Doonesbury Cartoons on Frank Sinatra

The Times has received 221 letters commenting on its decision not to print all of Garry Trudeau’s Doon e sbury strips on Frank Sinatra; 206 criticized The Times’ decision and/or praised Trudeau; 15 criticized Trudeau and/or praised Sinatra.

I would really like to know why Trudeau decided to use his Doonesbury strip as a vehicle to attack a man like Frank Sinatra. Perhaps on the day Trudeau receives a Medal of Freedom from the President of the United States he will tell us in his acceptance speech. Or perhaps at his next charitable performance that raises millions for the sick he will interrupt the show and let us in on his reasons.

HOWARD GREEN

Los Angeles

Editor’s Note: The Times risks lawsuits again and again because taking the risk is often the only way to get important information to its readers. Most of the Sinatra panels were withheld, not because of fear of litigation but because the newspaper was strongly advised by its lawyers that they would have substantial problems defending in court any libel suit that might have been filed.