Letters: Jun. 27, 2005

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In the Essay "In Defense of Certainty," Charles Krauthammer asserted that it is trendy to disenfranchise those who hold "religiously grounded views" [June 6]. He misses the point completely. What is trendy is the unwillingness of zealots of any stripe to engage in genuine, honest intellectual debate. Krauthammer feels that legalized abortion and gay marriage are attempts to impose "secular views" on America. Nonsense! One side of the debate says, "Give us the freedom to choose for ourselves." The other side says, "No one can do these things because we don't believe in them." Who is forcing beliefs on whom?

CHARLES FINN -- Oceanside, Calif.

It is difficult to maintain certainty in an ever changing world in which all forms of behavior are tolerated in the name of diversity, but the Bible teaches that peace cannot exist where God's righteousness is not first established. We must be courageous enough to endorse scriptural values.

STEVEN STEWART -- Carlsbad, Calif.

Is the certainty that drives a youngster to blow himself up in a crowd to be praised? There are lots of people who are certain about what they believe in. That certainty doesn't make them right.

JIM CARLISLE -- Atascadero, Calif.

Back from the War

Your story about the National Guardsmen who returned home to Bradford, Ark., after serving in Iraq [June 6], began as a description of a unifying, all-American spirit. But the report suddenly left me cold when I read Mayor Paul Bunn's statement that he is still "against abortion and gay rights." After all the carnage and religious-based violence he witnessed in Iraq, I am angry that Bunn could deny rights to a minority group here at home. And this after a year spent fighting for all Americans, even gay Americans. I can't help wondering what an uproar there might be if Bunn had said he was against the rights of any other minority group. Sadly, I don't expect very many people thought anything of his intolerant remark.

JAMES BELL -- West Hollywood, Calif.

You poignantly described what Bush's Iraq war did to one American town. It is unconscionable for the Army to deploy so many National Guard reservists from one locality. Aren't there any limits to how many can be called up from one town? The soldiers who have come home from the war are mentally scarred. It's time to stop the killing and let Americans get on with their lives.

MARION KYSER -- Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.

Cruise Acts Out

Your article on Tom Cruise and his over-the-top profession of passion for actress Katie Holmes on Oprah was right on the money [June 6]. Cruise certainly didn't need to jump up and down on a sofa to prove he's an imbecile. And who is he to criticize Brooke Shields or any other woman who seeks medical help for postpartum depression? Does the idea of a strong woman taking charge of her health frighten Cruise? His opinions belong in the Dark Ages. He needs to leave health care to medical professionals and their patients.

JANICE FISHER -- Midlothian, Va.

Cruise's nutty behavior on Oprah was an example of what happens to superstars who reach the top and have no place to go but down. Look at Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. We treat celebrities like gods, then complain when they start to believe they can fly.

JONATHAN LOWE -- Tucson, Ariz.