Conservatives Buy Reagan Ranch

Re “Democrats Lose One for The Gipper,” Capitol Journal, April 27:

A “right-wing” group, such as Young America’s Foundation, makes George Skelton “whimsically” envision Nazis. I wonder if “left-wing” groups, such as the ACLU or NOW, make Skelton whimsically envision Soviet gulags and mass murder.

YAF’s only crime is the desire to promote the legacy of Ronald Reagan. President Reagan peacefully advanced the human rights of more people than any man in history. He was right about the Soviets, the arms race and Nicaragua--and American liberals will never forgive him for it.

JEFF MELLINGER, South Pasadena

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I found the column so offensive that I am compelled to protest. The comparison of conservatives to the vile organization of German Nazis is reprehensible, even if Skelton does characterize his thoughts as whimsy.

Liberals were justifiably outraged at the name-calling tactics of Sen. Joe McCarthy. We even afford him the dubious honor of perpetuating his name when we describe this type of evil nonsense. We call it “McCarthyism.” Can we now use “Skeltonism” to describe name-calling tactics when they come from the left?

I am not a conservative. Skelton owes all Americans an apology.

CARL MACKLIN, Mariposa, Calif.