The war over Dr. Laura BY KERRY LAUERMAN (06/20/00)
I have nothing but praise and admiration for Dr. Laura who took a great risk in her career by challenging the ever-growing, in-your-face advocacy of homosexuality. The entertainment business has become a cesspool of anti-family values and it is about time that someone jump-started a long-needed crusade to resurrect good clean moral values within the individual and family as well. I truly wish that many more organizations would join her cause.
-- Richard Shirkness
In the attacks on Schlessinger, no one in your magazine has brought out the Michael Medved report that the gays are ignoring the one who reaches the young bigots and actually endangers gays -- Eminem, the singer. Yet they attack Dr. Laura whose audience practices morality and would never dream of physically attacking or hurting a gay person. The Dr. Laura listeners are apt to hate the gay political agenda, but love the gays as individuals. The Eminem followers are more apt to be of the age where they act out the lyrics of his songs! In his song, "Kill You," Eminem fiercely declares: "You faggots keep egging me on/ Till I have you at knife point then you beg me to stop?/ Shut up, give me your hands and feet." In another ditty, "Criminal," the artist rants: "My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/ And I'll stab you in the head, whether you're a fag or a les / Hate fags? The answer's yes."
-- Lee Ellis
Don't ever say that Dr. Laura acquires any view "thanks to Orthodox Judaism" She developed a small-minded worldview all on her own. She didn't need to do another disservice to those orthodox Jews who struggle sincerely with integrating issues of the modern world with deeply entrenched values. I, myself, wouldn't want to eat Shabbos dinner with her. I fear my manners aren't good enough.
-- Ellen Schick
As a conservative Christian, I'm surprised that my fellow believers are supporting Dr. Laura. The way she zings her callers is in sharp contrast to the way Christ dealt with those who needed his help.
-- David P. Graf
According to FBI statistics, 97 to 98 percent (on the average -- it varies from year to year) of reported incidents of child molestation are heterosexual. Would Dr. Laura dare to suggest that being straight predisposes one to pedophilia? Is it even slightly possible that lesbian women and gay men regard child molestation as reprehensible -- and as irrelevant to their sexual orientation -- as straight folks do? Naw ... we wouldn't want to confuse Dr. Laura with facts, would we?
-- Martin Maloney
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