Independence Day. A day of looking back to the birth of our great country, a day of patriotic contemplation and rejoicing, of family reunions, of firecrackers; a day on which the positive of our nation ought to be stressed. This is a day sorely needed in a land so deeply divided as seldom before. Just look at the issues of family, religion, economy, health care, foreign policy, taxes, immigration, individual freedom versus government power etc. You add your own pet peeve. What are The Bellingham Herald's banner headlines on this day? Faculty raises, multi-car crash, state lands merger and HIV test. And the "opinion cartoon" of this day: Romney's corporate power buddy (350 pounds or more) squishing Uncle Sam (12 ounces or less): "Happy Independence Day!" Even though polls have shown that media people support the left financially by over 85 percent, does this have to be proved on July 4, the day of all citizens, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents? This holiday looks back at a historic occurrence. Why not look back and show a cartoon of our president having amassed a national debt of such proportion no one would have thought possible four years ago. Well, this cartoon would have been just as inappropriate! The person responsible for this ugly cartoon on this day of national celebration should be thoroughly ashamed and the Herald should try to do better when expressing its "Opinion." This country needs it.

Henrich Brockhaus

Bellingham