THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605170009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Your ``let's jump on the bandwagon'' attack on the ever-boring Marge Schott smacks of ``political-correctness journalism.''
The national press, a host of political wannabes and every conceivable anti-defamation organization on the planet made the point - seemingly within minutes after the Reds' owner made her insensitive evocations. Few, however, actually listened to her entire message or the intent and context of her words.
I heard a condemnation of Hitler and a concern that we should be ever vigilant of those who offer disguised good works and renewed national pride as a pretext for atrocity. Sure, Marge Schott makes a good ``whipping boy'' a la Leona Helmsley, Donald Trump and other rich, bizarre, headline-creating national figures, but let us not forget the critical importance to democracy of freedom of expression, even of unpopular ideas and viewpoints.
We have freed the German people themselves from universal moral culpability for the actions of this madman, notwithstanding their awareness of the publication of Hitler's 1924 manifesto, Mein Kampf, as you point out, some nine years before his ascendancy to power. We should show the same understanding for the bumbling but well-intentioned speech of Ms. Schott.
EDWARD S. GARCIA JR.
Virginia Beach, May 12, 1996 by CNB