Trouble in the Anglican church; Jonah Goldberg on reality shows and America; the deficit problem

The Anglican divide

Re “Anglican angst,” Opinion, Dec. 15

Harold Meyerson is a bit uptight over “conservative” and “traditional” Episcopalians’ failure to condone what the Bible condemns. Shame on them for not carrying the banner of liberal lunacy and for shying away from infecting the church with modernity-driven interpretation!

For their taking Scripture seriously, rejecting trendy ecclesiastical political correctness and balking at playing church, Meyerson categorizes them as people who deal in “contingent bigotries masquerading as universal truths.”

Why does The Times insist on granting print space to amateur theologians who masquerade as journalists?

Jim Roberts
La Mirada

Meyerson’s thoughtful Op-Ed article is right on the money. Those in the Anglican community who oppose a lesbian bishop must ask themselves how the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool’s election will actually negatively affect the church.

Are they against this because of God’s word, or is “God’s word” just a convenient justification for their preexisting homophobia?

Ray Lancon
Los Angeles

Jonah’s new fans

Re “America as reality show,” Opinion, Dec. 15

For the very first time in my life, I find myself agreeing with Jonah Goldberg. (Quick, take my temperature!)

Goldberg rightly decries the vapidity of reality television and its contribution to the dumbing down of America. However, he doesn’t go far enough and make the connection to a part of the populace that probably watches this drivel -- “tea bagging” right-wing ideologues who prefer to live in willful ignorance. These people have contributed to the moral decay of this great country through the hate they spew on a daily basis.

Since when is being smart or educated a bad thing? To watch reality TV or to listen to right-wing pundits, you’d come to think so.

Scott W. Hughes
Simi Valley

Finally, an article from Goldberg that makes sense. Perhaps he will retire on a high note and save us from any further drivel.

Paul Moser
Studio City

What a soulless, self-serving view of humankind, Jonah. Endorsement of the corroding idea that morality in the “upper classes” is more principled than in the “lower classes” cries out for condemnation.

There are good and warped people in every category of human endeavor. Affordability of lassitude is a peculiar conclusion, and your qualified tribute to President Obama is welcome, though it raises the question: Since when is snobbishness healthy?

Karen L. Niles
Huntington Beach

The real party of red ink

Re “Deficits forever? No,” Editorial, Dec. 15

Ronald Reagan cut taxes, and our deficits bloomed. Ross Perot raised an alarm; Bill Clinton took up the call and balanced the budget near the end of his term, recognizing the inevitable aging of our population and the coming demands on our treasury.

George W. Bush came into power and told us we should cut taxes to get “our money” back. And we did, producing hundreds of billions in deficits each year as we greedily gave up any chance of getting ahead of this problem. As your editorial points out, the deficit doubled.

Now we are in a severe recession. The only responsible thing to do morally and economically is to spend to keep demand up and people working so that things do not spiral downward even further.

It was the irresponsibility of Reagan and Bush and their followers that let deficits get out of hand. But deficits only seem to matter when Democrats rule.

David Greene
San Pedro

Protesting veterans

Re “U.S. drops lawsuit against protesters,” Dec. 14

One doesn’t need military experience to be offended by the American Civil Liberties Union’s defense of a few disgruntled vets flying the American flag upside down as some distorted form of protest against construction of a public park on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Brentwood property.

This unacceptable behavior is even more repulsive when conducted by veterans. As a vet myself, I know all too well the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made to protect our freedom to wave the flag. Seeing these sacrifices devalued in this way is an offense to every American, and I am ashamed of our government for allowing it.

This fringe group is not representative of mainstream veterans, and it misrepresents VA activity. No one is trying to take the VA property away from vets. To the contrary: The nonprofit Veterans Park Conservancy has successfully fought for years against commercialization of the site, and it is working vigorously to enhance a portion of it with recreational spaces and commemorative tributes to all veterans.

Frank E. Raab
Beverly Hills
The writer is vice president of the board of directors of the Veterans Park Conservancy.

Hollywood’s ‘Voice’

Re “Lost without ‘The Voice,’ ” Opinion, Dec. 13

Many thanks to Joe Queenan for his thoughts on voice-over legend Don LaFontaine’s passing. Though his absence leaves the industry an audible silence, it should be known that the countless voice-over artists who benefited from LaFontaine’s kindness would rather preserve his memory than try to replace him, even if “The Voice” himself would most likely coach the contenders. He enjoyed success by sharing it.

We at the nonprofit SAG Foundation are honored to construct the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab, a Los Angeles resource facility geared to the needs of voice-over artists. Led by professionals who knew, worked with and learned from Don, the project pays tribute to both man and mentor, always allowing room for more than one voice in the field he exemplified.

There will never be another Don LaFontaine, but his voice stays with us. It always told us that something great, powerful and entertaining was coming around the bend. In gratitude, we can trust him, and wait for it.

Rufino Cabang
Los Angeles
The writer is director of communications at the SAG Foundation.

Pets and microchips

Re “Found pets might get microchips,” Dec. 15

It is with concern that I read about the L.A. City Council’s proposal to require the implantation of a microchip ID in found pets.

This would strip pet owners of the right to decide what is best for their dog or cat, and also raises the question: Where will it end? Maybe lost children will be next.

Catherine Edwards
Glendale