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January 29, 1999/12 Shevat 5759, Vol. 51, No. 18
Letters to the Editor1/29/1999
Arkansas rabbi misses real questions of truth
Editor:It was with great sadness that I read Rabbi Eugene Levy’s commentary (Jewish News. Jan. 22.) Levy’s thesis is that President Bill Clinton’s impeachment troubles are the result of right wing zealots who are vengeful, self-righteous and punitive. When the Lewinsky affair was first exposed, the White House spinmeisters used the right wing Christian zealot argument with great enthusiasm. When that didn’t work, Independent Counsel Ken Starr became the White House target. When that tack failed, the next defense was that the president’s sexual proclivities were just personal. When that argument lost creditability, we were treated to the bizarre claim that oral sex was not sex. Finally, we are now told what the president did in the Oval Office was not so bad because all prior presidents engaged in similar activities citing Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy. The least Levy could have done in his commentary was to use the most recent defense emanating from the White House lawyers now that they are front and center on the Senate floor. No where in Levy’s article is there mention of perjury, obstruction of justice or what impact this sordid chapter in our history will have on our children and grandchildren and what acquittal will do to our system of justice. I would hope that in his future commentaries the rabbi might spend some time on the subject of ethics, morality, truth, integrity and who should properly be a role model in our society. Name calling and unjustified attacks on the motives of people who believe in the concepts of equality of justice and the rule of law is not what I expect from a member of the rabbinate, even if he speaks from a pulpit in Little Rock, Arkansas. David Frazer Phoenix 'Zealots' did not cause Clinton fall from grace
Editor:In his commentary (Jewish News, Jan. 22) Rabbi Eugene Levy claimed that "religious zealots (are) to blame for Clinton’s troubles." Only a disturbed and clouded mind could reach such a conclusion. Any fair minded person, regardless of political persuasion, must recognize that the president’s troubles were brought on by the president and solely by the president himself. As Levy himself states, although the president may have many virtues, he is indeed a flawed man. I don’t know all of these so-called "zealots," but I do know that none of them caused the president to lie or tamper with potential witnesses. I do know Congressman Asa Hutchinson, (R-Ark.), and can assure you that he is fair-minded, honest and intelligent. Levy’s characterization is unfortunate and inappropriate for a spiritual leader. Before describing those with a different view on impeachment as vengeful, narrow, self-righteous, punitive and hateful, he should take a good look in the mirror. Eugene Schupak Scottsdale Policy center forum deemed a waste of time
Editor:My husband and I attended the Jewish Policy Center forum on Jan. 24 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. I didn’t know what I was going to hear, but I wasn’t prepared for the vitriol and sarcasm. I certainly did not expect to hear more garbage about President Bill Clinton who, according to the panel, is the cause of everything bad that has happened in this and other countries. The entire evening was about politics. The panel consisted of a group of very rigid Republicans who repeatedly bashed liberals. There were more serious, specifically Jewish, problems which could have been discussed. I should have stayed home and watched TV or read our illustrious newspaper for more accounts of Clinton’s tzores, troubles, if that was my interest. Apparently many others had the same opinion because they left throughout the discussion period. As my husband always says, one shouldn’t waste time because time can’t be back-ordered. I’m sorry I wasted my time. Thelma Feller Phoenix (Via the Internet) Anti-liberal diatribe offends Republican
Editor:I attended a public meeting sponsored by the Jewish Policy Center, described in your newspaper (Jewish News, Jan. 22) as a "forum on important public issues." People crowded one of the main ballrooms of the Arizona Biltmore where Michael Medved, a conservative radio talk-show host, played a liberal posing questions to the group of political conservatives, which included a Harvard professor of Yiddish studies, a rabbi and several writers. I was shocked at the intensity of the anti-liberal diatribe, particularly Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s defense of Rev. Jerry Falwell and his recent statement about the imminent coming of the Antichrist in the form of a Jewish man. Falwell’s statement was made not to a small group of theologians as this rabbi would have his audience believe but to a church service in Tennessee with 1500 people in attendance. The rabbi further stated that Falwell contributes very generously to the state of Israel. Other half truths and distortions expressed by speakers, and met amazingly with applause, included a statement that most of the welfare money intended for the poor goes to doctors who are getting rich as a result. Another panel member stated that teachers are overpaid, have lifetime jobs and are the only employees never judged by performance. Another called President Bill Clinton a terrible enemy of Israel and said Clinton makes former U.S. President Bush and former Secetary of State Jim Baker look good by comparison. Others said that Clinton’s dishonest and immoral behavior is a threat to the very structure of our government. It is apparent to me that the Jewish Policy Center vigorously supports the political positions of the right-wing Christian coalition even to the point where its founder, Lapin, has become an apologist for Falwell’s patent anti-Semitic theology. As a lifelong Republican, I am alarmed. Murray Schreiber Scottsdale |
