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Alzheimer's satire was shameless

This is regarding the "Sharp as Toast" cartoon of Feb. 12, 1996, which depicted Ronald Reagan saying he was Marilyn Monroe. I assume that it was making light of the fact he has Alzheimer's Disease. I was appalled at this lack of taste.

No matter what his public policies were, Ronald Regan is still a human being. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease, and not a joke. It is said that no matter what happens, no one can take away who you are and what you believe in. This is not true for a vast number of older people.

Alzheimer's disease slowly steals perhaps all they have left, their memories, their self and their dignity. To make fun of this tragedy is to display a huge amount of immaturity and insensitivity.

The author of this cartoon should be ashamed. I think it is like seeing blind people trip and laughing because they hurt themselves.

SHAWN M. SEVERANCE
RACKHAM