OK, before anybody else gets tied in knots over this cartoon, I would ask the question: What is it, exactly, that is so offensive about this cartoon? I only ask because I don't think this cartoon is making fun of the deceased at all. I see it as more of a statement about Judge Moon's protege- David Bales.
So, before any of you grab your pitchforks and torches, I would simply ask you to explain why this particular cartoon deserves such excessive vitriol.
There have been many cartoons drawn after the death of prominent politicians that have played off aspects of their careers when they were alive. I have included three such cartoons below. Now, you might say that ALL of these cartoons were in bad taste (considering the circumstances), but I would have you review the cartoons below to see if your sensitivity is conditional.
Would you say, for instance, that this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/8xad3ph -drawn after Ted Kennedy's death was deplorable?
Or how about this cartoon on the death of Steve Jobs? Was this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/8x6mxkk -in bad taste?
Would you be outraged by this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/72awzta -drawn in the wake of Christopher Hitchens death?
So, what's the verdict? How do these examples compare to Clay Bennett's cartoon? Are some of these cartoons about the dead all right? Is your level of indignation dependent on how you felt about the subject of the cartoon? Is it the concept of Bennett's cartoon that you find so offensive, or is it merely the fact that it's on a local politician?
Drawing a cartoon on the death of a political figure is not uncommon and quite often it's not all that flattering. But if the politician is someone local, or someone you might actually know, it might seem more crass.
That leads me to my final question: If the cartoon is more deplorable just because the deceased politician was a local citizen, does that actually make it so?
It's no wonder you conservatives fought so hard to prevent pulling the plug on Terri Schiavo. Obviously, you all could relate to someone in a persistent vegetative state.
Rick Perry was so stupid he couldn't even win over the southern evangelical vote.
I don't think this cartoon is a statement on anyone's behavior, Salsa. I think it's just a depiction of the "love 'em and leave 'em" nature of primary elections.
Thanks for the terrific collection of cartoons, Clay. It looked really good in print this morning (the entire perspective section front page). They should give you that much space EVERY Sunday!
Thanks too, for the all the cartoons from 2011 that didn't make the year-end review. Many of my personal favorites didn't make the cut, but I suppose you can't reprint EVERYTHING you've drawn in the past 365 days.
Happy new year to all and here's to a 2012 of contentious election campaigns, juicy scandals, and more GREAT cartoons.
Good Advice
Hey shifarobe- The facts aren't in on the cat either. I'll bet that bird was just about to peck him to death.
Speechless
OK, before anybody else gets tied in knots over this cartoon, I would ask the question: What is it, exactly, that is so offensive about this cartoon? I only ask because I don't think this cartoon is making fun of the deceased at all. I see it as more of a statement about Judge Moon's protege- David Bales.
So, before any of you grab your pitchforks and torches, I would simply ask you to explain why this particular cartoon deserves such excessive vitriol.
There have been many cartoons drawn after the death of prominent politicians that have played off aspects of their careers when they were alive. I have included three such cartoons below. Now, you might say that ALL of these cartoons were in bad taste (considering the circumstances), but I would have you review the cartoons below to see if your sensitivity is conditional.
Would you say, for instance, that this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/8xad3ph -drawn after Ted Kennedy's death was deplorable?
Or how about this cartoon on the death of Steve Jobs? Was this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/8x6mxkk -in bad taste?
Would you be outraged by this cartoon- http://tinyurl.com/72awzta -drawn in the wake of Christopher Hitchens death?
So, what's the verdict? How do these examples compare to Clay Bennett's cartoon? Are some of these cartoons about the dead all right? Is your level of indignation dependent on how you felt about the subject of the cartoon? Is it the concept of Bennett's cartoon that you find so offensive, or is it merely the fact that it's on a local politician?
Drawing a cartoon on the death of a political figure is not uncommon and quite often it's not all that flattering. But if the politician is someone local, or someone you might actually know, it might seem more crass.
That leads me to my final question: If the cartoon is more deplorable just because the deceased politician was a local citizen, does that actually make it so?
The Perry Campaign
It's no wonder you conservatives fought so hard to prevent pulling the plug on Terri Schiavo. Obviously, you all could relate to someone in a persistent vegetative state.
Rick Perry was so stupid he couldn't even win over the southern evangelical vote.
I rest my case.
The Perry Campaign
This just in: In an hour or so, Rick Perry will announce that he's dropping out of the race and endorsing Newt Gingrich... http://tinyurl.com/7peb9zx
Now this cartoon is not only hilariously funny, but eerily prescient.
Sheriff Hammond
Nicely done, Clay!
Even though cartoons on national issues seem to incite more comments, I love it when you take on local issues.
Mitt
BigRidgePatriot- To be fair, Bennett's contribution to the public debate (over his last several cartoons) would be:
Republican Presidential Candidate, click, Republican Presidential Candidate, click, Chattanooga judge reprimanded, click, crime in Chattanooga, click, Tennessee redistricting map, click, wasteful defense spending, click...
However, YOUR contribution to the debate would be:
TRASH CLAY BENNETT, click, TRASH CLAY BENNETT, click, TRASH CLAY BENNETT, click, TRASH CLAY BENNETT, click, TRASH CLAY BENNETT, click,...
Perhaps you should check the neurons in your own gourd?
Redistricting
But there's no short supply of conservative wingnuts like Riverman.
The Morning After
I don't think this cartoon is a statement on anyone's behavior, Salsa. I think it's just a depiction of the "love 'em and leave 'em" nature of primary elections.
2011 Cartoons of the Year
Thanks for the terrific collection of cartoons, Clay. It looked really good in print this morning (the entire perspective section front page). They should give you that much space EVERY Sunday!
Thanks too, for the all the cartoons from 2011 that didn't make the year-end review. Many of my personal favorites didn't make the cut, but I suppose you can't reprint EVERYTHING you've drawn in the past 365 days.
Happy new year to all and here's to a 2012 of contentious election campaigns, juicy scandals, and more GREAT cartoons.
Photo ID
By all means, Salsa. We MUST stop the rampant voter fraud that is not taking place.