Michael Ramirez: Foundation of Our Liberty 11-18-23

From America's Premier Editorial Cartoonist

Our liberty is built upon the foundation of veterans and the sacrifices they make defending freedom. —Michael

Thank you so much for your support during the recent brouhaha involving Michael’s Human Shields cartoon. It’s been a somewhat difficult week; Michael doesn’t crave or seek publicity or fame, so all the interviews, the increased demands of his job, no sleep, and the general stress of being forced to defend the concept of Truth took a toll. It didn’t help that four days ago, I finally came down with COVID-19 and have been doing a sub-par job as an assistant.

I Was Canceled for a Cartoon About Hamas' Human Shields. I Stand by My Cartoon—and Its Critics —by Michael P. Ramirez, Newsweek

Ramirez on the Radio —Michael talks to “Whiskey Dave” on the Joe Messina Show

We received so many beautiful letters expressing support for free speech and artistic integrity, and Michael read every single one, commenting to me that such an outpouring of love and support was gratifying and humbling at the same time, and he really needed to hear the kind words. Here is one letter, used with permission:

Melissa/Michael:  

Just wanted to let you know I sent this letter to the Washington Post on behalf of supporting Michael’s cartoon. 

I read an article you/Michael wrote in defending your cartoon and free speech and the need for free thought. It inspired me.

Good luck. I hope your cartoon gets more publicity. It was needed to call out evil. 

-George C.

Sally, I've never reached out to any group about anything. I believe in democracy, voting regularly, free speech, and in this wonderful thing called the United States of America which I still think is pretty wonderful regardless of others trying to tell us otherwise. I'm probably what you would call the silent majority. But the Washington Post's decision to cancel Michael Ramirez' accurate and truthful cartoon about Hamas using innocents to justify their evil attack made me feel like I needed to speak out. 

If you are the Executive Editor, I would think you had something to do with the decision to cancel that cartoon. Is that true?  If so, I think you need to rethink your position on this and not cave to the loud minority that seems to lead the proverbial donkey by the tail and in the process is making Asses out of all of us. You need to take your newspaper's mission statement or slogan of 'Democracy dies in the darkness' to heart. You have lost your way. I have always thought the Washington Post was one of the last hold outs of Freedom of Speech and protecting a free press, but your decision (and I mean you as the Executive Editor because where else does the responsibility for this lay?)  of canceling an accurate and important cartoon like Michael Ramirez is appalling. You should be ashamed. There is no defending your action other than owning and admitting it was just wrong. If not, you are spitting in the face of free speech and a free press and this makes me sad and fearful. If the Washington Post caves, who do we have left to defend a free press?  Think about these things as you look in the mirror putting your make up on. Is there a conscience still inside there? I truly hope so.

Please reconsider reposting Michael's cartoon for the sake of your newspaper, your country, your readers, and your own self-respect as the Executive Editor of the Washington Post. 

Signed respectfully, 

George C, the silent but frustrated majority!

The infamous Human Shields signed print is now available at the Michael P. Ramirez Store. Digitally signed prints are shipping now. Due to Michael's hectic schedule, hand-signed limited prints might take a little longer.

We’ve had many requests for the Rashida Talaib “Blinders” t-shirt, which is available now at Goose Creek Boutique, along with many other designs with Michael’s cartoons. Click HERE to order.

Recent essays

• In Defense of Editorial Cartooning (limited to paid subscribers)

• Fall of Rome

• Amidst the Rubble

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In an extraordinary collaboration with Michael’s home newspaper, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, cartoons appear twice a week in both the LVRJ and the Washington Post (when the Post doesn’t cancel them), and those cartoons will be published here after a week due to contractual terms of the agreement. Michael draws seven cartoons each week, and writes a weekly essay for paid subscribers.