Post by TRIPWIRE on Feb 5, 2006 22:02:56 GMT -5
February 5, 2006
Cartoons!
Written by David M. Hickerson
Originally Posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2006_0205.html
A lot of talk about outrage over a political cartoon depicting Donald Rumsfeld [1] as a physician looking over a wounded veteran (arms and legs amputated) saying "I'm listing your condition as 'battle hardened.'" A letter from the Joint Chiefs goes to the artist/publisher to essentially give him hell for it (not that this particular cartoonist is the first to ever draw such a cartoon, nor the first to be published), but the big question here is wrether this is really worthy of all the ire it has recieved. I can see the point of the Joint Cheifs, the idea that they are making light of the sacrifice of the troops, but I'm not sure I see it the same way.
There is also big-time outrage in Muslim quarters over some Danish cartoons depicting Mohammad [2] that were originally created almost four months ago, aparently to the point where a French newspaper fired an editor for reprinting them [3]. I gather it is considered blasphemy to draw their holy man but it is perfectly fine to caricature evil Jews, Christians, or whatever. Sorry, but I don't jive with that idea, so I guess I'm a blasphemer.
I'm even reading posts on some of the forums I frequent regarding the ridiculous cartoons on Aljazeera's English website [4], one of which (regarding the U.N.) I actually thought was right on.
Personally I think this whole situation is a joke (no pun intended). Part of our way of life is the ability to complain about our government, and cartoonists have an incredibly unique talent at their disposal to do so. I don't see why such expressions should be regulated, even if they are arguably distasteful in the opinion of some, any more than cartoons depicting Jesus, President Bush, or any other prominent religious or political figure. I disagree with the idea that these things should be censored, partly because I think there are free speech rights at play, and partly because I really don't give a hoot what they draw.
Let the cartoonists draw, and let the critics write about what they think of the cartoons. Free speech for everyone equally. Overall, if I am offended by something (be it a drawing, someone's opinion, whatever), it isn't their problem, it is mine. I can write about it if I want or I can just be upset, but in the end it is my problem and mine alone for being offended. I really think people would be better off if they just realized that we don't have an inherent right to not be offended by the things around us.
References:
1. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/01/AR2006020102465.html
2. news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060130/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_prophet_drawings_5
3. abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1568535
4. english.aljazeera.net/HomePage
Cartoons!
Written by David M. Hickerson
Originally Posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2006_0205.html
A lot of talk about outrage over a political cartoon depicting Donald Rumsfeld [1] as a physician looking over a wounded veteran (arms and legs amputated) saying "I'm listing your condition as 'battle hardened.'" A letter from the Joint Chiefs goes to the artist/publisher to essentially give him hell for it (not that this particular cartoonist is the first to ever draw such a cartoon, nor the first to be published), but the big question here is wrether this is really worthy of all the ire it has recieved. I can see the point of the Joint Cheifs, the idea that they are making light of the sacrifice of the troops, but I'm not sure I see it the same way.
There is also big-time outrage in Muslim quarters over some Danish cartoons depicting Mohammad [2] that were originally created almost four months ago, aparently to the point where a French newspaper fired an editor for reprinting them [3]. I gather it is considered blasphemy to draw their holy man but it is perfectly fine to caricature evil Jews, Christians, or whatever. Sorry, but I don't jive with that idea, so I guess I'm a blasphemer.
I'm even reading posts on some of the forums I frequent regarding the ridiculous cartoons on Aljazeera's English website [4], one of which (regarding the U.N.) I actually thought was right on.
Personally I think this whole situation is a joke (no pun intended). Part of our way of life is the ability to complain about our government, and cartoonists have an incredibly unique talent at their disposal to do so. I don't see why such expressions should be regulated, even if they are arguably distasteful in the opinion of some, any more than cartoons depicting Jesus, President Bush, or any other prominent religious or political figure. I disagree with the idea that these things should be censored, partly because I think there are free speech rights at play, and partly because I really don't give a hoot what they draw.
Let the cartoonists draw, and let the critics write about what they think of the cartoons. Free speech for everyone equally. Overall, if I am offended by something (be it a drawing, someone's opinion, whatever), it isn't their problem, it is mine. I can write about it if I want or I can just be upset, but in the end it is my problem and mine alone for being offended. I really think people would be better off if they just realized that we don't have an inherent right to not be offended by the things around us.
References:
1. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/01/AR2006020102465.html
2. news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060130/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_prophet_drawings_5
3. abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1568535
4. english.aljazeera.net/HomePage