Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for February 03, 2015
February 02, 2015
February 04, 2015
Transcript:
Woman in pink: You know, I shouldn't have to ask, but...do you feel lucky?
Road sign reads: CAUTION UNRESTRICTED CARTOONING ZONE AHEAD
Artist's sign reads: JE SUIS CHARLIE
Would that mean they were lucky if the cartoonists didn’t notice them, or lucky if the cartoonists DID notice them? Or (third choice) if this wasn’t the day that a terrorist group picked to punish this group of cartoonists?
I get that the whole “I am Charlie” thing is to show support for “freedom of the press”. That’s fine, and noble. I support freedom of the press. But, on the other hand, I cannot say it. I will support them but I will not identify myself with anyone who insults others for fun and profit. Call me a snob, but I do not want to be associated with that class of people.
What you call mockery is merely shining a light on the rigid absurdity of believes that are so all-consuming that people who do not meet your measure for purity must DIE. Any group of people who kills any who would oppose them, who displease them, who offend their sense of devotion—those people deserve worse than to be mocked in illustration. Humor is a means of exposing truth in a fashion that isn’t overbearing or insistent- that allows the viewer to come to the truth on their own terms after being disarmed by a laugh or an unexpected twist in representation. Other religions used to kill to make their point, but they don’t anymore- and haven’t for thousands of years. It’s time for the last murderous group of devotees to evolve or be steamrolled by evolution.
And, let’s not forget that so-called “Christian” religions still support war, regardless of the country they are in. All the proof one needs is to examine the efforts of the churches during WWI and WWII. Do they really live by what they preach?
Free press is one thing. Cheap shots are another. If they were taking issues with radical groups murdering innocent people, then that’s free press. If they are going out of their way to piss people off by posting a picture of the prophet for no other reason than pissing people off, then that’s a cheap shot. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
One thing I don’t get is Mohammed died centuries ago. In accordance with the Quran, no image was ever made of him. So how does anyone know what he looked like? How can anyone make a true image of him today? He could have looked like Alfred E. Newman. So why didn’t the terrorists attack Mad Magazine?
This is one of the stories explaining how Mohammed received the laws that he taught, that later became the Quaran. But this isn’t about the end of his life…
As for the paradox of me insulting “that class”, I neither have fun nor make a profit doing it. Comprehend an entire statement before trying to pick it apart.
‘@richardelguru—“Untrue” and “unproven” are two different things.’===@ Guilty That doesn't really make sense: I didn't say anything about proof. ==== goweeder said, about 3 hours ago (responding to another part) ‘@GuiltyBystander" ……Funny how you use the religious title of guru in your nom de post."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ever heard of satire?’====@ goweeder Good answer, however I wasn’t being at all satirical or even klever: back in the ancient days of Vax Mail our sysadmin thought is was a funny name to give me and it just sort of stuck. But it is definitely satirical NOW!
The total number of people in the history of the world who have had the right to commit murder because they don’t like a cartoon, a play, an opera, a movie, a TV show, or a dirty limerick? ZERO. Check back in 50,000 years and it will be the same zero.
The “line” I referred to as being crossed has nothing to do with what happened to them. It is a line between them and me, not between them and terrorists. I refuse to equate myself with idiots. They crossed into idiocy, and I refuse to go there.
@thebird55Defend your own right to be an idiot, PLEASE, we implore you! I get that you don’t want to be “Charlie”, any more than you want to be “Mad Magazine” or “The New York TImes.” I get that you want to defend freedom of speech without identifying yourself with those who cross an imaginary line. BUT: people have committed murder and will continue to commit murder because they think people have crossed that line. The people who do so want their religion to be the Prince (which, as I hope we all know is wrong? Or maybe we don’t know all that?) Any road, I personally agreed with your original post (and then things went south all over the place with comments and insults and so forth……….)
neeeurothrush almost 10 years ago
so that’s where Wiley lives
Argythree almost 10 years ago
Would that mean they were lucky if the cartoonists didn’t notice them, or lucky if the cartoonists DID notice them? Or (third choice) if this wasn’t the day that a terrorist group picked to punish this group of cartoonists?
Superfrog almost 10 years ago
If you’re feeling lucky, you can draw first.
alviebird almost 10 years ago
I get that the whole “I am Charlie” thing is to show support for “freedom of the press”. That’s fine, and noble. I support freedom of the press. But, on the other hand, I cannot say it. I will support them but I will not identify myself with anyone who insults others for fun and profit. Call me a snob, but I do not want to be associated with that class of people.
Say What? Premium Member almost 10 years ago
The whole situation seems sketchy.
Reppr Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I feel I am drawn to this.
tripwire45 almost 10 years ago
“Do you feel lucky? Well, do you, punk?” Name that movie.
loveabulldesign almost 10 years ago
What you call mockery is merely shining a light on the rigid absurdity of believes that are so all-consuming that people who do not meet your measure for purity must DIE. Any group of people who kills any who would oppose them, who displease them, who offend their sense of devotion—those people deserve worse than to be mocked in illustration. Humor is a means of exposing truth in a fashion that isn’t overbearing or insistent- that allows the viewer to come to the truth on their own terms after being disarmed by a laugh or an unexpected twist in representation. Other religions used to kill to make their point, but they don’t anymore- and haven’t for thousands of years. It’s time for the last murderous group of devotees to evolve or be steamrolled by evolution.
