in my dedication to instilling proper grammar practices in my students. I fervently advocate for meticulous attention to detail, including the nuanced usage of colons and semicolons, in fostering a genuine appreciation for grammatical precision.
Yours sincerely, Candy Schulman New York