Posted October 24, 2002

Prophetic-Lunacy/Falsehood

Regarding "Armageddon" by Morgan Strong:

I wanted to take the opportunity to say, I consider myself and my group (United Reformed Churches) to be conservative, Bible-believing Christians, but Jerry Falwell and his prophetic-lunacy/falsehood does not speak for us. We and many other Christian groups are not part of those "few deluded people" you speak of. For us, there is no Biblical directive to make war with Iraq or support Zionist ambitions.

~ Stuart P.

Morgan Strong replies:

I am gratified to learn that there are those committed to Christianity that do not hold such delusions as Mr. Falwell and company. I suppose it is Christian duty to forgive him, but there is a responsibility to set him on the true path. Whatever that may be.

Encoding Responsibility into the Law

Regarding "J.C. Penney Catalog: GI Joe Commandeers Barbie's Dream House," by Eric Garris:

Am I to understand that you are attempting to dictate to the market what should and shouldn't be available? Sounds communistic to me!

I am, of course, being facetious. I am personally no market fundamentalist and have no problem with demanding that enterprises of production be held accountable to the citizenry for their antisocial, anti-environmental behavior. It just seems ironic that right-wing libertarians would apparently feel the same way.

Perhaps the difference is that I believe that encoding social and environmental responsibility into the law is a good idea, whereas you might not.

Anyway, I enjoy reading the articles and commentary appearing at this website, even though I come from a different perspective.

~ Glenn G.

Eric Garris replies:

Libertarians have no problem with using consumer power to force businesses to take responsible positions. That is part of the essence of libertarianism.

American Friends

Regarding "J.C. Penney Catalog: GI Joe Commandeers Barbie's Dream House," by Eric Garris:

Thank you for your homepage and your activity! I found your page because I was searching for the "nice" toy American children can get this Christmas (Forward Command Post). Still I am shocked and feel like crying inside -- all my knowledge (how "it" works) doesn't protect against this. With my greetings I want to let you know that there are millions of people all around the world who are working against the destructive, deathly and inhuman force of war -- not only in times of battles, because war also destroys people in times of so called peace. When I was a child, our "American friends" (that's the usually used
expression here) made their "exercises" -- fully weaponed -- just under the window of my room. Because of this, the raptures in our city, the American influence in our "democratic" processes, I never got the impression, that these troops are there to protect us, but I never forgot that we are all human beings and there always has been a great difference for me between this military machinery and the American people so I want to embarrass you as the real American friends.

~ Anna W., Germany

Anti-Semitism Claim is Ludicrous

Regarding "Smearing the Antiwar Movement" by Justin Raimondo:

I attended the Not in Our Name rally in Chicago. In my opinion, there was no speaker or official literature that could have been labeled as anti-Semitic.

In fact, one of several unofficial flyers being circulated that day was from a Jewish peace group, actively opposing the current Israeli policy of occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, actions being made in the name of world Jewry, but not reflecting Jewish values.

This claim by Mr. Sullivan that a "fanatical anti-Semitism" is the underlying factor of the current antiwar movement is ludicrous and totally illogical, fodder for the uninformed and unconcerned masses that will hopefully see the light of day soon, before it's too late.

~ Ralph Vidmar, Evanston, Illinois

Crass Passage

I was a little bit disappointed with Justin Raimondo's October 18, 2002 column about the North Korean nuclear program. I do enjoy his perspective and analysis of current events but I felt the general tone of the column was out of character. He seemed to be crowing about the fact North Korea posed a potent threat to the stability of Asia and talking up the chances of war there as almost certain.

I found this quote particularly objectionable: "To anyone related or close to U.S. military personnel stationed in South Korea or Japan, I strongly suggest that you give them a call, write them a note, and tell them you love them. This may be your last chance."

I understand he's trying to make a point about the hypocritical nature of US foreign policy towards Iraq and the Mideast but I felt that the quoted passage was crass and did not add anything to his argument. In fact the tone of the article does his cause more damage than good as it just gives ammunition to the Horowitz-style neocons who would love to discredit the antiwar movement as a "blame America first brigade," a "fifth column," or some other kind of enemy of the state.

You should know better than anyone that the war party and their supporters will do whatever they have to do to discredit you and your argument, so this is no time for sloppy journalism. The work you are doing is too important.

~ Eugene M.

CNN Propaganda

If I had any doubts about CNN being the unofficial propaganda wing of the US government they are now all gone. Flipping channels I noticed a commercial spot about upcoming programming, flashes of George Bush and the commentator saying "we will find out what President Bush plans to do to protect you," (You? Me personally?) said in such a way as to say 'President Bush wants only to protect you, President Bush ever only has your best interests in mind when he acts, President Bush even loves you, our fearless leader'. I was pretty shocked and disgusted by the whole thing to say the least. Perhaps things were always this way but I have the impression they have speeded up recently, growing even more warped and perverted in way that can only end badly.

~ M. Carpenter, Ontario, Canada

Iraq's Crime

Iraq is willing to sell its oil at market prices. Iraq is not a threat to its neighbors or the rest of the world. The world powers don't truly care if there is mistreatment of citizens there; there are lots of other countries where citizens aren't treated well by their respective governments. And nothing is more "mistreatment" of ordinary people than bombings and war and sanctions.

Iraq's crime is its stand for sovereignty. The world powers want to turn the Middle East into a malleable and accommodating community of nations, and Iraq is the place to start. Stupid Saddam invaded Kuwait and gave them the initial excuse.

~ Rick O.