With the razor-sharp reasoning and deft argument normally reserved for politicians, Lee Van Leeuwen and J.B. Thomas responded to my letter (critical of the first family’s recent vacations) by justifying questionable behavior with similar behavior. To bolster his comments about vacation spending, Thomas speculated as to my feelings with regard to lives and treasure lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I couldn’t care less about the vacation days taken by these men; even lousy presidents have 24/7 responsibilities and need vacation. I am, however, concerned with the wanton abuse of tax dollars and would be less critical of the Obamas if they were not so indulgent and imperious in manner.

We may differ in our beliefs with respect to public spending and the appropriate perquisites of elected office. Public servants are employees who owe their constituents frugal stewardship over the assets they control; each of these presidents is (or was) less frugal than I would like. In these matters I am a consistent and equal-opportunity critic, without political affiliation or apology.

Finally, Mr. Thomas, all is trivial compared to the lives of those who would fight to protect our right to engage in open debate, even in speculative non sequitur.