I have to commend Lynn Rhoades for her column in Wednesday’s Pilot, “Let’s Keep Patriotism Out of this Debate.”

She hit the nail squarely on the head in reminding us that we do have a government of checks and balances, pointing out that Sen. Daschle has every right and duty to question the conduct of the war in Afghanistan, and holding up Sen. Lott’s “How dare he?” question and Sen. Delay’s “Disgusting” remark for the hypocritical hyperbole that they were.

Democrat or Republican, it doesn’t matter. Politics, of course, is an inevitable part of our national life. But Americans have a responsibility to support our constitutional government as it was formed, and questioning the direction of government policies — war, economics, whatever — is a part of it. I would dearly like to see Ms. Rhoades’ column reprinted throughout the country as a lesson in civic responsibility.

Herb Knowlton

Pinehurst