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Thursday August 29th, 3:00pm

The Poynter Institute, the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists and Howard Finberg have started a great new feature called "Persuasive Art" where they will be reporting on our troubled profession and giving new examples each week of cartoons with comments from the cartoonist. Click here to see the new editorial cartoons feature on the Poynter site.

We have re-posted Matt Davies' cartoon comments with permission from Poynter.

Matt Davies / The Journal News
Highlighting the visual view

Persuasive Art highlights the efforts of editorial cartoonists as they communicate their views. We look at dozens of cartoons every day from around the world and then invite a cartoonist to answer three questions about the creative process: what sparked the idea for this cartoon, how the concept evolved, and why it worked. -- Howard Finberg & Sara Quinn

How did your idea begin? What sparked the idea?
I was trying really hard not to do a "weather" cartoon, which in editorial cartoonist parlance is a pejorative term. But the incessant rain of the last few weeks [Matt lives in the Northeast] was too depressing to ignore, and with the simultaneous confluence of dishonesty among leaders and icons, the message being that success is predicated upon lying, I couldn't ignore the miserable parallel.

Did the original concept change as you developed it?
Yes. It started off as a sort of weather forecast graphic which left me feeling a little flat. I didn't think the idea was strong enough, so I decided I needed to do a really grey, wet-looking illustration in order to evoke the dank mood of the last few weeks and salvage any hope of the cartoon working.

From your point of view, what works best about this cartoon?
I think it makes the best of an OK idea and I probably wouldn't change anything. The best part is, the cartoon was drawn on a Friday for publication on Sunday, and it rained all weekend (plus the culture of deceit didn't go anywhere either), so it held up pretty well.

About the creator: Matt Davies
Publication:The Journal News (Westchester, N.Y.)
Brief bio information:. 36 years old. Born in London, England; editorial cartoonist at The Journal News since 1993; syndicated since 1994, currently with Tribune Media Services.
Click here to see more of Matt's Cartoons

August 25, 2003

Editor Gavin Ellis
New Zealand Herald Newspaper
PO Box 32
Auckland
New Zealand

Dear Mr. Ellis,

It has come to our attention that cartoonist Malcolm Evans has recently been fired by your paper because of the criticism one of his cartoons has attracted. One of the jobs of a responsible editor is, of course, the protection of your reporters and in this case your cartoonists from the slings and arrows of an outraged public. Mr. Ellis, a cartoonist's drawing is one of the last bastions of the individual's point of view in journalism. It doesn't always have to reflect the editorial policies or points of view of the paper. That's one of its best uses. A simple disclaimer would have worked to get the paper off the hook if the heat was too high. Firing a cartoonist for doing what they are paid and trained to do: provoke commentary and present an individual's point of view, reflects badly on your paper's understanding of and commitment to an independent and free press.

Democracy isn't easy. The boat that democracy sails on is a free press. The First Law of the Sea is "Keep Watch". We feel that your paper is failing to keep a proper watch on freedom of expression and has given in to criticism that should be directed to the message, not the messenger.

We, the Board of Directors of the Cartoonists Rights Network ask that you review your decision to fire Malcolm Evans and reinstate him immediately.

Sincerely,
Robert Russell, Executive Director, Cartoonists Rights Network
Kal Kallaugher, CRN President, Cartoonist: Baltimore Sun, Economist Magazine
Ann telnaes, Cartoonist: Free Lance, Women's ENews (Pulitzer)
Joel Pett, Cartoonist: Lexington Herald Leader (Pulitzer)
Steve Benson, Cartoonist: Arizona Republic (Pulitzer)
Steve Breen, Cartoonist: San Diego Union Tribune (Pulitzer)
John Lent, Professor of Communications: Temple University
Joan Mower, Director of Communications: Voice of America
Signe Wilkinson, Cartoonist: Philadelphia Daily News (Pulitzer)
Michael De Adder, President, Association of Canadian Editorial Cartoonists, Cartoonist: Halifax News

Dr. Russell forwarded this interesting response he received from the editor of the Herald:

Dear Mr Russell et al,
I am astounded that you have demanded the reinstatement of Malcolm Evans without first seeking to establish the accuracy of information you have received. I have issued, and strongly reiterate, a statement that Malcolm Evans was NOT dismissed for refusing to stop drawing cartoons critical of the Israeli Government. His dismissal was an internal matter and is covered by New Zealand law relating to commercial confidentiality. Let me simply say that this newspaper has and will continue to analyse and criticise the policies of any Government, including the Israeli Government. I have no intention of reinstating Mr Evans.
Gavin Ellis
Editor-in-chief
The New Zealand Herald

Those New Zealand commercial confidentiality laws can be both nettlesome and convenient, huh?

