Dear Mr. Josephson.
I read with great interest your gracious commentaries about my father, Charlton Heston, who as you know passed away peacefully in the arms of his family on April 5th. As always, your thoughtful and insightful commentary is a great solace at such times, and I'm flattered that you recalled our exchange several years ago when my father announced he had Alzheimer's.
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It was a long and difficult struggle these last six years, but not once during that time did I hear him complain, say "Why me?" or have any concern other than for the well-being of his wife and family. That's real courage in my book. As I said in my eulogy (I'll send you a copy if you like), delivered at St. Matthews Parish church to three hundred of his friends, family and colleagues -- good folks from across all walks of life (and the entire political spectrum, from Rob Reiner to Nancy Reagan) who defined his life by their very presence: "He was the finest man I have ever known. He was the finest man I will ever know."

Kindest regards,
Fraser C. Heston

This is an important issue to discuss. How easy it is to make enemies out of those who hold different opinions. Inner peace and world peace both yearn for this understanding. Thank you for the conversation.

Although I agree with you about respecting and admiring activism, no matter whether you agree with it or not, I do not and will not respect those who falsely accuse our President and Vice President of starting the war for immoral reasons, or worse, for complicity in the 9/11 attacks. When they use their public forum and celebrity to spout such rubbish, I refuse to pay money to view their films and TV shows. When they whine about that, like Tim Robbins, then I am more convinced that my decision is correct.

P.S. When Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston were Democrats in the 40's and 50's, that party was most responsible for continuing racism and segregation, particularly in the South.

Having respect for someone you disagree with has part of the core of good character. We run into people we don't agree with constantly. These people could be co-workers, friends and family. If everyone respected each other regardless of our different views, there would be no wars, discrimination, segregation, etc. One has to draw the line between what is bad and what is different. The beginning of a better world starts within you.

Thank you, Mr. Josephson.

I certainly agree with the theme of this commentary that one must not agree with another's positions to respect them. And it is generally admirable that some people in the spotlight of our culture take the time and effort to get "involved" and try to make a difference. However, my concern is that we the people tend too often to view celebrities as leaders, and there is a vast difference between the two. Celebrities have a forum because of their position. But being a true "leader" involves much more. Thank you Michael for being a true leader with Character Counts.

I appreciate someone with a different viewpoint. I do scorn celebrities or anybody else that uses the media to further lies. The World Trade Centers were brought down by terrorists with airplanes full of innocent people - not by the U.S. Government. Sean Penn is a big supporter of Hugo Chavez stating that he is a model for treating people right. Chavez is a thug and a dictator whose people suffer horribly. Do not give celebrities a free pass because they are celebrities - they must not be allowed to lie to people by using the press.

Respecting someone with whom I strongly disagree can be a struggle. Sometimes I find myself believing that respect should be earned and deserved. However, disagreeing is part of human nature. Each of us is different; we all have our challenges and our strengths. When I remember this, I can usually find a quality that I respect in that person. This first step leads me to accept the whole person, warts and all. By our very nature of being human, each of us deserves respect. This is what raises the value of our lives and enhances the quality of the world in which we live. Respecting our freedom of speech requires a characteristic that Robert Frost penned eloquently: Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.

Thanks for your service.

Many of the comments above forget that the cost of freedom of speech is that to maintain it for your views you must also be willing to defend it for opposing views. Remember the Nazi march in Illinois? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that their right to march had to be protected in order to guarantee that anti-Nazi protestors could also gather. In these days of extremist beliefs - both conservative and liberal - many seem to expect that only speech supporting their views should be allowed. Sorry, but freedom just doesn’t work that way. (You know what we call countries with “freedom” like that? China. Or Korea, or Liberia, or...)

Now, I was not a fan of Charlton Heston's politics, but he typically expressed them in a well thought out fashion. He did not support violence in support of his views, he just thought there were certain things about which he should speak out. He deserves respect for the MANNER in which he expressed his beliefs, and because he was stupid in what he chose to support. To deny someone this respect just because you disagree with their opinion is not only ignorant, but dangerous.

The difference between Heston and celebrities like Sean Penn (supporting Hugo Chavez) is that Penn does not offer concrete reasons for his views. He only makes general statements with little support. He even fails to see that “shut down” and “did not re-up their license” are synonyms. Penn deserves no respect because of the MANNER in which he expresses his views...and because he is stupid. (Michael did shortchange his Sean Penn research...) But I will say this about Hugo Chavez: He has always opposed the Iraq War – so I guess even a stupid actor and a homicidal dictator can be right some of the time.

Bottom line: don’t allow a person’s views to determine whether you respect them or not. Take a closer look and you will find many people on your side of the fence who are not worthy of your respect. I don’t think Charlton Heston falls into this category. It’s not only what they advocate, but how they encourage reaching that end. Think about this the next time someone bombs a Muslim temple...

I want to comment on the praise I see given to Oprah. I understand she is a wealthy figure in the media and is recognized for all her work; however, I have a certain disdain for celebrities who MUST have their name written on everything; who INSIST on being recognized for what they offer. This goes against the character principle. It is one thing to give effortlessly, but it is another to boast and expect adulation in return. I know there are many donors to worthy causes that prefer to be listed on the credits as anonymous, and that to me is more worthy of respect. Their anonymous support reflects true humility, genuineness, and character. The fact that these anonymous donors forgo praise from the public is enough to draw the public's attention to the cause itself, the receivers of goodwill. And isn't this supposed to be more important anyway? Isn't the purpose to draw attention to a need so the public would be encouraged to participate and create change for the betterment of others?

