Michael Ramirez: Free Speech Dies in Darkness; An Update 11-11-23
From America's Premier Editorial Cartoonist
Hello friends,
Michael will have more to say about this shortly, but I want to update you on the controversy revolving around his recent cartoon, Human Shields, which was spiked by The Washington Post after the newsroom staff and some readers complained about it. Human Shields was published under contract on Nov. 6 in a unique collaboration where Michael’s home newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and the Washington Post share publishing rights to two cartoons for one week. These paywalled cartoons will also be available here under a special agreement with the Washington Post, but only for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will receive the two Washington Post/Las Vegas Review-Journal cartoons one week later.
We’ve released art prints of Human Shields - a limited collector version that Michael will personally sign and number and a more economical version that is identical in quality to the first but with a printed signature. Our print store is HERE.
Michael wants to emphasize that he is not at war with David Shipley, the editor of the editorial page at the Washington Post, and in fact, he’s a big fan and admirer of all that Shipley has accomplished there. We are at war instead with the newsroom culture that grants priority to political advocates rather than objective journalists. Here’s Michael:
“I’m a big fan of David, and while we disagree on this issue, and I’m sad that they did that, I think it was under pressure from a newsroom that has defined words and images as weapons that should be banned for offending political sensibilities. This Orwellian transformation of language threatens to neutralize debate and suppress dissent through language and image policing. Cancel culture utilizes subjective political criteria and threats of alienation to force a consensus rather than one forged through the debate of ideas.”
“It treats people as children who must be shielded from conversation, unable to manage a verbal exchange without supervision and it is a direct threat to freedom of speech and liberty.”
Michael is the editorial cartoonist for the Review-Journal. The simultaneous publication of his cartoon in both papers is an extraordinary collaboration, but the Review-Journal is his home paper, and they stand behind Michael 100%. Click on mylvrj.com/ramirez to enjoy two months of the Review-Journal for just 99 cents.
Over at the outstanding Power Line, Scott Johnson has been covering the story with Ramirez on the Record, A Word From Melissa P. & Thought For The Day, while John Hinderaker shares context with his essay Rampant Anti-Semitism. I make sure to read Power Line every day, and so should you.
Cartoonist discusses his cartoon about Hamas deleted by Washington Post —Smerconish
Political cartoonist speaks out after Washington Post pulls his work mocking Hamas—David Rutz, Joseph Wulfsohn , Fox News
The Washington Post made a huge mistake in killing this cartoon —Post Editorial Board
Washington Post Removes Hamas Cartoon After Backlash From Staff and Readers—Alexandra Bruell, Wall Street Journal
Washington Post apologizes, removes anti-Hamas cartoon after critics called it racist —Kristine Parks, Fox News
Recent essays:
Visit the T-Shirt Store, Prints @ Michael P. Ramirez Store (for special request art prints, please write to: ramireztoons@gmail.com) Original Website: michaelpramirez.com
Click on mylvrj.com/ramirez to enjoy two months of the Review-Journal for just 99 cents.
Newspaper print image:
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