Bearman Cartoon: Freedom of Speech
This editorial cartoon was born of frustration. There are several sources that say the majority of American editorial cartoonists lean to the left while there are fewer that lean to the right. Then there are those like me who are moderate. I am conservative on some things and liberal on others, but I am willing to be convinced that my facts or data is wrong.
I am jealous of the liberal or conservative cartoonists because they can stay on one side of the fence and throw lobs across it. I on the other hand get to weave back and forth which is a blessing because it doesn’t limit me but it can also be tiring. I have been called too liberal and too conservative in the same week because of different cartoons.
I am tired of the generalized statements like Republicans are all this or Democrats are all that. It diminishes the argument or point you are trying to make and becomes a pissing match or just name calling versus open and honest debate. Whether it is Tea Party Members disrupting the speeches of Democratic Senators or College Professors organizing disruptions of Conservative Speakers, they both demand to be heard but won’t allow the speaker the same benefit .
There is a saying that is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Voltaire that says “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Too much it is more like “I defend Freedom of MY Speech, F— the rest of you”
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PERFECT! It IS a blessing that you get to look from both sides of the fence — it’s far better than refusing to hear anything that goes against The Party.
Thanks Myrna…welcome to the real party.
Ahh, a fellow fence sitter. Welcome to the small but cozy club. Hmm, there is nothing better than sitting on the fence and throwing bait in on both sides. Sometimes you get a guppy, sometimes a blowfish, sometimes a catfish, sometimes a holy mackerel, sometimes a whiting, sometimes a red Emperor (Kim Jong Il supporters), sometimes a goldfish (that would be you Bearman) and if you are really lucky sometimes you get a big friggin shark!
Psst I wish people would realize the fun is in the debate, not in who is right or who is wrong.
Nice post there Bearman and I have duly noted you refrained from using fuck. Whoops, My bad?
I don’t like to say “fence sitter” b/c then people think either you don’t have an opinion or can be easily swayed.
How am I a goldfish???
I didn’t use fuck b/c when I stumble it they force me to say whether there is adult content. Thanks for ruining my stumbleupon clout.
Sorry Bearman I shall say “friggin” from now on
. Ah Bearman goldfish is a compliment, pure, valuable, priceless. See sometimes I can be nice! You have a point about fence sitter, but I hate the word moderate, I feel like I am a weather forecast. Have you ever sat a Myers Briggs thingy. I am an INTP which probably explains a lot!
Sure that won’t slow you down.
Yeah I did Myers Briggs too…but I can’t remember what I was..haha
Like I said before (just not to your face) it’s not fair that you are both witty and talented.
And, the best part about this one is that it doesn’t have to be exclusive to Politics…in fact, I’m priting it off right now and I’m going to place it on my bosses desk (anonymously, of course).
Who are you talking to about me? Great..my name and email are all over that. He’ll think it is from me.
You hit the nail on the head!
Ty
I will be honest, I usually find myself disagreeing with a lot of your comics view point, but I always apriciate your opinion, and find myself excited to hear what you think of any event. that said, this is a comic that I agree with 100%. all these folks need to chill out and learn the second half of freedom of speech, and that is the responsibility to LISTEN!
by far the favorite of your work for me!
WHAT???? How dare you disagree with me. SHUT UP!
Actually I disagree with the viewpoints of my comics as well. What? Again you might say.
There are 3 reasons I get inspiration to do a comic:
1. I agree with it
2. I don’t agree with it but it makes for good humor or basis of good conversation
3. I don’t necessarily agree or disagree with it but I tend to notice odd things about a situation that again can be funny or the basis of conversation.
I’m glad that you’re not stuck in one mode, and that you can see either side of the story on occasion. We all have differing views, and I think what makes you so immensely popular is the fact that you tend to be on “our” side all of the time.
I think I need to work on that. Tell me what you are for and I’ll do the opposite. haha
You’re all wrong, shut up!
No YOU SHUT UP!
Express your freedom of speech these days & you risk charges of slander, crazy mixed up world
I wonder what the Amish have planned for you then..haha
bearman ya can’t win when posting about politics. people will always disagree…are you sure you are not a libertarian…? go here to take the world’s smallest quiz to see if you are a libertarian…
http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html
Centrist…every time.
oh and had to come back to comment on that cartoon…that is exactly my point .american’s have no idea who or what they stand for anymore. they say one thing yet do another to contradict themselves….perfect example, great cartoon!
Thanks…its one of the few that I didn’t have to be too wordy to get my point across.
My face isn’t quite that red, Bearman!
It is when you are yelling. At least that is what the wife says.
Excellent! I love the cartoon. And, bearing in mind that old adage about where the grass is greener, you’ve got admit it’s only those who cross fences that get the good grass.
That’s why I landscaped everything. No grass to cut.
Everyone has the right to say whatever they want as long as I have the right to tell them to shut up! I also have the right to walk away and not listen.
With your fingers in your ears yelling “i’m not listening…i’m not listening…na na na na”
How did you know? You’re incredi.. wait… you’ve been looking in my windows again haven’t you?
I love that guy’s face! Cardio infarction, here he comes!
According to Spilled ink it is him so you better get him some baby aspirin quick.
thank you for referencing Voltaire.
i do so lurrrve him. and doesn’t it just make you feel intelligent when you quote him?
But I didn’t quote him. I quoted a quote that was attributed to him..haha
Nice comic, but I especially appreciate the thoughtful commentary.
Thanks Tony…glad to see you here.
The hidden peril of free speech is that its never truly free. You can mouth off somewhere on a website, but if someone takes exception, they can flag it and have it removed.
Same goes for a blog. You can mouth off about something or someone, but the blog can always be flagged and thus headaches can ensue.
The only way it can be truly free (at least on the ‘net) is if its on your own website in which you’re judge, jury and executioner.
I look at blogs as a different thing. It’s like I am coming to your house so I have to play by your rules. I am ok with that.
Hee hee.
I think it is not one or the other, but the entire opposite.
I also hate the labellism that says that if I am a democrat I HAVE to believe this or that and if I am a republican that or the other.
That is the reason I refuse to register for either party.
Nef…good to see you. Totally agree with the labellism comment.