NEA Funding Coverage

When Parachini continually casts the debate in terms of censorship instead of sponsorship and identifies participants with labels more befitting the editorial pages, my skepticism alarms go off.

Opponents of public funding of the arts are labeled conservatives of the far right , while proponents are presented simply as art lovers .

Though opposition is based on philosophical or legal grounds, Parachini frequently paints it as religiously based. Those opposed are “right-wing Christians” while those in favor are never identified as atheists, agnostics, Christians, Jews or whatever.

If religious identification is not germane for the latter why is it necessary for the former? Are these reports to recount and inform or to persuade and to filter?

JOHN PAUL ARNERICH, Los Angeles