To Mr. Tomazin and the Collegian --Kudos. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see critical analysis in action and in print ("Politicians must learn how to take a joke," April 27).

Having said as much, I must point out a deficiency in Mr. Tomazin's critical analysis of Sen. McCain's present to Jon Stewart: You followed a well-written series of valid points about humor, political correctness and political gotcha games with a shallow jab at defining the dysfunctional nature of the Iraqi landscape and your apparent distaste of Sen. McCain's support of the war in Iraq.

I should point out at this point that I will likely vote for John McCain, by absentee ballot, while in Al Anbar province next year. But I digress.

Maybe Rep. Murtha knew that you can purchase all the ingredients to construct an improvised explosive device (IED) from a Wal-Mart Supercenter, right across from the Nittany Mall. Does that mean that "things are so messed up in [State College] that, if one wanted (even Sen. John McCain), he or she could buy an IED" in Happy Valley?

I think it means that Rep. Murtha feels strongly (as he said on the floor of the House) that it was "outrageous" to hear "a presidential candidate making a joke about IEDs when our kids are getting blown up!"