The cartoon in last week’s Journal went beyond irresponsibility, and that for the following reasons.
It demeans every candidate that runs for office and loses.It promulgates the myth that John McCain is a mean-spirited individual. Compared to the vitriolic comments of much of the media toward both McCain and Palin during the last campaign, John McCain was amazingly even-tempered — as witness his concession speech of a few nights ago.It belittles Mrs. McCain — portraying her as an altogether too young wife for an aging man, luxuriating in the wealth arising out of her business connections. Please look back at the political cartoon of four years ago. Was Mrs. Kerry telling her husband to put more ketchup on his hotdog?It holds in contempt parents who are proud of their children.It stigmatizes every person over the age of 70 — portraying them as angry and contemptible. I am over 70, as are many of my friends. Only a few have a front porch, and none of us rail at kids in our neighborhoods.It slanders every person over70 — portraying them as sitting back and giving up on making any positive contribution to society because they don’t get their way.It ridicules all persons, whatever their age, who take whatever medication to help their digestive system.The only reason I can think of that could possibly explain the insensitive and inexcusable publishing of this cartoon is this: The editor was stung by the criticism sent his way in response to the North Dakota-originated endorsement of John McCain and Sarah Palin and wanted to somehow placate his critics.
If that is the case, and I’m not saying it is, it should have occurred to him that there are better and more straightforward ways of explaining oneself than stooping to such cartoons.
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opinion, riverfalls, letter
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