Kathleen Parker's column, "First, they came for the funny ones" (Feb. 4), seemed sensible until this sentence: "Denmark is a cautionary tale for those who doubt the insidious and serious nature of our enemies and illustrates the deep schism between believers in democratic ideals and many of those we hope to convert."

I don't think the reaction of some Muslims to cartoons of Mohammed is different than the reaction Christian fundamentalists would have to similar "blasphemy." Imagine a cartoon depicting Jesus setting fire to an abortion clinic. Now that would get Ms. Parker's base all up in a tizzy pretty quick.

Ms. Parker unintentionally exposes her prejudice when she calls Muslims our enemies. She needs to take some lessons from Karl Rove. Then she goes on to sling mud at President Clinton for comparing anti-Muslim cartoons with anti-Semitism. He never said newspapers shouldn't have published the cartoons, only that he personally finds them offensive, as did the Bush administration ("U.S. condemns Mohammed cartoons," Feb. 4).

The last paragraph made me laugh. "Mr. Clinton always has been better at saying what he perceives people want to hear, rather than what is true." It's true that President Clinton always has tried to make peace with other countries for the benefit of Americans. Apparently, Ms. Parker would prefer a president who lies to, misleads and spies on Americans instead. Oh, right. She already has one of those.

DAVID COLANGELO

West Palm Beach