Got this question from a disgruntled type today regarding the ’toon:
“Why didn’t you show the Honduran flag that they were carrying.”
My reply:
“Because the child was holding the flag of the nation to which she was fleeing, thanks to the assistance of the Statue of Liberty.
“Thanks for writing.”
I didn’t hear back for awhile. Perhaps the critic was letting it sink in.
When they did decide to respond, it was as follows:
“You really need to show all sides of a story. I thought you once were a even balanced cartoonist. It is pitiful that you no longer carry that mantra.”
My reply:
“No, I don’t ‘need to show all sides of a story.’ My cartoons are editorial drawings—meaning opinion cartoons that represent my personal views—and which therefore appear on the opinion pages, not in the news sections. They are signed by me as my personal perspective and, in fact, are specifically labeled “Benson’s View,” not “[Your] View.” That’s why they do not appear on the news pages, because I am a commentator who expresses my own side, not a reporter who writes news stories from all the different sides. As such, I do not have an obligation to draw your view or anyone else’s opinion for them. I draw mine. In other words, it is not my job to balance my views by drawing views with which I do not agree.
“Besides, you are not showing ‘balance’ in your personal opinion expressions here, because I see that you are not giving equal weight to all sides of the debate. Which is fine. You have your view. I have mine.” . . .
“Once you start including in your personal emails to me the perspectives of others who disagree with your side, then you can say you are holding yourself to your own standard. As of now, however, ‘you no longer carry the mantra of being a balanced’ opinionator. Don’t worry, you are under no expectation to support cartoons you don’t like. It’s called the First Amendment. Roll with it. But please don’t hold me to an obligation which you are not, in the expression of your ideologically-slanted opinions, willing to follow yourself.
“Remember, ‘Benson editorial cartoon’ means ’Benson’s opinion cartoon.’ Simple enough.
The refuge crisis is a direct result of a long history of U.S. meddling in Honduras and other South and Central American counties. The sins of the father are visited upon the son.
157 of my friends are listed on The Wall, the one in Washington D.C.. We fought, and they died, to guarantee that those seeking freedom, and protection from dictatorial regimes would find it here, in the UNITED States of America. I suggest that every member of Congress supporting Bonespurs’ wall, visit OUR WALL, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, NOT the war memorial, the men and women who served, and those who survived as well.
For those who would divide us, and spread hate, distrust, and lies, led by a psychotic freak of nature, there should be a wall, to keep them contained, or removed.
It is time, past time, for those who represent us, to represent us. Think containment of evil, if that means impeachments, so be it. That is what the framers of the Constitution intended, it’s time those in Congress read it, and defend it.
Liberty comes at high cost. Integrity, not fear, is the power we need now.
Lazarus’s poem means we help those in need, not those with wealth, and power, they abuse.
When they are also cowards, THEY are the ones who don’t belong here.
One of the things that bothered in the tear gas for self defense at the border was that it just felt terribly wrong. For the record, my military MOS — which I mostly did not work in, since there were far more interesting things to do — was to use this stuff in training and in planning for riot control. Using it on civilians is always troubling. While at the Intel School as an instructor in the Officer Basic Course, I supervised a couple of hundred Gas Chamber Exercises which ended with my crew and me taking off our masks and exiting the chamber. Not fun.
So, employing this crap on refugees after demanding that they all enter through the POE and then closing the POE looks a lot like provocation. Inadequately staffing the POEs is a form of provocation. Sending troops to the border and then not having anything to do is a form of provocation. And, the reckless use of riot control agents against women, children and other refugees is not only provocative, but is probably criminal under international law.
But it makes the base happy, and gives Trump a tingle in his nether parts, so what the hell?
Frankly, if you’re looking for the principles and Spirit of the United States, it lies more with the refugees — from failed governments, from gangs, from choking poverty and abuse, from the remnants of American imperialism — than with the thugs and fools who thought this was a reasonable idea.
It wasn’t. It was a defacement of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and everything good, great and decent about the United States.
Kind&Kinder over 5 years ago
“And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying
We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hour
and sing an American tune
But it’s all right, it’s all right
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all, I’m trying to get some rest
—Paul Simon, partial lyrics from “American Tune”
SteveBenson8 creator over 5 years ago
What beautiful lyrics.
SteveBenson8 creator over 5 years ago
Got this question from a disgruntled type today regarding the ’toon:
“Why didn’t you show the Honduran flag that they were carrying.”
