• Front page
• Receive letters on your RSS reader

Sue Gibson of Frederick writes:

Mr. De Nero asserts in his letter of 9/27 that “Pavarotti’s legacy (is) far greater than” Dr. D. James Kennedy’s. I agree with Mr. De Nero that Luciano Pavarotti has been very popular the past several years. Mr. De Nero mentioned Pavarotti’s God-given talent. I am glad he gave God credit, albeit Pavarotti worked tirelessly to develop and use that talent.
My question to Mr. De Nero is: What do you really know about Dr. Kennedy? Unless you know the person you are talking about — the person’s contributions and institutions — how can you make the critical statements that you made? For example, you commented on Dr. Kennedy having been a dance instructor in his younger days as if he should have been stuck with that label for life. Your insults didn’t stop there, including your putting down of car salesmen and questioning Dr. Kennedy’s sincerity.
While in college my husband cut grass during summers to support his family. He obtained his Ph.D. from a Big Ten university; retired as a university professor emeritus; and was chairman and director of an MBA program for a major Hong Kong university before fully retiring. Besides, what is wrong with cutting grass or being a car salesman?
Has Mr. De Nero ever considered all of the people (like myself) who have been ill for years and cannot attend church regularly to whom quality television religious programs mean much? Dr. Kennedy’s programs were quality and not hatemongering. Your letter is more representative of the latter.
On one of our trips to Hong Kong, while in flight we sat on the plane next to Dr. Kennedy. At that time, we did not know who he was. We saw a very soft-spoken person and one who appeared very humble (which others already knew and was soon proven to us).
I do not support the statement that “Any sensible person knows” that Pavarotti will have the greater impact. Worldwide and in the short term, that is undoubtedly true. However, several decades from now that conclusion may well be invalid. Dr.
Kennedy’s writings and influence will be long lasting. How many people will be listening to a Pavarotti recording/performance at that time?

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

Any answer here at all is bound to offend somebody. So . . . .

All due respect to your personal experience, and to your memories of Dr. Kennedy; but I do believe you're wrong.

A lot of decades after the death of Enrico Caruso, I'm still enjoying his voice, both re-constituted/re-mastered by digital - or whatever - and even on the old wax cylinders of his time. I doubt anyone on the blog could tell me the title of something Billy Sunday wrote, or quote a passage from it either.

Grouch,

Much better.

A very good point!

I'll tell you what is wrong with D James Kennedy. Kennedy publically acknowledged that the United States was founded as a secular nation and that most of the founders were deist, unitarians, or liberal protestants in their theology. Yet Kennedy made his life work to attempt to change the US to a theocratic republic, only fundamentalists need apply. He was a disgusting human being on par with Osama bin Laden and Wahabist movement of Islam.

I do hope that on his death bed he saw the errors in his ways, and even if he didn't I have faith that he is in heaven with a merciful and forgiving God. This of course is a far cry from the mean spirited deity he spent his life preaching about.

James who?.....

I agree with Mr. De Nero.

Pavarotti's legacy is far greater than that over rated Americano TV preacher who became wealthy because he had the gift of gab. What was that parable again about the camel, eye of a needle.... ?

Here we find the American leftist. Filled with caring and compassion for humanity, engaged in gleeful grave dancing.

We know the tree by it's fruit.

JJ

I'll dance on the grave of a money-grubbing evangelist any day of the week - tango, foxtrot, twist, swing, folk, ballet or macarena.

I reserve my compassion for people who advanced the cause of humanity, rather than those who line their pockets by tearing down others and duping the stupid.

drew,

But I do understand. You are a virtuous man filled with love and compassion for your fellow man.

That's why when you indentify a vile, evil-doer, i.e. Dr. Kennedy, your righteousness cannot be tempered with mercy and in your wrath you will pursue the man beyond the grave with the harsh glare of your indignation

Obviously your moral judgements in these matters is not to be questioned.

You've got it JJ - love and compassion - except for evangelists. Sounds about right to me.

POST A COMMENT

• CSU’s editorial
• Moveon.org’s ad
• Victor David Hanson
• Stopping radical politicians
• Greater Anglican Church
• Lakewood’s mayoral race
• Mike Rosen
• Paul Campos