But I'm not a liberal; I'm a blogging public relations guy in a journalism suit, so here it is.
This cartoon was run by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and drawn by Pulitzer prize winner, Mike Luckovich.
At first glance, the cartoon is vulgar and offensive and the buzz raised by its publication has been overwhelmingly negative.
Luckovich issued a statement June 23 about the controversy raised by his work:
Normally when I do a cartoon, I let the cartoon speak for itself, but because this cartoon has generated so much controversy, I need to address it. On this issue, it shouldn’t matter whether you agree or disagree that going into Iraq was necessary. If we want to succeed in Iraq, we have to remember that our most powerful weapon, greater than any bomb we could drop, is our moral authority. Al-Qaida is evil and brutal. What they did to our two young soldiers … it seems unimaginable that human beings could do that to other human beings. Their brand of torture is light-years beyond anything the United States has been accused of doing. That said, the fact that we have deemed ANY form of torture acceptable to get information from our enemies has done irreparable harm to our cause. I doubt that the Iraqi people make such a distinction in their minds and that is very sad indeed.
American violations of human rights at Abu Ghraib are well documented. I happen to disagree with any assertion that American violations compare to the recent brutal killings of American soldiers.
I want my readers to see this cartoon, not because I agree with it, but because it exists, and it is creating a media storm without ever being printed in the vast majority of newspapers. I want people to be able to continue an aggressive dialogue with reason.
Article comments
1 - Q Bit
Thanks John.
If we want to succeed in Iraq, we have to remember that our most powerful weapon, greater than any bomb we could drop, is our moral authority.
That's exactly the point. But tell that to morally bankrupt neocons and their buddies.
2 - Bryan McKay
It's a bit crude, but makes a valid point. It's good t see that artist is aware that the comparison he makes isn't anywhere near equal and doesn't claim otherwise. It was an exaggeration for the purposes of an editorial cartoon. At least this makes a valid editorial point as opposed to the Mohammed cartoons which were offensive simply for the sake of being offensive.
3 - JustOneMan
"Normally when I do a cartoon, I let the cartoon speak for itself, but because this cartoon has generated so much controversy, I need to address it."
In other words...GIVE ME ATTENTION...This stuff is great reading...all it does is whittle away at the Democratic voting block and leave the looney - left - deaniacs...Keep up the good work!
4 - Nancy
Until & unless our level of barbarities in torture & murder starts to approach that of the various Muslim groups, IMO we have nothing to apologize for, to anyone.
5 - Maurice
Once again I must say I am for torture.
If our forces capture a known jihadist leader and we know that he has information that could save lives then I have no problem with mild torture.
What do I mean by mild torture?
a) sleep deprivation
b) good cop bad cop interogation
c) having to listen to Mariah Carey
Anything worse than these things is not acceptable.
6 - gonzo marx
Maurice sez...
*What do I mean by mild torture?
a) sleep deprivation
b) good cop bad cop interogation
c) having to listen to Mariah Carey
Anything worse than these things is not acceptable.*
Quoted for Truth
something to do with the "moral high ground" as well as winning the "hearts and minds"
the Means are an End unto themselves...
Excelsior?
7 - JP
Q Bit, and Gahan, I agree completely--we cannot win a war of ideas on the concept of terrorism if we are morally bankrupt ourselves--even in isolated incidents.
Why? Because fundamentalist Islam only commits terrorist acts as isolated incidents. If we can make the supposition that Islam itself supports such acts, then by that premise's converse, our opponents could suggest that because American troops commit similar acts, that is encouraged by the Western ideology.
I love Luckovich, partly because he's able to generate such furor (and, at the minimum, discussion and thought) with such simple and profound statements. I'm glad to see this published for more people to see.
8 - JustOneMan
"Mariah Carey" That is clearly inhumane treatment...heres one that will have them spilling their guts...as in Clock Work Orangs , force their eyes open and force them to watch 24 hours a day of "An Inconvenient Truth"
9 - Douglas Mays
Ah, it isn't that far out. Makes alot of sense. Gahan Wilson, or some old MAD Magazine can make tha above comic look like Family Circus....
10 - Dave Nalle
c) having to listen to Mariah Carey
Does that mean the new Paris Hilton song is beyond the line of acceptability?
Dave