E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

Newspaper Attacks Disabled War Vet Candidate
The Imperial Valley Press is being criticized by some readers who believe a political cartoon mocked the injuries of a decorated Iraq war veteran who is running for Congress. The cartoon, published Saturday, shows a poster of candidate Nick Popaditch, who has a patch over his right eye. Two youths with skateboards seem perplexed by the poster

"What does that remind you of?" one says.

The other answers: "A James Bond super villain? A bald pirate? Uncle Fester with an eye patch."

Popaditch, a Marine gunnery sergeant, lost the sight in his right eye during the battle for Fallouja in Iraq in 2004. He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart and now is the Republican candidate in the 51st Congressional District, facing Democratic incumbent Bob Filner.

Among those criticizing the cartoon is Cheryl Perez, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, Military Order of the Purple Heart, unit 49, San Diego. "I realize Nick is running for a political office and political cartoons are the norm," Perez wrote. "Attack him on his political views, not on injuries he sustained while fighting for other people's freedom and liberties. ... This is not just an insult to Nick, but an affront to every Purple Heart recipient."

Editor Brad Jennings, an Air Force veteran whose son is serving in the Air Force, said he has apologized to Popaditch and plans an apology and explanation in his column to be published Tuesday. "Our intent was never to besmirch the service of a veteran, never to personally attack Mr. Popaditch," he said. "To me, the cartoon was meant as a comment on our locally ill-informed voters."
"Being criticized" is an understatement. "Torches and pitchforks" would be more accurate. On the plus side, that newspaper may have just won him the election.
Sometimes humour is too subtle for its intended audience... Or, it never does to insult one's slacker/skateboarder readership.
Or ... the editors never expected the blowback they got and are pedalling hard to look innocent. I know I sent them a polite but pointed email.
Giving the editors the benefit of the doubt, it's hard to give them the benefit of the doubt ...
Here's the cartoon. Judge for yourselves. But do note that the editor in question is an Air Force vet whose son is currently serving, not some ignorant, lefty MSM hack.

Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-07-13
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=300896