Now This is a frightening Toon

[n2doc]

[malaise]

1. And then some

Rec

[morningfog]

2. I find it incredibly offensive and distasteful.

I don't see any reason it should have been published.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. Me too.

It is offensive.

[Scuba]

8. Agree that it's offensive, disagree on the published part.

[daleanime]

23. +1

[jwirr]

47. Yes, it should have been published. Shocking is the word I would use not offensive. This is what

could happen to this president if the Secret Service is not more vigilant. Been there once do not ever want to go there again.

[malaise]

13. I disagree - we all need to be scared

at the mess that has gone on recently.

[hedgehog]

15. Much less offensive than a lot of Ted Ralls' work, IMO.

[Doctor_J]

20. Same here

grotesque.

ETA; But I'm glad n2doc posted it.

[morningfog]

29. I agree, I don't have a problem with n2doc bringing to our attention.

[rhett o rick]

60. You want all of us to be protected from harsh realities. You don't have to look at it but don't

you dare talk about censoring it.

[morningfog]

61. I said it shouldn't have been published.

I didn't say anything about censorship. I think it doesn't make any point and is highly offensive. Someone can publish it, but I think that is it a very poor decision.

[rhett o rick]

64. So you are just reproaching the artist for publishing it? How does that differ from censoring?

I see it as a very unpleasant subject, but one that we should be free to discuss. Especially on a liberal message board.

[morningfog]

69. How is it anything like censorship?

I am not the government. I am not proposing consequences. I have no problem discussing the issue. I simply find the imagery offensive.

[Inkfreak]

66. I think in light of recent events concerning our POTUS, it makes a very clear point.

As uncomfortable as the imagery may be.

[GeorgeGist]

85. I'm sorry you missed the point.

I thought it was shockingly obvious.

[Rockyj]

94. OMG This toon was actually published!

[IDemo]

4. n2doc

Please self-delete this. You've got better than this one in your repertoire.

[IdaBriggs]

16. This one deserves discussion.

It is a thought provoking toon.

The imagery is powerful -- and terrifying.

I don't understand why you would want it deleted.

[IDemo]

30. I'm a cartoonist, though not published

I understand the fundamentals - you take a current news topic, extract one or more underlying themes and weave them together along with your political or philosophical stand on the subject at hand to come up with a graphical editorial. It provides a shortcut for the viewer without requiring them to read a 1,000 word write-up. But what it does not, or should not do, is provide the creator an excuse for churlishness such as we see with the piece in the OP. Along with the well deserved dig at the Secret Service, there is a certain breathless expectation created of a replay of the events in Dallas.

It quite simply does not belong here.

[IdaBriggs]

44. I disagree (which is why it DOES belong here).

It ties a President whose motto was/is "hope and change" and compares him to a previous Democratic President who inspired the country along similar themes. (And yes, there is room for the disappointment comparison, too.) The imagery is stunning in that it portrays security failures by the Secret Service (who had a sitting President exposed to open air) as potentially recreating an assassination scenario.

I have a great deal of respect for the Secret Service; I can not comprehend the courage of being able to throw yourself in front of a bullet in defense of anyone other than a child or loved one, so the level of patriotism they exhibit leaves me in awe.

I think some of the scandals recently are caused by overwork, exhaustion, and a changing media (social, network and cable) which nearly encourages violence and enjoys a good mountain-out-of-a-molehill scandal on a slow news day.

I would not have mourned the death of Bush Junior or Cheney, whose crimes against humanity in Iraq alone deserve hellfire and damnation, but on another level, I am proud of our system of government that allowed for peaceful transition.

I worry for President Obama and his family; I also worry for the safety of my own. And then I shrug, and move on to do my normal jobs (which don't include the responsibilities he or the Secret Service face).

The fact we are even having this discussion, provoked by this cartoon, is why it belongs here. It is not "instigating" an assassination attempt - it is doing a potential compare/contrast/provoke with vivid, powerful imagery.

And honestly, the imagery may not be as powerful for the younger generation. I wasn't born when President Kennedy was assassinated, yet this cartoon still spoke to me. We need to remember our history -- and we need to embrace good, powerful change.

I still have hope.

I like the cartoon, even though I hate the topic.

I have to say it was well done, and much thanks to n2doc for sharing it.



