Murder and gun policy in editorial cartoon

Millions of Americans are still mourning the loss of decorated U.S. Navy SEAL sniper and author Chris Kyle, who was laid to rest this past Tuesday next to fellow SEALs at the Texas State Cemetery. Mr. Kyle and friend Chad Littlefield were killed Feb. 2 by a former Marine they were helping deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

This man served four tours in Iraq and was known as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. His efforts saved countless American lives and earned him two Silver Stars. He was a true American hero.

And yet, your cartoonist, Lee Judge, couldn't wait to jump on the opportunity to sarcastically imply that if only a "good guy with a gun" had been around, this may not have happened. The "cartoon" pictured only a grave with the inscription, "American Sniper." Obviously, the caption was a snide reference to the recent quote by Wayne Lapierre, President of the NRA.

I have no idea what Mr. Judge's political leanings are, nor do I know whether or not the Kansas City Star falls in line with many of the very liberal mainstream media instruments in promoting gun control, although this "cartoon" gives me a better than average clue to both questions. When it comes to honoring an American hero - someone who put his life on the line countless times to protect our freedoms, including the freedom of speech which Mr. Judge and your newspaper have stretched to its ethical limit - it would seem that even someone with an ax to grind with the Constitution of the United States would have more class and better judgment than to print such a disgusting insult to both Mr. Kyle's memory and to one of the strongest building blocks in the foundation of our country. Apparently, neither Mr. Judge nor the newspaper possess either the class nor the judgment. My guess is that more than one of you at the Star got quite a chuckle out of Mr. Judge's misguided humor.

If this is the kind of snarky propaganda that is typical in your newspaper, and if this classless humor and disregard for our founding principles is shared by your population, I am forever grateful that I do not live in the Kansas City area. For something that exists in the heart of our nation, it is really a shame that it doesn't reflect our nation's heart.

Shame on you!

Just to be clear, I do understand the "attempt at irony"...doesn't make it humorous, and your paper is no longer welcome in my house. (Topeka, KS)

What's funny is the fact you had to educate us ignoramuses on the humor of a Navy Seal dying. You are right in your update -- it's not a backhanded "you're stupid". Oh no, it's right in your face. See a few of us neanderthals can read and comprehend.

We know what Lee meant and exactly what LaPierre said about good and bad guys. We've seen other tasteless Lee cartoons you choose to publish regarding guns, deaths, and children. So we know what side of the fence you stand.

You and da Judge should be thankful you live in the same country (I almost made a mistake and said -- "held the same beliefs") as Kyle.

I'm thankful for folks like you and Lee that continually step across the line and accidentally educate amerika as to the cancer you progressive-libs are helping spreading across this country.

Lee you're a total opposite of a trained sniper. You have no honor, no courage, no training, and the only backbone you have is made of yellow Jell-O. You hide behind your keyboard taking pot shots, often, at the innocent. Well it takes a true lib to sneak up behind a dead man and pull the trigger.

Do your mother a favor and show her your courage by visiting any US military base, plop your butt down in their local beer hall with a color 20" - 24" copy of that cartoon, then strike up a friendly conversation! She would be proud!

Semper Fi,

Cliff Leonard

What's funny is the fact you had to educate us ignoramuses on the humor of a Navy Seal dying. You are right in your update -- it's not a backhanded "you're stupid". Oh no, it's right in your face. See a few of us neanderthals can read and comprehend.

We know what Lee meant and exactly what LaPierre said about good and bad guys. We've seen other tasteless Lee cartoons you choose to publish regarding guns, deaths, and children. So we know what side of the fence you stand.

You and da Judge should be thankful you live in the same country (I almost made a mistake and said -- "held the same beliefs") as Kyle.

I'm thankful for folks like you and Lee that continually step across the line and accidentally educate amerika as to the cancer you progressive-libs are helping spreading across this country.

Lee you're a total opposite of a trained sniper. You have no honor, no courage, no training, and the only backbone you have is made of yellow Jell-O. You hide behind your keyboard taking pot shots, often, at the innocent. Well it takes a true lib to sneak up behind a dead man and pull the trigger.

Do your mother a favor and show her your courage by visiting any US military base, plop your butt down in their local beer hall with a color 20" - 24" copy of that cartoon, then strike up a friendly conversation! She would be proud!

Semper Fi,

Cliff Leonard

Whether or not it was meant as "sarcasm" on some level is immaterial, they (editors) are in the business of selling newspapers. Obama has done more to promote gun ownership in the last two months than the NRA has in 50 years. The "cartoon" can simply be taken too many different ways. It does not how ever tell a complete story and serves only to inflame people of one persuasion or another. There were several good guys with guns there that day and they were trying to help another vet through the darkness that is the return to civilian life after what they have seen. For news papers, congress, the President ANYONE to suggest any interpretation for their gain is shameful. The paper is disingenious in their "sarcasm and their interpretation of events. There was a person not long ago fired from a position because of the pictures and photos that went viral of her at Arlington National, for me there is little difference between that and this and the editor should be gone, maybe he is a member of Westboro Baptist? Hmm if he or she is offended by the insinuation then think about what you approved for your paper and THEN come talk to me.

