Did This Political Cartoon Cross The Line?

[r8rh8rmike]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff certainly thought so and they sent a letter to the Washington Post expressing their outrage. Among other things, they stated, "While The Post and some of its readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, these men and women and their families are owed the decency of not having a cartoon make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices." and, "As the joint chiefs, we rarely put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered".

The cartoonist called the letter "an understandable response" but said he did not regret what he drew. In thinking about Rumsfeld's remarks, he said, "what came soon to mind was the catastrophic level of injuries the Army and members of the armed services have sustained . . . I thought my portrayal of it was a fair depiction of the reality of the situation".

[Milan]

I don't know about anyone else but I can't see the cartoon.

[coy bacon]

Of course he crossed the line. The cartoonist Tom Cole? doesn't give a damn about American soldiers, or their wounds or suffering. He's just another "I hate George Bush" puke.

I'm not defending Bush, or the war. I'm saying the the liberals have one message, "We hate George Bush", and they will use anything, or say anything, to repeat their refrain.

I do think Bush has earned criticism, but I don't think using wounded soldiers is the way to voice that criticism.

[evil disco man]

Originally Posted by Milan

I don't know about anyone else but I can't see the cartoon.

This was in response to a Donald Rumsfeld quote:

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday disputed reports suggesting that the U.S. military is stretched thin and close to a snapping point from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, asserting "the force is not broken."

"This armed force is enormously capable," Rumsfeld told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. "In addition, it's battle hardened. It's not a peacetime force that has been in barracks or garrisons."

[SFCRamFan]

I think that it is a tasteless way to display what he was trying to say. He could have used another analogy to show that we are stretched thin as an army.

We have the personnel necessary to support the war. However, we are an all volunteer military and fewer people have volunteered since we entered Iraq. Many have died, some have retired and some others have been allowed to get out as their enlistment expires. That leaves fewer and fewer of us to continue to do the same job. That is why they use stop loss on some units or military occupations.

It is our job, and we understand that. However, the long times away are having a huge effect on family stability. Many soldier's kids are acting out, misbehaving or running away with one or both of their parents deploying time and again. In addition, our divorce rate is rising as people go away for either multiple deployements or extremely long deployments.

Most soldiers understand that going to war is always a possiblity. However, the last five years are beginning to have an effect on morale due to time away from family. It is understandable. As the Iraqis take over more of the security, we will have to deploy fewer of our people and hopefully for shorter lengths of time.

[Hodgins]

these men and women and their families are owed the decency of not having a cartoon make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices."

what do you call george bush!!!

[SFCRamFan]

Originally Posted by Hodgins

what do you call george bush!!!

I think that you are missing the point and taking the opportunity to just show your distaste for Bush.

We vote like everyone else but have no choice on who is the Commander in Chief. We still must obey orders. We did it under Clinton, as well. He did some things that under UCMJ would have gotten us put in jail.

The point was whether this was a tasteful way to display his point on whether the military is stretched thin.

[Hodgins]

I think that you are missing the point and taking the opportunity to just show your distaste for Bush.

I think you're right

[coy bacon]

Hodgins is illustrating the ineptness of the liberals in America today. (Perhaps he's being tongue in cheek?) All they can say, over and over and over again, is "we hate George Bush".

Bush had a great line in "second guessing is not a strategy." And today's democratic leadership are expert 2nd guessers. My goodness, these are not the people you want leading your country. Tweedle dum and tweedle dee will not lead in strength. I think if Kerry were running the country Osama Bin Laden would have moved his harem into the oval office.

And, is Bush the best that the Repubs had to offer!? Talk about the lesser of two evils.

My goodness, where have all the good politicians gone? We really used to have some.

[Fat Pang]

Have you seen the cartoon about the prophet mohammed?

[RamDez]

lets not post that here if you dont mind

[RamsFanSam]

Originally Posted by coy bacon

And, is Bush the best that the Repubs had to offer!? Talk about the lesser of two evils.

Coy, in this case I think transposition of words would be more appropriate:

"The evil of two lessers"

[Fat Pang]

Originally Posted by RamDez

lets not post that here if you dont mind

Worry not Dez, no intention of posting it. You watching Scotland Vs France?

[Fat Pang]

7-0 to Scotland YEEESSSSSSSSSSS!

[Fat Pang]

Excuse me I digress....................