Hi Folks,

 I've spent the last several weeks fighting in an outrageous, on-going, culture war here in Lynchburg, Va. It really has taken MOST of my time. Apparently, the fight is unprecedented, (as other long-time residents have told me). This ideological/sociological battle is taking place on-line, in our local newspaper's "Readers' Comments" section, which is found by clicking the "Letters to the Editor" link, on the newspaper's home page. The Paper is called the Lynchburg "News & Advance". Here's a link,if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA/Page/LNA_LettersPage&c=Page&cid=1047671213581

Today, (Sunday, Feb. 17), a letter to the editor caught my attention. I certainly hope that some of you very intelligent RRS participants will give me some suggestions on how to respond to it. Please DON'T hold back how you really feel about "the late" Jerry Falwell. Intellectual, as well as emotional responses are appreciated. Of course you could always post your own response on the newspaper's site, but if you don't, I'd like to use any input you guys might have, for inclusion in my own "reader's response". Here's the "letter", and thanks so much for your input:

"Another view

I recently read the Reader Reaction comments online about a story in The News & Advance to rename part of U.S. 460 for the late Jerry Falwell. Some believed he was undeserving of such an honor, threatening even to throw trash out onto that portion of the highway. Others strayed from the point entirely, discussing why he should not be referred to as “doctor.” Some even launched personal attacks on him and his “hoodwinked” supporters. To bash a good man who passed away nearly a year ago is rude at the least. Is a small measure of propriety and respect too much to ask?

As to the road renaming - there are more than 500 roads in this country named for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a great man indeed. Is it so very unaccountable that there might be one small stretch of highway named for Dr. Jerry Falwell? He deserves that honor at the very least.

On the topic of his honorary doctorate, he received that recognition because of the great things he accomplished. He certainly had the intelligence and skill to earn several doctorates, but he was busy founding one of the largest evangelical universities in the world, among other things. If the objection lies with all honorary degrees, someone should tell Bill Gates to give up his, along with Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey. I am sure none of those people did anything worth noting, either. Some accused him of using the term with improper pride. Actually, I am not sure he ever called himself “Dr. Jerry Falwell.” If you asked his name, he said “Jerry Falwell.” If he signed his name, he wrote “Jerry Falwell.” Not “Reverend,” “Pastor,” “Chancellor,” “President” or “Doctor,” though all were perfectly valid titles. He gave all the glory for his accomplishments to God. To those who doubt his sincerity or faithfulness in serving God by saying that his supporters were “hoodwinked,” I would have to ask you how it is that God himself was so deceived by Jerry Falwell that He blessed everything he attempted to do.

To the naysayers, I am sorry that you did not have occasion to meet Dr. Jerry Falwell and learn what a kind-hearted, giving, honest person he was. I am not sure it was possible to know him and not like him. Regardless, there are thousands of people in this city who loved him dearly and still miss him every day, including his wife, children, and grandchildren. They should be allowed to celebrate his great legacy without a looming black cloud of spite from a vindictive few.

So...how might I respond to Ms. Stanley, in a short...say...250 word rebuttal?

Thanks so much...

Hillcat.