Letters

The final death rattles of the Joe Biden presidency have been heard as the inauguration of the 47th president will have occurred by the issuance of this edition of The Press.

We have heard Joe Biden darkly warn us of an age of oligarchy that he believes is upon us. He also took credit for many accomplishments that, if true, should have buoyed his final dismal approval ratings, which stood at 36 percent.

Finally, the nation and the world can look forward to an America that leads again.

Happily, for some there has been a cease fire negotiated in Gaza and an exchange of some hostages, dead and alive. The criminal mistreatment of these innocent victims of Islamic barbarism can never be forgotten, nor the remaining 60-something humans still held by Hamas. Credit is deserved for the negotiators and their tireless effort to find a way to repatriate the innocents.

Unfortunately, Hamas always knew they would extract a favorable deal from Israel, because again, as in the past, hundreds of militants were the price of the hostages’ freedom. Israelis had waited so long for the opportunity to retrieve their loved ones that Benjamin Netanyahu could not refuse their plea. But no one should believe this war is over.

As the confirmation hearings are proceeding, Pete Hegseth more than held his own despite a fusillade of rude, angry and disrespectful interrogations by Democrats who learned nothing from their Brett Kavanaugh debacle, other than to display and perpetuate open hostility in our halls of government. The reliance on anonymous sources that Harry Mainzer [“Race to Extremes,” Letters, January 9] and the hostile media approve of belies their understanding of the definition of the word “allegation”: “An assertion or claim, especially without proof.” Yet I heard over and over allegations stated as solid fact from senators and media anchors.

In any case, Mr. Hegseth and his fellow Trump appointees appear to be faring very well. I look forward to the new administration.

Ed Surgan

Westhampton