Dear Catholic Exchange:
I just finished reading Catholic Jimmy Carters, a piece by Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick. If I may share my thoughts, I’d like to say that Jimmy Carter was a man ill suited to be president of the United States. He did not come across as a strong leader like Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush. He lacked the charisma of Bill Clinton. However, he did have one strong point: He believed in attempting to resolve international conflicts through negotiation and diplomacy rather than war. He believed that the United States should stand up for the human rights of all nations not just those of the regimes we oppose. Since leaving office he has worked tirelessly to promote justice and peace throughout the world. Mr. Fitzpatrick refers to Carter being accountable for the fall of the Shah of Iran. The Shah fell for one reason and one reason only: He was a brutal and corrupt despot, hated by the Iranian people. Carter led the way to the Camp David Accords, which significantly reduced hostility between Israel and Egypt. Jimmy Carter is a just and honorable man who will be well remembered by future generations.
Thanks,
Jim Hicks
*****
Dear Catholic Exchange,
Normally, I enjoy the fresh perspectives many of Catholic Exchange's writers. However, in Catholic Jimmy Carters, James Fitzgerald's blind conservatism is too much to bear. While I agree the politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize is wrong and that it should not be used to support or condemn an administration’s policies, his criticism of the Catholic peace movement is out of line. Fitzgerald's support of a president who is seeking a war only so he can win more votes is no better a representation of the Catholic faith than are the actions of those he criticizes.
I do not claim to support many of the activities of Pax Christie or other ultra-liberal Catholic groups. However, we must acknowledge that mindlessly followed conservative views can harm the Faith just as easily as mindlessly followed liberal ones. Mr. Fitzpatrick accuses liberal Catholic groups of twisting and misusing the Catholic faith while doing the very same thing.
Mr. Fitzpatrick pays no attention to what the Catechism actually teaches on the just war principle (cf. CCC 2309) or an arms race (cf. CCC 2315-2316). Mr. Fitzpatrick's blind following of our president's foolish attempts to goad Iraq into a war are a sorry reflection of the Catholic faith. We as Catholics are so constantly focused on the effects of “cafeteria” liberal Catholics that we remain unaware of the effects of conservative slanted ones. Does this mean I think the U.S should simply sit back and watch the people of Iraq suffer? No. Do I believe that we should exhaust all other possibilities before we send troops halfway across the globe to fight and die? Yes. Mr. Fitzpatrick does not seem to mind if our young men and women spill their blood without knowing why. This attitude is just as dangerous as the attitudes of those he criticizes. In any case, we must be wary of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Sincerely,
Ben McCarty
Freshman, Politcal Science
University of Portland, Oregon
Dear Readers,
I appreciate your interest in my column, however you seem to be reacting not to what I wrote as much as to what you believe “right-wing” Catholics think about U.S. foreign policy and George W. Bush. I did not take a position on war with Iraq in the column. I questioned Jimmy Carter’s political judgment, not his character or sincerity.
In Christ,
Jim Fitzpatrick
Dear Catholic Exchange:
I read your article No Spin Zones That Spin about Bill O’Reilly. I found the piece rather supportive of Mr. O’Reilly.
I would, however, like to point out that Mr. O'Reilly supports Project Prevention, which pushes a decidedly anti-Catholic program supporting eugenics for persons who now OR HAVE EVER struggled with drug or alcohol addiction. Project Prevention provides cash incentives for such persons to be sterilized.
Thus, if Mr. O'Reilly had his way, the following persons would have never been born: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bill Cosby, John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath) and Father Mychael Judge of the F.D.N.Y.
I certainly hope Catholic Exchange is not in support such a program. As a Catholic, and as a daughter of an alcoholic and a drug addict, I would like to assure you that the gravest child abuse is to be denied existence. I am very glad that I and my five sisters and brothers were not “saved” from “abuse” by Project Prevention. We hold our lives precious, as we do all the lives Project Prevention wants to eliminate.
Thanks,
Sherril Babcock
Dear Ms. Babcock,
Thank you for your feedback. I cannot imagine how you could interpret the report we published in our Media & Culture channel as supportive of Mr. O'Reilly. In any case, rest assured that Catholic Exchange does not support endeavors such as Project Prevention.
Yours in Christ,
Tom Allen
Editor, CE
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