A political cartoon published by the left-leaning Politico mocks Texas hurricane victims and southern Christians as stupid racist hayseed hicks who yearn for secession, Breitbart.com reported.
According to Breitbart:
In the vignette, an overweight white Christian in a cowboy hat, sporting a shirt made of the Confederate flag, thanks God for sending “angels” to save his family from Hurricane Harvey. A member of the rescue team corrects the man, telling him, “Er, actually Coast Guard… sent by the government.”
Politico chose to run the cartoon by Matt Wuerker just as countless southerners, many of whom are devout Christians, are trying to salvage their homes and lives from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, which has caused unprecedented damage including more than two dozen deaths and 30,000 displaced persons.
The Washington Examiner explained:
Behold, the collection of lazy Texas stereotypes. Big cowboy hats and boots, a Gadsden flag and a secession banner? All that’s missing are comically oversized cigars and something labelled “oil.”
Secondly, the cartoon reveals an understanding of Christian theology that would make even a child laugh. Third, it suggests that Houston, which is still reeling from the catastrophic damage brought on by Hurricane Harvey, is a hotbed of weirdo, backwoods secessionists. This may come as news to the city that voted 54 percent in favor of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
Fourth, the cartoon would seem to suggest incorrectly that all rescue efforts are being carried out by the Coast Guard. This is wrong. Houstonians have done an amazing job so far of assisting and rescuing one another, as have outsiders coming from other states. This isn’t to detract from the Coast Guard’s efforts, but only to say that the people of Texas have also made major contributions.
Politico yanked a tweet highlighting the offensive cartoon after a number of people complained about Politico’s blatant anti-Christian bigotry, Breitbart said. But the cartoonist highlighted it on Twitter, saying, “Praise the Lord, and call the @uscoastguard.”
Praise the Lord, and call the @uscoastguard. New toon @politico https://t.co/D4LIhlfqo5 pic.twitter.com/xtLvnFRAjv
— Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 29, 2017
Wuerker got hammered for his cartoon:
Talk about poor taste and poor timing. People have died and you politicize it? Typical.
— ??The Right of The People??#2ndAmendment?? (@IAmTheMilitia) August 30, 2017
I'm sure that the coastguard would tell you that they were instruments in the hand of God. You are not the coastguard or the victims anyway.
— Lorenzo Atkins (@Zeus24th) August 30, 2017
One person said Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country and observed that many of the rescues were conducted by average Texans using their own trucks and boats:
Except Houston is the most diverse city in the US and the majority of rescues were Texans in their own boats & trucks helping out others.
— Ryan Evans (@ryane836) August 30, 2017
You think for Texans this is a hilarious time? Is the basket with the deplorable intentional? Jeez, with friends like you who needs enemies
— Christina B (@ChristinaBehme4) August 30, 2017
As you may recall, Democrat Hillary Clinton, the most evil person ever nominated to the White House by a major party, told America that half of Trump’s support base consisted of bigots who should be placed in a “basket of deplorables.”
https://twitter.com/fletcherninja/status/902942494937276417
One person gave Wuerker a short and succinct response:
FU!
— BlackSheepTx (@BLACKSHEEPTX) August 30, 2017
1.Its disgusting that you are mocking people who just lost everything
2.The area that got hit is mostly democrat. You didnt even research it— Robert Parsons (@Ilovemericaaaa) August 30, 2017
Wow. Goes to show what he thinks of most Americans. Make joke of others suffering. Shameful and unforgivable
— JoJo (@dakhak) August 31, 2017
And by publishing this horrific cartoon, Politico told the country what it really thinks of average Americans.
One person asked:
Really? Most of the help I see is from locals and Louisianans. With so many people coming together, why post this crap? #volunteer/secede
— David (@dsewanee) August 31, 2017
The “why” is fairly easy. Liberals like this hate average Americans and people with whom they disagree. As I first noted in February 2011, liberalism, at its core, is an ideology of rage and hate. That hatred has been on full display since the November election.
Despicable cartoon. This is why #FakeNews! No shame.
— Ms. Hollygolightly (@judithfuredi) August 31, 2017
It’s beyond despicable.
One person summed up the cartoonist by saying:
"People have died & others have lost everything they own but some of them were Trump voters. I think I'll draw a cartoon mocking them."
— LimaBean (@thesincerekbean) August 30, 2017
It sure seems that way.
One person told Wuerker that Harris County usually votes Democrat:
Harris county is consistently blue but facts aside, great opportunity to make fun of your neighbors losing everything
— Frank (@Frankyfigs315) August 30, 2017
In fact, Houston’s mayor is a Democrat…
I fail to see any humor in this.
— Lake Guy (@NorthAzCamper) August 30, 2017
That’s because there is no humor — it’s nothing but hatred.
Sadly, that’s what we’ve come to expect from the left.
Newsbusters’ Kyle Drennen noted:
…For his part, Wuerker has taken to Twitter in a desperate attempt to excuse his insensitive depiction of the deadly natural disaster. “Just trying to point out times like this we’re lucky to have rescue services. Don’t see how this takes away from private individuals heroism,” he feebly explained. Moments later, he claimed: “Respectfully — it’s making fun of the Secessionist movement. Not at all aimed at all Texans.”
“As a political cartoonist, I try to get people to think – to consider the ironies and subtleties of the world we live in. This cartoon went with an extreme example of anti-government types – Texas Secessionists – benefitting from the heroism of federal government rescuers,” Wuerker told the Washington Examiner.
“It of course was not aimed at Texans in general, any more than a cartoon about extremists marching in Charlottesville could be construed as a poke at all Virginians,” he added. “My heart is with all the victims of Hurricane Harvey’s destruction and those risking their lives to save others.”
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
Related:
- Linda Sarsour blames ‘alt-right’ for backlash over political fundraiser disguised as Hurricane Harvey relief
- Univ. of Tampa prof fired after suggesting Texans deserve hurricane destruction for supporting Trump
- Houston: Looters reportedly busy amid tragedy, destruction
- Video: WaPo cartoonist depicts Netanyahu punching baby in the face
- Rosie O’Donnell sides with Kim Jong Un over Trump in silly online video
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