LETTERS

The appearance of authority

Posted 12/3/19

To the Editor: In a Wall Street Journal article dated Nov. 22, 2019, on the subject of robocall scammers originated by criminals who prey on elderly people to transfer their assets to the perpetrator, a psychologist who is an expert on law enforcement

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LETTERS

The appearance of authority

Posted

To the Editor:

In a Wall Street Journal article dated Nov. 22, 2019, on the subject of robocall scammers originated by criminals who prey on elderly people to transfer their assets to the perpetrator, a psychologist who is an expert on law enforcement impersonation scams opined that the elderly are susceptible to “habitual or socially imposed reliance on people in authority.” Clearly, they perceive people in authority with truth and honesty and therefore acquiesce to their demands.

On Nov. 19, 2019, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testified before the U.S. House Intelligence Committee in the formal Trump impeachment proceedings, a civil process. Vindman appeared in his military blue uniform with medals across his chest – a strong people-in-authority image for the millions of TV viewers to absorb.

My question is, why did Vindman feel it necessary to festoon himself in his military regalia while delivering his testimony? My guess is he did not wear his military uniform while working in the White House as a National Security Council aide.

Fred E. Joslyn Jr.

Cranston

Comments

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  • TheSkipper

    Simple If anyone calls you and says thier from the Government and demand money or they sound like Apu from the Simpsons ? Just hang up on them.

    Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Report this