Subscribe now

Cartoon within bounds

I read Rich Jennings’ Dec. 14 letter in which he shared his disgust with The Spokesman-Review for publishing the cartoon showing a police car with kill tallies painted on the front bumper. I, too, was initially taken back by this drawing, but after giving it a second thought, I decided, like most political cartoons, this is not “funny” funny, but is thought-provoking.

Jennings stated that he is a Vietnam veteran and a retired Spokane police officer. Unfortunately, guys like William Calley of the My Lai massacre and Karl Thompson of the Otto Zehm killing placed this cartoon characterization in the mind’s eye of most citizens. The Spokesman-Review had the courage to place this cartoon in the public’s eye.

As “rude and inflammatory” as the cartoon was, I think it was apropos for printing to keep us mindful that there may be “bad apples” in any barrel, even if they are cloaked in a uniform.

Forrest Diehl

Spokane

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
editor@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-3815
Phone
(509) 459-5430

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy