Fallout over a Prop. 8 resignation

There are two glaring quotations in the article about Richard Raddon’s resignation from the Los Angeles Film Festival that indicate a profound misunderstanding of the American political process, and the public reaction to the passage of Proposition 8 [“Film Fest Director Resigns,” by Rachel Abramowitz, Nov. 26].

First, Raddon claims that he’d like to keep his contribution a “private matter,” although all political contributions are required by law to be public, whether they come from private citizens, unions or corporations.

Second, Bill Condon claims that Raddon lost his job “because of privately held religious beliefs” when in fact it was his public political activity, not his private religious beliefs, that led to his resignation.

Raphael Mazor

Long Beach

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The abasement and resignation of Richard Raddon highlight an ignored truth: The left believes in freedom of speech and tolerance, as long as you march in lock step with their beliefs.

David Manos

Lancaster

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The moment you take out your wallet and give money to a cause, you make your privately held beliefs public. The moment your money finances a political campaign that revokes specific rights from a specific group of people, you have reached into the lives of others and are no longer simply exercising free speech.

Prop. 8 supporters like Richard Raddon financed a lynch mob that strung me up, declared me less human than themselves and robbed me of something I previously had.

It is certainly my right to identify such people and to close my wallet to the businesses that provide the income they have used against me.

Jeff Iorillo

Los Angeles

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As a gay man who recently married my partner, I find the resignation of Richard Raddon tragic. It’s truly sad to see anyone lose their job, but it boggles my mind that someone who has gained so much from -- and been involved with -- the creative labors of the gay and lesbian community could fathom giving a $1,500 contribution in support of an initiative that strips away our civil rights.

Esteban Ramirez

Los Angeles