The Republic Columbus, Indiana Thursday, July 20, 1972 - Page 4
Letters From Republic's Readers: Check Yourself
To the Editor: I was disappointed to see The Republic print the editorial, “Fischer Checkmates Self.” Although the editorial was written by an NEA writer I assume that the editorial staff at The Republic agrees with the sentiments expressed in the editorial.
The editorial derides ([the American champion]) Fischer because of his ([projected Soviet]) personal traits and actions. ([Actions? Snubbing Australia's legal $225,000 bid and juvenile threat to not allow Spassky to compete. USSR subsidized this western journalist to say every conceivable negative thing he could invent, regardless whether it was factual or truthful.]) So you don't like Fischer as a person. Is a chess match a personality contest?
In a football game is Joe Namath's activities off the field more important to discuss than how Joe Namath is playing the position of quarterback?
Some famous composers have had despicable personalities ([or so their critics and jealous colleagues have written about them]) yet their music is played and provides enjoyment to the listeners.
([What of Soviet character flaws? Such as the scandals surrounding chemically induced enhancement for performance, even deaths under suspicious circumstances. What of Soviet anti-Semitism? Fischer and Sammy Reshevsky worshiped God on the 7th day Sabbath. Soviet subsidized journalists to distort how Fischer was given an ultimatum to either walk out while in the lead, or break the Sabbath! Fischer walked. Oh my, but that's “temperamental,” say the Antisemites, proceeding to dub Sammy the “Reshevsky problem”. Since the media is into character assassination, where's the blistering criticism of Soviet racism in these biting tabloid press reports?])
The comment that chess is a game “…shoving a bunch of toys around…” is the understatement of the century.
([Not worthy of mentioning Iceland is renown for its bitter Anti-American hostilities and tough restrictions singling out persons of the African race?? A most serious “character” flaw! Seems the media hasn't time to invest in real issues such as these, but plenty of time to malign the character of Soviet enemies. No time to encourage the home team.])
The writer could have pointed out in a respectable way, that Fischer is truly an outstanding chess player and in no way (as far as I know) sponsored by our tax dollars as opposed to Spassky who is sponsored by the USSR. —James W. Whittlesey.