Malcolm tells us that he was sacked because of his cartoons that were critical of Israel. The New Zealand Herald won't say why they fired him. Malcolm certainly wasn't fired because of the quality and consistency of his excellent work, which we monitor closely here at the Cartoonists' Index.

Sir,

You are no doubt aware of the current debate, and controversy, regarding the termination of Malcolm Evans' employ with the Auckland Herald, not only on both sides of the Tasman but also internationally, and in particular with cartoonists worldwide.

As there are varying and conflicting reports regarding his dismissal I am writing to seek clarification of the matter in order to put the confusion to rest and counter the perception developing in Australia, and internationally, that a precedent may have been set which threatens to curtail the independent role of the cartoonist.

The Australian Cartoonists' Association is concerned with those reports that Evans was sacked because of pressure brought to bear from factions within the broad community unhappy with the cartoonist's commentary on the situation in the Middle East.

We believe cartoonists are, and have always been, valued by society for their editorial independence and for being free to 'speak their mind'. In the strongest way possible the ACA supports the upholding and the continuation of this freedom without compromise and is abhorred by any action which may impede, inhibit or in any way alter the historically independent role of the newspaper cartoonist.

James Kemsley
President, The Australian Cartoonists' Association

Our Muslim friends from CAIR have started calling us on the phone, telling us about how we are going to Hell because we posted the cartoon (below) by Sandy Huffaker. They may be right. We may be destined to go to Hell --but I figure that we can always go out and blow up a bus full of Jewish schoolchildren to assure our place in heaven. Think of the virgins that will be waiting for us. Mmmmm.

I'm sorry, I felt a need to write from my ignorance. Of-course, if I had only taken the time to read the Koran, I would have never written such a thing.

We haven't gotten a response yet from CAIR. We've been getting a nice response from our newsletter yesterday, with readers sending their comments to CAIR about CAIR's "Incitement Watch" call for complaints about Sandy's cartoon. Click here to send your comments to CAIR: cair@cair-net.org

The CAIR e-mails repeat these themes: demands for an apology, demands that we take the cartoon down, suggestions that we should read the Koran and seek advice on it's interpretation, suggestions that we shouldn't listen to the Western media, suggestions that we should be aware of the cartoonist's ignorance, questions about what the Iraqis or Palestinians should be grateful for, assertions that Christianity is terrible, reminders that God is great, complaints that they don't "get it" and simple name-calling. I find it interesting that many of the angry Muslims assume that the soldier in the cartoon is Israeli rather than American. Also, many assume that Sandy is a woman.

Sandy sent me this response to the CAIR e-mails:

I just don't see or read of Islam questioning itself. What I see is either SILENCE or QUIET SUPPORT, not to mention outright financial or military support to terroriism. Christianity had a needed reformation, so why not Islam? I have traveled in Sudan, Morocco, Israel, and other parts of Africa, so I have a gut reaction on this subject --basically I couldn't wait to leave and go to southern Africa where all seemed well. The people were happier and love seemed to triumph over revenge.

"Mohammed was a terrorist," says Jerry Falwell, and Franklin Graham has said that "Islam is an evil religion." I don't want to go this far. This country stands for freedom of religion and separation of church and state, therefore we need no more Crusades! My fear is that Mohammed drew no lines between church and state, and neither do many Islamists today.

I e-mailed CAIR and asked them for a comment on the cartoon, a comment on their "Incitement Watch" and a comment on the reader reaction that they solicited --they have not responded.

If you would like to complain back at CAIR, you can e-mail them here: cair@cair-net.org

You can send more comments and complaints to Sandy Huffaker here: huffaker@rockbridge.net

See more cartoons by Sandy here. Want to comment on the Fray? Visit our comment board here.

Some selected angry comments appear below the cartoon.