ON EDIT: And I *love* how it compares First Lady Michelle Obama with the iconic and amazing First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (even if I don't like the assassination implications -- both young mothers with personal strength, style and flair. So proud of the Obamas being in the White House - brings tears of joy to my eyes.

[FSogol]

5. Unrec

[Arkansas Granny]

6. That just took my breath away.

[Hotler]

7. That's fucked up......n/t

[Brickbat]

9. Could you explain the metaphor?

[morningfog]

17. That's just it. It doesn't say anything, it just shocks.

At best it simply shocks. At worse it suggests or advocates something.

[Brickbat]

18. My point exactly.

[stevenleser]

21. It took me a moment, but it seems the car is labeled "Secret Service" and the idea is that the

secret service is putting the President at risk for assassination.

[proReality]

48. That's what I got out of it too.

It's incredibly depressing to think it could be true, but in light of all the recent news...

[IdaBriggs]

45. See my post #44 for what I got out of it. nt

[Paladin]

10. Good one.

Very apt depiction of how sub-standard Secret Service behavior is jeopardizing President Obama. I hope this gets wide circulation.

[CanSocDem]

11. Sometimes...

...it takes short, sharp graphics to make the point. Americans, generally, aren't good readers but are blessed with an abundance of insightful cartoonists to guide them over the difficult issues. Like this one...

Your president is in danger and they have proven that LIHOP works. Does that make any sense....????

.

[GoCubsGo]

27. Yes. It makes sense.

I have been getting a "LIHOP" feeling about the whole thing ever since the number of these incidents have started accumulating. I think the cartoon illustrates it as good as anything I've seen so far.

[BlueCaliDem]

31. LIHOP - yep.

I've been getting that feeling, too, ever since the first time when Bush allocated Secret Servicemen to protect Senator Obama on the campaign trail. These men then allowed a man, on the street, to walk right up to Senator Obama for an autograph. They stood by and did nothing. Can you imagine what a man armed with more than a pen and a piece of paper could have wreaked?

[BlancheSplanchnik]

75. yep. and it's seriously upsetting.

The i m age shocked me and makes me want to cry.

I hope it serves to highlight the recent wake up calls more than it normalizes the idea.

[CanSocDem]

76. Well, that's what good art does.

Editorial cartoonists are all that's left of the fourth estate so they have to tell the truth.

.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

80. yep.

Absolutely. Our frikken fourth estate got auctioned.

I want this president PROTECTED!!!!!!

[Jokerman]

12. Jury Results:

On Thu Oct 2, 2014, 07:13 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Now This is a frightening Toon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025610951

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

This goes beyond the pale for offensiveness. We get that the SS is broke, but this image is just sick and sickening.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Oct 2, 2014, 07:18 AM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I think the cartoonist is making a statement that our country should be reflecting upon.
A painful statement about ourselves.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Post is not OK, Post is quite disturbing but that's not a good enough reason to censor it.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It's out there in the public domain and therefore deserves discussion in a Democratic forum.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Scuba]

19. Jurist #6 has it right.

[Raster]

26. I could not agree more. Yes, the imagery is distasteful and shocking.

However, thought-provoking and worthy of inclusion on a political discussion board.

[Efilroft Sul]

83. Jurist #6 wins Democratic Underground. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

24. I find the divergent reactions to this toon fascinating.

My first reaction came from the gut
then my brain caught up.

[Paladin]

28. You're way ahead of a number of people on this thread.

[dixiegrrrrl]

41. Thank you, Paladin.

I'd be curious as the age demographic of the replies.
That may have something to do with it.

"Judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from poor judgment."

[Paladin]

56. Good point.

I was 13 when JFK's motorcade went through Dallas. Once in a lifetime is plenty for me; I don't ever want to have something like that happen again, particularly on account of sloppy work by those given responsibility for protecting the President and the First Family. The more I look at this editorial cartoon, the more valuable it appears to me.

[winetourdriver]

81. secret service and potus

I was 13 years old as well on the day the fascists murdered JFK. I dont want to go through that again, and I am unsure how the nation would react. The scenario is horrific, and its been worrying me for some time now.

[Paladin]

84. Scary times, indeed. (nt)

[chervilant]

86. And, it worries ME that a stranger made it all the way inside the White House!

How is the WORLD did that happen?!? The Secret Service is supposed to protect our POTUS and his/her family. Obviously, the Secret Service failed to protect the Obamas from a STRANGER entering their home.

