The Pilot editorial of Jan. 12 (“The Unspeakable Tragedy In Tucson”) attempted to fill in the chasm separating Sarah Palin from the shooting by alluding to her symbolist references to “gun sights” and “reloading.”

The editorial admits it’s “too early to point the fingers of blame” and offers the inference that Loughner was “nudged along by the disturbingly irresponsible words and images permeating our culture” (seen “Jersey Shore” or “Hardball With Chris Matthews,” anyone?).

If, during the massacre, Loughner had shouted, “I love Rush Limbaugh,” it would have been one thing. If it’s “too early to point the fingers of blame” and a question of “how many more horrors will it take to make us pull back from the brink and stop playing with fire?” as the editorial suggests, then I wonder: What was the purpose of the cartoon?

Chuck Thackery

Pinehurst