Ramirez Cartoon

Thirty years ago, a great number of patriotic Americans sincerely and adamantly opposed their nation’s involvement in the war in Indochina. There was also a small but rabid contingent that seemed to derive a macabre satisfaction from the increasing number of troops returning home in body bags. They reasoned that the greater the amount of casualties, the greater the amount of pain and humiliation would be inflicted on the presidency they wished to see destroyed.

Judging from the “vulture” cartoon (“Hmm, he’s getting weaker,” Commentary, Aug. 9), appearing so soon after the tragic bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, it appears that that sick sensibility still exists at The Times--in cartoonist Michael Ramirez.

HOWARD W. HAYS

Sierra Madre