The Funny Farm
Where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats...
Adventures of a Basic Force For Good in Our TimeTM
It seems there has been considerable excitement lately about Ted Rall's latest cartoon, where he questions Pat Tillman's choice to go to war.
Me, I'm wondering a few things:
- If Sinclair Broadcasting is so upset about somebody reading a list of those who died in this senseless waste of American resources, why are they lionizing Pat Tillman as a hero? Oh, that's right - puffing up those who die for the Chimperor is somehow better morally than mentioning them, and showing us what they looked like, without commentary. Maybe Ted Koppel should have told everyone that all those dead soldiers would have voted for pResident Pinhead, and that their noble sacrifice was inspired by our divinely inspired leader, since that seems to be the definition of fair and impartial in the eyes of these clowns.
- If this type of talk about someone who sacrificed for their country is not okay, why is everyone in the conservative media going after decorated war veteran John Kerry?
- Why does the media focus on the death of one rich white boy, and refuse to talk about the sacrifices of everyone else over there?
I grieve for Mr. Tillman, along with every other serviceperson who has sacrificed their lives for the United States during the two snipe hunts military expeditions we are currently engaged in over in the Middle East. That includes everyone who is a casualty as well as the dead, as well as those who will never be the same again after the horrors they have had to experience in the field of battle. And I refuse to let the media whores turn any of their sacrifices into more fodder for the Bush Fellators At Work to use in support of the Usurper in Thief. Why do we bother doing a special on a member of the elite and his 'noble sacrifice', but we say nothing about the financially challenged who saw the military as their only escape from poverty?
It's awful funny to me that we don't hear any more about the Jessica Lynch story now that the powers that be found out she isn't 150% behind Tipsy McStagger. And how any military that come home and express doubt of our intentions over in Oilistan Iraq are summarily dismissed. Surely they have somewhat more informed opinions about what's going on over there?*
Ted Rall tends to use rather inflammatory language, and point out the more unbelievable shenanigans of the 1600 Crew, in a way designed to create controversy. He seems to have succeeded beyond his wildest dreams this time. I don't personally consider this to be one of his better cartoons, but I certainly don't see why it has caused this much outrage. I think his point was that the wrongwingnuts are using this man's death to promote their own partisan political agenda. So he did the same thing, except to further his ends. And you know how upset Drinky McDumbAss and the God Squad (not to mention the 101st Keyboard Chickenhawk Auxilliary neocons of the blogsphere) get when their carefully stage-managed progpaganda gets used by others for purposes not to their liking (see: Mission Accomplished).
So, inspired by the always witty Mad Kane (who has managed to find her way to the new digs - hope you enjoy your stay!), I decided to write you a little song parody today:
Everybody Wants To Slag Ted Rall (sung to the tune of Everybody Wants To Rule The World)
Well Ted Rall is back It's his only way There's some rooms where no light can find you So glad he's free to say it I can't stand this indiscretion All for freedom and for satire |
* - Yes, they have somewhat more informed opinions about what's going on over there. And, no, I'm not calling you, surely...
[Ed. Note:] minor cosmetic alterations may have taken place. Can you spot the difference?
Posted by (: Tom :) at May 6, 2004 05:56 PM