Denouncing Political Cartoons – Ideological Suppression Leads to Fascism.

The uproar over the political cartoon on the cover of the New Yorker, depicting Michelle and Barack Obama, is simply ridiculous. After all, this is just a cartoon. The immediate denouncement of the editorial cartoon by both political camps and the media serves as a warning bell to those career lampoonists who may be tempted to express themselves in the future. Further it serves to suppress freedom of speech (The Fist Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America) as it specifically applies to one political party. The intent of the satirical New Yorker cover is to emphasis the manner in which the Obamas may be wrongly characterized by those of opposing political ideology and the cover is in concert with two articles within the same publications that praise or defend Obama. Some pundits went so far as to suggest that this cartoon would be perceived as factual by the “average man” in the street. This is absurd and elitist – highlighting the manner in which those who feel they may be of superior intellect perceive the “masses”.

A perusal of the editorial cartoons at Cagle.com, highlights the disparity of the outcry in relationship to what may or may not be viewed as politically correct. A cartoon by Nate Beeler of the Washington Examiner (Best College Cartoonist of the Year) implying that the Pope approves of pedophilia, raised no eyebrows. There was no outcry, denouncement or endless analysis of this piece, or many others published en masse, worldwide, daily.

One is immediately reminded of the fallout over a cartoon published in the Danish Press. (Brussels Journal) in October of 2005. The cartoons lampooned the prophet Mohammed, resulting in death threats against the cartoonist. The world press, including some in the United States, found those cartoons “offensive” and “racist”. Obviously there is a difference between denouncing a cartoon and a Jihad – that said, when was the last time a political cartoon lampooning Islam was published? The message is clear – be careful what you write, be careful not to offend – dependent upon the target. – Fascism.