Shrugging along

The shrugging of America ("America shrugged," Nov. 14) should not have caught evangelicals by surprise as it did. There was a precursor, and we missed it! It was the scandalous performance during the Super Bowl half-time show the year Michael Jackson added his obscene crotch-grabbing to his already disgusting pelvic-thrusting as the entire nation looked on. Instead of an outpouring of outrage the nation responded with muted tittering. Given this tacit national acceptance of vulgarity played out on a stage in front of the whole world, why did we expect the public would react any differently to the outrage of Bill Clinton? His wagging finger will forever symbolize for me the condemnation of an America without a moral conscience. - Peter Kushkowski, Haddam, Conn.

Redmond removed

I read with disappointment the results of the recent elections. I believe that you overlooked the defeat of gallant conservative statesman Bill Redmond from New Mexico, who lost only when the Democrats pulled out all of the stops and ran a Udall against him. Congressman Redmond, as you know, was elected to the seat left vacant by Bill Richardson when he became U.S. Ambassador to the UN. He has constantly championed pro-life and family issues as well as being a devout Christian. - Shari Morris, Amarillo, Texas

Gamblers' role

Another great issue! Bob Jones IV did a great job of summarizing the entire election in few words. I would like to know more about the reasons that Fob James and David Beasley lost. I heard that they lost because they opposed lotteries, but did the pro-lottery forces spend a lot of money? I know that here in Missouri the casino industry spent over $10 million to legalize their "boats in moats," but I'm curious as to what groups are spending money to push lotteries. - Kurt Prenzler, St. Louis, Mo.

No boozing and no fiesta

Your cover story, "America shrugged," by Bob Jones IV misrepresented two aspects of a biennial Election Night Party co-sponsored by me and Richard Viguerie. First is the article's attempt to portray the event as a booze-fest. It was not. We provided free soft drinks, juices, lemonade, tea, and coffee. We did serve and charge for alcoholic beverages to those over age 21 who expected this at a traditional election night party. Most people did not imbibe at all. The second is found in the article's last sentence when the event is labeled as an "election-night Republican fiesta." While it is true this year's Election Night Party offered attendees a free Mexican food buffet, it was not a "Republican fiesta." Hundreds of conservatives from the D.C.-metropolitan area are invited to this biennial event. No consideration is given to party affiliation and conservatives of different parties attended. - Morton Blackwell, Arlington, Va.

Biased

Since your magazine is supposedly Christian based, I would like to respond to your many criticisms and premature judgments of the president by quoting Scripture. "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained by God.... For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers" (Romans 13:1, 6a). I cannot quote the whole Scripture because of its length, but I urge all of you to read Romans chapter 13 with an open mind and heart. And remember, Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Hence, both the president and your magazine's extremely biased writers are guilty as charged, no matter what the sin committed. - Robert Boyd, 16, Huntsville, Ala.

Who's the dummy?

Mr. Brown was right on in his column "Rich and smart" (Nov. 14). What kind of idiot rises to so much social power claiming that we have some sort of doomsday overpopulation problem. Only 1/3 of the entire planet is populated. Mr. Turner's decision to submerse himself in the hustle and bustle of the one million plus people in Atlanta isn't my problem. Instead of calling for the death of millions of helpless babies and giving his money to the UN, he could do something constructive. Where are the houses for the homeless? Where are the new low-income subdivisions? Where are the hospitals? Mr. Turner, instead of shouting off at the mouth, come out to the country for a while, and enjoy all the open space available for people to live, or maybe invite a few people over to your own multimillion-dollar ranch. Who knows? Maybe someday we could be neighbors. One dummy to another. - Andy Braner, Branson, Mo.

A fool with a lot of money

I appreciated William Brown's column on Ted Turner. My earliest memory of Turner as a public figure was his slurred remarks right after he'd won the America's Cup Race. Inebriated and quite full of himself, Turner was barely making any sense. I remember thinking: "Gee. I wonder if this guy realizes just how dopey he sounds?" Virtually every public pronouncement Turner has made since then, even when he's sober, has only confirmed my initial assessment. He may be a shrewd businessman, but his empire is clearly built on sand. No "celebrity" alive today, in my view, more accurately embodies the biblical definition of a "fool." I feel sorry for Mr. Turner, and I do hope that one day God will help him to be still (and silent) long enough to know the truth before it is too late for him. - Thomas M. Rogers, Reston, Va.

Princess worship in Paris, too

I was in Paris last weekend. On a rainy night my friend (another World subscriber) and I stumbled across a monument (which is not difficult in Paris, there is one on almost every corner). This monument marked the 100th anniversary of France giving the United States the Statue of Liberty. It was just the flame portion of the statue. What caught our eye was that it was covered with graffiti and taped notes and pictures, as was the bridge behind it. This bridge was over the tunnel where Diana's car crash had occurred, and people had turned the monument and bridge into a monument to Diana. We commented to each other on how sad it was that people had come to worship her in her death. I returned from Paris on Sunday, and Monday I received your Nov. 14 issue with the article about "Worshipping the Princess." It made my heart heavy to think that people were worshipping her rather that the one who gave her life and ordained all of her days before one of them came to be. What truly saddened me, though, was that most of the statements were written in English and the impression I got was they were written by Americans, not Britons. - Ann Marie Ashton, Wauconda, Ill.

Bart's prayer

The response printed in the Nov. 14 issue to the idea that God ordained Mark McGwire's one-season home-run record reminded me of Bart Simpson's infamous Thanksgiving prayer, "Thanks a lot for nothing, God. We worked for everything we've got." God gives us abilities and opportunities, prevents hindrances, blesses our undertakings. May we never be so proud as to claim honor due to our Lord. - Cynthia Monroe, Metamora, Mich.

Brainwashed

Sorry, but I need to take issue with your complaints about the Meena character that is being used in some countries to promote the rights of women ("Feminist imperialism," Nov. 14). Yes, it's bad to impose your values on another culture, just as you said. But I think it's very disingenuous of Christians to complain here, since they themselves have gone around the world for centuries trying to impose Christianity around the world. I assume you support these missionaries. If you do, how can you then not support people who are trying to educate folks about the rights of women? Sorry, I mean no offense, but trying to improve the plight of women around the world is more important than trying to get people to become Christians. It seems to me the only policies oppressive of women that conservative Christians decry all the time is that of forced abortions in China-and I totally agree with that position. But there are many, many more policies-and customs-that treat women abominably throughout the world; and, no matter what label you put on it, I think it's about time the world started paying attention to this grave problem. The women of the world deserve no less. - Frances Del Rio, Oakland, Calif.

Informative, not enjoyable

Our e-mail was just hooked up, and I wanted to write and tell you how much we read WORLD. I cannot say "enjoy," because the articles are informative from a Christian perspective, but not enjoyable. I overheard some ladies complaining about World because of the graphic content-if their children couldn't read it, then they didn't want it in the house. Does that mean if their children can't drive, they don't want a car? That if a five-year-old can't get married, then no one should get married? Different age groups can participate in different activities! - Deborah Butler, Silverton, Ore.

Goes too far

E. Calvin Beisner goes too far in crediting Atlanta's prosperity to Christian influence. Since when does a community that operates on consumption and convenience illustrate the simplicity of stewardship described in God's Word? - Michael DuMez, Oostburg, Wis.

Planned to be tired

Concerning the article "As I was saying" (Nov. 14), I just wanted to point out that Rosa Parks was a political activist and her being tired that one day was planned. She states so in her autobiography. - Edward Akiwumi, Rochester, N. Y.