Barry Goldwater

The death of that lovable old conservative--a conservative in the truest sense of the word, unlike the extremists of the religious right--the crusty Barry M. Goldwater (May 30), rekindled memories of a Senate filled with some of the greatest legislators of the 20th century. Whether or not one shared their political philosophy, Everett Dirksen, Paul Douglas, J. William Fulbright, Ernest Gruening, Hubert Humphrey, Henry Jackson, Jacob K. Javits, Lyndon Johnson, Kenneth Keating, Bob Kerr, Russell Long, Wayne Morse and Richard Russell were giants.

Aside from Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Russell Feingold and Goldwater’s fellow Arizonan, John McCain, who among today’s crop of U.S. senators can even begin to compare in stature? And the obvious corollary: Where is the country headed?

HAROLD N. BASS

Northridge

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Perhaps the last honest man in America has died. Cut from the same temperamental cloth as Harry Truman, Barry Goldwater was as straightforward as a public figure can be. Love or hate his views, you always knew precisely where he stood. And integrity was his middle name. It is essential to note that Barry was a true conservative--a champion of limited government--much more than a Republican, who loves bloat in Washington so long as it fosters right-wing programs. Denied the White House (a place that has a way of undermining a man’s soul), Barry was thus able to contribute something America sorely needed: blunt honesty. We are poorer today without him.

THOMAS E. BRAUN

Littlerock, Calif.

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If there are political debates in heaven, the conservative position has just been enriched. Barry Goldwater was an ethical, passionate, always colorful voice for the right wing of the American political spectrum.

From a left-wing liberal who disagreed with you 99.9% of the time, Barry, I’m going to miss you!

DENNIS D. GRAY

Valencia