Joint Chiefs Send Rare Protest Letter to 'Wash Post' Over 'Reprehensible' Toles Cartoon

Editor and Publisher via Drudge ^ | February 1, 2006 | Joe Strupp, Dave Astor and Greg Mitchell

[madconserv]

NEW YORK A Tom Toles editorial cartoon published in The Washington Post on Monday and on its Web site has drawn a very rare and very strong protest letter to the editors from all six members of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, E&P has learned.

The letter, written on Tuesday, charges that the six military leaders "believe you and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to your readers and your paper's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defend this nation, and as a result, have suffered traumatic and life-altering wounds. ... As the Joint Chiefs, it is rare that we all put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered."

A Pentagon spokeswoman confirmed the contents of the letter to E&P late this afternoon. That the newspaper had received such a letter was reported on the popular AmericaBlog site, which is run by John Aravosis, this morning.Download a copy of the letter (PDF)

The spokeswoman said a letter from all six joint chiefs to anyone, let alone a newspaper, is rare, but the cartoon so offended them, they wanted to let their feelings be known. "It was expressing their disappointment with the paper and outrage at using that image to make a political point," said Lt. Col. Diane Battaglia. "That is a rare occurrence, but the level of inappropriateness prompted a response of unanimous support."

Battaglia said Post editors told her office that the letter would be published in Thursday's paper. Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt declined to comment on the letter. "My policy is I can't talk about letters until we publish them," he told E&P. "If and when a letter runs, I'd be happy to talk about it."

Reached by E&P, Tom Toles said, "no comment."

For more GOTOhttp://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001955937

[madconserv]

Thanks, I'll hang in there. I just went to the Post's site and it can still be found in the archives. Don't expect an apology.

[madconserv]

Watch their sales drop. I hope.

[Former Military Chick]

PING (one time anger ping)

If you dislike Rumsfeld, fine! Have disdain for Bush go for it. Go after the political figures. Take them to task.

BUT, do not go after the troops, the men and women who CHOOSE to serve this country, it is after all a volunteer military. Do not make their injuries your political ploy, for EITHER side.

YES I AM MAD and YOU SHOULD BE as well.

Here is the letter, rare or not, it was neseccary! I actually heard someone say that our country is going into a tail spin because these men spoke out about this cartoon. That they are using the Post to push their military agenda!

These are the men and women's leader's, this is what they should do and I am proud of this letter.

~FMC

A Reprehensible Cartoon

Thursday, February 2, 2006; A20

We were extremely disappointed to see the Jan. 29 editorial cartoon by Tom Toles.

Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon was beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons are often designed to exaggerate issues, and The Post is obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of the armed forces. However, The Post and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to readers and to The Post's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who volunteered to defend this nation and, as a result, suffered traumatic and life-altering wounds.

Those who visit wounded veterans in hospitals have found lives profoundly changed by pain and loss. They also have found brave men and women with a sense of purpose and selfless commitment that causes battle-hardened warriors to pause.

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.

As the joint chiefs, we rarely putour hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered.

PETER PACE
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

EDMUND P. GIAMBASTIANI JR.
Admiral, U.S. Navy
Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

MICHAEL W. HAGEE
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps

PETER J. SCHOOMAKER
General, U.S. Army
Chief of Staff

MICHAEL G. MULLEN
Admiral, U.S. Navy
Chief of Naval Operations

T. MICHAEL MOSELEY

General, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff

Washington

[DCPatriot]

Thanks for the ping.

Speechless at their lack of class.

[Red6]

To anyone who can't understand why this is tasteless-

Send us some pics of a dead relative or someone who was really close to you - lets have some "fun" and "free speech" at YOUR expense. Maybe then you'll understand.

Red6

[gotribe]

I'm stunned. They are as heartless as our enemy.

[Former Military Chick]

You are most welcome. There are several threads on this, other's are angry as well.

They are heartless jerks. There was just no reason for them to use the image of an injured soldier.

I bet if asked a soldier would say it was over the top but it is folks like them that give them the right to have freedom of speech.

[GOPJ]

The "I Love My Country" newspaper boycott starts this year on February 14th - Valentine's Day.

Call your local newspaper, cancel your subscription for one week. Explain cartoons mocking wounded soldiers are not acceptable...

[JulieRNR21]

I have sent my comments to the WaPo regarding this cartoon which I view as a reprehensible insult to those fighting to protect and defend America.

[Interesting Times]

I'm stunned. They are as heartless as our enemy.

Yes. Our enemies are heartless.

[zot]

Thanks for posting the letter. I'm glad to see the Joint Chiefs take a stand against this.

[Former Military Chick]

Thank you Julie, my heart sank as I heard about this. Then I thought of the paper these military member's get, both the Washington Post and Washington Times.

To think they opened up the publication and witnessed this, I am thankful for the quick response of Joint Chiefs.

Again, thank you for your patriotism, Julie.

[Former Military Chick]

I was unaware of such a boycott but will happily participate after what I witnessed with regard to this cartoon.

Do you have a thread with details pertaining to just this issue?

It is a great idea. :)

[Chena]

OMG!!!! I am so $&@)#$#&#@)%& off I could spit nails! Thanks for the ping, FMC! I have a few letters to write and it will take me some time to write with more than 4-letter words. ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!

BTTT!

[13Sisters76]

This despicable example of the left's idea of "humor" says everything about these people.

[Former Military Chick]

Well, do me a favor, make sure you channel that anger in a productive way, no heart attacks or anything. I do understand your feelings. I have to say I was dumbfounded when I heard this, sickened when I read it and frankly calmed by the Joint Chiefs remarks.

Make sure you send this out to your friends and family. That they send a letter of dismay to the paper, printing this. Sending letter's of appreciation to the Joint Chief's of their support for OUR troops.

LTNS, hope all is well, friend.

[Smokin' Joe]

Thanks for the ping, FMC. This is a new low, even for the com Post.

I'm glad the JCS have spoken out. Maybe the brass can give these sh!tbirds a wake-up call.

These same a$$holes would never consider treating a civillian victim of traumatic amputation this way, someone who was merely caught in an accident.

Yet they have the unparalleled callousness to so treat those who volunteered to risk such wounds to defend even their right to print this classless sh!t, and imply that their comrades at arms would do the same.

No self-respeting puppy could be paper trained with this rag, they wouldn't soil their feces by crapping on it.

[Chena]

You got it, FMC! "Productivity", I can do! You're the best, FMC, and your "beloved" too! Our son would say that we're "battle buddies". :)

[Former Military Chick]

Brilliant comment, there is nothing I could say to improve upon it and nothing to challenge.

Thank you for adding this to the thread.

[GopherIt]

Thanks for the ping. This AM, I finally called the WaPo and cancelled our subscription (after 32 years). Sedition in print you sort of get used to, but this is way beyond despicable.