Subject: POLITICAL CARTOON SMEARS QURAN, MUSLIMS, IRAQIS
Your cartoon that mocks Islam, its holy book, and the concerns of the people of Iraq, in dealing with American terrorists, is a gross publication of irresponsibility and ignorance. It would behoove your publication, as well as yourself, to avoid further embarrassment by publishing such nonsense and contributing to the overall ignorance and hatred of the American people, as well as their general misunderstanding of America's terrorist operations in Iraq.
Sincerely, Jeremy D. Campion, MA Ed., University of Michigan
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If you are given health and security from evil in this world and the next, you have attained felicity." Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 781

Subject: KORAN FOR DUMMIES
Please read below that CAIR wants respondents to be polite with their emails in response to your vulgarity, stupidity, ignorance, arrogance, and finally before I forget, racism and bigotry against Islam. I do agree with CAIR in being politie to anyone who is capable to spitting such venom. I believe you should write every cartopon on your stupid forehead as a warning to people who cannot otherwise see or hear your rattles to know that you are nothing short of a venomous snake.
Mohammad Chehab, Tampa Florida

Subject: Your racist cartoon "Iraqi gratitude"
Your publication's cartoon stinks of hate and bigotry. The ignorant cartoonist obviously feels that every innocent Iraqi civilian is directly responsible for the attacks on US troops that in actuality are being carried out by armed guerillas that are resisting our occupation of their country. The ignoramus illustrates his pathetic understanding of the Blessed Qur'an by presenting it as a book of unconditional war, which it is not. I doubt that this idiot has even read five pages of the noble scripture.
Yusuf Khan, Alpharetta, GA

Subject: about your cartoon (Gratitude)
I am writing to tell you that the cartoon is totally inappropriate. It derides a subject that the cartoonist has obviously no knowledge about. I would suggest that the cartoon be immediately removed from the site. If the cartoonist had bothered to research the teachings of the Koran, he would have the bookmarks "One humanity", "Caring", "Equality" etc. along with "Jihad", "Defense", "Protect non-combatants", but surely no references to "Revenge", "Suicide bombing" or "Fatwa", as they have no direct basis in the Koran. Also, what gratitude would one have for a so called liberator who has acted without evidence, failed to produce the much lied about WMDs, steals national wealth using laundering schemes, and disregards of innocent dead (approximately 30000 by Iraqi watchdog reports).
Z. Adil

Subject: Read The Quran and Judge for Yourself
The political cartoon at caglecartoons.com about the Quran is very offensive to Muslims. I recognize your right to express yourself, but you must respect other people and do your due diligence before speaking (or drawing) out of ignorance. I invite you to read the Quran first and understand its context and the fact that it is a complete system of life for all humanity, then I challenge you to find anything to support your cartoon. And, Yes, you will find plenty of reference to gratitude and every other refined attribute of humanity. However, American presence in Iraq has nothing to do with any refined human attribute!
Ahmed A. El-Shafei, New York, NY

Subject: "Koran for Dummies"
Hello, I would like to request you to take off this cartoon which is nothing but bad taste. I as a Muslim is very offended with such hateful language. While I love and support freedom of speech but this cartoon is not about discussing issues, it is about ridiculing a religion, a religion which is not confined to Iraq by any means. I would like to hear back from you about your decision to remove or not this offensive cartoon.
Take care, Syed Azam

Subject: "Iraqi Gratitude" tasteless
Your "Iraqi Gratitude" cartoon is very offensive and inflammatory. It's obvious that the cartoonist did't read the Quran and doesn't know much about Iraq's modern history. Defaming the religious scripture of 6 million American Muslims and 1.25 Billion people around the world is very hateful and irresponsible. Shame on you.
Khaldoon Abugharbieh, San Jose CA

Subject: Cartoon "Iraqi Gratitude"
Dear Editor; I would like express my displeasure on your poor choice of satire. Your establishment have lost all credibility as a media outlet. I am all in favor of freedom of speech. Your cartoon only manages to offend a large population of this world, and it presents a skewed view of events. A country ruled by a dictator is bound to have symphatizers who would fight back against their conquerors, even if the conquerors are liberating the masses. Freedom has a price, and Iraiqs are paying dearly for this freedom. As for the gratitude I hope in the name of humanity that Iraq becomes an shining emblem for democracy, Although your editorial staff would not deserve any credit.
Thank you.

Subject: Why do you do this
Sir, what is it that you gain by publishing such deplorable images? Why do you and others choose to undermine over 1 billion people simply to get a rise out of a few insensitive folks? We are Muslims, and we have feelings as well sir..........the Iraqi Gratitude image is one of the most insulting things I have ever seen in my life. It is so unfair of you to take such cheap shots at us. I encourage you and your readers to spend some time reading and understanding the Quran, and I assure you that you will be moved by it.
Abrahim Arabi, Throttle Body Applications Engineer, Visteon Corporation

Subject: Sandy's ignorance
My Message: Instead of showing the Koran, which is the book that the current Western Civilization owes debt too (read how the Islamic Civilization dragged Europe out of the dark-ages and provided a social basis) Sandy could have shown a "How to deal with Occupiers" book to get her message across. Smearing Muslims is not helping peace around the world.
Amer

