Let's Get "Boondocks" Cancelled

The Washington Times ^ | 11/10/03 | anarabismybrotherinlaw

[anarabismybrotherinlaw]

Aaron McGruder, whose cartoon strip "The Boondocks" is known for its attacks on Republicans, went on the syndicated television show "America's Black Forum" this past week and denounced National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as a killer. "I don't like Condoleezza Rice because she's a murderer," Mr. McGruder said...

[anarabismybrotherinlaw]

The entire article is near the end of the articles that the URL links to. Nothing in this article indicates that Mr. McGruder neither recanted nor retracted his assertion that Ms. Rice is a murderer, although he did dissemble a bit when challenged by stating "I'm not saying she's not doing her job well. I think it's the job of these people to go into Third World countries and kill people in large numbers to put forth whatever the agenda is of the administration."

OK Freepers, our task is simple: if your local newspaper carries this comic strip, call or write the editor and complain. Specifically, unless Mr. McGruder publicly retracts this statement, and I mean real soon, demand that the newspaper stop carrying this comic strip. That is, unless retracted, this statement is a blood libel, and any newspaper or other entity that continues to run this comic strip or otherwise supports him is tainted. Mr. McGruder has violated the boundaries of protected free speech, so we have recourse, starting with demanding that all newspapers that carry his strip stop doing so. Our next steps will depend on their responses. So, it's best if as many people as possible write or call their respective newspapers as soon as possible. A mass protest might work.

[Ramius]

On the contrary... he makes the left look like loony idiots. Bravo!!

[JennysCool]

You're so right. They're doing a great job self-destructing. Help from us would just be, er, counter-destructive.

[Jim Cane]

Yeah, targeting the enemy for censorship is a slippery slope to book burnings. As much as Boondocks is lefty poopaganda, it's fairly clumsy and transparent lefty poopaganda, and probably turns more people off to leftism than anything Rush could say.

Remember those anti drug ads that would show some aged, tootheless crack ho' with the caption "Heroin Chic" or some such? Boondocks is like that - an ugly self portrait of leftism.

[weegee]

I'll address the Boondocks' creator's statement in a minute, when I went to the link to read the article I also saw this lie from Ralph Nader...

Nader's retort

Former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader called Democrats "chronic whiners" for continuing to accuse him of spoiling the 2000 election for Al Gore.

"They should realize that the retrospect on Florida concluded Gore won Florida," the consumer activist told the Wisconsin State Journal on Saturday. "It was stolen from the Democrats. And they should concentrate on the thieves and the blunderers in Florida, not on the Green Party."

If the lying liars on the left keep repeating their lies, they may one day get the Civil War they keep beating the drums for. How will they atone for the bloodshed that they ignite?

[WorkingClassFilth]

I agree. This strip is the ravings of a deep-fried commie and only appeals to the Kool-Aid drinkers. The sensible public needs to see this kind of shrill propaganda in order to more fully appreciate the rational, reasoned and orderly truths conservatives are presenting. Besides, political claptrap in the funnies is like the proverbial turd in the punch bowl - always unpleasant but nobody will talk about it.

Instead, how 'bout generating a little heat on Frist to actually do something beside make press releases saying he's gonna do something over the RAT blocking of judicial candidates? Or, what about a FReep of the opening of Krinton's lie-brary down in Arkansas (I'll chip in $100.00 for somebody to rent a banner towing airplane to tow the message: "Put some ice on it!") Or, or, or...

[weegee]

Mr. McGruder may be a libelous offensive nut but he's the left's wing nut so his outburst will be tolerated by Big Media. In the scheme of things, he's said nothing that others on the left haven't already said.

I don't see much chance of getting his strip dropped (we've got the momentum from the SeeBS Reagans biopic but then again that also encourages the left to dismiss our subsequent targets).

[mvpel]

I used the opportunity presented by having to cancel my newspaper anyway since we're moving to New Hampshire to offer up McGruder's libel against Ms. Rice as the reason for the cancellation.

[weegee]

PING

[Qwinn]

I also agree that it's good for this sort of ranting lunacy to get as much airtime as it can. Heck, I think "The Reagans" should have gotten time on CBS so that everyone could see how outrageous network bias had become.

I'm worried that in their victory over The Reagans, conservatives will go nuts and try to "censor" every last thing they don't like. It'll backfire, big time. Yes, I know, voting with your wallet isn't the same thing as censorship, but you gotta remember who will be reporting on these events. I'd rather see us win big in the next election than get a couple of comic strips and movies blocked and look like control freaks that make us lose in 2004.

Qwinn

[jocon307]

"counter-destructive"

That is a nice word, I like it, I'll use it someday. And when I do, I'll thank you for it!

[ConservativeMan55]

I agree. Lets get it canceled.

