Disabled Historian Burns Book

Scholars “publish or perish” but in the case of Dr. Paul Longmore who is disabled, the adage should probably be changed to “publish and perish” (“Disabled Historian Burns Book Over Threat to Benefits,” Metro, Oct. 19). The government’s logic that royalties from a book that took 10 years to write is “unearned income” simply escapes me.

If Longmore earns $10,000 from his book, the money would cover his needs for 4 1/2 months. The thought of the government removing Longmore from the disability program and then restoring his benefits 4 1/2 months later is absurd!

IRIS WECHSLER

Burbank