General Discussion

Demit

(11,238 posts)

78. I'd say the artist is hoping to communicate an idea to you.

Thu Oct 2, 2014, 04:28 PM

Oct 2014

Last edited Thu Oct 2, 2014, 05:31 PM - Edit history (1)

That is an iconic image burned into the minds of anyone who was alive when it happened. It retains its power 50 years on because we know what happened in the next few moments.

The artist isn't making a cheap point. He knows he's using what's called "borrowed interest"—meaning our familiarity with an image—to make a powerful point. That, just like JFK, Obama is a vulnerable president; beloved by many but hated by many; and the professionals whose job it is to keep him from harm have to be ever-vigilant, or the worst can happen.

The urgency has to be driven home, because the worst could happen at any time—it could even be moments away, as it was in that image that we'll never forget.

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Now This is a frightening Toon [View all] n2doc Oct 2014 OP

And then some malaise Oct 2014 #1

I find it incredibly offensive and distasteful. morningfog Oct 2014 #2

Me too. Evergreen Emerald Oct 2014 #3

Agree that it's offensive, disagree on the published part. Scuba Oct 2014 #8

+1 daleanime Oct 2014 #23

Yes, it should have been published. Shocking is the word I would use not offensive. This is what jwirr Oct 2014 #47

I disagree - we all need to be scared malaise Oct 2014 #13

Much less offensive than a lot of Ted Ralls' work, IMO. hedgehog Oct 2014 #15

Same here Doctor_J Oct 2014 #20

I agree, I don't have a problem with n2doc bringing to our attention. morningfog Oct 2014 #29

You want all of us to be protected from harsh realities. You don't have to look at it but don't rhett o rick Oct 2014 #60

I said it shouldn't have been published. morningfog Oct 2014 #61

So you are just reproaching the artist for publishing it? How does that differ from censoring? rhett o rick Oct 2014 #64

How is it anything like censorship? morningfog Oct 2014 #69

I think in light of recent events concerning our POTUS, it makes a very clear point. Inkfreak Oct 2014 #66

I'm sorry you missed the point. GeorgeGist Oct 2014 #85

OMG This toon was actually published! Rockyj Oct 2014 #94

n2doc IDemo Oct 2014 #4

This one deserves discussion. IdaBriggs Oct 2014 #16

I'm a cartoonist, though not published IDemo Oct 2014 #30

I disagree (which is why it DOES belong here). IdaBriggs Oct 2014 #44

Unrec FSogol Oct 2014 #5

That just took my breath away. Arkansas Granny Oct 2014 #6

That's fucked up......n/t Hotler Oct 2014 #7

Could you explain the metaphor? Brickbat Oct 2014 #9

That's just it. It doesn't say anything, it just shocks. morningfog Oct 2014 #17

My point exactly. Brickbat Oct 2014 #18

It took me a moment, but it seems the car is labeled "Secret Service" and the idea is that the stevenleser Oct 2014 #21

That's what I got out of it too. proReality Oct 2014 #48

See my post #44 for what I got out of it. nt IdaBriggs Oct 2014 #45

Good one. Paladin Oct 2014 #10

Sometimes... CanSocDem Oct 2014 #11

Yes. It makes sense. GoCubsGo Oct 2014 #27

LIHOP - yep. BlueCaliDem Oct 2014 #31

yep. and it's seriously upsetting. BlancheSplanchnik Oct 2014 #75

Well, that's what good art does. CanSocDem Oct 2014 #76

yep. BlancheSplanchnik Oct 2014 #80

Jury Results: Jokerman Oct 2014 #12

Jurist #6 has it right. Scuba Oct 2014 #19

I could not agree more. Yes, the imagery is distasteful and shocking. Raster Oct 2014 #26

Jurist #6 wins Democratic Underground. n/t Efilroft Sul Oct 2014 #83

I find the divergent reactions to this toon fascinating. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2014 #24

You're way ahead of a number of people on this thread. Paladin Oct 2014 #28

Thank you, Paladin. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2014 #41

Good point. Paladin Oct 2014 #56

secret service and potus winetourdriver Oct 2014 #81

Scary times, indeed. (nt) Paladin Oct 2014 #84

And, it worries ME that a stranger made it all the way inside the White House! chervilant Oct 2014 #86

