Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

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Yesterday evening, Katherine and I watched Night at the Museum (2006), which I own on DVD. I had never seen it. I like Ben Stiller, so I figured I'd enjoy the movie. It was tolerable. Unlike, say, Meet the Parents (2000), it seems designed to appeal to children. My favorite scene was this one, especially the part where Teddy Roosevelt says, "Good lord, Lawrence, why are you slapping a monkey?"

At the end of World War I, there appeared a popular song, “How Ya Gonna Keep ’Em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree).” It was a humorous attempt to deal with a serious problem: how to persuade ex-soldiers, most of whom had come from rural communities, to return to their former lives after they had seen the attractions of the larger world, epitomized by “Paree”—Paris. It was then the center of arts, culture and the high life.

The effort failed. The world had changed. A mass migration began to the cities that now are globally dominant. Nonetheless, nostalgia for the simpler life continues, in many ways stronger—and more futile—than ever.

President Trump’s rejection of the Paris Accord is but an effort to return to that isolated America of our past. This too, will fail.

There was no way that the United States could avoid becoming entangled in WWI and WWII. They were global. The problem of environmental pollution and the inevitable impact on our lives is also global—no wall will keep it out. We can reject the Accord but not that fact.

We all will pay the cost of Trump’s error; pay it with our lives.

JOSEPH M. PROSPERO, MIAMI

Note from KBJ: Donald Trump is making America great again, Joseph, and you can't stand it. Suck it up!

Global Warming is proof that human beings need religion.

This blog had 4,114 visits during May, which is an average of 132.7 visits per day. A year ago, the average was 172.7.

Romantic Warrior (1976). Al Di Meola wrote this song.

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To the editor:

President Trump is, as usual, pointing the finger at others for his poor standing with the public. He blames the media and members of his staff when the real answer can be found a lot closer to home. (“Shake-up rumors build as Trump's communications director exits,” May 30)

A political operative cited in this article says that Trump will not change his style and that others should not expect they can change things. I think he has hit the nail on the head.

From the early days of his presidential campaign in 2015 to the present, Trump’s “style” of name-calling, insult-flinging and making often inarticulate, contradictory and fearmongering statements have set the tone for his administration. A new staff won’t make much difference unless the president himself changes his ways.

Joanna Ryder, Hermosa Beach

Note from KBJ: President Trump is popular with those of us who voted for him. We will vote for him again in 2020. Suck it up, Joanna.

How about I Should Have Stayed Home and Baked Cookies and Had Teas?