Pat Robertson’s recent warning of the dire consequences for Orlando because Disney World recognized the humanity of gay people reminded me of a verse written in the wake of the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1908.

The fire destroyed many of the churches in the city but did not consume a famous distillery called Hotaling’s Whiskey. Although some folks said the earthquake and fire were punishment for the city’s wickedness, the verse-writer had this to say: “If, as some say, God/ spanked the town/ for being over-frisky/ How come He burned/ the churches down/ And saved Hotaling’s Whiskey?” Good question!

William C. Stosine

Iowa City