
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 14, 1993                   TAG: 9306150389
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CARTOON TAKES UNFAIR SHOT AT LITTLE LEAGUE

AFTER READING the May 20 Knight-Ridder/Tribune article entitled "Little League dispute leads to murder, arson" in the sports section, I was empathetic with the families involved. Being associated with Little League for 21 years, I have seen first-hand what organized sports can do for the development of young minds and bodies. And to have such an event as this associated with Little League tears at my heart.

How and why does a newspaper, on one hand, report facts and, on the other, associate itself with total untruths, such as depicted in the political cartoon that appeared on the May 27 editorial page?

Benson, like Paul Revere who drew the famous cartoon of the Boston Massacre, was not there, nor did he picture the event in its true light. His cartoon shows two small children involved in this tragedy. In truth, no small children were involved. He shows the event occurring on the playing field, but it occurred on the way to the parking lot. Benson takes another swing at Little League by drawing a skull and crossbones on the cap of one of the children.

His attacks are totally unjust, and your judgment to run his cartoon makes me wonder if you "snapped." I hope you have regained your senses and will use better judgment in the future. GEOFFREY G. DAVIDSON SALEM

by CNB