"Liberal" is not an expletive

Dear Editor:

When I read articles like Brian Smith's 'Right Angle' Monday, I can almost smell the bile wafting up off the page.

Just with the use of that repulsive word "Liberal," today's Conservatives can make us feel like we've just heard a vile implication, along the lines of "bastard" or "infidel."

However, apart from branding Walter Cronkite, a world-renowned anchorman, with this scarlet "L" and waiting for us all to be shocked, Mr. Smith doesn't really say much.

He accuses the man of being the chief defeatist for the Vietnam War and implies that had it not been for his commentary, the American people would've been perfectly complacent with this pointless atrocity.

Next, he quotes with unabated audacity that Mr. Cronkite said, "We must strengthen the United Nations...to do that, of course, we Americans will have to yield up some of our sovereignty."

Imagine that - the historically shortsighted and self-centered government of a country in which less than 5 percent of all people live deciding that it doesn't know what's best for everyone else in the world. Why, it borders on blasphemy!

Finally, in an attempt to show "just how extreme he [Mr. Cronkite] is," he brings in such haughty accusation as, "Cronkite is a firm internationalist."

Yes, folks, that's not a misprint: he actually called the man an internationalist! What damning testimony! Ready the noose!

To tell the truth, I can't see the negative connotation in calling someone internationalist. Aren't we part of a world economy faced with global pollution problems and racked with international terrorist groups? Is it better to embrace the opinions of other nations or ignore and disparage them, as we Americans tend to do?

My point is I can tell Mr. Smith is trying to denounce Mr. Cronkite. However, there's no bite to his criticism, apart from a tired and strained comparison to Stalin - how original! - and some hollow stereotypes. Helped inform Americans about the pointlessness of the Vietnam War? Suggested that the United States not rule the world? Internationalist?

Honestly, Brian! Are you trying to praise the guy? Brad Rhymer senior in linguistics

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