To the Editor:
The reasoning behind your editorial of Feb. 19 ("Must Liberals be funny?") reinforces the reasons that liberal opinion has struggled on Talk Radio. It is not only inaccurate but resorts to an air of condescension and vilification of conservative views.
You express frustration as to why it would be complicated to explain why you are "anti-war, pro-women's rights, concerned about the skyrocketing budget defict or fearful of an anti-environment agenda."
Of course the implication is that conservatives hold the opposite view in each case which is not only over-simplistic, but plainly wrong. Many conservatives are not "pro-war" but do believe some wars are moral. They are "anti-women's rights" but do, for example, have some principled concerns about abortion. They are concerned about deficits but believe that exploding growth in overall government spending is a much more critical issue. And many are environmentally conscious but believe there are other ways to preserve the environment than simply piling more and more regulations on business.
Unlike liberals, conservatives do not belittle others' views. Until liberals accurately represent the views of their opponents and express a belief that they are sincerely held, they will continue to struggle in the public area that is talk radio.
Matthew Duda
Sherman Oaks
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