When Commentary Appears in Comics
Re “Dissent Stinks if It Exploits the Pain of GIs,” Commentary, May 4: Bill O’Reilly completely misses the point of a democratic society with freedom of speech where dissent is allowed. He would like to set boundaries on dissent to the point where it is no dissent at all.
Using the excuse of war or pain to soldiers just doesn’t wash. Since we are likely to be in a perpetual “war against terrorism,” does that mean that our society should forgo dissent indefinitely? As for picking on Garry Trudeau’s “Doonesbury”: The last time I looked, “Doonesbury” was a comic strip! A little less arrogance and a little more tolerance for other people’s points of view would serve O’Reilly well.
David Hurwitz
Calabasas
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So O’Reilly thinks that “using someone’s personal tragedy to advance a political agenda” is a bad thing. I hope he remembers that when President Bush shamelessly shows images of flag-draped 9/11 firefighters in his campaign ads.
Kim Nicholas
Santa Monica
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None of us should be surprised that Trudeau uses the suffering of American soldiers in the Middle East to drive home his political points. This is the same Trudeau whose cartoon strip eight years ago mocked then-presidential candidate Bob Dole’s World War II battle wounds, openly joking that Sen. Dole was relying upon them to advance his political career. Trudeau is shameless and apparently believes that nothing is beyond the pale in pressing his strident point of view.
John Ward
Redondo Beach
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There is a reason that I read a newspaper to get my news and opinions instead of watching television (especially “Faux” News). A newspaper affords me more in-depth reporting and opinion columns backed by expertise and research. The absolute last thing I want to see in my morning paper is 20 very pointless column-inches from O’Reilly inanely rambling about a cartoon character. Since when does O’Reilly, or anyone from his politically driven “news” channel, have the credibility to critique journalism and media responsibility? Please, L.A. Times, don’t lower your standards.
David Kopf
Aliso Viejo
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The best laugh I’ve had from The Times in many a day. Seeing the “king” of rabidly partisan, ill-informed, rabble-rousing television attack “Doonesbury” for rabid partisanship made me laugh so hard I nearly spilled my coffee.
David M. Bee
Loma Linda