I'm not quick to call him a joke. That comes after many years of his own statements.
Of course terrorists attacked us because they don't like the American way of life, largely because of our country's actions in the world. That does not excuse, or even blend analysis with, Falwell's statement that gays, pagans and the ACLU are at fault and that God is punishing us for them. That's really no different from the Westborogh freaks, only more temperate. One could easily say that those fools are only "honestly looking for an answer". That doesn't mean their views are worthy of my respect.
This also doesn't mean I would ever advocate that they be forced to change their beliefs. I would, however, have glady joined the veterans in driving them away from Walter Reed. That's just plain defending the veterans.
If you want to support statements like this I feel sorry for you. If you want to imply that I am juvenile for taking such a strong stand against hatred, a mass categorization of 'others' in American society, and a frankly shoddy analysis of international affairs I really don't care. Falwell was a joke, and only because he put the egg on his own face.