Inauguration Day dinner
Gumbo diplomacy
Regarding “Biden inauguration to feature virtual, nationwide parade,” ( Jan. 4): Inauguration Day approaches. I imagine many are thinking how to observe this transformative day in the life of our country.
Our family recently installed a big, new American flag on the front of our house. Snapping in the wind, it’s a vivid reminder of the hope that the United States has been for so many.
Thinking about hope, I will make gumbo on Jan. 20. It makes perfect sense as a wonderful way to celebrate the incoming administration. Join me? Just Google “Paul Prudhomme” for some wonderful recipes. And don’t forget the cornbread!
“Gumbo diplomacy” is a term coined by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, nominee for ambassador to the United Nations. An experienced diplomat, she’s from Louisiana. She has, while representing the U.S. in many places, invited new friends over to eat. She says, “Wherever I was posted, I’d invite people of all walks, then make homemade gumbo. That’s how you break down barriers, connect, and see each other as humans.”
The diversity, experience and competence of so many nominees already named is a reason to celebrate on Jan. 20, as if President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris weren’t enough.
I think I’ll get some champagne to go with that gumbo.
Lynne Foster Shifriss, Bloomington, Ind.
Horror and sadness
Regarding “Cruz takes lead in effort to flip election,” (A1, Jan. 3): After reading about the most recent disgraceful actions by President Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, I sat down to write a letter to the editor. I started to lay out various points of fact and logic when it dawned on me that it was pointless to do so. The actions by a small set of Republicans to overthrow the will of the electorate is not about facts or logic but is, in fact, only about power. It is the natural result of the evolution from Newt Gingrich to Mitch McConnell where
the end justifies the means to maintain power. The damage they are doing to our democracy is immeasurable. So instead of dwelling on facts or logic I am left with only emotions — and in this case those of horror and sadness.
Robert Dempsey, Houston
It seems to me that Texas owes an apology to those states who conducted a free and fair election yet find their integrity questioned by leaders from Texas, based on no credible evidence. Such an apology should be based on current actions of Sen. Ted Cruz and the recent attempts by our Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to undermine the integrity of election results in other states. I realize that apologies in politics are rare, but this seems to be a time for our state to collectively apologize and ask forgiveness for meddling in the affairs of other states. How would we Texans feel if leaders from a liberal state, say California, attacked our election after we had certified its integrity?
John James, Houston