Mocking war hero Nick Popaditch: A teachable moment; Updated
On Sunday night, several readers e-mailed to let me know about a cartoon in the Imperial Valley (CA) Press that upset them immensely.
Reader Marty sent the jpeg. It shows two young skateboarder punks looking up at a campaign poster. The candidate is not identified. He is bald and wears an eye patch. The punks crack jokes about the candidate’s physical disability and appearance:
(click for full size newspaper clipping)
The candidate is Republican Nick Popaditch, a war hero, 15-year Marine, and Silver Star/Purple Heart recipient who became famous around the world after the Associated Press snapped a cigar-smoking photo of him and his unit pulling down the statue of Saddam Hussein and celebrating in April 2003. Popaditch was critically wounded in Fallujah a year later by an RPG to the head. Watch more here:
Everyone should know this man’s incredible story of courage and sacrifice. Forget Lindsay Lohan’s disgusting fingernails. Tell your kids about how Popaditch lost his eye, survived, and returned to public service stronger than ever.
As for the cartoon: Popaditch’s Democrat opponent is blasting it. The paper is scheduled to issue an apology tomorrow. And Popaditch has exactly the right attitude about it:
Filner and Popaditch are rivals in the 51st Congressional District, which covers Imperial County and much of the border region of San Diego County.
Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said he hopes the newspaper “would educate the public on how we can support our troops as they return home.”
Popaditch said he was not bothered by the cartoon. “I’ve got much thicker skin than that,” he said. “It’s not going to hurt me in any way.”
But he said he was concerned that other wounded veterans might feel that the cartoon suggests that it is acceptable to poke fun at war wounds.
In a phone call, editor Brad Jennings apologized to Popaditch. He has promised an apology in Tuesday’s paper. Jennings said the cartoon was meant to satirize how ill-informed many voters are about the Iraq war.
The cartoon was poorly executed. Instead of mocking ignoramuses who know nothing of war heroism, it pandered to the troop-dissers. It would be nice if the editors had the cartoonist explain himself. Why, if he were trying to educate the ignorant, didn’t he put Popaditch’s name on the poster so the skateboard crowd could at least Google the man and learn about his war record?
But instead of calling on the cartoonist to be fired, perhaps he deserves thanks — thanks for inadvertently creating an opportunity for the rest of us. It’s a moment not merely to complain about a boneheaded media slap, but to spread the word about Nick Popaditch.
He’s exactly the kind of fighter we need in Washington to take back the Hill.
***
Get a copy of “Once a Marine,” Popaditch’s book, here.
***
Update: Here’s the newspapers apology.
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If they wanted to educate voters on the Iraq war, the captions could have read:
“Who’s that?”
“Nick Popaditch, Iraq war hero.”
“I don’t agree with his politics,”
“But I honor his sacrifice.”
great story MM. It is amazing the gall that liberals have. I can’t believe they are making fun of a guy who gave his eye for them.
I guess they could have had illegal aliens making the comments about the poster. . . but in order to do that, they would have had to make a cartoon of Hispanic looking hoodlums (not good for their narrative).
I wish more Americans would have this attitude. For some reason many Americans feel the need to be a ‘victim’. If you are an American – even the poorest one – you are luckier than 90% of the people on this planet.
This is why I never understood the gnashing of teeth over the ‘n-word’. It’s a word that I grew up hearing in conversation. It’s a word that is commonly used in music. We live in a country with free speech but not for that word.
It seems like the liberal media might think that the most dangerous weapon Al Qaeda can use against us would be to come over here and call us all the ‘n-word’. Most papers would have the vapors before they surrendered to the obviously superior foe.
If it doesn’t hurt you, it shouldn’t bother you. If something I say hurts you, then you are weak and pathetic.
This story just goes to show what good men we are sacrificing in Iraq and Afghanistan FOR IRAQIS AND AFGHANIS. Our nation will not survive if we continue to lose good men like Popaditch. Sorry for the tangent and the length but it’s sort of my trademark.