Subject: KORAN FOR DUMMIES
Please read below that CAIR wants respondents to be polite with their emails in response to your vulgarity, stupidity, ignorance, arrogance, and finally before I forget, racism and bigotry against Islam. I do agree with CAIR in being politie to anyone who is capable to spitting such venom. I believe you should write every cartopon on your stupid forehead as a warning to people who cannot otherwise see or hear your rattles to know that you are nothing short of a venomous snake.
Mohammad Chehab
Tampa Florida

Subject: cartoon
To whom it may concern, I am extremely offended by your political cartoon entitled "Iraqi Gratitude". The use of the "Koran for Dummies" with labels about Jihad, Revenge, and Suicide Bombing is incredibly uncalled for, given that Islam is a religion of peace, not warfare, terrorism, and other heinous acts, as you have portrayed. Don't fall into the trap of believing what you hear out there. I think that before you mention anything else about Islam or Muslims in your comics, you should at the very least pick up a copy of the Koran with explanation and have a decent conversation with a Muslim at your local mosque, so you can at least look face to face at the person who you are mocking. That is the only noble thing to do. Anyone can poke fun at what they don't understand, but it takes real "guts" and intelligence to learn about those that are different from you. Thank you for your time
Sincerely,
Sameena Usman
Public Relations Director,
SJSU Muslim Student Association

Subject: Cartoon
Greetings,
I'm sending you this message to express my disappointment and dismay when I saw the cartoon "Iraqi Gratitude". This cartoon, which smears Koran, Muslims, and Iraqis, has caused a lot of pain and hurt to many Muslims and non-muslims. I demand an apology!
Thanks, H. Rewini, Ph.D., Dallas, Texas

RE: Iraqi Gratitude By: Sandy Huffaker, Cagle Cartoons, August 15, 2003
Great piece of art guys! I guess you believe in spreading hatred and misinforming people. I take it none of you have ever read the Quran or you would have never made that derogatory cartoon. Do you want for me to count how many times God refers to gratitude in the Quran, and then you can compare it to see how many time He refers to hatred and maybe you will be more educated then you were when that cartoon was being made. BY the way not all things on TV are true! May Peace be upon all God's creations
Abdullah Syed

Subject: ANTI-MUSLIM CARTOON TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE
Ok, Let me just compose myself for a minute here. In your recent cartoon titled, "Iraqi gratitude (Aug. 15, 2003)" you have a US soldier asking an Iraqi reading Islam's holiest book, "Anything in there about gratitude?" First of all, let me outright say your cartoon is HATEFUL, HURTFUL, INFLAMMATORY AND DEAD WRONG! Secondly, it's stupid. Stupid because it demonstrates your total lack of knowledge about the Koran, the Iraqi people, and the circumstances surrounding current events in Iraq in and of itself. No where does the Koran condones "suicide bombings, unwanted violence, and above all revenge." To make such an grave accusation is to demonise, dilute, and belittle the message of the holy book from which 1/5th of humanity takes it's source of imspiration and guidance. If it were so, you'd be blown up my me 2 days ago.
Also what gratitude are you talking about? Are you insinuating that Iraqis should be happy? Happy for what? Removal of law and order in place of occupation of foreigners, chaos, and unwanton death and destruction? Haven't you picked up a newspaper lately? Iraqis are languishing w/o electricity, w/o food and dire necessities and when ever they're asked how do you feel about so and so, they immediately retort to their anger at the US forces and Bush. You might say, well that's now and not how the Iraqis felt of April 9th the day Baghdad fell. But even before the war at during, all Iraqis including the majority of the Shiites were against it. That's why there was no flag-waving and rebellion against Hussein that Rumsfeld calculated. Therefore by showing only Muslim Iraqi and omitting the sizeable Christian minority Iraqis who were against the war you cloud the picture.
And just to be fair, why don't you draw a hate filled cartoon replacing the Koran with the bible and leaving everything else the same and see people's reaction then?
Sincerely,
Tyler Johnson

Subject: WRONGFUL CARTOON
Hey Sandy Huffaker, I'm writing you this email in protest and to convey my immense anger at your totally unacceptable cartoon that demonises and insults Muslims HOLY book the Koran. What kind of a joke is the cartoon, "Iraqi gratitude," trying to pull anyway? If it were meant to be a joke, let me tell you sir, I was NOT amused. Where is your responsibility and professionalism? I feel like cursing you off and going beserk in this email, but I thank Allah (that's God for you) that he has given me enough patience to control my anger and enough wisdom not to retaliate in kind. Just know that by drawing such inciteful cartoons you don't do your profession nor your work a whole lot of good.
Ahmed Musleh, New Brunswick, NJ -90-1

