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People missing the point with cartoon
Published Friday, September 21, 2007
There have been many responses to Rep. Nornes' letter to the editor. I think many people are missing the point completely.
Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that changed our country forever. Thousands of Americans died that day in a brutal attack on our country. I think a lot of people have forgotten just that. We were attacked. Sept. 11, is not a day for the media, or anyone for that matter, to spread their political agenda. It doesn't matter if you agree with the war or not. You have the right to speak your mind, yet trying to play on the emotions of people by printing these opinions on a day that is a day to remember, is hardly objective.
As a marketing communications student I am being taught that it is the job of a journalist to be objective.
Printing a cartoon on that day that does anything but honor the memory of those lost on that day is anything but objective.
I have absolutely no problem with people sharing their opinions about the war, but let’s save it for one of the 364 other days during the year.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by sally (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Anna, great letter!
Posted by Angel_One (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anna, I couldn't agree with you more. Hopefully your letter will make some people on here stop and think. It was in very bad taste for The Daily Journal to print that cartoon on 9/11.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not know that the Bill of Rights said that free speech and freedom of the press was limited to 364 days per year.
Posted by mabelsdaisy (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk,
Are you looking for an argument? I believe this comment was rhetorical in nature, and we all know the bill of rights applies to everyday. I have seen your posts to others and they are on the borderline of being down-right offensive. If you could please try to engage in MEANINGFUL dialogue, and not so argumentative we would all appreciate it.
Sorry, Angel_One...I had to speak my mind against the person who posted against you.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about some truth about this entire cartoon issue and Bud Nornes. Bud Nornes is a sleazy republican politician who saw an opportunity to shift the issue away from the fiasco in Iraq to a cartoon and the Fergus Falls Daily Journal. You can bet your last dollar that Nornes will make great use of this issue during his next campaign. I can just hear it now from some of his weak minded fellow travelers…”Oh Bud you were so brave to take on the Journal and protect the honor of General Petraeus” , “We love you Bud, lead on we will follow”, “That nasty liberal newspaper refused to apologized, that means they don’t support our troops, they must love the enemy and they are a bunch of godless communists who hate their own mother.”
Governor George Bush is the one who put General Petraeus in this position in the first place by reaching his blood soaked hand into our non-political military and plucking out a General to put him in a political position to lend some credibility to Bush’s personal war. General Petraeus should have had the guts to tell Bush to go to hell, then resigned. By accepting the roll of a Bush political puppet Petraeus becomes a legitimate target for the scorn heaped upon him. Enjoy your temporary reprieve sooner or later you war pimps will have to go back to answering questions about real issues.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congressman Nornes is a political opportunist of the worst stripe. American men and women and indigenous peoples are dying hourly, and Bud Nornes contribution to this national embarrassment is to demand an apology for a cartoon.
Posted by mabelsdaisy (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk - I take most issue with your comment the other day in regards to you describing your pictures, you apparently have - though doubtful, your quote..."it shows two NVA nurses , stripped naked, upside down, spread eagled between two posts and then cut from crotch to neck while still alive. Their guts are half inside and half outside and full of flies". You apparently have served in the Military, as so have I, as a Military Nurse. I served in the Military during the Viet Nam War, as it sounds you did the same. I am disturbed that you have used such graphic detail to simply try to get your point across with another person who posts on the Journal. You do not know who actually reads the posts on the Journal...children, elderly, etc. I am not saying you cant speak your mind but please limit the horrible descriptions as a fellow vet I am shocked you would even speak like this. You are clearly looking to simply argue with people who use the Journal to speak their opinions. When they state their opinion you could at least listen to their opinion, instead of firing back insults and words of descriptive terror. Some of us have moved on since the VN era, as I see you are still stuck with a bad taste in your mouth. The war was a terrible time for the country. I only ask you not be so judgemental against people who are trying to make their points. They do not need to be attacked!
Posted by sweetpea (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Bud Nornes is acting like an embarrassing cartoon himself, I demand an apology.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mabel daisy, I use graphic and accurate descriptions to counter the antiseptic view put forth by those pimping this war for George Bush. If you had served as a nurse in Vietnam instead of just during the time of Vietnam perhaps you would not have such cavalier attitude towards the true nature of war. I understand why you would not want children or young adults to hear true and accurate information on these pages, they might start asking embarrassing questions before you chicken hawks can get them to sign on the dotted line and go merrily off to Iraq singing the praises of George Bush. Instead of weeping like a wounded puppy I suggest you go back and really read my two page post to the letter written by Mark Eiffert, my language was sincere, measured, and sympathetic , it is only when he responds to me with condescending platitudes and phony thank you for your service, with of course, “you need counseling,” that I respond with a dose of the truth which apparently neither he nor you are comfortable with.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on September 21, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Mabelsdaisy was so troubled by chipmunks colorful language why did she repeat that same language again, giving children two opportunities to view it.
