Graham’s Anti-Semitic Remarks on Tape

Re “Billy Graham Apologizes for ’72 Remarks,” March 2: Billy Graham’s apology for--and his claim to have “no memory” of--his remarks on the Nixon White House tapes about the Jewish “stranglehold” on the media that would take the country “down the drain” ring hollow. Such remarks “do not reflect my views,” he now says, so why did he make them? Perhaps because he thought former President Nixon would enjoy hearing them? Either way, the same picture is painted: a hypocritical phony.

I do believe he’s sorry that his comments have come out, but someone who refers to his “great friends” who are Jewish as a “swarm” and suggests to the president that they could “do something” about them doesn’t sound like the bridge builder Graham professes to be. If he had stated that he meant what he said 30 years ago but has since seen the error of his ways, I might give his apology more credence, but he seems to me just one more in a long line of smiling, self-styled seraphs who present one face to the public and another when they think the cameras (or tape recorders) are turned off.

Steven A. Wells

Glendale

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Is there anyone in the U.S. who benefited more, both personally and professionally, from exposure in the “Jewish-controlled” media than Graham? He was a country preacher virtually unknown outside the Deep South until Leonard Goldenson, head of ABC, offered him a network television show. “The Hour of Decision” made Graham into a national and international star. After a few years, however, when his show’s ratings sagged, ABC declined to renew Graham’s contract.

Goldenson was Jewish. Is that why Graham encouraged Nixon to somehow end “Jewish control” of America’s media? (I’m the co-author of Goldenson’s autobiography, “Beating the Odds.”)

Marvin J. Wolf

Mar Vista

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I am afraid that my previous admiration for Graham has forever disappeared. As a fellow Christian, I am appalled that such a prominent figure of my faith would knowingly spew forth such bigotry. I know I am supposed to follow Jesus’ example of forgiveness, but given the deliberate and caustic nature of his remarks and the fact that he took 30 years to repudiate them, well, it’s going to be awfully tough to forgive in this case.

Eric Cooper

Mission Viejo