Subject: Iraqi Gratitude/Koran for Dummies cartoon
Ms. Sandy Huffaker What are you hoping to accomplish by insulting Muslims? What President Bush is doing in Iraq is not freeing the Iraqi people, but rather he is occupying Iraq just like Israel has done with the Palestinian lands of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
I find it funny how you can attribute the actions of a select few Iraqis to the whole of the Muslim population. When a CHRISTIAN bombs an abortion clinic, killing doctors and other innocent bystanders, no one claims that Christianity is a murderous and violent religion and all of its followers are terrorists. Nor did anyone say Judaism condones murder and violence when a Jewish doctor in Florida planned to bomb Mosques and other Muslim buildings. The actions of a few do not dictate or represent the views of the whole.
Also, the Qu'ran DOES NOT teach murder or violence. If you have read a translation to this effect, then the translation is not only wrong but extremely biased. I would suggest reading Yusuf Abdullah Ali's translation.
This political cartoon is extremely insulting and should be removed now. We also deserve an apology from you immediately.
Amera Khokar, Morgantown, WV

Subject: cartoon of Iraqi gratitude
as an American citizen, I felt you can find better way of expressing your view on your silly cartoons than to insult the Koran. if you had the ability and learning abilities, you would understand the Koran is not about what you think it is. its individuals such as huff taker or puff taker a better suited name, that creates a hateful environment for the rest of us. please get a better life Mr.. or ms. puff taker......

Subject: In Regards To Sandy Huffaker
To Whom It May Concern; I'm a daily reader of the Cagle Cartoons and I find Sandy Huffaker's comments in the "Iraqi Gratitude" cartoon complete disrespectful to both law abidding American-Muslim citizens such as myself. Cartoons generally are a funny, cute medium, describing the truth about things. This cartoon however crossed the line into letting what one racist,bigot describe what she feels about who muslims are in both Iraq and in this country.
Mahdi

Subject: Gratitude for what?
Dear Cartoonist Huffaker:
The inaccuracy of your portrayal of the Qur'an aside, exactly what is it that Iraqi's are supposed to be grateful for? For murdering their civilians? For trying to steal and send their natural resources to a country that has sworn to fight against them? Maybe it's for the continued occupation of their country now that all those WMD have been found? Enlighten us further, please.
Robin Church

Subject: Quran Cartoon
What is in The Quran? Find out for yourself. You do not have to take my word or Pat Robertson's word for it.
There is a lot in there about being nice to people of other religions. In fact, it says in the quran that if they were nice to you, you have to be nicer. Is there anything about respect to others in your faith? Why do not you visit your nearest mosque rather than throwing dirt on people you do not know like that. I guess you like being the bully?
Ayman Amer, Marion IA

Subject: Iraq Grattitude
Hello, Boy what a god-awful cartoon. You guys are such racists. Do you have any level of understanding or intelligence. I am a Muslim-American. Thanks for contributing to the taunting, police searches. You guys are disgusting. I never did anything to hurt you. Why do you have to attack me?
Zunera Gilani

Subject: Koran for Dummies ??
Well then, YOU should read the Koran. Gratitude ?? Sure thing, But first you have to let me bomb the living day light out of your house, then surround it for 12 years under embargo and make sure that I kill all your children from mal nutrition. Finally I shall bomb it again and make sure that you do not have clean water or Electricity. NOW, you owe me... Gratitude. Oh and don't worry I will not take blame for all this, I will just blame... you for the lack of power, water and security. I still demand Gratitude though.
Will Kamil

Subject: Cartoon insulting Islam
To CAIR and Sandy Huffaker:
There is a cartoon on CagleCartoons.com which was very offensive to Islam. This is the lowest class of "humor" I have ever witnessed. Cagle Cartoons and Sandy Huffaker must apologize for this publicly. The Cartoon depicted a rough looking man with a mustache and a beard (purportedly a Palestinian) reading a book. The book had the words "KORAN for dummies" inscribed on it (Referring to the sacred book of Islam). Close to this man was shown a soldier (presumably Israeli) who was uttering the following words: "Anything in there about gratitude". The cartoon was by cartoonist Sandy Huffaker of Cagle Cartoons.

