Letter to the editor: The meaning of loyalty

To the editor:

Since Trump is requiring loyalty tests of his political appointees, we should consider the meaning of loyalty. We generally think of loyalty as a positive thing and it surely is when we speak of loyalty to an ideal or a vow. We should note, however, that dictionary definitions indicate that loyalty is a two-way street. Loyalty means faithfulness “to someone to whom faithfulness is due” (Merriam-Webster). When the object of one’s loyalty doesn’t deserve that loyalty, we call it blind loyalty. That’s what Trump is looking for. That’s what we expect of gang members and dogs.

Maggie Childs,

Lawrence