Les Knoll, prolific contributor of what he terms "articles" to The Hays Daily News, deserved the criticism from Jamie Oss of WaKeeney for Knoll's June 23 rant. Here's why:

Knoll declares "America" is something liberal/leftists/Democrats "hate" or think is "evil." He cites no evidence for the windy statement.

Rather obviously, Knoll thinks the terms "country" and "present administration" interchangeable. (Les, does loving one's country require supporting every administration and its policies? )

He says "groups galore who vote Democratic claim America is (a) evil, or (b) "on the wrong track." (Les, is (a) the same as (b)? Is it un-American to believe or say that a given administration or indeed the nation is on the wrong track?)

Les boasts that the Republican Party does not claim white supremacist groups, Does he charge that the Democratic Party does claim such groups?

Les says that "many" left or liberal groups call (GW) Bush "another Hitler." He lists exactly no such group.

Knoll says liberal (Democratic) Congresspersons are as "bad as any group." (Les, assuming you mean they "hate" America or have declared our country "evil," please specify those members of Congress.)

Les charges that members of the House or Senate have accused U.S. troops or (GW) Bush of terrorism? He names none.

Les writes that the mainstream media "cater to" or "embrace" "all these far left groups." He fails to explain just how they do that. (And, Les, do specify which media sources are unpatriotic, and name those which have announced that America is "evil.")

Les cites a study by two economists opining that media negativity "emboldens" the enemy. Les suggests the study is the position of Harvard University, not merely that of two individuals. (Les, how much emboldening might come simply from Iraqis tired of occupation by a foreign power?)

Les says the "majority" of college professors are "liberal" and "deplore our traditional values." He says "far too many indoctrinate students to hate American." He provides no numbers, names no specific professors, no specific institutions.

Les declares that "millions of liberal Dem (anti-war protesters) accuse our military and America of being evil." (So, Les, in your opinion, is publicly opposing any administration policy automatically evil? Or, if it is not evil, is the right of peaceful assembly un-American?)

Les says the list of "Hollywood" figures in the "hate America category" is "a mile long" and "most vote Democrat." Perhaps he could provide a hundred yards of that list? Ten?

Les writes that a "close friend" of Obama is a "professor" who bombed the White House and the Capitol? He does not name that person.

Les suggests that Obama's former minister Jeremiah Wright preaches "hatred toward whites." Yet he provides no statements by Wright promoting either hatred or violence.

John McCain supporter Rev. John Hagee has called the Roman Catholic Church a "great whore." Does Les think Hagee should register as a Democrat? Or are Roman Catholics guilty as charged?

Les charges that "radical feminists" and prominent members of "the gay community" have said that "traditional family ... isn't good enough." Is he claiming that gays and feminists are advocating traditional marriages be banned by the Constitution? Is he charging that feminists and gays are writing letters to the editor, or demonstrating in the streets to do away with traditional marriages?

Knoll says George Soros hates (GW) Bush. He charges that Move-On and Media Matters "exude hatred" by criticizing many of the present government's policies. Perhaps Knoll does some exuding of his own. Jaimie Oss was too kind.

Bob Hooper

Bogue