The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Critical Notice

7.7.03 @ 12:01AM

A WIN-WIN SITUATION
Re: The Washington Prowler's Democrats Get dirty:

This info you provide on Kerry's campaign spending energy and effort looking for dirt on Dean and family is the exact reason Kerry cannot win against Bush. Until these guys "get it," we the people currently have a candidate that can win against Bush, Howard Dean. Thanks for the info.

Aloha,
-- Jeanne Wolf
Kamuela, HI

It's so convenient for the GOP that Kerry's digging into Dean's background. If Howie gets nominated, our work will be done for us.

Thanks, Frenchie.
-- ERP
Flagler Beach, FL

IN THE ARENA
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s No Bull:

Thanks to Bob Tyrrell for a fine specimen of travel writing -- and, for myself, a tweak of heady nostalgia. Damned if it wasn't almost exactly thirty years ago that I visited, accompanied by as many college co-eds (I'm not making that up), the Plaza de Toros de Sevilla, the Alcazar too. Judging from Bob's vivid prose, the locals are better dressed, their lives much improved; though admission to the bull fights -- this was when Franco was yet presiding -- was to a young Yank who feasted on great Spanish cuisine for a few pesetas not much of an expense at all. The old regime is long since gone, democracy's come, and prosperity. It's wonderful to know, still, that the bull fights remain unchanged.
-- Kenneth E. Grubbs Jr.
Director
National Journalism Center
Washington, D.C.

LEFT HOOKS
Re: George Neumayr's Neutrality in Reverse:

George Neumayr continues to get it wrong as he slams our courts for handing down anti-conservative decisions. He seems to claim that the opposite of morality must be immorality, and that the absence of religion must mean irreligion. By introducing the most simplistic of terms, he conveniently ignores the rationality of the courts, that is, to prevent the imposition of traditional religious (Christian) values on all Americans. Many of our diverse citizens eschew these values in favor of their own beliefs, as legally and traditionally entitled.

As a heterosexual married person, I will not feel threatened by gay marriage if it is legalized. In fact, I applaud any group, gay or straight that promotes love, loyalty and faithfulness. No American should be denied these virtues simply because a particular religious group deems another groups' values as immoral or irreligious. The so-called "wall built to protect the family" is nothing more than homophobic, religious bigotry, and deserves to be toppled.

As for Judge Roy Moore and his Decalogue, since when are public courthouses the personal property of any judge? For them to promote a particular religion simply because it is supported by the majority public is certainly not fair to taxpayers who don't share those beliefs or values. At best, it is simple pandering to achieve power and status. Hence Judge Moore's election as Alabama Supreme Court Justice.

By the way, our founding fathers didn't consider laws permitting slavery and oppression of women as "silly" either. Our society and culture have evolved considerably since then. I doubt seriously if Mr. Neumayr would call for a return to those values.
-- Mike Harrison
Poplar Bluff, MO

I think your article would be better titled: "The idiotic writings of a paranoid right-winger in the age of American tolerance and enlightenment".
-- Gary Rohland
Tampa, FL

"One wonders how long Americans will abide this judicial tyranny. Will there come a time when Americans in large numbers actively disobey courts that actively disobey the Constitution? Should that come to pass, the activist judges will have no authority to object, having shown no respect for the law themselves. "

That time has already arrived. The pity is that the founders intended that the law would rule the public sphere, morality the private. But somewhere along the way, the people were convinced to have contempt for the very institutions they created.

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Taxes, Education, Religion, Constitution, Law, Supreme Court, Founding Fathers, Iraq, NATO, Communism, Energy, Medicare