Did You Understand This Cartoon?

This Borgman Cartoon Went Too Far
This is the first time in my life that I have been offended enough to respond to one of Jim Borgman's cartoons printed on June 11. At a time in this world when we are being hailed as the "Great Satan," he has chosen to portray our people as such. What are you thinking, Jim? How do you think our sons and daughters would appreciate your take on their valor to remove a murdering thug from power? To be displayed as bloodthirsty demons? I understand your intent, although I feel you should've taken a step back before submittal.

-Lee Gilbertson
Madison Place
(Letter to the Editor, 6/14/06)

This cartoon was a great example of the Rohrschach test that cartoons can sometimes be. When I drew the cartoon for last Sunday's paper, it didn't occur to me that the devils might be interpreted by readers as symbols of the "Great Satan", as symbols of America, our military, or its people.

My intention was simply to show al-Zarqawi in hell with the devils gloating over the good news that they'd finally gotten their hands on him. (Frankly, I consider it a lame cartoon -- Luckovich did a great one, showing devils contemplating their daily work schedule, beheading al-Zarqawi over and over each day. Check it out on the creators.com website.)

I tried to look at my cartoon through this reader's eyes and found his/her case holds water. By using the president's "Mission Accomplished" line, the devils could easily be seen as stand-ins for America. In short, I left the scene open to misinterpretation -- never a good thing.

For the record, on this occasion, I was simply being literal. As Freud might have said, sometimes a devil is just a devil.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. How might I have done this one better?