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

To the Editor:

As a former fat person, I think that “The Shame of Fat Shaming” (news analysis, Sunday Review, Oct. 2) comes dangerously close to saying society shouldn’t shame fat people because the poor things can’t help being fat.

Having twice lost more than a hundred pounds, without surgery, and having kept them off the second time, I have no idea how many other fat people could do that if they tried. But any who could and choose not to should not be shamed.

Health and fitness are not everyone’s top priority, nor need they be. Some people are willing to take medical risks for the pleasures of mountaineering; some people are willing to take medical risks for the pleasures of eating.

No such people should be shamed, regardless of whether their risky adventures occur on Mount Everest or at Ben & Jerry’s.

FELICIA NIMUE ACKERMAN

Providence, R.I.

Note from KBJ: Sorry. People can shame, blame, criticize, or mock anyone they want.

Here is Ann Coulter's latest column.

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How stupid is it to hold the World Championship cycling events in Qatar? I'm sure it's all about the money.

Fool for the City (1975).

Your lost treasure will be found within the month.

To the editor:

I’m aware of the 1st Amendment and free speech. Was I asleep in class when they covered false speech?

I speak of The Times’ editorial on the second presidential debate, which declared in its print edition subheadline, “Unapologetic, he tries to deflect criticism by ramping up his personal attacks on Clinton.” (“Debate Round 2: Trump doesn't redeem himself,” editorial, Oct. 9)

Unapologetic? Really? Did the members of the editorial board not read the apology Donald Trump issued, which was printed on Page A6 of Sunday’s Times? Were they not listening during the debate, in which he actually apologized?

This is not just yellow dog journalism; it’s dirty black dog journalism at its worst.

There is no doubt that Trump won that debate, that he put Hillary Clinton on the ropes time after time. And yet The Times thinks she won. This leads one to ask why The Times prints such misleading information.

And if the editorial board does not like either candidate, then why endorse one?

John J. Gobbell, Newport Beach

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