February 9, 2006:

The story of the week on all the talk radio shows and news programs is the uproar over the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in racist and offensive ways. Now, I'm not a Muslim, but even I can see why an entire group of people would be offended by these cartoons, and if you read into the back story, the Danish newspaper was intent on finding ways to offend by depicting the Prophet (who, by strict Islamic Law, is to never be depicted).

As an artist and one who does cartoons about public figures, I completely and totally support free speech and freedom of expression. But every political cartoonist will tell you that their work must pass through the Editorial review of the paper first. How often have not only political cartoons but regular comic strips like "The Boondocks" and "Doonesbury" been removed the American newspapers because the Editor did not want to risk offending their viewers? Remember that after 9-11, hundreds of newspapers refused to print cartoons that depicted the bombing of the towers in fear of being insensitive. And let us not forget that even elementary school children are subject to investigation if they depict the office of the President of the United States being threatened in any way. Needless to say, that is a topic most cartoonists and editors would stay away from because they know the consequences of their actions. No mainstream newspaper today would in their right mind print derogatory images of Jews or racist images of blacks like were printed 100 years ago. So when while we are promoting freedom of press in America and abroad, realize thate there is plenty of self-censorship going on in the U.S., not to mention government censorship (like when the White House "requested" newspapers to hold off on stories about torture, secret wiretaps, etc.).

So what I am advocating is responsibility. When I render my political products, I do so knowing that many conservatives and Republicans will take issue with my standpoint, but I do not render them in threatening, demoralizing or offensive ways. If I did, I would have to bear the brunt of the backlash. Heck, I can't even sell my images on CafePress because their rules stipulate "no caricatures of public figures" and "no products", even though I can comb through the thousands of images and find very offensive ones, my images of breakfast cereals are banned.

What I will say is that this whole issue is one giant middle finger to all those who belittle the effect and power of editorial cartoons and satire. They said these images have no impact on public debate. Well, there are several million Muslims who would disagree.