Michael Jones almost 10 years ago
And, let’s not forget that so-called “Christian” religions still support war, regardless of the country they are in. All the proof one needs is to examine the efforts of the churches during WWI and WWII. Do they really live by what they preach?
Lawrence Stetz Premium Member almost 10 years ago
God forbid you ask people to be polite and not intentionally insult each other. You’d think thebird55 had asked you all to give up a kidney.
dabugger almost 10 years ago
Oh oh, gotta think that over…..
Fido (aka Felix Rex) almost 10 years ago
The “right” answer has been posted, but I like this one even more. plastics
Foghorn almost 10 years ago
@James: Mrs. Robinson talking to Ben in The Graduate?
Laugh out loud Funny! Good one.
Ogmeister almost 10 years ago
Suggestion from Nehemiah 4:18: “Every one of the artists had his sword girded at his side as he drew.”
Guilty Bystander almost 10 years ago
“Untrue” and “unproven” are two different things. Funny how you use the religious title of guru in your nom de post.
jahoody almost 10 years ago
Has no one noticed the Wiley Bear sitting around the corner??
Godfreydaniel almost 10 years ago
Most of the people killed by Muslim extremists are Muslims themselves. Wouldn’t you love to see what kind of cartoons THEY drew?
damifid0 almost 10 years ago
Re:> the toon- They may make fun of you.Those d4m cartoonists and their sharp pencils.Jokes. Peace. :)
Lawrence Stetz Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I couldn’t agree more.
dflak almost 10 years ago
Free press is one thing. Cheap shots are another. If they were taking issues with radical groups murdering innocent people, then that’s free press. If they are going out of their way to piss people off by posting a picture of the prophet for no other reason than pissing people off, then that’s a cheap shot. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
One thing I don’t get is Mohammed died centuries ago. In accordance with the Quran, no image was ever made of him. So how does anyone know what he looked like? How can anyone make a true image of him today? He could have looked like Alfred E. Newman. So why didn’t the terrorists attack Mad Magazine?
goweeder almost 10 years ago
|Je suis so over this."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~How about the folks they murdered? Do you think they are ‘so over it?’
wes tnt almost 10 years ago
Dirty Frickin Harry……the world needs more like him
Argy.Bargy2 almost 10 years ago
This is one of the stories explaining how Mohammed received the laws that he taught, that later became the Quaran. But this isn’t about the end of his life…
alviebird almost 10 years ago
As for the paradox of me insulting “that class”, I neither have fun nor make a profit doing it. Comprehend an entire statement before trying to pick it apart.
Lomax9er7 almost 10 years ago
This might explain the commonality of jokes on the same days…
Richard Howland-Bolton Premium Member almost 10 years ago
‘@richardelguru—“Untrue” and “unproven” are two different things.’===@ Guilty That doesn't really make sense: I didn't say anything about proof. ==== goweeder said, about 3 hours ago (responding to another part) ‘@GuiltyBystander" ……Funny how you use the religious title of guru in your nom de post."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ever heard of satire?’====@ goweeder Good answer, however I wasn’t being at all satirical or even klever: back in the ancient days of Vax Mail our sysadmin thought is was a funny name to give me and it just sort of stuck. But it is definitely satirical NOW!
alviebird almost 10 years ago
I guess that should have been “whom”…
I can’t tell you exactly where the line is, but Charlie crossed it.
Godfreydaniel almost 10 years ago
The total number of people in the history of the world who have had the right to commit murder because they don’t like a cartoon, a play, an opera, a movie, a TV show, or a dirty limerick? ZERO. Check back in 50,000 years and it will be the same zero.
alviebird almost 10 years ago
The “line” I referred to as being crossed has nothing to do with what happened to them. It is a line between them and me, not between them and terrorists. I refuse to equate myself with idiots. They crossed into idiocy, and I refuse to go there.
Now, do you get it?
alviebird almost 10 years ago
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I will defend their right to be idiots.
alviebird almost 10 years ago
I use too many commas…
Godfreydaniel almost 10 years ago
@thebird55Defend your own right to be an idiot, PLEASE, we implore you! I get that you don’t want to be “Charlie”, any more than you want to be “Mad Magazine” or “The New York TImes.” I get that you want to defend freedom of speech without identifying yourself with those who cross an imaginary line. BUT: people have committed murder and will continue to commit murder because they think people have crossed that line. The people who do so want their religion to be the Prince (which, as I hope we all know is wrong? Or maybe we don’t know all that?) Any road, I personally agreed with your original post (and then things went south all over the place with comments and insults and so forth……….)
HowieL almost 10 years ago
One person’s sacred cow is another’s cheeseburger. I said that.
alviebird almost 10 years ago
mmm…. more like a bull pie…