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.
‘The Religious Test’
Your excellent editorial explaining the Constitution’s prohibition of a religious test for public office was a valuable service in educating Americans about the Constitution and pointing out the ignorance or perhaps gall of such senators as Schumer, Durbin, and Kennedy who seek to impose their own test on judicial nominees [“The Religious Test,” July 27, 2005].
What is most interesting, though, is that this improper and unconstitutional charge is being led by fallen away or nonpracticing Catholics who have shunned their own heritage and beliefs in favor of a secularist worldview.
While being against abortion does not require religious or conservative grounding – several prominent liberals are publicly pro-life; Nat Hentoff is one example – most of the media link an opposition to abortion with a deeply held religious belief. I suppose the same could be said for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose deeply held religious beliefs stirred within him the courage to stand up for equal rights under the law.
Judge John G. Roberts Jr. is on all accounts exactly the type of person who should serve in government. He is brilliant, experienced, and competent in his field. In his personal and professional life, he appears to be a man of integrity and honor. Americans of whatever political persuasion should be thankful such a person wishes to serve on the nation’s highest court.
JOHN J. JAKUBCZYK
Phoenix, Ariz.
Mayor’s Attorney Fired
Re: “Attorney for Mayor, Board of Elections Is Fired by Board” Meghan Clyne, New York, July 28, 2005. These articles show the power of the ten Commissioners of Elections. As executives they hire and fire workers; as judges they rule candidates on or off the ballot. Both of these powers were exercised at Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting. The firing was done in executive session lasting close to an hour.
The petition rulings were done in a public session of about 15 minutes. Whether as judges or executives, each commissioner has one vote whether representing Staten Island or Brooklyn (i.e. not equal populations). The Board of Elections has large, important, but little recognized power. Thanks for shining sunlight on this corner of New York City politics.
MARJORIE SHEA
Women’s City Club of New York
Manhattan
‘Cold War Deja Vu’
Re: “Cold War Deja Vu,” Jean Bethke Elshtain, Opinion, July 26, 2005. Ms. Elshtain is correct that there is indeed no moral equivalence between the actions of our soldiers in Iraq and those of terrorists anywhere. But thousands of innocents have died because we began a war which could have been easily avoided. Aren’t we morally culpable for this?
MIKE LATZER
Closter, N.J.
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