“The Incredible Lightness of Biden” is a great column (John Podhoretz, PostScript, Aug. 19).
I especially enjoyed Podhoretz’s memory of Vice President Biden talking for 45 minutes. I recall over the years seeing him on news programs rattling on endlessly and saying absolutely nothing.
I also enjoyed the definition of logorrhea as “pathologically incoherent, repetitive speech,” also known as diarrhea of the mouth.
I have called Biden many names recently, but, unfortunately, none are fit to print unless I were a Democrat.
Michelle Malkin called him a “Beltway barnacle” (“The Biden Family Business,” July 28), which I think says it all.
W. Murray, Clearwater, Fla.
Pounding Plouffe
Why can’t some of The Post reporters, who are respected by the majority of the readers, make an issue of what David Plouffe, a senior adviser to President Obama, is doing (“See No Evil,” Phil Mushnick, PostScript, Aug. 19)?
It is probably deeper and involves more people than just Plouffe.
What are the major reporters waiting for? Isn’t there enough information and facts about the Obama administration’s irregular activities?
If a Republican even thought about doing some of the things Obama has done, he could never get away with it.
Lee Web, Miami, Fla.
Pointless tenure
At the graduate level, more responsible schools bestow tenure upon those who successfully pass a variety of tests (“Teacher Tenure Racket,” Michael Goodwin, Aug. 19).
The tests are judged by the tenured faculty, where academic freedom supports research and publishing for continued educational excellence and accreditation.
None of these conditions exist in K-12 public schools; hence, there is no need for tenure — other than for peace of mind that corrupt administrators won’t damage the careers of good teachers.
Diane Richardson, Bridgeport, Conn.
RIP, Phyllis Diller
The entertainment industry has lost another icon (“Last Laugh for Zany Phyllis,” Aug. 21).
The death of Phyllis Diller at the age of 95 is indeed a sad loss. Throughout a career that spanned nearly 70 years, she made millions of people smile and laugh.
She was a perennial part of Bob Hope’s USO shows, and the troops certainly enjoyed her witty escapades.
When she appeared on Dean Martin’s show in the 1970s, she always elicited roars of laughter from her fellow entertainers and the audience.
Diller will be sadly missed. She was one of the funniest comediennes in Hollywood.
We are all better for her having brought so much hilarity to our lives.
John Amato, Fresh Meadows
Big Brother Web
After reading “DragNet” (Don MacLeod, PostScript, Aug. 19), I’ve become a bit paranoid.
I don’t worry because I’m guilty or ashamed of anything in my “online closet,” but because now that I’m unemployed, I’m wondering if there are any inaccuracies that may damage my reputation or ruin my chances of becoming employed again.
All of these methods being used to invade everyone’s privacy scare the heck out of me.
Rose Marusa, Stratford, Conn.