You don't have to agree with Sean Penn, but at least he gets off his behind and does something about what he feels is right or wrong. Most Americans squander their freedom of speech just complaining and moaning, but never really doing anything else. I'd be afraid to live in a country where I didn't disagree with someone.

Michael, you are right on the mark. We will be a much better country and people if we listen to the voice of French philosopher Voltaire who once said even though he disagreed with what an opponent had to say, he will fight to the death for his right to say what he had to say. Disagreeing with someone should not give you a platform to spew hate. I voted for Bush but disagree 80 percent with him on policies and his tactics.

You are advising us to separate the political person from the private person. Charlton Heston was a strong supporter of the right to bear arms, no wonder he was the president of the NRA. At the same time, he might have other admirable characteristics. The problem here is that unlike, say, myself, he was a celebrity and, as such, had access to public media and could easily disseminate his news. My problem with Charlton Heston's views is that people accepting his point of view, the so-called conservatives, also display a rather strong tendency for intolerance with other people's personal freedoms. We should respect each other's opinions, be able to express them freely, but it is the size of the outreach that causes this freedom to not be equally distributed.

I am reminded of the words of my grandfather about 40 years ago after I stated a negative opinion of someone.
He said, "You can find something good to say about everyone...even the Devil...He works hard."
I have a friend whose attitude I don't like at times, but because I have taken the time to know his heart, I love him as my friend and can say "Joe is Joe." I don't always agree with the MANNER in which he expresses his beliefs, but some won't agree with how I express mine either.

This was reinforced on Nov 4th when members of my family voted for "the other guy" and I had to respect their right to do so. We have taught our boys to be independent thinkers. We succeeded.

i have a friend who sometimes gets on my very last nerves cause she is sometimes a preppy girl. she thinks everything is ugly and ohhhhh she just gets on my nerves

To those of you who say they will show no respect to those who believe differently, I pray for you. Our country was built on disagreements, but our fellow countrymen showed their respect to one another. My fellow countrymen and women, lend me your ears and let me just say: To respect one another would lessen the violence we see daily and let our disagreements be just that -- a disagreement. Love your neighbors and show them the respect they deserve, even if you don't think so. It pains my heart to see such hatred and violence in this world today.

Charlton Heston was a great person. The world will miss men like Heston. It is sad to see America slipping into screaming matches and not having meaningful conversations. You don't have to agree with the other person, but respect for the other person's opinion should be paramount, especially in a democracy. Mr. Aryel is mistaken if he thinks only conservatives are intolerant. The problem in today's world is that both far left liberals and far right conservatives are grossly intolerant of anyone who voices a dissenting voice. By the way, I am a gun owner and freely support the rights of others not to own guns. I also expect the same consideration. Thank you Mr. Heston for living your principles.

Honest men can agree to disagree, but there is a limit.

Would you respect a celebrity who openly advocated the position of the Neo-Nazi party or Ku Klux Klan? I would hope your answer would be no.

I'm not equating Heston's NRA support to supporting the KKK, but I can understand how someone's political activism might generate disgust rather than admiration.

As for guns, have as many as you want. I would regulate ammunition. I'd restrict its availablity to target ranges and hunting preserves. Possessing ammunition outside those areas would be a felony. Would that work for ya?

The wheels are in motion. Hypothetically, I know there is better course. This view is then shouted down. And it is an entrenched mindset; no one has a better course. It is parroted from weaker examples. I'm pretty sure the entrenched mindset has stronger unknown-to-me examples. I can't respect that we will never have that discussion.
Poison in the well, sabotage, dictatorship should not be summed up in a knee-jerk reaction. It should not be ignored either.
I don't know if I want my voice back. Few could know the way it hurts. You see my examples may resemble big picture events. But that loudmouth stuff doesn't get me where I live.
Thank you for the great article on education studies.

I may not favor anyone's opinion in particular, but I know that I HUNGER for a community that understands the gift of living here in the USA. And seeks to open a real dialogue, a discussion, an exchange of views. I understand that my defense of freedom of speech strenghtens my access to freeodm of speech and the free press.

I know that the Bill of Rights, as good as it is, left out a few finer points. But with the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, they gave us a good foundation to work with.

Most of all, I know it's part of my responsibilty of being a good citizen to listen and learn from those who have different opinions -- you may be able to clarify my perspective or win me over to your point of view.

And if you had a viewpoint I disagreed with but had the secret to the meaning of life, I would deprive myself of growth and understanding due to a difference of opinion. I would be ignorant to cut off my nose to spite my face. To believe anything else would be folly.

This whole conversation is very interesting. Everything I try to believe about ethics, the goodness of people, and giving people a chance tends to go out the window when I think about Nazism, the KKK, the genocide in Darfur, and so forth. For me, I guess the trick is to try to have as much compassion as possible for others but "not to become so tolerant that you begin to tolerate intolerance." There must be a healthy balance out there somewhere...I only wish I could find it!

In the meantime, perhaps our energies are best directed at looking within ourselves instead of judging others. Some of Charlton Heston's actions disturbed me, but then again, some of my OWN actions have disturbed me, too! If we are all a microcosm of what is going on in the world at large, perhaps the greatest pathway to peace and understanding lies in being honest about our own shortcomings and seeking to overcome them.

It seems like the question of whether too much tolerance can promote intolerance is not at play in the original post. To make fond tribute to a human being is to recognize something true in him, and telling the truth is never wrong. I would stand up to criticism against making such a tribute.
Charlton Heston is noted as a good family man, and if that is true, it is worth recognizing.

I was strongly opposed to his politics, and while I agree that celebrities broadcasting their political views is a positive, makes-sense kind of thing, I would rather a person in that position be more conscious of the ramifications of his or her positions before presenting them to an easily influenced public.