Arnold Schwarzenegger
I have concerns about Arnold Schwarzenegger other than the fact his father was a Nazi (“Arnold’s Challenge” Aug. 29). I believe he is more conservative than he proclaims. After all, he was praised by Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich and is making the rounds on all the right-wing radio talk shows. Since as governor he would be campaigning to elect as many Republicans as possible, most of whom are anti-abortion, anti-gay and pro-National Rifle Association, the cynical ploy of his campaign team to portray him as a moderate to Democrats and independents is the height of hypocrisy. No thanks, Arnold. We’ve had enough of your “True Lies.”
Marty Levine, Los Angeles
Dr. Laura’s Departure
So Dr. Laura doesn’t feel the love and acceptance that her Christian friends talk about (“Dr. Laura Loses Her Religion,” Aug. 22). Obviously Dr. Laura doesn’t understand what Judaism is about. It is not about God loving you, it is about you loving God. It is not about feeling good, although practicing Judaism will lead to you feeling good about yourself, it is about doing good.
The few times I listened to Dr. Laura’s show, I felt that she dispensed her judgments with very little compassion or mercy. I find this strange in a woman who has broken the Fifth Commandment (honor thy father and mother), the Seventh Commandment (thou shall not commit adultery) and the commandment that states, “Do not put a stumbling block before the blind,” by implying that she has a degree in psychology when in fact she doesn’t.
I am not a psychologist either, but after reading her statement, “I never got great applause for my work from the Jewish community…” I would say this is a woman who hungers for approval, love and adoration — and ratings. All of which will be better facilitated by embracing the Christian ideology.
Tobi Ruth Love, Thousand Oaks
Right Place, Right Time
If according to Rabbi Ben-Tzion Kravitz, “God had directed us to this spot to save a young life” (“Right Place, Right Time,” Aug. 29), who or what had directed the taxi to that spot to run into Hadas?
Jeffrey S. Lee, Newport Beach
Israeli Savage
We discussed Dan Katzir’s Aug. 29 “Israeli Savage” piece at a recent study group meeting. All present felt it was inappropriate, sexist and low class. What a pathetic and unrealistic portrayal of the Israeli man. What an ornamental and mindless portrayal of the Jewish American Princess. More importantly, what a poor image of Israel and its strong young men who know that they’re fighting for survival, to defend their democratic country against an enemy violently out to destroy them. At this time of great difficulty, who needs an opportunist like Katzir to undermine Israel for his own self-interest and arrogance?
Fran Barach, Encino
J.D. Smith
We have received The Jewish Journal for some time now, and I confess that it is rarely read. However, recently, upon opening it to use for an art project, I was caught by J.D. Smith’s article (“Down to the Wire,” Aug. 15).
Since then, I have opened every issue and looked forward to reading every witty word about his soon-to-be-ended single life. It makes me laugh out loud and gets me on the phone with my other girlfriends to share his male perspective. There are a number of us who now look forward to enjoying his articles together. Alas, last week there was no J.D. Smith article to be found. You cannot imagine my disappointment — and the disappointment that ran down the chain of my friends. Surely he still has time amidst all of the marriage preparations to share with us his goings-on. We want to get to know Alison better.
Realizing that he can no longer be under the “singles” heading, perhaps you can start a new one titled “newly married” just for J.D. and Alison. Breezing through just to find his article is what has got me reading your paper. I sure hope that I will find him again soon among its pages.
C.C. Pulitzer-Lemann, Beverly Hills
NPR News Standards
The terror bombing in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Aug. 19 provided an early test for NPR’s self-proclaimed new standards for fair coverage of the Middle East (“New Standards for Fair Coverage at NPR,” Aug. 15). NPR failed with flying colors. The promo for its “Talk of the Nation” program that afternoon was, “What will happen to the ‘road map’ if Israel strikes back?”
So far as NPR is concerned, the bombing itself could not be expected to affect the road map. Same old NPR.
Henry D. Fetter, Los Angeles