[TomSmedley]

I sent the following comment to our newspaper when they canceled that strip:

An angry young artist named Aaron
Whose worldview is bleak and despairin'
Has bid us adieu
Now is venomous spew
Can pollute some boondocks we're not sharin'!

[Libertarian444]

lefty poopaganda

[mhking]

I'm not enthused with any form of censorship.

I'm no fan of McGruder's. I think his politics (especially as expressed through his work) are outrageous.

But traffic on that street flows both ways. We censor him, then what? We get censored? I'd rather do what's right; and that includes leaving him in place - everyone can see what an ass he is.

That being said, my suggestion is that we get newspapers to remove his strip from the comic page, and place it in the editorial section. After all, his work is NOT simply entertainment, it is activism.

Most newspapers, I'm sure, would listen to the logic and rationale behind that; especially if it were promoted eloquently and rationally to them.

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[zeugma]

Boondocks is occasionally vile and occasionally funny. I thik this particular crusade is a misdirection of energies that would be better spent elsewhere.

[HHFi]

Here in Dallas, it doesn't run on the comics page, but on a separate page of columns in the lifestyles section. I used to read it when it first started and thought it had promise, but ever since Dubya was elected president, he's gone completely around the bend. Like most liberals, he's so eaten alive with hatred, he's completely lost his sense of humor. It became nasty and bitter, promoted idiotic conspiracy theories, and was only slightly funny maybe twice a week. So I imposed my personal form of censorship: I no longer bother to read it.

[mhking]

Here in Dallas, it doesn't run on the comics page, but on a separate page of columns in the lifestyles section. I used to read it when it first started and thought it had promise, but ever since Dubya was elected president, he's gone completely around the bend.

You sound like me.

In the AJC, it's been moved to a separate page (along with "Doonesbury") in the Living section, nowhere near the comics.

Generally I won't read it either.

It's actually pretty sad. His artwork is pretty good; I can see the influences of classic work from Charles Schultz, as well as more contemporary influences from the US and Japan in his art and design.

Then he ruins it by opening his mouth.

Generally, I won't read it either.

I stick with "Garfield", and look forward to the return of "Opus."

Then of course, here on the web, there is always Day By Day, which at least gives us a voice.

If anything, I'd like a campaign geared toward getting "Day By Day" a spot on more funny pages across the country.

[Tribune7]

Last I looked this was in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Of course that was months ago. :-)

[NYC Republican]

But traffic on that street flows both ways. We censor him, then what? We get censored? I'd rather do what's right; and that includes leaving him in place - everyone can see what an a-- he is.

I agree 100%.

[NYC Republican]

Mallard Fillmore is excellent!

[SerpentDove]

>>
That being said, my suggestion is that we get newspapers to remove his strip from the comic page, and place it in the editorial section. After all, his work is NOT simply entertainment, it is activism.<<

I agree. Thankfully, on the rare occasions I read th Dallas Morning News, I see they have done just that.

[Temple Owl]

I have already done this with the Philadelphia Inquirer and was ignored.
I nearly cancelled my subscription to that left-wing, liberal rag yesterday and again today, but I just want to see what the b---s---ds are doing. I reallly do not think will be alive much longer.

[anarabismybrotherinlaw]

bttt

[Defendingliberty]

Sorry to go against the grain. I'm a conservative, just check my site to see that. But I think Boondocks is the funniest strip in the paper. You would too if you look at it as what the wacky left thinks is truth. Everyday I read Boondocks and howl..."It's the funniest strip in the paper and the left doesn't get it." McGruder thinks he's goreing our ox, he is really showing the stupid thinking of the left.

[Little Ray]

Better idea. Stop reading newspapers. When they can't sell advertising 'cause they have no circulation they might get the message.
There are "fair and balanced" new services, both in print and on the web.
I get most of my news (and comic strips...) off the web.

If you want them to put Mallard Filmore on,

[gcruse]

ROFL You nailed it!!

[Capitalism2003]

I wish one of the research gurus here could find out a list of all papers that publish this crap...Then we can get some email addresses and start blasting them..

[doug from upland]

Let him keep doing what he is doing. The RATS are being exposed for what they are.

[GOPJ]

Let's ask for the strip to be run on op-ed pages when it goes hyper-political. It's a fair compromise.

[Rastus]

Another great strip, though it doesn't usually get political (and when it does, it generally targets the left), is Pearls Before Swine. In my humble opinion, it ought to be the "It" comic of this generation, much like Calvin and Hobbes and the Far Side in the past.

Just beating the drum for a great strip. :)

[Rastus]

Dang. Forgot to link to Pearls Before Swine.

Pearls Before Swine

[B-Chan]

[wardaddy]

that is actually funny.


I don't read papers anymore....like the old networks....they have been relegated to my own dustbin or tired failed ideas.

