Belittling the Troops & Joint Staff Response
 

Mockery of war wounds

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...020102465.html


Full Response from the Joint Chiefs themselves
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...020102098.html

That wasn't tasteless at all, it was an attack on Rumsfeld, not the armed services

No matter who the cartoonist had in mind for the subject, it was overshadowed by the mockery of the serious injuries that are incurred by our soldiers on a daily basis. I see young amputees every time I'm at Walter Reed. I agree wholeheartedly with the outrage expressed by the Joint Chiefs.

I think the cartoon is in poor taste. It makes the patient look like an injured Pillsbury Doughboy with a grin on his face.

(They called American soldiers who fought in Europe during WWI "Doughboys," but this goes too far.)

its a cartoon, its supposed to look funny, furthermore, Rumsfeld said nothing wrong in his asessment of American Forces in Iraq. Toles is a moron:

Catastrophic?? good Lord man, think about WWII, Vietnam, etc. Those were catastophic. What is wrong with Rumsfeld saying that our troops are well prepared and battlehardened, so as to not break against opposing forces. They are soldiers for God's sake...not a bunch of pussies.

Again, Toles does not have the right to make fun of deformities/amputations suffered by our soldiers. There's enough direct ammunition one can parody Rumsfeld without bring the soldiers into it.

A couple of thoughts:

Actually, he has every right to do it as long as his editor and management of his newspaper allows it.

I still think this particular depiction of a plump grinning heavily bandaged soldier is in poor tase under the circumstances. Not all cartoons are drawn to be humerous.

In the end, any loss of a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine is catistrophic.

Ms. Sheehan does not come across well -- but she has suffered a tremendous loss.

Yes, Toles has the legal right, but it is so wrong on so many other levels....that editorial cartoon belittles the very real sacrifice that our young soldiers are making on a daily basis.

Sheehan has suffered a loss that many other parents have suffered. You don't see the rest of them besmirching their loved one's name in vain to pursue their political agendas.

I'm interested in how you think Ms. Sheehan's comments "besmirch" the name of her son.

In everything I've read, her comments have shown high regard for him.

She may make herself sound like a nutcase, but that in no way reflects on her son.

They might or might not have agreed, but she is still a grieving mother who is using whatever forum she can to make her point.