I want to thank you for posting this cartoon mocking the death of Chris Kyle. Seriously. Because it has always been my argument that the liberal movement espouses the most déclassé, intolerant, under educated, uncouth group of people on the planet. Every piece evidence I can collect to support this theory is greatly appreciated.

Last night and this morning I read and replied to some of the Facebook comments left for this cartoon. I just plain couldn't believe the willful ignorance of the masses. It's almost as though everyone had been linked from a blog or Facebook post that explicitly told them to rant like a loon. I wonder if anyone stopped to consider the meaning.

The cartoon is in no way mocking. The point, given Wayne LaPierre's recent assertions like good guys with guns are the only way to stay alive in situations like this, is really clear. But understanding requires literacy and knowledge of current events and critical thinking skills. These things are not always present when people just click a link with instructions to be outraged attached.

I can't wait until we live in a country where thoughtfulness is as sexy and masculine as gun ownership. I wish people had shown this level of outrage after any of the mass shootings that have taken place over the last few years. That in mind, I found the cartoon thought provoking and very well done. It is, ultimately, a tribute to anyone who died as the result of being shot with a gun. Not just a war hero. I beg the public to stop and make sure they fully understand before threatening people who only seek to make them aware.

The editor makes the statement "It's obviously perfectly reasonable to argue with that point of view." Just because something could be argued doesn't mean it should. It could be argued that the Holocaust never happened. It could be argued that homosexuality is a disease. Making a political point with a fallen hero who dedicated his life to healing wounded vets is absolutely disgusting. You want to make a political point, argue Gifford's shooting. Argue the police response to a school shooting. Argue the laws in place or historical laws.

To politicize this demeans the life of this individual. A person who, post-war, focused his life on assisting individuals with PTSD in recouping their life. Assisting individuals who had no control over the wars fought, but fought anyway. People who sacrificed a part of their sanity and their spirit for the betterment of those communities. Whether or not you agree with what this person did for his country, for the record I believe he is a hero, leave him to rest in peace.

In my mind, this is worse than the cartoon depictions of Mohammed by the US and Sweden. At least religion could be a point of discussion, though they were done in absolute disgust. This simply demeans a hero.

Sadly, this man gave his life for several tours for you to have the right to make this cartoon. You Disgust Me.

We knew exactly what the cartoon was referencing we just couldn't believe how low it stooped.

First off, you should hold yourself to the same standard you hold your readers. If I were a subscriber, I'd be extremely disappointed in your paper and would be canceling my subscription because of this cartoon.

The reason why many people don't understand the point of the cartoon, is that it is presented very poorly. Add to the fact that he uses a highly decorated SEAL who has just very recently been murdered as his main prop, and it comes across as being disrespectful and mocking.

It doesn't matter if that's not what was intended. That's how it is being perceived.

What if the artist had done this same cartoon a week after the Tucson shooting, and instead of Chris' name, he used Gabby Gifford's name on the headstone, and the same quote below the cartoon. How do you think that would be perceived? Not very well I bet.

Or, how about we put "1st Amendment" on the headstone? Let's start talking about revoking Free Speech and Free Press. I bet your attitude would change drastically then.

The mainstream media wonders why a majority of Americans don't trust them? This is just another example.

RIP Chris Kyle. Semper Fi.

As a veteran myself this hurts deeply this man put himself in harms way to protect and honor this country and to see someone use the loss of this outstanding American for a political "slam" is distasteful and a slap in the face of his amazing career and life.

Cheap shot. Clearly mental health, PTSD and the lifetime damage of war were a major factor in this incident, unlike the selfish, spoiled lunatic who shot up Newtown. I guess I should expect this sort of juvenility from someone who draws cartoons for a living. Spend a year in Afghanistan, then come home and draw your cartoons. Coward.

So, did Judge do a cartoon for Appalachian State University and their shooter? You know, one with very few tombstones (maybe with another pic beside it of other tombstones from schools were mass shootings occurred that were gun-free zones, unlike ASU)? The ASU shooting that stopped early in a planned rampage because of the quick thinking of two students. Students with a gun, who responded to the start of a potential school massacre (that was the plan by the shooter), caused him to end his attacks long before the shooter planned.

Judge's cartoon is foolish at best, borish and arrogant at worse. His cartoon is of an incident where two "good guys" were caught unaware and by surprise - there was no option to react. That is what LaPierre's comments are about and Judge and the Star know it.

Of course, honest reporting, balanced editorial policy, or well thought out positions are not a strong suit for the Star or McClatchy as a whole. Just remember, that degree in journalism doesn't make you more aware or more intelligent - even if you want to believe it is so.