The Yolk's On Us
Anonymous raised questions in yesterday's forum here that are valid and worth addressing. First of all, my comments about negative and distorted campaigning weren't directed at any one side. But I'm not a candidate, I'm an ordinary voter. It's inevitable that for me to be for one candidate I'm going to be against the other. I want the candidates, however, to convince me why I should vote for them, not why I shouldn't vote for the other. And when one or the other gives me reason to criticize their prosecution of the campaign I'm going to speak my mind.
posted by John M Crowther @ 7:37 AM
14 Comments:
Folks, let us not forget that this is Mr. Crowther's blog. If he has a political opinion why can't he express it? Obviously, he prefers one candidate to another so why not let him say so.
As it is John Crowther's blog, of course he has the right to say what he wants. Just as it is Oprah's TV show, and she has the right to put on (or not) whomever she pleases.
It's just intellectually dishonest to wag your finger at others who are doing what you do.
It's that whole "glass house" thing.
Anonymous... it requires a certain level of integrity to own one's words... and (with respect) cowardly indeed to wag one's finger from the safety and relative obscurity of "anonymity".
John... I agree... negative campaigns are both wearing and unimaginative. Worse still the blindly arrogant assumption that the people will fall for it. "Tell us (oh p-lease) what you can do... not what your opponent can't" (chuckles)
You think "anonymous" is cowardly?
OK, then. Call me Chris. Does THAT mean anything to you? Do my words ring more true, now?
It should mean no more to you than "Jean" does to me.
How does anyone know that's a real name?
I was amazed to learn how easy it is to "create" an identity through the internet.
Holy Hannah, folks, this is a blog for cartoons. Everyone including John C. seems to be forgetting this right now. Vote for whomever you wish but lets get back to the fool's journey. I come on this site each day in order to get my daily chuckle which is missing from most of the rest of my day at this point and to read everyone's interesting comments including the commentary. If I wanted nothing but politics, I would go on one of the blogs devote to just that. You can tell me to take a hike, John C. but I miss the gentle wonderful humor of cartoons, sometimes even biting satire of the cartoons before this all started. One or two political satires a week, three if you really find it necessary, fine but I, for one, and stressing that I am just one, feel I am losing my haven which was so dear to me. By the way, I am a Lee and Jean is a Jean. We seem to be secure in our ID but this is no slam against an anonymous. In fact if I could spell it, might want to be one. (grin)
Oh ye of little faith! LOL
Hello Chris... I'm very pleased to meet you. My name is Jean (real name - I don't do fake) You are welcome to visit my blog at www.jeanburman.com where I stand by my word. Surprisingly on occasion things are "exactly" as they seem.
But you're right... we should no more assume that everyone on the internet is honest... than underestimate the propensity for the genuine forging of friendships between (yes) very real people from all corners of the globe who would otherwise have never had the opportunity to know one another.
On the internet (as in real life) however it's polite to arrive cap in hand... and at the very least introduce yourself. Just me I guess... (and I'm a bit goofey like that) grin
Lee... our posts overlapped. The "ye of little faith" was not in reference to your post!
Hope all is good in your part of the world... and you and yours are all happy and well?
It is fun to visit John's cartoon odyssey... I enjoy the political cartoons and commentary. But I am very far away and (I guess) less affected by the negative press and political outcomes. Lee... do you think Hillary will run again next time round?
(Apologies John for hogging your blog) - :-) I know you don't like them but you have to know I am smiling
Jean, Hopefully, but if Obama had chosen Hillary as VP, they would have been a shoo-in. However, I think he started believing his own press media. (Ducking so that John does not get a chance to way-lay me {smile})/ I believe that Hillary will run in 2012 if she can, maybe we will have Palin vs. Hillary. How about that! Good to talk to you again.
Dear Lee, setting aside for the moment the fact you've been known to jump in with political comments having nothing to do with either the cartoon or the commentary, and ignoring the fact that you seem perfectly happy to pursue a political topic you agree with.... I haven't changed. Trust me, I haven't forgotten what I'm doing here. From the beginning (778 daily posts ago) I've sat down at the crack of dawn to post a cartoon that tickles me for whatever reason and write a commentary about whatever captures my interest that day--even on sleep-deprived days when nothing especially captures my interest. Meanwhile, the comment forum is wide open. I don't edit it and I don't discourage opposing viewpoints or criticism of me or my views. I'm also not going to start pulling punches to avoid dissent. Indeed, I sometimes feel I'm not contentious or controversial enough The day I change what I'm doing because someone doesn't like it is the day I quit.
To quote South African cartoonist Zapiro: "I see the role of a cartoonist.... to really knock people off their pedestals if they look as if they need knocking off. It's also to maintain a watchdog role when it comes to democracy and justice. It's also to be rude and offensive and to make new connections and start debates and to be hard to deal with." (L.A. Times, 9/12/08)
And yes, to try and be funny at times when nothing in the world strikes you as particularly amusing. Try it sometime. It ain't easy.
And one other thing, I thought today's cartoon was pretty darned cute.... even funny.... with no political tones whatsoever, over, under, or otherwise. Everyone is free to just check out the cartoons and forget about my commentary. It won't bother me a bit.
I like the sound of that Zapiro guy! Hang in there John... we really do appreciate all that you do... :-) (apologies again for the smiley face but like I said before... you just gotta know this is being said with a friendly smile and I can't think of another way)
btw: in case you thought otherwise... my comment "Tell us (oh p-lease) what you can do.. not what your opponent can't" was directed toward the politicians not you. Just to clarify.
You're a sweetheart, Jean, and I appreciate it. But neither apologies nor explanations are necessary. You're free to say whatever you want whenever you want here.
lolol, actually knew what you would write back. Agree that this cartoon is not political, thought it was quite funny. Have never been known to make a political statement, I am a quiet little woman content to serve and obey my man and vote for whomever he says. (cough, cough, cough)
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