WRITE OPINIONS ON ‘LIBERTY’ VIEWS

We get letters . . .

Today’s letters are in response to several columns about Liberty Weekend. I found the event fun if uneven, but much of the coverage vastly overblown. Many readers argued that the only thing overblown about Liberty Weekend was my criticism:

Know what I think of your acerbic critique? You should be tried for treason. Both you and Paul Conrad. Together you should be on the highest gallows, and when someone shouts to cut, they mean the rope.

In your sickening effort to be cutesy, mod, with-it and clever with the written word, you conveniently forget that if your words appeared in print in any other country of the world, perhaps save one or two, you’d never be heard from again.

We all know the mosaic of America is imperfect. But it’s the best there is. And people like yourself who add to its embarrassments should get the hell out. Maybe you should have been listening and reading in your history classes. Maybe your mother should have hit you on your rear end more to make you appreciate what we have. Maybe you should travel in the countries which live daily with starvation from food, freedom and the opportunity to enjoy even the meagerest of existence.

No, our celebration of this day shouldn’t be cut one whit. You are the one who should be cut, out of our commentary forever. I am ashamed for the L.A. Times for allowing people of your ilk into our homes.

PAT HAMMER, Manhattan Beach

Was Rosenberg trying to be maliciously “cute?” Did he know that nearly half of all living Americans can trace their heritage to relatives that came through Ellis Island?

Why didn’t he offer a plan four years ago to raise public monies for the Salute to Our Lady? Did he send Lee Iacocca anything? Is he suggesting that the government add this expense to our already crowded debt? Did he see the immigrant gentleman clutching the miniature statue as he was sworn in? I wonder where Rosenberg’s origin is and if his judgment is “perfect.”

WALTER WETZEL, Sherman Oaks

I’ve been getting gradually sick of the entire event since about a year ago when those ads began appearing everywhere for donations. All of a sudden it seemed like everyone wanted to save the Lady.

Lady Liberty needed a make-over. That became the slogan of the year. Well, golly. Never looked much of a lady to me. She has bones like a Roller Derby blocker. If she was human, she’d be the most masculine-looking woman since my seventh grade gym teacher. And you know what? If she was human, she’d probably live in New York.

CHRISTOPHER STEELE, Westlake Village

I’ve had all the Howard Rosenberg I’m willing to take in silence. That adolescent, puerile screed criticizing the festivities for the Statue of Liberty is about as far as the good gray Times should carry this man.

He bemoans the emphasis given to those of us whose parents were “poor refugees” and wonders why those “born rich and privileged” are not being honored. What crushing stupidity. Just what the “rich and privileged” had to do with immigrants coming through Ellis Island (other than exploiting them) he doesn’t bother to explain.

Ah, but the nadir of his sophomoric essay comes when he has the classic cheek, the unmitigated gall to refer to Emma Lazarus’ touching poetry as “smug euphoria.” And for this the Times pays him money?

THOMAS M. VIZE, Santa Ana

You called the Fourth of July celebrations gaudy hoopla. Why is it you liberals can’t stand a bit of flag waving and patriotism? Why do you hate our country so much?

FREDERICK D. MULLEN, Upland

The whole Liberty mania was a bore, a rip-off and a drag.

KAREN LOWENSTEIN, San Jose

I view with horror what has happened to the Statue of Liberty, this great symbol of freedom. Liberty Weekend was a circus, produced and directed with the Lady as the star attraction. If only the vast sums of money spent on the circus went to the many hungry and homeless in this country. Then this celebration would truly have symbolized the meaning of the Lady. Yet I am still convinced that this tacky commercialism does not reflect the America that I still love so dearly. I also believe that, thank God, the present Administration does not reflect America either.

WALTER WICCLAIR, Los Angeles

One of the things that thrilled me the most about the Statue of Liberty ceremonies was, thanks to the strong wind, getting to see Ted Koppel’s forehead.

BILL STEIN, Encino