HEY, I don't have a problem with this, do you? (sarcasum) HEY, I don't have a problem with this, do you? (sarcasum)Certainly a worthwhile topic but this is the 4th thread on the subject.
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I mailed this letter this morning. I urge everyone to write a letter via snail mail and send it.
Mr. Philip Bennett
Managing Editor, The Washington Post
1150 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20071
To The Editor of the Washington Post:
I saw cartoon drawn by Tom Toles portraying a wounded, amputee in a hospital bed. I am completely outraged. I understand this is First Amendment material. People are free to say what they like as long as it does not endanger others. But this is indicative of a total lack of decency.
This person (and I use the phrase so loosely to describe someone who would pen such an unthinking, hurtful, inconsiderate, malicious "cartoon") who authored this “cartoon” obviously detests the military. His distaste for them and everything they stand for is evident in this work.
The military, in general, tries to inculcate loyalty, dedication, maturity, work ethic, respect, honor, pride, consideration and thoughtfulness. (Having been in the military, and grown up as the son of a 30-year Naval veteran who now rests in Arlington, I know that this is what the military tries to do. It doesn't always produce the desired result or level of result, but the effort is there)
The person that drew this cartoon, protected by THE LIBERTIES THAT OUR MILITARY FIGHTS, BLEEDS AND DIES FOR, has taken this opportunity to use a horribly wounded military person as a PROP to make a petty partisan political point.
A man, in a bed, with NO ARMS AND LEGS, who, at that stage, cannot feed himself, relieve himself, bathe himself, dress himself, walk, read a book on his own, change a television channel, pick up a phone, use a computer, hug his loved ones or any other number of things the rest of us, including this despicable excuse for a human being who authored this cartoon, take for granted. He has taken the liberty to shower disrespect on the sacrifice that many of our military personnel have suffered, using them as a tool in order to take a passing swipe at political policy he disagrees with.
As a condition for maintaining a continued relationship with your newspaper, I would like to suggest two things that would satisfy me as a reader:
First, require Tom Toles to spend a weekend at Walter Reed Hospital, helping care for the wounded men, particularly those in the Amputee Ward. He should be tasked with feeding them, helping them relieve themselves, and doing any small task they are unable to do for themselves.
Secondly, I ask you to request a sincere, public apology from Tom Toles, which if obtained, should be published prominently in your paper. Barring a public apology, any relationship with this person should be severed.
If the patient had been other than white we would have heard the howls all the way to Teddy and John, but as long as it's only a white man, what the hey, its freedon of speech.
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
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
The left envies and hates anything that includes real men.