My reply:
“Because the child was holding the flag of the nation to which she was fleeing, thanks to the assistance of the Statue of Liberty.
“Thanks for writing.”
I didn’t hear back for awhile. Perhaps the critic was letting it sink in.
When they did decide to respond, it was as follows:
“You really need to show all sides of a story. I thought you once were a even balanced cartoonist. It is pitiful that you no longer carry that mantra.”
My reply:
“No, I don’t ‘need to show all sides of a story.’ My cartoons are editorial drawings—meaning opinion cartoons that represent my personal views—and which therefore appear on the opinion pages, not in the news sections. They are signed by me as my personal perspective and, in fact, are specifically labeled “Benson’s View,” not “[Your] View.” That’s why they do not appear on the news pages, because I am a commentator who expresses my own side, not a reporter who writes news stories from all the different sides. As such, I do not have an obligation to draw your view or anyone else’s opinion for them. I draw mine. In other words, it is not my job to balance my views by drawing views with which I do not agree.
“Besides, you are not showing ‘balance’ in your personal opinion expressions here, because I see that you are not giving equal weight to all sides of the debate. Which is fine. You have your view. I have mine.” . . .
(Cont.)
SteveBenson8 creator over 5 years ago
“Once you start including in your personal emails to me the perspectives of others who disagree with your side, then you can say you are holding yourself to your own standard. As of now, however, ‘you no longer carry the mantra of being a balanced’ opinionator. Don’t worry, you are under no expectation to support cartoons you don’t like. It’s called the First Amendment. Roll with it. But please don’t hold me to an obligation which you are not, in the expression of your ideologically-slanted opinions, willing to follow yourself.
“Remember, ‘Benson editorial cartoon’ means ’Benson’s opinion cartoon.’ Simple enough.
“Thanks for writing.”
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 5 years ago
Very nice artwork!
ckeagy over 5 years ago
I read these cartoons to see other opinions. I already know my own. If i don’t like another’s opinions I don’t read them. Pretty simple.
ckeagy over 5 years ago
Hey Steve, Don’t pay attention to negative people. I want to say I’m a fan. I really like your cartoons…even If I disagree, I appreciate your talent.
Plumb.Bob Premium Member over 5 years ago
The refuge crisis is a direct result of a long history of U.S. meddling in Honduras and other South and Central American counties. The sins of the father are visited upon the son.
Dtroutma over 5 years ago
157 of my friends are listed on The Wall, the one in Washington D.C.. We fought, and they died, to guarantee that those seeking freedom, and protection from dictatorial regimes would find it here, in the UNITED States of America. I suggest that every member of Congress supporting Bonespurs’ wall, visit OUR WALL, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, NOT the war memorial, the men and women who served, and those who survived as well.
For those who would divide us, and spread hate, distrust, and lies, led by a psychotic freak of nature, there should be a wall, to keep them contained, or removed.
It is time, past time, for those who represent us, to represent us. Think containment of evil, if that means impeachments, so be it. That is what the framers of the Constitution intended, it’s time those in Congress read it, and defend it.
Liberty comes at high cost. Integrity, not fear, is the power we need now.
Lazarus’s poem means we help those in need, not those with wealth, and power, they abuse.
When they are also cowards, THEY are the ones who don’t belong here.
CrusaderAXE1 over 5 years ago
One of the things that bothered in the tear gas for self defense at the border was that it just felt terribly wrong. For the record, my military MOS — which I mostly did not work in, since there were far more interesting things to do — was to use this stuff in training and in planning for riot control. Using it on civilians is always troubling. While at the Intel School as an instructor in the Officer Basic Course, I supervised a couple of hundred Gas Chamber Exercises which ended with my crew and me taking off our masks and exiting the chamber. Not fun.
So, employing this crap on refugees after demanding that they all enter through the POE and then closing the POE looks a lot like provocation. Inadequately staffing the POEs is a form of provocation. Sending troops to the border and then not having anything to do is a form of provocation. And, the reckless use of riot control agents against women, children and other refugees is not only provocative, but is probably criminal under international law.
But it makes the base happy, and gives Trump a tingle in his nether parts, so what the hell?
Frankly, if you’re looking for the principles and Spirit of the United States, it lies more with the refugees — from failed governments, from gangs, from choking poverty and abuse, from the remnants of American imperialism — than with the thugs and fools who thought this was a reasonable idea.
It wasn’t. It was a defacement of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and everything good, great and decent about the United States.