That was my reaction. geardaddy Oct 2014 #32

Yep. ^^ Eleanors38 Oct 2014 #36

I find it interesting that those who Bohunk68 Oct 2014 #68

Damn it, people have to quit being "offended" by statements pointing out the real problem or risk. Efilroft Sul Oct 2014 #82

Bad taste, not funny rock Oct 2014 #14

Yeah, it's shocking and emotionally upsetting, but I think it reflects the concern well. Zynx Oct 2014 #22

What happened in Dallas was a massive fail- and LeftinOH Oct 2014 #25

Fail? Depends on your viewpoint probably Doctor_J Oct 2014 #34

Right, some (not me!) might see it as a successul assasination. Elmer S. E. Dump Oct 2014 #37

You are making the assumption that they again don't have their "shit together". rhett o rick Oct 2014 #58

It's supposed to make your gut churn. Jerry442 Oct 2014 #33

Exactly. I have often worried about him when he walks in crowds. How safe is he there? Keep them jwirr Oct 2014 #49

Rick Perry needs to be sitting where Biden is. Otherwise pretty freaky! Elmer S. E. Dump Oct 2014 #35

Notice how the First Couple is out in the open and totally vulnerable. lpbk2713 Oct 2014 #38

It's offensive OK. It's also unnerving. It carries a message............ wandy Oct 2014 #39

Horrible. This is more than disturbing. n/t Paper Roses Oct 2014 #40

Great point being made heaven05 Oct 2014 #42

I reached out to the cartoonist and asked if he would be willing to write a short blurb about it. stevenleser Oct 2014 #43

Well done! IdaBriggs Oct 2014 #46

Actually, I saw the meaning in a second. Savannahmann Oct 2014 #50

Imagine our reaction if Ineeda Oct 2014 #51

Yes it is a scary cartoon Gothmog Oct 2014 #52

Agree about the interesting reactions in this thread BumRushDaShow Oct 2014 #53

This is exactly what I have been thinking about since the current secret service scandel me b zola Oct 2014 #54

Response from Cartoonist: stevenleser Oct 2014 #55

+1000. Thanks for obtaining this response, stevenleser. (nt) Paladin Oct 2014 #57

You're welcome. I pointed him to this thread here too. nt stevenleser Oct 2014 #59

Well done. (nt) Paladin Oct 2014 #63

I read it to say, "This can happen again." Those that want to censor it rhett o rick Oct 2014 #62

... progressoid Oct 2014 #65

Strong commentary. (nt) Inkfreak Oct 2014 #67

This toon is not only just frightening but absolutely sickening. n/t RebelOne Oct 2014 #70

More from the cartoonist: stevenleser Oct 2014 #71

I get the impression that some here don't want to be reminded of the reality of rhett o rick Oct 2014 #72

I disagree with the sec state part but the rest I agree with 100%. I also have to say... stevenleser Oct 2014 #88

If you think the president has more power than the NSA/CIA why would you think that? nm rhett o rick Oct 2014 #90

You mean besides the Constitutional part? Besides that he is their bosses and can fire them at will? stevenleser Oct 2014 #91

I wish I was a sure as you. When he became President the CIA and NSA already had their programs in rhett o rick Oct 2014 #93

I think that was the point of the security breaches yurbud Oct 2014 #73

That Would Not Happen Today erpowers Oct 2014 #74

uninvited guests make it into a White House party, a guy jumps the fence, runs into and through the yurbud Oct 2014 #79

Why in the hell would anyone onecaliberal Oct 2014 #77

I'd say the artist is hoping to communicate an idea to you. Demit Oct 2014 #78

And if the President had been home on the day of the fence jumper, the worst could have easily stevenleser Oct 2014 #87

Why would anyone draw that? proReality Oct 2014 #89

Somewhat off-topic, but... Duer 157099 Oct 2014 #92

That cartoon sent a chill down my spine. Rex Oct 2014 #95