From Mr Paul LA. Raw Sir: I fear religious wars
are still simmering. Catholicism is still a hotpot in Great Britain. How can your correspondents com- plain? The Speccie is famous for its contro- versial views, that's why we buy it; oh yes, and also for the humour.
No one seemed unduly offended by Taki's defence of the failing fascist Pinochet or the future Fiihrer, jerg Haider. Paul Johnson's anti-Palestinian, anti-gay, anti-everything atti- tude seems unremarkable. Bruce Anderson is vehement against Europe, Mandela and liberalism in general. No one seems upset.
Why is this unsurprising? The Spectator is traditionally, if quirkily, conservative. In Britain this implies anti-Catholicism too. Ms Burchill seems to be writing in that healthy tradition, and very quirkily to boot. Right or wrong, why should Catholicism be above this standard of derision? Let outrage be your business and let the whingeing Catholics turn to their Tablet, or just go along with the debunking tradition of The Spectator.
Paul J.A. Raw
London W11
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