To the editor:

According to your published “Sounding Off” section on page 9 of your June, 2004, edition, you state, “libelous or slanderous material will not be published.” Obviously, your have changed this policy as evidenced by your publication of Phil Crossman’s article entitled “Mainland Security.” His tasteless, arrogant and prejudicial abasement of “people from away,” “Arabs,” members of the Islamic faith and residents of Matinicus Island was slanderous! If the article was meant to be taken as humor, it was the most insensitive example of sick humor I have read in a good while. Your judgment in running that article leaves one with a very negative opinion of the Island Institute.

Chloe D. Wentz

Oakton, Virginia, and Matinicus