Whenever a controversial photo appears in the newspaper, such as the dog on the American flag or kids swimming in the river without life jackets, everyone yells at the newspaper for publishing the photo as if it was their fault.

The newspaper didn't stage the photo, it isn't responsible for what is going on in the photo, the photographer is just making us aware of things and events that are happening in the world around us, whether it be right or wrong.

I'm sure the person who let his dog sit on the American flag learned a lesson and will never let his dog do that again, thanks to all of our veterans and other readers who wrote in to the paper about it.

Maybe people who let their kids swim or boat on the river have learned that it is not wise to do so without life jackets. It's obvious the readers care and we can credit them for their responses and credit the newspaper for pointing these things out to us.

Don Jacobsen, Kennewick