Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘A Double Standard ‘
Kudos to columnist Alicia Colon for exposing the double standard at work when it comes to child sexual molestation [“A Double Standard,” New York, September 13, 2004].
We at the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights have been watching this issue carefully. We know all too well that it is not sexual abuse that angers our elites, it’s who the molester is.
If it’s a priest, it’s front-page news. If it’s a public school teacher, to cite one example, it’s pushed to the back of the newspaper.
Ms. Colon is also right about the American Civil Liberties Union’s defense of NAMBLA, the North American Man-Boy Love Association. The ACLU defends men who plot in a public library to sexually abuse boys, but it refuses to defend the right of that same library to shield children from having access to pornography on its computers.
It’s not freedom the ACLU is defending – it’s libertinism. And that can only lead to liberticide.
WILLIAM A. DONOHUE
President Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights Manhattan
The Beslan Massacre
This is in regard to an article in The New York Sun about the massacre of over 300 people, most of whom were children, with 700 injured, in a school at Beslan [“Russians Seethe at Hostage Crisis,” Michael Mainville, Page One, September 3, 2004].
What got to me most were the reports and pictures of many children that were shot as they ran screaming from the school when the chaotic finale to the 53-hour ordeal unfolded.
I found the terrorists’ actions to be barbaric and nefarious. My heart goes out to President Putin and the Russian people, also our Russian neighbors who now live in New York. I pray for their families in this most difficult time.
I would like to know, though, what the Chechen terrorists hope to achieve with these horrific acts of savagery, for they make no sense. However, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported that Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev had Al Qaeda support. What a surprise.
The whole world is now facing terrorism from Al Qaeda and other such organizations. We therefore must not falter, we must not acquiesce, and we must not capitulate. If we do, we will face the annihilation of our way of life The nations of the world must stand up with America to remove this cancer from the face of the earth, for evil knows no bounds .
There was a report that one of the Russian girls that survived said of her rescuers, “They’re not human beings. What they did to us, I can’t understand.” Well, little one, neither can I. That’s why we must fight terrorism on a global level from nation to nation or more children will surely die.
FREDERICK R. BEDELL JR.
Little Neck N.Y.
Kerry’s Complaint
The charges against Senator Kerry are extraordinary. Remember that in 1996 the chief of Naval operations, Admiral Jeremy Boorda, committed suicide when it was disclosed that he was improperly wearing a medal [“Kerry Complains He Is Target of ‘Fear and Smear,'” Page One, Julia Levy, August 25, 2004].
Now the candidate of our largest political party stands accused of many far more serious charges. These include deliberately inserting himself into the armed forces during a conflict under false pretenses, taking the uniform and authority of an officer while intending to evade his oath, submitting false reports to his superior officers regarding actions he claims to have participated in, using those false reports and other improper influence to obtain medals and benefits, including a release from a combat post, possibly treasonously meeting with the representatives of the enemy while he was still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and even cowardice under fire.
Clearly these charges cannot be simply ignored and the president would be derelict in his duties if he simply called on the accusers to be quiet and go away. Silencing them is not in his power and he has a responsibility to the country, to the Navy, and to Mr. Kerry to either exonerate the Senator or charge him.
Certainly others, including Mr. Kerry’s current accusers, were derelict 35 years ago in simply accepting his uncorroborated statements as grounds for issuing these medals or not reviewing his reports before allowing them to be submitted.
Mr. Kerry should insist on a Court of Inquiry. Mr. Bush should assist him and offer all the resources available for a full public resolution of these questions.
If the charges do not hold water, then Mr. Kerry has cause for action against his accusers, who could also face criminal charges. If, on the other hand, these charges have merit, than he must resign and the Democratic Party would have to replace him. I’d suggest that they turn to Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey, who has some experience at this type of rescue operation.
ROSS WEINER
Rego Park, N.Y.
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