The context in which this cartoon was shown was very disturbing. Essentially it said that the Koran promotes violence and no matter what the Israelis do, the Palestinians will continue to engage in violence because the Koran tells them to do so. This is very serious and I urge CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) to take this up with responsible authorities at Cagle Cartoons. Cagle Cartoons must establish a policy not to engage in this kind of racist, bigoted, and discriminatory behaviour which demonises a whole religion and people. Cagle Cartoons must also publicly apologize for this outrage and put the apology on the website.

Sandy, I would urge you to treat everybody like they are human beings. Everybody has feelings and demonizing any other religion is not a good thing. I would never insult any other religion because in the Koran, we are told to RESPECT other religions. I hope you are ashamed of yourself and that you would undertake a study of Islam in general and Koran in particular to see what it says rather than hearing and forming your opinions from the popular media and other such sources. As a Muslim American, I was very saddened and outraged to see this kind of low class "humor" on this website.
Fawad Hussain.

I enjoyed today's cartoon by Sandy Huffaker, which touches on issues from our BLOG ...

Sunday, August 17th

Last month I received this interesting e-mail:

Dear Daryl,
I am a political activist and Presbyterian minister. On Sunday mornings I often stand on street corners and do some sort of street theatre. I would love to have your permission to enlarge your "Eye For An Eye" cartoon when I stand there this Sunday (I would hold the enlargement of your cartoon on a sign, and spread styrofoam balls that look like eyeballs all over the ground around me). May I do so? ... Let me know if this is possible - and thanks for the great website!
Cathy Light

Ministers rarely perform my cartoons on street corners, so I encouraged Cathy to go ahead and I sent her a high resolution file of the cartoon for her to blow up on signs. A copy of the cartoon is below. Cathy wrote back to me this morning.

Well, Daryl -

We had torrential downpours here again - and high winds - but I still managed to vigil with your cartoon. I held an enlarged copy, intact. I also glued each of the figures onto cardboard, cut them out - and mounted them... setting them around the village green, in a field of 30-40 styrofoam eyeballs.

Most people slowed down, looking thoughtful. There were many nods of agreement in response to the sentiment expressed (as they interpreted it, that is) by your cartoon.

In spite of the wind, and intermittent rains - several people stopped to converse. A young high school couple stoppped and argued about the value of the display.

"What is the point?" the young man asked. "I can't argue with this - an eye for an eye is a bad idea!"

"What does it have to do with the war in Iraq? We certainly didn't go over there to get even... or to demand "an eye for an eye" from the Iraqis (I made no mention of Iraq, by the way). His girlfriend, who happened to be Jewish, looked dubious.

An older women with two hyper fox hounds walked over and complained about the use of caricature. She believed that your illustration was racist and condemned both sides. She also felt that a political cartoon did not translate well into the medium of social protest - at least as I was using it. She said that, as a person in a "communications field," she thought that the images overpowered the caption - and people who drove by would only carry with them the powerfully racist caricturizations of both sides portrayed.

Three children, pre-teens, stopped by and discussed how "an eye for an eye" played out in their own lives. They stopped ... and shared a freeze-pop with me. It was very hot last Sunday.

Those were some of the reactions. Having spent the past two days in NYC during the blackout - I will be spending a few hours this week holding signs that say BUSH OUTAGE 2004. And so it goes.

Cathy Light

We are happy to make our cartoons available to ministers for performance art, social protests, or both, but only if you promise to tell us an interesting story. (And I love the use of the word "vigil" as a verb.)

Saturday, August 16th

Yes, I know, there is another Statue of Liberty Yahtzee today. I just put up a new collection of Blackout cartoons. Here is the new Yahtzee. And here is the 9/11 Statue of Liberty Yahtzee, the mother of all Yahtzees.

Oops! Correction --yesterday i reported that the New Zealand Herald had replaced Malcolm Evans with Aussie cartoonist Rod Emmerson, based upon my reading of this article. I'm now advised that Rod is a temporary replacement until the Herald finds a permanent cartoonist to replace Malcolm. See Rod's cartoons here.

Friday August 15, 2003

I got this response from Malcolm Evans, the New Zealand Herald cartoonist who was sacked for drawing pro-Palestinian cartoons:

Dear Daryl, and all the many hundreds of visitors to your site who have taken the time to write to me and to my former employer concerning my situation. I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response your site has elicited regarding my firing. From feeling terribly alone at the beginning of the week, I now feel lost in a crowd. I had hoped and indeed begun to reply personally to each and every writer but the response is such that it's unlikely that I'll be capable. I wish to express the deep appreciation of my family in the first instance and of myself personally for all the support you have shown me. - I feel very humble and grateful and thank you all most sincerely.
Aroha Nui - Malcolm Evans

The e-mail that has been forwarded to me has been mixed about Malcolm. We've gotten a batch from ardent Israel supporters who are offended by Malcolm's cartoons; clearly, these readers would like to sack every cartoonist who supports the Palestinians.

