[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.

[gotribe]

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

[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.

[zot]

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

[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!

[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.

[samtheman]

This cartoon should be made part of a handout to the US soldiers, a small booklet or pamplet, under the title: How Far The Press Will Go In Its Hatred Of The Military.

And the theme of the handout would be: Do Not Believe The US Press.

[MACVSOG68]

Thanks for the ping FMC. It is probably the most reprehensible political cartoon I recall, and I have seen some bad ones. The debate seemed to focus on the "right" of the Post to print such trash, a right I agree with. But I also agree that the Joint Chiefs had a right to criticize that trash, a right most on the left seemed to dismiss.

It's obvious the WaPo has no idea of the relationship between rights and responsibilities. As for the Joint Chiefs...Bravo. It's about time!

[fullchroma]

Thanks for the ping. Outrageous.

[AmericanDave]

Yes, this cartoon is heartless towards our military, it reveals the heart of the cartoonist. At least in OUR country the cartoonist will not be beheaded! We are free to boycott the newspaper that prints it......

[GVnana]

Toles is the epitome of the humanity-hating liberal elitist. He'd call for your abortion if you had a wart on your nose. There's a reason we don't read the Washington Post.