If the Stan Hunt cartoon addressing the possibility that President Bush could order the planting of WMDs to justify the war on Iraq stirred up such a firestorm of controversy, what will reaction be to your June 25 cartoon addressing the reality that Halliburton is the chief beneficiary of the Bush Administration’s policies?

One protesting reader accused you of “…undermining our faith and hope in America.” Your bold exercise of freedom of the press bolsters my faith in America. And the opportunities you present for us readers to examine and consider possibilities and realities political leaders had rather we didn’t, increases my hope that totalitarianism will never displace our democracy.

The letter writer asked you to cancel her subscription. How ironic! Victims of totalitarian regimes, which dictate what their nation’s newspapers print, are disallowed the opportunity to read any side of issues but that of the powers that be.

But an American citizen voluntarily cancels her subscription to a magnificent newspaper that symbolizes the epitome of public debate and freedom of speech.

Robert C. Currie Jr

Southern Pines