My personal view is that I'm sick of the Mideast mess and I expect it to go on forever. My cartoons bash both sides equally and make both sides angry. This is like the abortion debate, everyone has formed their opinions already and further debate doesn't make much difference. All of the cartoons have been drawn. We're drawing repeats now.

But Malcolm's problems touch on larger issues for cartoonists. If the New Zealand Herald sacked Malcolm because they disagreed with his support for the Palestinian side, they should admit that. If they won't tolerate a cartoonist who holds different views than their editorial board, they should admit that. And when they hire a new cartoonist they shouldn't change their minds seven years later and decide that the cartoonist's consistently held positions are cause for dismissal.

Editorial cartoonists can be likened to columnists. Cartoonists build trust in their audience through honestly held and honestly communicated views that their readers come to know and expect. They are not illustrators, drawing at the whim and direction of an editorial board.

Read another article about Malcolm's dismissal.

Click here to e-mail Malcolm.

Click here to send a letter to the editor of the New Zealand Herald, to let them know what you think about their sacking Malcolm.

Another Cartoonist Fired!

Regular readers of our site know the excellent work of the New Zealand Herald's award winning cartoonist, Malcolm Evans. Malcolm was fired because he insisted on continuing to draw cartoons that were critical of Israel, despite the continuing objections of his editors. The cartoon below is one of a series that garnered a pink slip for Malcolm.

The Herald refuses to talk about Malcolm's firing. Today, Malcolm wrote this letter to me, explaining the situation:

Dear Daryl -

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop me a line. The response to my situation has been overwhelming and so, while on the one hand I have never felt so alone, at the same time so surrounded by friends.

I am by nature, as I think many of our fraternity are, a relatively solitary person and so didn't go looking for this fight. However, as you correctly report, it came looking for me in the form of an ultimatum, that I must desist from supplying anti -Israel cartoons to the paper, if I wished to remain employed. That was subsequently watered down to the assertion of an Editor's general right, but I believe that's only window dressing.

As you also report, I have always acknowledged the Editor's absolute right of refusal to run a cartoon, but this edict went an ominous step further and I had no choice but to resist.

I believe that the public not only regard our work as a reflection of the cartoonist's opinion on any given day, but judge it as part of a continuum - part of a bigger picture - and a certain trust is established - the viewer can see where the cartoonist is coming from. So, in my view, it's a fraud on the reader to allow someone else to genetically engineer a detail of that bigger picture.

And as more and more media is controlled by fewer and fewer people, the cartoonist must be ever more vigilant that his opinions are not hi-jacked in the way that so much of our news appears to be.

However the saddest thing for me throughout this whole affair (and it's been going on for a year or more) has been the Pro-Israeli faction's attempt to paint me as an anti-semitic Nazi. While I realise that such a smear campaign is part of their stock in trade, it still hurts.

For the record, I happen to believe that our society and civilization owes a debt of gratitude to centuries of Jewish initiative in every field of human endeavour. Out of all proportion to their number among us, we have been blessed with the efforts, both singly and as communities, of Jewish scholars, artists, authors, composers, craftsmen, social scientists , philanthropists you name it - the list goes on.

But Zionism is something else!

I also believe that the Holocaust is without doubt the greatest crime in recorded history and together with all the pogroms and persecutions of Jews that preceeded it, is Europe's greatest shame. But if it's Europe's greatest crime, how can it be fair that it be used to justify the establishment of a safe haven, for which Palestinian peasants must pay the price.

Kind regards - Malcolm Evans.

Click here to see a television report from New Zealand on Malcolm's firing.

Click here to send a letter to the editor of the New Zealand Herald, to let them know what you think about their firing Malcolm. The editors of the Herald don't have anything to say about why they fired Malcolm, but I suspect that our readers will have something to say.

Click here to see an archive of Malcolm's work. Malcolm won the Qantas Award as "Best Cartoonist of the Year" in New Zealand last year and has drawn for the New Zealand Herald for seven years. He is a regular contributor to our site.

Click here to e-mail Malcolm.

Want to comment on the Fray? Visit our comment board here.

