Falwell interview stirs debate over free speech and censorship
A Penthouse interview with Rev. Jerry Falwell sparks a federal pretrial clash over defamation and media ethics. Falwell sues for 10 million dollars after losing a bid to stop publication while criticizing censorship and advocating freedom of expression with caveats for protecting children. He argues the interview was misrepresented, while critics note his absolutist stance and goals of a theocratic media reach. The piece contrasts Falwell’s image with Penthouse’s presentation and raises questions about intellectual freedom versus moral power.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jerry Falwell
Gospel Hour
Falwell
Thomas Road
Sun Myung Moon
Ayatollah Khomeini
Evolution Evidence Pushes Back Creationist Claims
The piece notes ongoing scientific findings dating human tools to 2.5 million years ago and Australian fossils at 3.5 billion years, suggesting Earth’s antiquity and evolution’s broad support. It cites Carl Sagan opposing creationism and warns that teaching creationism in schools would amount to preaching.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
East
Africa
Kenya
Carl Sagan
Answer to debt crisis? Rohatyn proposes a Reinvented RFC for a second industrial revolution
The piece argues for a $5 billion Reconstruction Finance Corporation with up to $25 billion in guaranteed bonds to buy equity in troubled industries. It frames debt as the core crisis, citing rising credit demand and the risk of a prolonged crisis if markets alone cannot fund needed external equity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rohatyn
U.S
New York City
New York
Municipal Assistance Corporation
RFC
Chrysler Loan Board
National Dental Health Month Calls for TV Health Push
ACT recalls eighth symposium on children and television health linking sugar advertising to decay. Myron Allakian Jr. cites high sugar intake and pervasive TV messages as key culprits and urges banning ads to under 8 and more health-promoting role models.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Action For Children’s Television
ACT
Surgeon General
Peggy Charren
Myron Allakian Jr
DDS
Bureau of Community Dental Program
Iowa sportsmenVoice displeasure at conservation tax moves
A letter criticizes the Iowa Conservation Commission for shifting costs to hunters and fishermen through a $5 park sticker while proposing a $10 chickadee checkoff on income tax. The writer decries higher resident license prices, unequal treatment of residents and nonresidents, and the lack of a crow hunting season, accusing the commission of neglecting sportsmen.
Haig Sets Tone as General Manager of State Department
Gen Haig projects quiet confidence in his role as secretary of state under Reagan. He seeks clear authority as chief foreign affairs spokesman, favors a cautious path on arms talks, and pushes norms of international behavior while resisting deep foreign aid cuts and easy commitment to human rights as Carter did. He favors a military draft debate and faces Congress with bulldog resolve.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Alexander Haig
Senate
Reagan
Red Army
Afghanistan
Soviet Union
Africa
Latin America
Carter
Haig
Pentagon
U.S
State
Canada
Mexico
Caribbean
Horn of Africa
World Bank
Ernest Lefever
Congress
Hostages to sin and the price of liberty in letters to the gazette
A reader discusses the long hostage episode of 52 freed Americans and the broader moral lesson. The piece argues sin as the core problem, contrasts truth and freedom, and asserts that hate binds while love liberates, emphasizing Bible guidance and personal integrity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Satan
God
Also Mentioned on This Page
Fallwell
Penthouse
Reader’s Digest
Felix Rohatyn
OPEC
New York Stock Exchange
George Will
Chrysler
Daniel Bell
The
Iowa Conservation Commission
Iown
Commission
Iowa
Gen. Haig
James Reston
Vienna
Leonid Brezhnev
the Gazette
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!