This cartoon responded to Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott's characterization of homosexuality as an illness comparable to kleptomania or alcoholism in June of 1998. The nation's largest gay Republican organization, the Log Cabin Republicans, called his remarks an insult to elected gay Republican officials and openly gay Republican activists and their supporters across the country and called for its members to contact Lott to protest. A front page story in the New York Times (6/30/98) said "Prominent Republican politicians and strategists say they are troubled by a wave of harsh anti-homosexual oratory from fellow Republicans, fearing it could make the party appear intolerant and drive out moderates and economic conservatives."

Either the letter writer didn't know about this, knew about it and was deluding himself, or was blowing smoke to divert attention from this story to promote the "Big Lie" being perpetrated by the Republicans upon the ignorant masses who really had not heard about Lott's comments.

READER REACTION:

Cartoon's depiction of GOP inaccurate

I was dumbfounded upon reading your cartoonist's depiction of the Republican Party on July 1 (JULY 1, 1998 - EDITORIAL CARTOONS). As a delegate to the 1996 and 1998 state conventions for the Republican Party of Minnesota, I can assure you that the Republican Party is neither exclusive nor does it "shoo" people away. The Republican Party is the only political party that stands for individual freedoms and liberties, regardless of a person's race or cultural background. The party welcomes anyone who is against needless government bureaucracy and control, whether that b e through lowering taxes, decreasing gun control laws for responsible citizens or preventing skyrocketing increases in frivolous lawsuits.
Matthew J. Lenertz, junior, Carlson School of Management

JULY 8, 1998 - EDITORIAL/OPINIONS - Letters to the Editor - Minnesota Daily