Mailbag

An exception to the rule

I thoroughly enjoyed your cover story about the pillars of America. I live in Plymouth, Mass., and the National Monument to the Forefathers here is a testament to what was written.
    Matthew Glynn / Plymouth, Mass.

From living in several countries and next to an Amish community, I’ve learned that when you believe work is a gift from God, it permeates your surrounding culture. That pillar presents the strongest case for American exceptionalism.
    Rozanna Leever / Morgantown, Pa.

I agreed with much in Larry Schweikart’s article, but he omits how America replaced the justification for government from the “divine right of kings” to a government of, by, and for the people—democracy.
    Stephen R. Hildrich / Orange, Conn.

I am grateful for Dr. Schweikart’s article, and I completely agree that the United States is exceptional among nations. Nevertheless, he under­emphasizes English exceptionalism and the debt the United States owes to England’s political, legal, and even religious development.
    James M. Albritton Sr. / Birmingham, Ala.

I enjoyed Larry Schweikart’s article, but he is mistaken in saying the first officially proclaimed Thanksgiving was at Plymouth, Mass. The first Thanksgiving was on Dec. 4, 1619, at what is now Berkeley Plantation in Virginia, one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims landed.
    John A. Johnson  / Rockingham, Va.

I subscribe to WORLD because it uniquely reports on current events happening here and around the world, not for a history lesson with an interpretive sheen. WORLD does better when it reports on real events ­happening in real time.
    Kathryn Lewis / Charlotte, N.C.

This article was outstanding. The author hit on how our God has made our nation unique in every way.
    William Hill / Huachuca City, Ariz.

Gender ideology infects family court

One of my daughters, from an early age, wanted to be a boy. She later realized she liked boys and liked being a girl. I pray Sawyer’s dad will get full custody and his mother’s eyes will be opened so he can grow up to be who God created him to be.
    Joyce Petrichek / Finleyville, Pa.

Birthday blessings

I laughed out loud when I read Lynn Vincent’s distinction between her reading choices: books for alert ­people vs. books for tired people. I like to have a book to read when I can’t sleep and must leave my bed to read until I get sleepy. It is always a book for alert people, so I can fall back to sleep!
    Carole Williamson / Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Targeting executive bank profits

Putting the government in another enforcement role should be the last option. Let’s make boards accountable for the executives they hire. When the incentives and penalties focus on boards, they will be the first defense against undeserved compensation gained from executive malpractice.
    Geoffrey S. Parker / Prescott, Ariz.

Sound of Freedom

I’m surprised WORLD never mentioned that the movie is about a Mormon protagonist who founded and runs a Mormon organization.
    Fred Neubert / Grand Haven, Mich.

Correction

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is a trade association, not a union (“What made Hollywood go on strike?,” Aug. 12, p. 20).