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