A Reprehensible Cartoon

Washington Compost ^ | February 2, 2006

[Kaslin]

Page 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 put

our 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

[Kaslin]

I am drawing purposely attention that the compost hit the editorial on page A20. I am sure had the editorial been pro this disgusting cartoon they would have printed on the second page

[Brooklyn Kid]

On what page did they print the story about the outrage over the Mohammed cartoons ?

[Carry_Okie]

Now that's leadership.

[ken5050]

I believe they treated it as a regular "letter tot he Editor" and printed it in the usual spot..

[Turbo Pig]

Lord, 10 years removed, and I still love the Corps; for obvious reasons.

[AbeKrieger]

Let's put up a cartoon picturing abortionists throwing babies in the air and catching them on swords, and see how that plays in Libbieville.

[jigsaw]

Compare the original to the Compost version. They are different. The ComPost did some self-benefitting editing, the bastards.

Can someone here put up both side-by-side for easy comparison?

[Lee'sGhost]

Hey, folks, I can't get the text but understand that they did NOT print the letter as written. Here is a review of their edits. If someone has the time and skill to post/link a pdf of the origical I'll be glad to email it to you.

When you compare the Chiefs’ actual text to the letter published you can see what was left out: ”Where do we get such men and women? From the cities, and farmlands of this great Nation – they serve to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Also note: The Chiefs wrote: “we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.” The Post changed that to: “these men and women and their families are owed the decency of not having a cartoon make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.”

[MadCharity]

Already posted

[nuconvert]

"I believe they treated it as a regular "letter tot he Editor"..."

And I think that's Kaslin's point. It was very unusal and therefore "News" and deserved to be nearer the front of the paper.

"In a protest with an unusual number of high-level signatures, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and each of its five members have fired off a letter assailing a Washington Post cartoon as "beyond tasteless."

That's the way the article begins. Sounds like "News" to me, not just your usual letter to the editor.

[alieno nomine]

Wash Post - sick and wrong.

[CedarDave]

Mr. Philip Bennett

Managing Editor, The Washington Post

1150 15th Street NW

Washington, DC 20071

To The Editor of the Washington Post:

We were extremely disappointed to see the editorial cartoon by Tom Toles on page B6 in the January 29 edition. Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons are often designed to exaggerate issues - and your paper is obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of today's Armed Forces. However, we 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 lifealtering wounds.

Those who visit with wounded veterans in local hospitals have found lives profoundly changed by pain and loss. They have also found brave men and women with a sense of purpose and selfless commitment that causes truly battle-hardened warriors to pause. Where do we get such men and women? From the cities, and farmlands of this great Nation - they serve to be a part of something bigger than themselves. While you or some of your readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.

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.

Sincerely,

s/

PETER PACE

General, US Marine Corps

Chairman

Of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

s/

EDMUND P. GIAMBASTIANI, JR.

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Vice Chairman

Of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

s/

MICHAEL W. HAGEE

General, US Marine Corps

Commandant of the Marine Corps

s/

PETER J. SCHOOMAKER

General, US Army

Chief of Staff

s/

MICHAEL G. MULLEN

Admiral, US Navy

Chief of Naval Operations

s/

T. MiCHAEL MOSELEY

General, US Air Force

Chief of Staff

[CedarDave]

See post #12

[Kaslin]

Here is the original letter of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in PDF file

Letter to the Compost from the JCS

[Kaslin]

The Compost can't even print the letter like it was written. How disgusting is that?

[Travis McGee]

My letter:

"All of you at the Washington Post who abide this cartoon disgust me.

"Toles is a sick and cruel bastard who has stabbed every American soldier in the heart.

"You are beneath contempt, and I wish you all the worst.

"I am ashamed that you are technically Americans, by an unfortunate accident of birth.

"With seething anger,

"Signed, etc."

[manwiththehands]

And in true liberal media slime cowardice they pulled the cartoon from their web site.

(cluck cluck cluck cluck)

There's "courage" for ya'.

[jpl]

Between this cartoon and them giving valuable editorial space to a terrorist supporter who's been deported from two countries, the Post really seems to be rapidly crossing the line from liberalism into Daily Kos territory. It's sad what they're degenerating into.

[FormerACLUmember]

My letter: "All of you at the Washington Post who abide this cartoon disgust me. "Toles is a sick and cruel bastard who has stabbed every American soldier in the heart. "You are beneath contempt, and I wish you all the worst. "I am ashamed that you are technically Americans, by an unfortunate accident of birth. "With seething anger, "Signed, etc."

He, he, he... You blowed them up REAL good!

Best Letter to the Editor I have ever seen!

[Travis McGee]

Thanks.