Jerry Rubin’s Death

Re “On the Death of Jerry Rubin,” Commentary, Nov. 30:

Normally I ignore the impulse to respond to some of your more ludicrous commentaries. But Fred Branfman’s eulogy describing Jerry Rubin as the “quintessential American” was too much.

I was in law school in San Francisco and then an officer in the Army during Rubin’s anti-war actions of the ‘60s. He and his group went beyond dissent to treason. Regardless of his more recent views, to hold him as a model of the personification of the American Dream is the same as extolling Benedict Arnold because he led a good life in exile.

It is always regrettable when anyone suffers an untimely demise and our condolences should and do go out to the family. But one cannot ignore comments that distort reality and that even Rubin would find uncomfortable, albeit for different reasons.

DAVID J. PANTOJA

Riverside

Having the same name and doing similar peace-related activism for the past 15 years that former Yippie leader Jerry Rubin was doing in the ‘60s has been, for me, extremely interesting. Having known Jerry for a dozen years, I can say with a sad heart that our planet has lost an especially creative and unique individual.

Rubin’s contribution (along with Abbie Hoffman, Tom Hayden and the other Chicago 7 defendants) in helping to stop the horrible Vietnam War should always be remembered with pride and respect. The “in your face” and “in the streets”-style activism that Rubin perpetuated in the ‘60s is sorely needed now as we fast approach the new century. For me, it’s always good to see students organizing and peacefully protesting both visibly and vehemently for positive and just causes. Not too long ago Jerry Rubin said, “Do it!” Perhaps it’s now time to “do it again!”

JERRY RUBIN

Santa Monica