Posted by mabelsdaisy (anonymous) on September 22, 2007 at 5:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ffprofessor - thanks for your input, you too continue to look for an argument. You should be looking for a meaningful debate! Go back to class and teach our future generation...but please teach them, dont preach to them!
Posted by mabelsdaisy (anonymous) on September 22, 2007 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk,
This is exactly what I am speaking about! You have proved my point again. You are unable to allow individuals their own opinions without firing back with lines of insults, and political jargon. You need to move on! I wish you luck Chipmunk...I really do.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 22, 2007 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mabel, it’s bad enough that you don’t read my posts, you don’t even read your own. Look at your last two posts, you do exactly what you accuse me of doing. Whenever anyone posts, there you are with “Are you looking for an argument?” Even the poor professor gets it from you…”You too continue to look for an argument”. He was not looking for an argument but rather an answer to an honest question. Which you can not or refuse to answer. In those immortal words of Mark Eiffert…You must be a bitter person, perhaps you need some help or counseling at the V.A.
Posted by mabelsdaisy (anonymous) on September 22, 2007 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, I am through with you and do not wish for you to comment on my posts in the future. You are a rude, and as Eiffert stated, bitter man. Good luck to you Sir.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 22, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mable, I will continue to post on any subject or article I wish, whether it pleases you or not. If you don’t want me to comment on any of your posts, don’t say anything incredibly stupid or tell a lie.
Posted by GRWhitcop (anonymous) on September 23, 2007 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My take on this matter is simple...Chipmunk appears to have lost it with mabelsdaisy for some reason or another. I have read all posts about this article and seem to agree with mabelsdaisy about Chipmunk looking for an argument. I have read other posts from Chipmunk and am coming to realize he is a "bitter man"...as meiffert so eloquently stated.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on September 23, 2007 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GRWhitcop, are you looking for an argument or a loan?
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on September 23, 2007 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For someone who is supposed to be so bitter, Chipmunk appears to have a remarkable sense of humor. I’m reminded of an old saying “Do not assume because I’m frivolous, I’m shallow, anymore than I assume because you are grave you are profound” Go chipmunk!
Posted by sweetpea (anonymous) on September 23, 2007 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The “Great White Cops” take on this is simple. So simple he has nothing to say about the issue of a cartoon, the war or the puppet general, but just joined today to whine about the munk. Gee, I wonder who put him up to that? Can you say Mable? In the immortal words of the professor…go chipmunk. Hang in there chipmunk, the rightwing nuts can not defend the Iraq war and are not used to having someone stand up to them, especially a chipmunk. Go chipmunk, Rah, Rah, Rah, Gooooooo Chipmunk.
Posted by Venti (anonymous) on September 24, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If "the war" was even remotely connected with what occured on September 11, 2001 I would whole-hearedly agree with this article.
Unfortunately it is not and I do not.
Why is it that no one is offended that President Bush decided to have the good General testify to congress on the progress of "the war" on the anniversary of 9/11? Why is it that Ms. Fournier (and most in this forum it seems) believes it's not okay for people to use September 11th as a day to "spread their political agenda" or "play on the emotions of people" unless it is in support of this unjustified and unwinnable war? If the president of the United States can do it to promote his political agenda (i.e. "We're making progress in Iraq and please take this moment of silence to remember those lost on 9/11), why is it that us "average Americans" can't do it to oppose his political agenda. The memories of those lost on 9/11 are indeed sacred, the war in Iraq is not. Let's not get the two confused, no matter how hard President Bush tries.
Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on September 25, 2007 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Going back to the original letter submitted by Ms. Fournier...
"Thousands of Americans died that day in a brutal attack on our country. I think a lot of people have forgotten just that." Can anyone name a coherent person that cannot recollect the events of Sept. 11, 2002? I certainly cannot. What is interesting is just how quickly many Americans forgot about the thinned-out efforts to secure the man who did attack the United States. Wasn't Saddam. Wasn't John Kerry. Wasn't Bud. Until that starts to sink in once again, responsible Americans simply cannot afford to take a day off. I do applaud Ms. Fournier for voicing her opinion in a respectful, public manner. The opinion page is, by definition, the perfect place to do so. It is also the place where the publisher's scope of objectivity is allowed to terminate, and where others can chose to ignore critical thinking skills completely.
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