The two characters with their backs to us make me think of a couple of 27 year old progressives on their parents health care plan while drawing their 99 weeks of unemployment.
Looks like Nick Popaditch needs some help with his fundraising so he can win this race.
According to the FEC.gov website, as of the last report on 5/19 Filner had $147,531 Cash on Hand while Popaditch only had $19,995 Cash on Hand.
An influx of campaign donations would be a nice way to show our appreciation for Nick Popaditch’s service to our country.
http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSRefreshCandList.do?category=disH&stateName=CA&congressId=51&election_yr=2010
If you want to learn more about Nick Popaditch, listen to the inspiring interview he gave on the Roger Hedgecock show this afternoon.
http://www.rogerhedgecock.com/audiogallery.asp
The interview is in the 3rd hour of the 7/12/10 show and it begins at about 19:20.
Nick Popaditch sounds like a true leader!
Similar things, but worse were done to our returning Vietnam Vets. The left must tear down our military because we are fighting their friends.
Now this Popavich is who should send a tingle up Chris Matthews leg. Not Obama.
Off topic: Great bumper sticker!!
http://biggovernment.com/files/2010/07/image.jpg
Thanks for the great story Michelle. I just made a donation to his campaign. This is the type of person we need in DC. Lets clean house!
He should have stopped at “the cartoon was meant to satirize how ill-informed many voters are” and then done an expose on his own and other lefty slanted papers and “news” outlets.
That said, the guy is a tool and a lousy editor if he couldn’t see the implications of that cartoon.
Just like the editors of the Springfield (MA) “Republican”.
Here is a video from Nick’s appearance with Greg Gutfeld on the show Red Eye. in January 2009
Brad Jennings is the editor at the Imperial Valley, California newspaper that printed the cartoon. Jennings chose the cartoon.
Jennings should be fired.
And the institution that routinely avoids informing the public would be…?
Here’s the perfect cartoon to demonstrate how ill-informed voters are in general. The only trouble is – it’s no joke.
I’d like to see more of the cartoons from the cartoonist before passing judgment on his/her ‘intentions’. What political cartoons did he/she draw in the past?
Oh Good Grief Its not even close to satire…..satire for one has to be clever not kindergarten stuff like this. It was an intentionally mean attack piece, produced for the democratic voter base, who thought it was the funniest thing they saw all week. For some reason people still think papers are “news” papers
Whoa, a real man! Where’d he come from?
The guy took an RPG in the head and lived?! That’s what you call grit right there!
I don’t think satirize means what editor Brad Jennings thinks it means.
Teachable moment? Don’t hold your breath. Unless this editor comes out and admits the left leanings of himself and the paper, nothing has been learned.
Bu!!$h@*!
That word-squirming takes me back to high school and college in the late 60s-early 70s, when I first noticed that type of ridiculous explanation technique, that would try to convince one that bad is actually good; up is actually down; day is actually night; etc….
BINGO!!!
Exactly….
I’ll tell you who it reminded me of, Moshe Dayan, also a tank commander, and an Israeli hero who became a successful politician. I hope Popaditch’s equally victorious.
Do you have a link to Popaditch’s official website?
Rogue, I happen to know Mr. Popaditch. I have never met a more honorbale man. To meet him, you would say he was humble. And he is. You should read the book mentioned in that trailer linked above, I have a signed copy and it is a treasure. The way this man honors his Country, his Wife and family, and the Corps has lessons for all of us.
Thank You Michelle! Exposing this kind of treatment is excellent medicine for all those that have been wounded in service to this great Country.
Everything the liberal media writes, cartoons, opinionates and photographs is intentionally evil to the core. This is why michellemalkin.com exists. To fight back with journalistic honesty, integrity and facts.
I couldn’t help myself, I had to try a photoshop of this..
Love it, Danceswithdachshunds! Love it!
Exactly.
They are all socialists/nihilists/America-haters.
