The political cartoon you printed on the Jan. 12 Opinion page wrongly portrays a Veterans of Foreign Wars member endorsing the decision-making abilities or, arguably, the policies of President George W. Bush. Conversely, it also could be construed to convey the impression that the VFW is extremely critical of President Barack Obama and his administration.
VFW congressional charter bylaws state that “No officer or member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall in any manner use the Veterans of Foreign Wars for partisan politics.”
Our congressional charter demands that we obey these bylaws. VFW members are bound by a common experience and guided by the rules mandated by our Congress. It is more than offensive to us when others are in flagrant violation and demonstrate total disrespect of the laws that we follow.
The cartoonist and the publication of his product have grossly misrepresented the VFW and its integrity, and shamefully demeaned and denigrated the members of this venerable organization.
Jerry NewberryDirector, VFW CommunicationsKansas City, Mo.