When opinion is allowed to masquerade as news or comic humor, it is manipulative and dishonest. Too often, we see opinion presented in newspapers as though it were simply a news story. But, generally, this kind of “news” is placed where it belongs — on the editorial page. Unfortunately, this can’t be said for at least two comic strips that are always included with the other comic strips. These two comic strips are “Doonesbury” and “Candorville.” This is especially true of “Doonesbury.” Both can be funny and entertaining when they are not trying to hide commentary as though it were simply humor.

Editorial commentary disguised as humor can easily slip into our minds without rational, critical evaluation when it is presented simply as humor. Irony and sarcasm can both be presented humorously. Both these comic strips use irony and sarcasm in an effort to be humorous. But, care needs to be taken not to let irony or sarcasm degenerate into mean-spirited mockery, derision, scorn or disdain. In my opinion, this happens far too often.

I would like to see The Bulletin be honest enough to put comic strips on the editorial page, where they belong, whenever they slip into a disguised editorial commentary mode.

Don Stewart

Bend