I usually read Dusty Rhoades’ Sunday column in hopes of being mildly (if rarely) amused. Dusty’s Feb. 20 column didn’t offer much to that end. The best that his “We Still Have a Right To Say Dumb Things” column could offer was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

To equate Ward Churchill’s “little Eichman’s” comments (referring to innocent 9/11 victims) with the comments of Ann Coulter, Jerry Falwell and Vice President Dick Chaney is quite ridiculous.

It is quite logical (and debatable, of course) to make an intellectual argument that the actions of the Clinton administration may have contributed to the 9/11 attacks. President Clinton did do serious harm to the military with his spending cuts. His disembowelment of the CIA is still costing us dearly with the lack of “intelligence” normally provided by the CIA. There is little doubt that this neutered CIA was not as effective as it should have been.

There is no intelligent argument, or even a “dumb” argument, to be offered for Mr. Churchill’s ludicrous assertions that 9/11 victims were somehow to blame for their tragic fates.

Ms. Coulter’s tongue-in-cheek remark “that the best way to talk to liberals is with a baseball bat” was an attempt at humor. The remark no doubt inspired by silly irrational liberals like our friend Dusty.

Dusty, you do have the right to say “dumb things.” But, as my “yellow dog Democrat” grandfather might have said, you abuse the privilege!

Ed Kennedy

Pinehurst