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

Don't think for a second that Joe Biden will not be the Democrat nominee for president in 2016. Yes, he said today that he's not running, but he's waiting in the wings for Hillary Clinton to be indicted or otherwise so damaged that she can't continue. The corruption and incompetence of the Clintons can't be suppressed forever.

I've noticed something interesting lately. Journalists and commentators use the term "controversial" more and more often to describe conservatives in general and Republicans in particular. For example, Donald Trump's remarks on just about every topic are said to be "controversial." Ben Carson's remarks on abortion, homosexuality, and guns are said to be "controversial." Ted Cruz has a "controversial" posture on immigration. These are just three of many examples I could provide.

Why would conservatives all of a sudden be described as "controversial"? I think it's a leftist meme. Leftists know that Democrat candidates need the votes of people who are nonideological. Many people who don't follow politics closely think that elected officials should work together to solve problems rather than stand on principle. Someone who is "controversial" is not likely to work with others. The new rhetoric is a not-so-subtle attempt to steer people away from conservatives. Have you noticed this? If not, perhaps you will after reading this post.

Texas does more than almost any other state to protect innocent human life. We do this by killing murderers and by refusing to fund abortions. I am proud to live in a life-affirming state.

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Live in Montreal (1991). One of my favorite musicians.

To the Editor:

Re “3 Peerless Republicans for President” (column, Oct. 8):

The disdain with which Nicholas Kristof describes the presidential candidates Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson (“inexperienced,” “tyros,” “least qualified”) and the decision-making of those who deign to support them (“odd awe,” “bizarre flirtation”) is emblematic of the disregard with which many voters have been treated and is one of the reasons those of us outside the inner circle of the political and media elite are rejecting conventional candidates this time around.

We know that our founding fathers did not make it a requirement that a president come from the political class, and the recent performance of those who do has been more than disappointing.

But I would agree with Mr. Kristof’s concluding remark that the fact these three candidates are leading is a “sad window into our political dysfunction,” because if everything were working in Washington, we would be voting for career politicians.

PAUL HAUPTMAN

St. Louis

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Katherine and I are watching the Academy Award-winning movies in chronological order, beginning with Midnight Cowboy in 1969. Yesterday evening, having put it off for almost a year (out of dread), we watched Chicago (2002), which Katherine had seen but I had not.

I have nothing to say about this movie other than it bored and confused me. If you asked me what it was about, I'd say, "I don't know, but there was a lot of dancing and singing by people in strange outfits." Thank god it's behind us. Next up is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Here is the trailer.