Terrence Nolan: Cruz’s intolerant religious beliefs got a free ride from media
With the political furor surrounding Donald Trump’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination, the words and policies of Ted Cruz have gotten a free ride in California, protected from public scrutiny. In a recent Bee article, “Trump hard to stomach for many in state GOP” (Page 1A, May 5), it was noted that Ted Cruz’s father recently visited Fresno on an “educational visit.”
Educational visit? Has anyone paid attention to what this man really says? He spouts the same dangerous mix of religious and political rhetoric we would expect from an ayatollah in Iran or from the mullahs of Pakistan, but under the aegis of a different angry god with Ted Cruz as the appointed savior.
It is not enough to be a fiscal conservative anymore. Social conservatism in the Republican Party today is a code name for religious intolerance. Barry Goldwater warned us about the encroachment of religion into the Republican Party and his words ring true today. Goldwater said, “Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”
Terrence Nolan, Modesto
This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 1:48 PM with the headline "Terrence Nolan: Cruz’s intolerant religious beliefs got a free ride from media."