One of the most common complaints of recent days has been the lack of pro-Donald Trump cartoons and letters. First, let's address those cartoons.
Readers of the statewide editions will recall that we have our own house cartoonist, who lampoons all on the political spectrum with equal aplomb. We also use six cartoonists through syndicates. Michael Ramirez and Lisa Benson are dependable conservatives, Nick Anderson is mostly liberal, and Signe Wilkinson, Clay Bennett and Bruce Plante, like our John Deering, seem to be pretty much moderate free agents, though all have moments of obvious leanings one way or the other.
When even the staunchly conservative cartoonists we use have trouble coming up with pro-Trump cartoons, we're kinda stuck since cartooning isn't really like Burger King where everyone can have it their way. A quick cruise through the right-leaning cartoonists on GoComics revealed that the ones we use aren't the only ones struggling.
Deering, my favorite cartoonist, artist and generally all-around fun guy, said when I asked about the dearth of pro-Trump cartoons that he was reminded a bit of the second George W. Bush administration, around 2006-2007. "When it becomes so evident that a presidency is problematic--and this pun is absolutely intended--it trumps political ideology because even the most hardened ideologue becomes embarrassed, after a point, to defend a politician when they are so off the charts. ... And I think that's why regardless of ideology, no names here, but you'll see some cartoonists who generally are pretty reliable conservatives of different stripes ... kinda take the long way around an issue."
Besides, when you have a president who can't seem to control himself (someone take his phone away, please), it makes him an easy target for people whose job it is to mock just that sort of behavior.
There's also misunderstanding on just what a political cartoon does; some people are of the opinion that they're supposed to be funny. The purpose of an editorial cartoon is to make readers think about issues; that might be with humor, but it just as easily might be deadly serious. Remember Benjamin Franklin's "Join or die"? Hardly a laugh riot, but a truly powerful image. Some of the best editorial cartoons aren't nicey-nice and completely nonoffensive; they highlight serious issues and public figures' hypocrisy and misdeeds in a way that advances the conversation, and yeah, maybe makes a few people laugh.
Cartoonists, it should be remembered, are humans with opinions just like the rest of us, and their opinions inform their cartoons (which, again, are opinion pieces, not news). Of course, another thing you should remember is that cartoonists are part of the media, and the president has essentially declared war on us, so ...
As for those letters, I can only work with what I have at a given moment (and right now I'm plowing through a documentation nightmare). Sometimes there will be more pro-Trump letters, sometimes more anti-Trump letters. And strangely, some people write about things that have little to nothing to do with Trump (OK, I love those, I admit it).
Yet when I look in my folder of letters on which I'm awaiting an answer, the bulk of them tend to be conservative. So, one easy way to get your letter in if you're emailed or called about it is ... hmmm ... maybe you should answer.
Also remember that I do fact-check, but it takes longer now since it's just me. Still, there are letters on both sides of the spectrum that fail even a quick check (such as a viral hoax, or a quote that was first recorded decades after the reported utterer died), so be sure of what you send, and attribute your sources if possible. And no, I'm sorry, but I can't let you know if I can't use your letter because--again--it's just me.
And most definitely remember, no personal attacks against other letter writers. Focus on what the writer said, not on the writer (so nope, no calling a writer stupid, idiotic, etc.).
I know ... it's awful tying your hands like that ... especially those uncivil writers who lament the lack of civility. Awww.
A little thank you now to those who were concerned last week about the lack of a column from me. Those who read my blog knew what was going on, but others weren't aware I was dealing with a serious illness suffered by the furry one.
He's feeling much better now after rest and a course of antibiotics, but had a rough week or so--so rough that the vet, unfortunately, didn't come out unscathed. (I'm so sorry, Dr. Jordan! I hope the blood loss wasn't too bad!)
Good thing he's better; the current atmosphere calls for a big dose of fuzzy-belly therapy. Maybe that would help some people in D.C. calm down ...
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Assistant Editor Brenda Looper is editor of the Voices page. Read her blog at blooper0223.wordpress.com. Email her at blooper@arkansasonline.com.
Editorial on 02/08/2017