Uncensored (but edited) Letter to Logan Jenkins referenced in his column

A  column was sparked by this letter,  which he excerpted.


Logan Jenkins,
Columnist, San Diego Union Tribune

Dear Logan

"You God Damn Fucking Jew Bastard"

You've never had these words shouted at you. But your wife's father probably did, and if history is any guide, the virus that elicits it, with words foreshadowing deeds, is still extant in the nether regions of this country.


I describe the opportunity he has to reach readers on this issue

I happened to have gotten to know Phil Paulson fairly well the last year of his life. Since for years before that he refused any public appearances, deferring to his legal team, our hours of conversations provided me with an understanding of his motivations to challenge the Cross that are unknown to most. With him gone, with the decision of the national Jewish War Veterans to take up this issue, it will be interpreted by those whose only response to any issue is a jerk of the knee, to depict this in the most ancient of tribalisms, Christians against Jews.

........There is a need to transcend the mechanisms of our political system, a Judiciary and legislative both being binary- "The Cross, Remain or Remove." Transcending this is not to be achieved by a one shot newspaper article, column or OpEd. It will take a concerted campaign.

I spoke to Sam Dolnick, a 91 year old Jewish Veteran  whose UT letter Sunday contained the seed of a resolution. But it would require a level of skill and commitment that I'm not sure is available. It would require convincing those who are currently in control of the "Federal District of Soledad Cross" that eternal conflict is not the truest symbol of the spirit that the Cross represents.

Subsequently, I discovered that the local Veteran's Memorial Group had agreed to this proposal several years ago, but was overruled by the City Council and a referendum of voters.   The decision is now with the actual owners, and the plaintiffs in the current law suit, the U.S. Deptartment of Justice and the Secretary of Defense. 

It would require presenting an alternative, if not the rifle and helmet that Dolnick suggested, a soaring work of art, abstract enough to represent the force of religion, the toll of war and the aspiration for peace. It would be a small example to the city, the country and perhaps even the world that there are ways to transcend the limits of a given political system.

Politicians, both actual and wanabee, love to foment fear and hatred. Each era provides its own targets, but in a pinch, Jews have always filled the need. Is it even remotely in your, or anyone's, capacity to turn this around, to tap the better natures of those in the San Diego Region? How wonderful it would be if this new monument were to be not only a memorial representing those who died in war, but what they died for, which ultimately was the replacement of consuming hatred with a desire to achieve a world in peace.

The decision of the panel of the ninth circuit will not resolve anything, as that decision will be appealed to the full court, and then to the supreme court......with, in this case, right wing personages taking on the role of "defenders of the faith." to their political advantage.

You know the nature of the people of San Diego more than perhaps anyone. You know the component groups, from those "who cling to their guns and religion" to those who dream the dreams of philosophers. It could be that this is the world that we live in, destined to have the execration of hatred play itself out in all areas of political life, until, until, ........we may never know.

Perhaps I have to do some more work, perhaps try to form a group, a foundation, starting with Sam Dolnick, and then explore whether the current overseers of the Cross are even open to such an idea before you take it up. Sam planted the shovel, and the UT printed it prominently. The hardpan of congealed conflict has to be plowed, which will take many passes; and then perhaps, just perhaps, a symbol the entire city could be proud of could grace the highest point of "America's Finest City."

Regards

Al Rodbell