George,

Rev. Falwell should be ashamed of himself for using a national tragedy to promote his ultra-conservative agenda. This is not a time for hatefulness and rhetoric, but is rather a time for the citizens of this country to come together, despite their differing views, to present a united front against those who would try to destroy our country and our way of life. This is a country that enjoys many freedoms, including the freedom to make reproductive medical decisions, and that freedom is something to be treasured and preserved. The events of this past Tuesday were an attempt to threaten our very way of life and should not be viewed as an opportunity to advance a political position.

As a preacher, Rev. Falwell should know that God is not vengeful and his suggestion that God has caused these terrible events to happen as a method of punishing people who do not agree with Rev. Falwell perhaps demonstrates, better than anything else, that Rev. Falwell does not preach the word of God, but rather preaches narrow mindedness, hatred, and bigotry.

Julie McClellan (electronic mail, September 14, 2001).