RAG ROCKIN’

We do agree that “the Rock Rag probably won’t win any major journalism awards,” as Patrick Goldstein said about our heavy-metal magazine (Pop Eye, July 19), but that is not the issue at hand. The real issue is that we have a constitutional right to publish a magazine without harassment from anyone, including right-wing Christians using terrorist tactics.

Compared to the fast-paced, sophisticated life style of a metropolis, a small-town atmosphere can be stifling. In consideration of our Goshen, Ind., location, we print no obscenities unless contained within a direct quote. And the mayor of our town stated that, in the issue he reviewed, he found nothing resembling pornography or satanism.

In this staunch Christian community where even performers such as Stryper, John Denver and Barry Manilow can be condemned as evil, our magazine promoting rock music caused a controversy that received national attention.

We wanted only to publish a magazine for intellectual headbangers. Our thanks to Goldstein for the time he gave us and to The Times for printing our story.

THE ROCK RAG STAFF

Goshen, Ind.