Inbox

Mom Liked Him Best

Thanks for the most informative article, “Playing Favorites” by Jeffrey Kluger [Oct. 3]. As the second of four boys, I always knew that the first- and last-born were favorites, although our parents always denied it. I and the third son left home at 16 and 17, respectively, while the favorites stayed home until well after finishing school. We two were far better prepared to deal with the real world than the favorites were. Although we had less education when leaving home, we were much more successful in our careers. How ironic that it appears, at least in our case, that our parents unintentionally did us a favor by choosing the others to favor.

Lewis R. Vaughn, GREER, S.C.

I really enjoyed “Playing Favorites.” As a mother of three beautiful boys, two of whom I gave birth to and one to whom I’m a stepmom, I can relate to questions about measurable love. When my eldest, 6 at the time, asked if I loved my youngest more, I answered honestly, “You’re completely different people. I don’t know if I can love two people exactly the same.” I am not sure if that’s what I should have said, but after I received a big hug, I figured I did something right. The question has not been asked since, and so far, we’re all doing fine.

Angie Reno, DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS

I empathize with Kluger. But extrapolating his experience to all families is conjecture, not science. I am one of three siblings as well as a parent. I cannot remember one instance of favoritism shown by my parents to any of their children. Likewise, my wife and I love both of our children equally. Really, we do. For a black eagle, only one skill is necessary to survive–the ability to hunt and kill–so parents have every reason to favor their more robust offspring. But humans can survive and thrive using any number of skills, including reasoning, social skills and creativity, so your comparison is flawed. It’s entertaining to speculate about favoritism, but please do not call it science.

Thomas Hauck, GLOUCESTER, MASS.

Your story stopped short of the real devastation, which occurs when both the favored and unfavored children see their children affected, when you see your children sad and confused about why Grandma and Grandpa treat them differently. When you were the child, your heart cracked, but when it’s your children suffering from the same problem, it breaks.

Ellen Stevens, WOODBINE, GA.

Science and Faith

I’d like to thank Lisa Randall for putting forth in a delicate but convincing way the need to trust science and for politicians to take it into account when developing public policy [“How Science Can Lead the Way,” Oct. 3]. Science can no longer be ignored, even if it contradicts some religious beliefs. There is too much at stake.

Vincent M. Carini, LYNDHURST, N.J.

There is no inherent conflict between faith and science. The proponents of creationism who oppose science and evolution are fundamentalist throwbacks and do not represent the views of enlightened faith. The contribution of both Jewish and Christian faith is that we are all one family, co-creators with God, and are to treat this earth with respect and practice good stewardship. Enlightened faith and science are partners, not enemies.

The Rev. David L. Middleton, SHELBYVILLE, ILL.

The true loss is not when we put faith over logic but when Americans forget that our country was founded on men doing exactly this. It certainly wasn’t logical to travel across the ocean to start anew in the unknown. But they were men of faith, and we have all reaped the benefit of their faith that something better was in store. Faith and logic can indeed co-exist, Ms. Randall, because God created them both. But that would take faith to believe, now, wouldn’t it?

Kristina Graham, SUWANEE, GA.

Tea Party Lines

In “Where the Tea Party Runs Strong,” Joe Klein asks Texarkana’s Miller County Patriots if Obama is a patriot, to which the reply is, He couldn’t possibly be [Oct. 3]. This exchange brought to mind a famous quotation from Dr. Samuel Johnson: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.”

Richard Cionci, CHERRY HILL, N.J.

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