Dear Daryl
Being an avid cartoon watcher (plus a frustrated cartoonist) I refer to yours of 08/08/03 (below). Take a look at Kurt's swastika badge, the Nazi symbol is the reverse of that shown, which is in itself the reverse of the old "peace" swastika. Or is this one more subtle joke that I missed. By the way I really love this site & look at it constantly, it's a great service to humanity.
Best Regards, Pete Macpherson, Luton, England

Thanks, Pete. I haven't drawn a whole lot of swastikas in my career and you caught a mistake! I wonder if I should apologize to any Nazis?
Cheers! Daryl

I'm sure everyone remembers last month's controversy about Michael Ramirez's cartoon depicting President Bush about to be shot, in the pose of a famous Vietnam era photograph. It caused so much commotion in the press that Michael drew a rebuttal cartoon for his subscribers who requested it --a surprise to us, because the cartoon didn't appear in the Los Angeles Times and wasn't delivered to us with Michael's regular delivery from Copley News Service. Here is Michael's rebuttal cartoon and his official statement, accompanying the cartoon.

"The controversy over this cartoon is ridiculous. As political cartoonists, we are supposed to push the envelope to try to engage the reader in debate. I intentionally chose to use a disturbing image to convey a very salient point. President Bush is the target of a political assassination because of sixteen words which he uttered in the State of the Union speech that were, by the way, accurate. The cartoon was obviously not meant to encourage violence but was a reference to a famous photograph from the Vietnam era. There is a parallel between the politicization of the Vietnam war and the deconstruction of the success and the politicization of the current Iraq war. That photograph is one of the most powerful images from the Vietnam era . It was perceived as an a unjust act in an war mired in politics. Metaphorically, there are people currently engaged in the political assassination of our president. Those with political motivations are using the uranium story to attack the president. The photo is a very disturbing image. The editorial cartoon is meant to be a disturbing image. But the current manifestation of attacks on the president driven by political ambition rather than fact is far more disturbing then my cartoon. "

"PS from Michael: the weather in GITMO is beautiful. Life is good but I have to have all my cartoons screened by John Ashcroft before publication now..."

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Wednesday August 6, 2003, 6:00pm

Yippee! Arnold is running for governor! Great news for cartoonists! We'll be putting a collection of Arnold cartoons up as soon as possible. Keep your eyes on the front page.

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Wednesday August 6, 2003, 10:00am

Regular readers know how we love to show the cartoons that editors refuse to publish. Today's cartoon by Mike Lester was killed by his editor, but we posted it on the site and Mike's been getting mail. Mike sent us this comment:

Given my recent e-mail, there is a pronounced sensitivity to "goosing" cartoons, by the Anglicans. "It is the wounded stag that leaps the highest"

Casual readers who are not familiar with the history of political cartoons are sometimes alarmed by these matches --the latest example is the flap over this cartoon by Tony Auth, and its similarity to this Nazi era cartoon.

Regular visitors to our site know how frequently Yahtzees happen. The idea that Tony was making an anti-Semitic statement by re-drawing a Nazi cartoon is absurd. Perhaps Tony was influenced by hundreds of other Star of David as a fence cartoons. Perhaps he came up with the same idea on his own. No one should care and no one should assume that they have found the source of his inspiration for his fence cartoon.

I remember a less alarmist but no less ill spirited attack on a Yahtzee cartoon by Gary Markstein depicting Saddam Hussein doing the "Hokey-Pokey." In this case Gary was pilloried for alleged plagiarism --when all of us have drawn the "Hokey-Pokey" in a cartoon and there must have been a dozen of these depicting Saddam. To a non-cartoonist who doesn't follow cartoons closely, the idea that two cartoonists could come up with the idea of Saddam doing the Hokey-Pokey was too much of a coincidence.

Yahtzees are just Yahtzees. Don't try to draw any insidious conclusions from a Yahtzee. Matches don't infer anti-Semitism or plagiarism or anything else.

Comment in the FRAY and let us know what you think.

The cartoon below, by Bob Englehart, caused some debate in Hartford Connecticut. Some readers thought the cartoon was racist, and their criticism was amplified by the Courant's "Reader Representative" who wrote that the cartoon was "outrageous" and accused Bob of "insult(ing) a community."

The cartoon addresses a local issue, where some Hartford residents have not cooperated with the police as crime flourishes in their neighborhoods. Bob reports to Editor and Publisher Magazine that reader reaction to the cartoon has been split, half for the cartoon, half against it.

The Courant's columnist rants, "Beyond the complete disregard for the reality of fear of retaliation was the (cartoon's) outrageous implication that black people in Hartford don't value the safety of their children and their neighborhoods as much as white people do."

Comment in the FRAY and let us know what you think.

And click here to see more cartoons by Bob Englehart.