After slogging through Kenneth Rogoff’s case for shifting from short-term debt to long-term debt while the borrowing climate is good (“America’s looming debt decision’’), it was a pleasure to move to Alex Beam’s argument in favor of Jason Bourne over James Bond (“Bond or Bourne? The choice is clear,’’ Opinion, Aug. 8). While Rogoff’s piece is weighted down with economist-speak (on the one hand this and on the other, that), Beam does not equivocate. He favors Bourne absolutely because Bond’s martinis and gorgeous blondes are so five minutes ago. Julia Stiles with her Columbia pedigree is far more appealing. So far, so good. As usual, I agree with everything Beam says. But then he committed an error that I assume was simply a moment of forgivable insanity. He suggested that Bourne would vote for Donald Trump. With apologies to Beam, Bourne did not travel through four movies in search of existential meaning only to throw away those hard-won revelations in a spectacular display of nihilism. No, Bourne would be looking over Hillary’s shoulder from a building across the street and, when she answers the phone, saying, “Before you press send, Madame President, get some rest. You look tired.’’

Jim Miara

Needham