Via the Conservative Voice, I see that Walter Cronkite has dared to join with an alliance between religious groups and (gasp) "agnostics and atheists" in criticizing that Blame-America-for-9/11 duo of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson:

www.newsmax.comWalter Cronkite long projected the image of the respected, objective newsman who didn't allow his personal views to enter the public square.

No more, says the retired CBS anchorman in a direct mail letter he has sent out across the nation.

The Cronkite letter comes from "The Interfaith Alliance" -- a liberal New York-based coalition of religious groups that oddly includes "agnostics and atheists."

The group's letter bears Cronkite's photo on its envelope, identifying him as the "Honorary Chairman" -- with this blunt quote: "For years I kept my opinions to myself. But now I must speak out."

In his letter, Cronkite lashes out at America's leading conservative religious leaders, notably Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.

Cronkite said he decided to write his letter "because I am deeply disturbed by the dangerous and growing influence of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell on our nation's political leaders."

"... I have watched with increasing alarm as the Christian Coalition and other Religious Right groups manipulate religion to further their intolerant, political agendas," Cronkite continues.

Cronkite claims his ire against Falwell and Robertson rose when "both shamefully blamed America's courts and the highest levels of our government for the horrific September 11 attacks on our nation. They said it happened because we 'insulted God.' Falwell went on to blame feminists, pro choice Americans and other groups he despises."

I mean, unless you think Barry Goldwater was a pinko, Cronkite's latest remarks pale in comparison with this rhetorical call to violence:

What Jerry Falwell needs is a good swift kick in the ass.

(Gee. I wonder what Dave Neiwert would say about such eliminationist rhetoric?)

To be fair to Goldwater, here's the full text of his remarks:

When Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1981, some Religious Right leaders suspected she might be too moderate on abortion and other social concerns. Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell told the news media that "every good Christian should be concerned." Replied Goldwater, "Every good Christian should line up and kick Jerry Falwell's ass."

The five-term U.S. senator from Arizona was equally unimpressed with TV preacher Pat Robertson. When Robertson sought the GOP nomination for president in 1988, Goldwater wasn't about to say amen. "I believe in separation of church and state," observed Goldwater. "Now, he doesn't believe that . . . I just don't think he should be running."

A few years later he told The Advocate, "I don't have any respect for the Religious Right. There is no place in this country for practicing religion in politics. That goes for Falwell, Robertson and all the rest of these political preachers. They are a detriment to the country."

While some Americans might find Goldwater's stand against all interaction between religion and politics too sweeping, many would agree with his strong commitment to individual freedom of conscience on issues as diverse as religion in schools, gay rights or abortion. In 1994 he told The Los Angeles Times, "A lot of so-called conservatives don't know what the word means. They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That's a decision that's up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right."

Wouldn't want him to sound like a left wing nut!