The Pilot, obviously only partially satisfied with its statewide recognition, even honors, has initiated an international program to address the intellectual demands of a restless readership.

We, of course, are indebted to Fred Wolferman for his travels to France and even that Irish penal colony, Australia. Amazing; his capture of dialect and local custom in such a short exposure. One would hope that the editor and publishers might appreciate the wisdom expressed.

But I digress. The center of this project has to be the unexpected, even secretive dispatch of Dusty Rhoades to cover President Bush's trip to Iraq. Perhaps it's too much to expect; but could not a little more time and money have been expended to better train Mr. Rhoades in the art of throwing odoriferous footwear?

We readers are well aware that the redoubtable Dusty has been throwing just about everything else at Mr. Bush with the same predictable lack of accuracy. Fortunately Saddam has been disposed of by the uncelebrated Mr. Bush, thus saving Dusty's surrogate from a bullet in the occiput.

Long live the First Amendment!

Dan O'Connor

Pinehurst