Dr Laura and Free Speech Cartoon

Today’s editorial cartoon was inspired by national radio host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who announced on Larry King last week that she was going to quit her show at the end of her contract (in four months) because she felt her free speech was being limited.  Seems few would accept her apology on the air for not only dropping the n-bomb multiple times during a call but actually told a black female caller that maybe she shouldn’t have married outside her race if she was “hypersensitive about color and don’t have a sense of humor.”

Now one thing I agree with Dr. Laura in her announcement to Larry King was when she used the phrase, “Debate don’t Eradicate” when it comes to speech you don’t believe in.  I think people tend to focus too much on what everyone else is doing and not enough on dealing with their own racist beliefs.  So if I can call you out as a racist before you can do it to me, I win because no one wants to defend themselves after being called a racist.

HOWEVER,

A.  Read the transcript of the call.  Not once did the caller ever get to finish any point because Dr. L constantly cut her off and didn’t listen to her entire example or point.  I get that radio hosts have to move things quickly but don’t complain about having your speech limited when you are in the power position.

B.  READ the TRANSCRIPT.  The arrogance that some people have that they assume with the power the hold.  Oh my.

C.  She was planning on not extending her contract prior to this incident.  So this just looks like grandstanding to me.

D.  She mentioned to Larry that even without radio she still has her website, podcasts, YouTube, books (and not mentioned were her speaking engagements) so is her speech really being limited?

E. Just because you have a 1st Amendment right to Free Speech in the United States, do NOT mean I can’t have an opposing opinion.  Yet people only think Free Speech applies to themselves and not the other guy.

Defining Bearman

It has come to my attention that a definition of “Bearman” is in order

1. Bearman – The name acquired by the owner of this website as a young man among his friends.  It could be his propensity to hibernate like a bear or grow a full beard mere minutes after shaving (see Fred Flinstone or Homer Simpson).

2. Bearman – A term used to describe a walking, talking animal (See Yogi Bear, Smokey the Bear or Bear Bryant)

3. Bearman – (or Bear) A term used to describe a member of a subgroup of gay culture.  Bears (according to wikipedia) “tend to have hairy bodies and facial hair; some are heavy-set; some project an image of working-class masculinity in their grooming and appearance, though none of these are requirements or unique indicators.

Now of course I was always familiar with the first two definitions.  And of course, thanks to my crash course in everything gay culture provided by one Kathy Griffin (don’t call her Griffith or she will beat you down), I was also aware of the third. (Yes Kathy I was the one hetero male at your Cincinnati appearance.)

Anyway, I knew that there would be some confusion with folks looking for cartoons of either definition 2 or 3.  I was just waiting for the day.  Well it finally came in a nice email from a guy named Bob.  Bob said “just a quick question – do you in any way relate with Bear culture, as in the gay sub-culture? I didn’t find any cartoons relating to it, so I’m guessing no, but I thought I would ask.”

In assuring Bob that while supportive of gay rights, I did indeed play for the other team.  (wait…unless you think the other team is his team.  I mean the other team from his perspective).  Bob runs a site called PlanetBears and wondered if I would be offended if he posted about our email interaction.  That post is here (WARNING:  If you are offended by half naked big hairy men or are at work, DO NOT click the link).  Thanks to the tens of people who came here from there.

 I jokingly said I would do this cartoon and Bob was all for it.  So there you have it.

Oh and to the hotel where I am posting this thing.  Please know that all the sites that I am looking at were merely for research.

I am still waiting for the email from the Furries .

Bearman Cartoon: Terrell Owens and Chad Ocho Cinco

Outside of the United States you may not have heard about two of the most colorful players in American Football – Terrell Owens and Chad (Johnson) Ocho Cinco.  But since they both have reality series on VH1, they are more popular than just their speed on the gridiron.

The Cincinnati Bengals have just signed Terrell to a contract bringing him on the same team as his longtime friend Chad.  Terrell is also known by his initials – “T.O”.  Let the Bengals Bromance begin!!

BTW, anyone actually own one of those two piece friend/love necklaces?

Frog Legs

I alluded to the Twitter #tuesdaysketch in my last post.  This was one I did a few months ago.  The subject was simply “frogs”

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