That is why they are the media arm of the…socialists.
As I’ve said several times before, these dangerous, socialist, opposite worldview-holding America-haters are the older (“grown-up” is obviously incorrect) version of the wise-asses in high school who started the “underground” newspaper – it was the late 60s, after all – and who would go out of their way to be annoying – the type of jerks who almost demanded to be punched.
Mega ditto!
Thanks, you’re too kind. In the course of doing it I asked the question – where are the hands of skatepunk on the right? What is he doing? Then I recalled this…
This sums up leftist ideology quite perfectly – shallow, classless, anti-intellectual and delinquent
Pardon my poor eyesight.
I finally saw the link to his website and contributed.
Thank you, Michelle.
Since the mid70s, when I got that album…on a record!…I’ve always thought that that was a great album, with a stupid cover.
for the record, the ‘cartoon‘ was not funny.
Semper Fi, Mr. Popaditch.
Another example that Progressives simply don’t “get it”. They don’t understand “Tea Parties”, they don’t understand “Glenn Beck”; they don’t understand War vets, they don’t understand the Constitution. And they don’t care to.
You would think a newspapter editor would have some understanding of what he people are thing, but no. They don’t think, they just, Ready, Fire, AIM! That’s why their apologies ring hollow.
I’m not doing great financially, but I gave $25.
C’mon guys, help close Nick’s funding gap, and spread the word! This guy needs our support!
Uuuhh, you’re upset? Well, see…it’s… uuhh, satire! Yeah! Satire! You see, I was sitting around with my wife, Morgen Fairchild, who I’ve seen naked, and saying voters are ill-informed. I know! I’ll draw a cartoon! Yeah! That’s it! That’s the ticket!
The cartoonist is likely a bleeding heart liberal progressive. He doesn’t understand anything about honor or courage. He would piss his pants if he had to stand and face an armed enemy. This is how liberal progressive cowardice comes out. They mock and ridicule those that do the things they don’t have the balls to do for themselves.
I sent the paper a than you e-mail.
I hadn’t heard of Popaditch, because they chose to mock the injuries of a war hero, I was able to donate a little money to his campaign.
http://www.popaditchforcongress.com/
Here is the link to Nick’s Website. Please pour it in, this man has been standing up for us his whole life, our turn!
http://www.popaditchforcongress.com/
Why can’t people who say dumb things just say “I was wrong, I’m sorry”. Why make up a stupid story anyone can see through. I hate liars.
So what else is shocking in the LIBERAL MSM??? I really don’t find this story shocking, just DISGUSTING!!!
You can bring a Dem to knowledge but you can’t make them think.
Jennings kicked an own goal, I think that is the soccer term.
Popaditch will have double or more of a campaign war chest to defeat the incumbent with thanks to this act of malicious stupidity.
If the race is within 5% (or 10% live citizen voters, plus the 5% ACORN margin of fraud) Filner will want to smack Jennings around for the grade A stupidity.
Here’s apology.
That is a “sorry if anyone was offended” non-apology.
BTW, Jennings looks light in the loafers in that picture, NTTIAWWT…
The Gunny makes me proud to be a former Marine!
Young punks like that would probably associate the poster with an Austin Powers supervillain rather than James Bond. Ignorant dou**bag couldn’t even get the vapid pop culture reference correct.
This is the part of his apology that nearly caused me to choke and I’m still laughing. Pulllease.
Who can you name in the MSM that runs stories that cause the America people to question authority or get angry? Fox News is the only one that I can name and they have their “sheeple” moments, too. This cartoon had its intended use and was run exactly for that purpose. Step up the the plate and try again, Brad.
Yeah I know, like any of them slackers would know who Uncle Fester was. The movie was almost 20 years ago nevermind the TV series.
If the intent of the cartoon was “meant to satirize how ill-informed many voters are about the Iraq war,” why try to make fun of the candidate’s appearance? Why single out this guy from the thousands who have served who just happens to be running against the liberal candidate? Mr Jennings, you lie.