[geardaddy]

32. That was my reaction.

[Eleanors38]

36. Yep. ^^

[Bohunk68]

68. I find it interesting that those who

chose to HIDE IT, not a one gave an explanation.

[Efilroft Sul]

82. Damn it, people have to quit being "offended" by statements pointing out the real problem or risk.

This was not a post that should have been alerted upon, nor should the Toon be censored from publication.

Criminy.

[rock]

14. Bad taste, not funny

But frightening and poignant.

[Zynx]

22. Yeah, it's shocking and emotionally upsetting, but I think it reflects the concern well.

A good editorial cartoon uses hyperbole appropriate to the occasion. I think we should be extremely concerned that the personal security of the president is poor.

[LeftinOH]

25. What happened in Dallas was a massive fail- and

the SS was to blame. An open car? Driving through the streets of a major city? Through a city where there had been much hostility towards the President? It would only have been surprising if it had *not* happened.

The SS needs to get their shit together.

[Doctor_J]

34. Fail? Depends on your viewpoint probably

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

37. Right, some (not me!) might see it as a successul assasination.

Remember that George H. W. Bush was right on the scene.

[rhett o rick]

58. You are making the assumption that they again don't have their "shit together".

One take from the 'toon is, "this could happen again." All Bush the Dim-Son had to worry about was shoes.

[Jerry442]

33. It's supposed to make your gut churn.

More importantly, it's supposed to make the guts of the Secret Service people churn, to put them on notice that we the people will hold them responsible if anything happens to the First Family.

[jwirr]

49. Exactly. I have often worried about him when he walks in crowds. How safe is he there? Keep them

safe - it is your job.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

35. Rick Perry needs to be sitting where Biden is. Otherwise pretty freaky!

[lpbk2713]

38. Notice how the First Couple is out in the open and totally vulnerable.

No SS agents anywhere in sight.

[wandy]

39. It's offensive OK. It's also unnerving. It carries a message............

Many, many messages if you think about it.
Is the SS that bad?
Was the SS always that bad?
Do we get a little careless now and again?
Have we become a little bit paranoid?
Holey crap, is this an advertisement?

Could it be that sometimes things need to be a bit offensive to get us to think?

[Paper Roses]

40. Horrible. This is more than disturbing. n/t

[heaven05]

42. Great point being made

with an in your face truth............

[stevenleser]

43. I reached out to the cartoonist and asked if he would be willing to write a short blurb about it.

Detailing his thoughts and intent. If he responds I will post here.

[IdaBriggs]

46. Well done!

Hopefully he will respond....

[Savannahmann]

50. Actually, I saw the meaning in a second.

The President no longer travels in a open car like that, because we learned in Dallas that it was a horrible idea. The image of safety at that time was that it would be difficult or impossible for a rifleman to hit a moving target. Lee Harvey Oswald proved them wrong.

So by the lax Secret Service in place, it would be as IF the President was traveling in a similarly open car. Or the converse, he might as well be riding in a similarly open car. Perhaps phrased as this. It is as though he is riding in an open car.

In other words, the Secret Service is not protecting him as well as they should be.

[Ineeda]

51. Imagine our reaction if

this horrifying image had been posted by a rwnj instead of a respected DUer. I clearly remember 'that' event and don't want to even imagine a repeat. Sorry -- but unrec.

[Gothmog]

52. Yes it is a scary cartoon

[BumRushDaShow]

53. Agree about the interesting reactions in this thread

but IMHO, the analogy is as clear as day... and it warns to not repeat history, since our current first couple's circumstances have mirrored that earlier first couple's circumstances in many ways. I do believe though that thanks to that same SS, the current first couple made it through 1 1/2 terms just fine in the most unprecedented toxic environment for a President, in history.

[me b zola]

54. This is exactly what I have been thinking about since the current secret service scandel

[stevenleser]

55. Response from Cartoonist:

The most-threatened President in history is vulnerable because the Secret Service is asleep on the job.

