Letters to the Editor

Conversion misses reality

Monday must have been a slow news day, even for The Washington Times. I can’t imagine why anyone would be interested in the troubles and life story of Bob Beckel (“Relief through religion,” Culture, Tuesday).

While it is admirable that Cal Thomas may have assisted Mr. Beckel in avoiding self-destruction by pointing him in the direction of religion, that’s as far as the praise for the article or his “conversion” can go. You described him as a “former” Democratic operative. But in his appearances as a talking head on Fox News Channel, he typifies the mean-spirited, ill-mannered and illogical bomb-throwing leftist attitude that is intent on only one thing — destroying the Bush administration at any cost. Mr. Beckel’s conversion to reality is not yet complete.

DOUG MATTHEWS

Arlington

Peaceful Tomorrows

We would like to correct numerous factual inaccuracies in Jerry Seper’s article “Survivor groups hit for use of 9/11” (Page 1, Tuesday).

No family members gave testimony to the September 11 commission last week. The Tides Foundation does not provide September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows with administrative and financial services. The Jersey Girls are members of the Family Steering Committee for the Independent 9/11 Commission, which is a separate entity unrelated to Peaceful Tomorrows.

The headline of Mr. Seper’s article states that September 11 families were “hit” for their “use” of September 11. The article, however, reveals that the entity really “hitting” September 11 families is The Washington Times, which insinuates, indirectly, false claims of a financial connection between Peaceful Tomorrows and Teresa Heinz Kerry, Sen. John Kerry’s wife.

September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows was started in February 2002 and has been publicly critical of the administration’s policies regarding the war on terrorism. We’re against current policies, not because they’re implemented by President Bush, but because we believe they increase global instability and increase the likelihood of terrorism in the future. To the extent that Mr. Kerry adopts the same policies, we will continue to criticize them.

Story Continues →