Politically Charged King Eulogies Wrongly Criticized

To the editors:



I was astonished to read Stephen Bartenstein’s critique and criticism of the speeches honoring Coretta Scott King at her funeral (“King’s Ransom,” comment, Feb. 10). Anyone who knows anything about Mrs. King’s commitments and concerns would know that she herself would have been honored to hear those commitments and concerns raised up at her funeral before the whole nation. Mrs. King died after a life of seeking justice, right thinking, care for the poor and disenfranchised, and peace. I dare say that President Carter, President Clinton, Rev. Lowrey, and many other speakers were far better acquainted with Mrs. King and her hopes and dreams than President Bush could ever be, and spoke more fervently about those dreams than Mr. Bush is capable of doing. Those whom Mr. Bartenstein criticizes were there to celebrate Mrs. King’s life and what she stood for.



MARCY C. McCALL

Anchorage, Alaska

February 10, 2006