[Paladin]

57. +1000. Thanks for obtaining this response, stevenleser. (nt)

[stevenleser]

59. You're welcome. I pointed him to this thread here too. nt

[Paladin]

63. Well done. (nt)

[rhett o rick]

62. I read it to say, "This can happen again." Those that want to censor it

wish to live in the comfort of denial. I also see another message. This might happen again but not with a Bush.

[progressoid]

65. ...

[Inkfreak]

67. Strong commentary. (nt)

[RebelOne]

70. This toon is not only just frightening but absolutely sickening. n/t

[stevenleser]

71. More from the cartoonist:

The point of the cartoon is obvious: The most-threatened President in our history is vulnerable because the Secret Service is asleep on the job. There have been SEVERAL incredibly incompetent security breaches. I would think you'd all be offended by the reality of the situation, not by the cartoon that points it out.

[rhett o rick]

72. I get the impression that some here don't want to be reminded of the reality of

the danger that this President lives with day to day. There are lots of people out there that make threats almost daily. The President and his family are only as safe as the Security State is willing to make him. He best not piss them off, like firing Brennan or Gen Clapper.

[stevenleser]

88. I disagree with the sec state part but the rest I agree with 100%. I also have to say...

that two folks on FB threatened me by saying they were calling the Secret Service on me for merely posting this for discussion on my show's Facebook page, which is an interesting threat considering my support of this President and what the meaning and intent of this cartoon is.

[rhett o rick]

90. If you think the president has more power than the NSA/CIA why would you think that? nm

[stevenleser]

91. You mean besides the Constitutional part? Besides that he is their bosses and can fire them at will?

Besides that if he felt threatened by either organization he could order the few Army Military Police and Infantry at Ft. McNair and Marines at 8th and I (not to mention other military bases not far from there) to surround both the CIA and NSA buildings and detain everyone in them?

[rhett o rick]

93. I wish I was a sure as you. When he became President the CIA and NSA already had their programs in

place. I can see where he might be reluctant to ask for changes to those programs. I bet they explained to him that if he changed any of their active programs, he would then be taking the responsibility for any subsequent terrorist attacks on to his own shoulders. Maybe that's why he decided to keep all of Bush's programs and people in place. Maybe that's why Gen Clapper and Brennan aren't afraid to lie to Congress. They can't be fired. Personally, I doubt that the NSA/CIA Security State will let a mere president tell them what to do. Presidents come and go.

[yurbud]

73. I think that was the point of the security breaches

If he starts to think that he is really the most powerful man on earth this is a wremind him what will happen if he's veers too far off track from their orders

[erpowers]

74. That Would Not Happen Today

The Secret Service would never allow the President to ride in an open top vehicle. Even if the cartoon is meant to be figurative, I still do not think it applies to now.

[yurbud]

79. uninvited guests make it into a White House party, a guy jumps the fence, runs into and through the

White House before being stopped, a criminal with a gun gets in an elevator with the president...

Are those less of a threat to the president's life than an open vehicle?

[onecaliberal]

77. Why in the hell would anyone

Draw that? Is the artist hoping for something. I am highly offended by this piece of shit drawing.

[Demit]

78. I'd say the artist is hoping to communicate an idea to you.

Last edited Thu Oct 2, 2014, 05:31 PM - Edit history (1)

That is an iconic image burned into the minds of anyone who was alive when it happened. It retains its power 50 years on because we know what happened in the next few moments.

The artist isn't making a cheap point. He knows he's using what's called "borrowed interest"—meaning our familiarity with an image—to make a powerful point. That, just like JFK, Obama is a vulnerable president; beloved by many but hated by many; and the professionals whose job it is to keep him from harm have to be ever-vigilant, or the worst can happen.

The urgency has to be driven home, because the worst could happen at any time—it could even be moments away, as it was in that image that we'll never forget.

[stevenleser]

87. And if the President had been home on the day of the fence jumper, the worst could have easily

happened. The fence jumper got into the actual residence part of the WH.

[proReality]

89. Why would anyone draw that?

Because this type of art is supposed to make you think/discuss/think some more/wake people up to reality. So this particular piece did exactly as intended.

[Duer 157099]

92. Somewhat off-topic, but...

do we know if there were this many secret service screw-ups during Bush's administration?

[Rex]

95. That cartoon sent a chill down my spine.

And to those that are offended, art does that to some. I get the creators message loud and clear, the SS is way to lax on security...the image is painful - but spot on.