This is precisely why print media is dying. They are no longer just journalists- they want to shape news, not report it honestly and without bias.
I don’t want to register on IV CA Press’s online site for comments to Mr. Jennings. But in the off chance he reads MM today out of curiosity, this is what I take away from the cartoon and his apology.
Per Mr. Jennings:
Personal swipes are overused by the liberal press. Conservatives/libertarians are well aware of this immature and lazy method of informing the public.
…and it’s soooo highschool.
Thank you Nick for your service to our country. You have class! That so called cartoon stinks.
L
No surprise here. the left has never really cared about the military and personal attacks are nothing new.
Remeber when Chris Christie was running the left tried to make fun of his weight.
Sure do Truesoldier! Now the NJ left/unions are feeling just how heavy he is!
Absotively true.
Liar!
Jennings’ squirming and weaseling attempt at an excuse reminds me of Basil Fawlty’s trying to explain/excuse something stupid which he had just said or done.
I would really love to see Christie run in 2012, but so far he has been adamant that he will not.
Basil Fawlty: This is typical. Absolutely typical… of the kind of…
[shouting]
ARSE I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, while I’m trying to run a newspaper here. Have you any idea of how much there is to do? Do you ever think of that? Of course not, you’re all too busy sticking your noses into every corner, poking around for things to complain about, aren’t you? Well let me tell you something – this is exactly how Nazi Germany started. A lot of layabouts with nothing better to do than to cause trouble. Well I’ve had fifteen years of pandering to the likes of you, and I’ve had enough. I’ve had it. Come on, pack your bags and get out.
This reminds me of when Al Franken made fun of Sen. Bob Doles war wounds.
Always classy, these libs.
Sibyl,Sibyl,Sibyl,Sibyl!
Actually, Basil has more dignity than these people.
Who was the worthless POS who made fun of Pat Tillman’s death in Afghanistan?
That still holds the record for all time most classless “comic” ever.
and the entire time Sybil is on the phone with a friend saying, “I Knoooowwww”, completly ignoring Basils’ rant.
A typical non-apology apology from the press. What he basically said: “It’s all your fault you didn’t understand what the cartoon meant…and people were mean to me…boohoo”
Jennings looks like he suffered from homophobia a lot in high school, and is taking it out on a man’s man, a war hero who is running for Congress, a man who could probably beat Jennings to a pulp in a fight with his good eye closed, if he chose to.
We need heroes and patriots in office to help bring America back from the brink. Popaditch is one such heroes, but we must identify and support others nationwide as well.
It goes without saying, that at this point, votes for conservative Constitutionalists are votes for freedom and liberty, and any vote, ANY VOTE for Democrats is a vote for unsurpation and tyranny…NO EXCEPTIONS!
I think our founding fathers were pretty astute in their observations of men. History is repeating itself!
Actually, I think Jennings’ statement is probably the real satire.
It was on fox today.
Contrary to what Mr. Jennings said in his statement, as a vet, I don’t get his connecting ill-informed voters to Mr. (Gunny) Popaditch–to whom I will send his campaign $20 to hopefully help toward beating the crap outta the other guy!
Ben Bradlee: “Here’s our non-denial denial.”
Like I said on my blog, they (the liberal media) all agree with this cartoon.
Now compare that to Obama’s reaction to the New Yorker’s “fist bump” cartoon, which was meant as satire against Obama’s critics.
Exactly! And why not also include the district in which Popaditch is running to represent? They sure had no problems “educating with satire” in the captioning of terms like James Bond Super Villain, Bald Pirate and Uncle Fester!
And don’t they know it! That’s probably why they’re stooping to such levels.
Just an FYI, “Gunny Pop” will be a guest on FNC “Redeye” tonight. Tune in if you can, and you will understand more why this cartoon set off so many people- Nick’s character and core values. They come shining through every time he is interviewed.