CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen presented a well-thought-out lecture to the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series audience. He is a knowledgeable, experienced analyst and deserving of praise.

Pilot Editor Steve Bouser's comments about "opinionated blowhards like Lou Dobbs or Bill O'Reilly" were out of order and should not have been made. Bouser's introduction was not the place for him to express his opinions and preferences on other newscasters.

In my opinion, Dobbs and O'Reilly are both as fair and balanced as can be found on TV or talk radio. Both consistently present both sides of issues. I might have agreed with Bouser had he slammed Hannity and Limbaugh, or Olbermann and Matthews and Maddow, or the mainstream networks. All of them lean right or left of center, some to quite a degree.

It is very difficult to find objective, fair and balanced programming, and Dobbs and O'Reilly come as close to it as any.

George Mercer

West End