Letter: ‘Help them help themselves’

Published 1:30 am Friday, April 24, 2026

I have to congratulate Mr. Welch on his column, “Compassion Without Accountability Is Not Compassion”. I think it is spot on target. Sixty-five years ago, JFK, in his inaugural address said, “To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves”, with the key phrase “help them help themselves” echoing Mr. Welch’s editorial. Thank you again Mr. Welch for stating the obvious and reminding us that we cannot help those that won’t help themselves.

…tata for now

Fabian Borowiecki

Everett