[Wombat101]

Good idea...Then we cancel "Doonsberry" for being leftist, "Cathy" for being feminist and "Peanuts" for being a prime example of the trouble children can get into when left unsupervised by adults.

You may not agree with what the cartoonist has to say, but you do have a choice not to read it. Be real nice of us to invade Iraq to promote freedom in a country silenced by it's own wacked-out religious and political leaders and then engage in censorship back home.

Two wrongs do not make a right...

[NYC Republican]

I've never heard of it. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Interesting Times]

Here's a helpful tip: learn to spell words like "intelligent" and "mockery" before presuming to offer advice to others.

[altura]

Actually, they haven't.

They did that with Doonesbury eons ago and I haven't read it in years, so don't know what that idiot has been up to, but it doesn't seem to get much notice anymore.

As for Boondocks, they put it on what I would (un-PC-ly) call the Woman's page with the advice columns and so on.

They used to run Cathy there, very appropriately, as Cathy appeals mostly to women.

They responded to complaints about Boondocks by removing it from the regular comics page and placing it in the "Cathy" spot. It's very odd. It SHOULD be back in the editorial page with Doonesbury, but I know of several people who have made that suggestion to no avail.

[cmsgop]

Oh Lookie they have a Guestbook.......

http://www.boondocks.net/main.html

[RabidBartender]

"..and look forward to the return of "Opus."

Guh? Is Bloom County coming back?

[mhking]

Guh? Is Bloom County coming back?

From Berkeley Breathed's website (http://www.bloomcounty.com/local_paper.html):

We've heard loud and clear from many fans unhappy that they can't read Opus on the web.

We're confident that he'll be there one day but he's not yet because a new comic strip needs all the help it can get convincing newspaper editors to do the one thing they find slightly less painful than swallowing razorblades with a shot of rubbing alcohol: cutting an old strip to make room for a new one. Many won't face that terrible fate without a bit of lobbying from their readers -- YOU. Once Opus establishes himself in most of the papers that are eligible to run him, we'll feel better about him flying through cyberspace willy nilly. As of January of 2004, the following major papers still need prodding for a penguin. Click on an email link if you wish to register your thoughts.

[hattend]

Now that's FUNNY!!!

[little jeremiah]

I loathe Boondocks. It seethes with anger and nastiness. The main character looks like a hateful little pr**k. Like he can't wait to grow up and be a Black Panther.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

YOU DAMN CONCERATIVE...u can hardly spell

Pot, meet kettle.

[black_fire_137]

This is two years after the last post, so it's not good etiquette really to post on it -- but I had to. I'm all for free speech, but you people aren't conservative, you're simply ignorant of the truth of life on our planet. The beauty of America is its diversity, no matter the extent. Exerting your views as if they were more valid than anyone else's is simple bigotry.

I personally like the Boondocks, comic and program. And this series of rants has obviously not affected its success. In bashing the other side, the right does nothing but make itself look just like the left does by bashing the right. In other words, this series of posts does what many of you claim the Boondocks does in reverse, only without the creativity. Which is typical of most hard-core conservatives I know and am friends with.

Interestingly, whether or not any of us likes or agrees with the human condition, it exists. And a word about destroying liberalism. If conservatives ever quashed the liberal culture, they would only spawn another. Our country survives on conflict -- that's what capitalism is. If there were no conflict, we could never elect a leader, and democracy would fail. It's the volatile nature of the beast we have harnessed as our form of rule. You extremists are as guilty of the desire to destroy our country as any revolutionary -- you just hide it beneath trappings of faith and morality.

And I say this as a born-again believer, member of an SBC church to be precise. Jesus didn't preach down to people, you know? It's no wonder people flee from the faith now, with the way so many of you act. In centuries past, they flew TO the faith. So, has the faith changed? Or have the faithful? Live and let live, and love -- because every single created being on this earth deserves to be loved. If you deny that, all arguments about marriage, abortion, and war become moot.

When Jesus stopped to write in the sand after being prodded to decide punishment for the woman caught in adultery (note the absence of the man she was caught with, who should have been in the same stewpot -- obviously a setup from people who wanted to nail Jesus), what do you think he was writing? I think it was the Ten Commandments (more accurately, the Ten Words -- do the research). And I think as he wrote, each man realized his own sin as it was written. We all need to get back to that point -- laying down stones instead of picking them up. Why must the right take up the same tactics as the left to make their points? Because they are just as selfish -- if we made it about everyone BUT ourSELF, we would be in a position to change the world.

But I guess that's too much to ask.

Kettle, meet annoying cheerleader. (Figure it out)

[Minus_The_Bear]

McGruder makes Clay Aiken seem straight.

[black_fire_137]

An addendum to that post -- I am not a liberal.

Chew on that concept.