Clinton Attacks Religious Right

* I shook my head in disgust as I read of President Clinton’s recent verbal attack on Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts (June 25). Invoking the memory of those who sacrificed their lives on D-day, he stated, “These people did not die so the American people could indulge themselves in the luxury of cynicism.” That comment is indicative of his Administration’s utter disdain for our basic freedoms. He obviously does not realize that is exactly why they died.

JAMES P. SANTAGATA

Mission Viejo

* Thank God that President Clinton moved from the restrictions of presidential imagery to become human and hit back at the sacred-cow privileges of the Rush Limbaugh evangelists of American talk radio.

Clinton correctly pointed out that the constant cacophony of right-wing vilification is more than an anti-Administration media circus. It saturates America with a negativism that fuels an already dangerous national sense of hopelessness.

The spectacle of an arrogant Limbaugh strutting across our TV screens peddling his political propaganda is a bad-taste hangover from Reaganistic reaction.

But this is 1994. It’s time to go ahead and vomit over the nauseating chorus of evangelistic blasphemy preached from their protected perches by self-appointed political propagandists for the Deity.

TED COX

Palm Springs

* Democrats are alienating Christians. Recent statements from Don Sweitzer, the party’s national political director, and Rep. Vic Fazio (D-West Sacramento) demonstrate an insidious attack against Christians who actively disagree with their ideology (June 26). Whenever politicians make personal attacks instead of debating the differences of opinion regarding issues, it is an indication they are in trouble. Unable to convince voters their philosophy is correct, they resort to a personal smear campaign.

Democrats would like voters to believe the Republican Party is being taken over by “the radical right” with a scary agenda. An interpretation of that, and certainly closer to the truth, is that Christians are concerned with the direction of America and are getting politically involved to make changes that include less government, lower taxes, better schools and reduced crime. I guess it’s the less government and lower taxes part that has the Democrats worried.

JOHN O’NEIL

Newport Beach

* So “Billy Boy” is now blaming Jerry Falwell and Limbaugh for his problems instead of taking a good look in the mirror.

Falwell and Limbaugh tell the truth. Clinton should try it!

L. M. LEWIS

Costa Mesa

* The Republicans have been vigorously criticizing Democrats for being intolerant of religion. But at the Iowa Republican Caucus, Sen. Arlen Specter attracted the one round of catcalls when he affirmed his support for the “basic principle of separation of church and state” (June 26).

Noted!

EMIL LAWTON

Sherman Oaks

* While I agree with Edwin Yoder about Falwell and the religious right (“The Religious Right, Doing the Wrong Thing,” Commentary, June 28), I disagree with his statement that Christianity “is about right and wrong.” In fact, the persistence of this erroneous belief is one of the prime reasons the religious right exists. Christianity is about a loving God who became human, led an exemplary life, showed love and mercy to the least deserving, and then died willingly to demonstrate God’s power over death. If only Falwell would spend more time preaching the Gospel instead of spreading his pseudo-Christian-conservative agenda, he might find a society more willing to embrace his values.

However, the Christian Gospel involves a higher level of moral ambiguity and uncertainty than Falwell and the religious right can countenance.

LAWRENCE TONSICK

Pasadena

* Yoder refers to the conflict developing between President Clinton and Falwell, the two Baptist boys. Yoder says that the Baptist God must be confused over two Baptists fighting with each other. He then refers to the President as “a good Southern Baptist boy who goes to church regularly, Bible in hand, knows and loves all the old hymns and is well acquainted with Holy Writ.”

Let me say that Yoder may be confused but God is not confused and neither is he mocked. God has X-ray vision. He can see right through humankind. Just because somebody goes to church and loves the hymns, does not necessarily mean he or she is a Christian. Anybody can put up a successful front. After all, evangelists Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart did.

JOHN Y. BHATTI

Los Angeles