And the US edges even closer to fascism

The Joint Chiefs of Staff sent a letter to the Washington Post editor over a political cartoon that they found offensive. There's nothing wrong with americans complaining about a political cartoon they find offensive but it's entirely inappropriate when the federal government does it. Here is the cartoon:


Here is part of what they said in the letter to the Washington Post:

We were extremely disappointed to see the editorial cartoon by Tom Toles on page B6 in the January 29th edition. Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons are often designed to exaggerate issues--and your paper is obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of today's Armed Forces. However, we believe you and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to your readers and your paper's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defened this nation, and as a result, have suffered traumatic and life-altering wounds...

...While you or some of your readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.

As the Joint Chiefs, it is rare that we all put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered.

Here is the response from Bush admnistration appologist Michelle Malkin:

In civilized societies, if you are offended by a cartoon, you do not burn flags, take up guns and raid buildings, chant death to your opponents, or threaten suicide bombings.

You write a letter to the editor.

That's complete bullshit. If this had been the Clinton adminstration her response would be the complete opposite. This really shouldn't surprise me coming from someone who wrote a book defending the interment of Japanese americans during WWII. This fits right in with the MO of the Bush admnistration trying to control the press. From planting Jeff Gannon/James Guckert in the White House pressroom so he could ask softball questions to paying Armstrong Williams and others to promote the Bush administration programs, this is the same type of fascist behavior.