Grasping at Nohow ☀
As someone who enjoys (and frequently posts extraordinary examples) editorial cartoons I realize that artists are prone to excessive exaggeration and lampooning. However, this Chip Bok cartoon, published in the pseudo-libertarian Reason publication completely distorts and sketches an egregious comparison.
First, the George W. Bush quote that “either you’re with us or you’re against us” is nearly a direct quote (I believe the actual phrase was “you’re either” instead of “either you’re”). Either way, it’s a direct match. However, the statement attributed to Carter is 180 degrees off — “either you’re with us or you’re a racist” is so completely removed from reality, in stark contrast to the factual Bush quote. Here is what Jimmy Carter actually said:
An overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American.
Right wingers bellowed and frothed about “reverse racism” but an objective examination of the actual words refutes any such charges or ridiculous notion of “with us or against us” inherent in the comment.
That’s more than a rhetorical leap — it’s a dive into a vast chasm.
Is that really the best crack a cartoonist could conjure up against Carter?
(via bellatoris)
