News

Log Cabin Response to Falwell and Robertson Comments

September 14, 2001

The following is the text of a letter sent to television news producers in response to comments made by Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson regarding the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC.

At this time of great tragedy and adversity for our country, I want to commend your network for its excellent and continuous coverage of the attack on our country, and the valuable contribution you have made to the nation. Our freedom is under attack, and that very freedom through our nation's press certainly saved lives on September 11 that may have otherwise been lost.

In this spirit, I must bring to your attention the enclosed article from today's Washington Post which reports that two individuals that have repeatedly been featured commentators on your network have made outrageous, hateful comments that blame gay Americans and other innocent Americans for the tragedy that has come to our country.

The Reverend Jerry Falwell said, in reference to gays and other Americans, on Fox Family's "700 Club" the following: "...I point the finger in their face and say, you helped this happen." The host of the show, the Reverend Pat Robertson, agreed with him and continues to broadcast such views on his show.

I join the White House and others in the nation in appropriately responding to these statements and these views with strong disagreement. At a time when our nation is so united, and the threat to our lives so high, it is tragic and dangerous for such divisiveness to receive undeserved sensationalism and attention.

Thousands of innocent Americans were murdered on September 11. Many more thousands line streets in New York with photos of their missing loved ones, waiting for news on their welfare. I'm sure you know that many killed, including one of the pilots and several passengers on different planes, were gay Americans. But the issue is that they were all Americans. Sadness has united our country in ways we have not seen in our lifetime. We ask that your network stop giving a forum for these two men who have used this moment to pursue their divisive agenda.

We don't believe in censorship. However, your organization has a moral responsibility to choose responsible and credible guests. These two individuals have forfeited their credibility. We ask that you not give them any more airtime to promote this agenda.

I am confident that you will make responsible decisions regarding this matter going forward. Doing so, you will make a strong statement about the professionalism and the moral strength of our nation's fundamental freedoms, which are under attack today.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Tafel
Executive Director
Log Cabin Republicans