E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
garfield.com
Jim Davis wants you to know that he really, really — really — regrets today's "Garfield" strip, which some people think might be offensive to veterans.
Yes, that's "Garfield" — representative of all that critics say is safe and bland in the comics world — and "offensive to veterans" in the same sentence.
In the strip — reproduced above, and available in context on garfield.com — the presumably squished spider from the first two panels asks his fellow spiders "why we celebrate National Stupid Day."
The problem: Today — "National Stupid Day" to the talking spiders in "Garfield" — is Veterans Day. Davis quickly issued a statement apologizing:
Dear Friends, Fans, and Veterans:
In what has to be the worst timing ever, the strip that runs in today's paper seems to be making a statement about Veterans Day. It absolutely, positively has nothing to do with this important day of remembrance.
Regarding today's Garfield comic strip , it was written almost a year ago and I had no idea when writing it that it would appear today — of all days. I do not use a calendar that lists holidays and other notable days, so when this strip was put in the queue, I had no idea it would run on Veterans Day. What are the odds? You can bet I'll have a calendar that lists EVERYTHING by my side in the future.
My brother Dave served in Vietnam. My son James is a Marine who has had two tours of duty, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. You'd have to go a long way to find someone who was more proud and grateful for what our veterans have done for all of us.
Please accept my sincere apologies for any offense today's Garfield may have created. It was unintentional and regrettable.
Jim Davis
"I think when Jim saw it in the paper today, I think his heart sunk and his hand turned cold," Kim Campbell, Davis' PR representative, told msnbc.com. "It's human error. Jim's embarrassed about it."
Here's the thing: It's hard to find anyone who was actually offended by the cartoon.
Oh, sure, Twitter and Facebook are full of comments calling it "controversial" and speculating that other people will be offended.
But not much actual offense.
Lesson: Online, we all think we're smarter and more tolerant than the other guy.
Leave a Comment:
Just a case of bad timing. I don't see how people came up with thinking it was about the holiday any more than all the claims of racism for people who don't like Obama's agenda. People are just too damn touchy and easily offended by crap that doesn't exist these days.
Way to push that agenda, Allen. :major-eye-roll:
I'm a veteran, I'm not offended, and haven't heard yet of anyone who is.
Didn't offend me either and I am a Veitnam Vet.
I think the media is playing this up. Never did it cross my mind that this strip had anything to do with Veteran's Day. Some reporter was looking for a story that just wasn't there.
I, too, am a Vet (3rd Marines in Vietnam). The cartoon was funny as hell and I was not offended in the least. Its just some more Media Drivel.
If you want to offend us Vets, you are going to have to work a lot harder than that ... We 've been insulted by Professionals (at least my DI was), this type of thing hasn't even made it to amateur status yet!
Ok I'm a vet, and I thought it was funny :-) There's a difference between a stupid spider that mouths off to Garfield and a vet that fights and dies for his country. Perhaps the timing could have been better (read, not on veterans day)
you banal piece of flesh, what were you thinking?
Kiss your career bye bye...man, I've done some pretty stupid things to damage myself and my caeer but this...this is amazing!
Want a gun and bullet?
@ ANTHONY
You're a jerk, Anthony! It was an honest mistake and a more-than-adequate apology from a classy guy.
--From a USAF Viet Nam War veteran.
@Anthony, I don't usually comment on these boards, but does the word "overreaction" mean anything to you? My God man, Davis said he drew the cartoon over a year ago and had no idea when it would run. You say you've done some stupid things: with your comment you can add one more!
Go to Anthony's previous posts...he says he's a "licensed therapist." Uhhhh, I don't think so. A licensed therapist wouldn't be so intentionally hurtful and ignorant. You did this for your own amusement, Anthony, but it's like pulling wings off of flies...hurtful for hurt's sake.
Anthony's post: MAJOR FAIL
Please don't feed the trolls--Anthony just wants attention
Couple of comments: 1) For somebody who has family in the service (even if he didn't), he should know that November 11 is Veteran's Day! However #2 I don't see a problem with the cartoon - there are NO hidden messages! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, JIM and THANK YOU VETERANS EVERYWHERE!
#3, as he said in his apology, he had no idea what day it was going to run. Just a terrible coincidence. I for one wouldn't have thought twice about it if it hadn't been mentioned.
@Chas, he said he drew the cartoon over a year ago, and had no idea when it would run. It was just a bad coincidence. How about reading before criticizing? Just a thought...
sarasotan - my son draws an online comic so I know about the drawing months before the published date but they know what day the strip is going to run! That way they are not drawing something that has to do with St Patrick's Day that is going to be published on Valentine's Day!
How bout thinking other people know what they are talking about before YOU criticize my criticizing?
@Chas
So, your son draws a cartoon....not you. When you write of "know(ing) about the drawing months" is sort of like my mother stating she knows about suspense dates for my Unit Status Reports or Yearly Training Brief. Personally, I never found the humor in an ill-mannered, obese cat obsessed with lasagna; and if the media wouldn't have hyped the topic, I never would have known it was published.
I currently serve as an Army Officer and wasn't even remotely offended. Actually, I think Family Circus being passed off as "funny" is more offensive.
@ PETER
A little grim, lad, lighten up! There are styles of humor for everyone out there. No need to be offended.
As a 20 year Navy veteran, I don't see anything offensive in this cartoon strip, nor in its publication date.
There are more important things to be offended by.
And we all know how sensitive you squids are!
As a vet trust me, it takes a lot to offend us. A Garfield cartoon is not going to do it. (Well it might upset a Coasty)
Semper Fi!
as a puddle jumping coasty, I resemble that remark...haha nope, didn't offend me...the cartoon or the remark
It was just published on the wrong day. It's OK, Jim. I did see the connection right away, but I'm above average. (Ha, ha)
No harm, no foul! I'm just glad someone remembered us.
As a grandaughter of a WWII Marine, and a resident near Camp Pendleton, CA, none of you are forgotten in this household. To one and all, past and present, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!
Oh please! An HONEST mistake! At LEAST he does something our country's leadership would NEVER do - admit a mistake.
Just had to throw in a political shot didn't you Claus? Some people just never give up. Get a life.
Mr. Davis said he was sorry. A doctor admitted he screwed up an operation. Obama says he might have been to partisan. Which ones do you really believe?
Mr. Davis, no offense taken; from an old shooter.
Dear Claus-2226728:
You made me smile. :)
And, thank you to all of our veterans, past and present!
It was a mistake that he had no control over and he did give a heartfelt apology so lighten up. Jim Davis, you are a classy guy and I for one love Garfield. I hope your son comes home safely. As one Marine to another Semper Fi James.
Sounds like a stand up guy who wasn't going to take any chance in this PC country of a comic strip causing anyone a second of grief. Thanks Libs now even a mudane comic strip has to be defended.
as a vet, Vietnam 64/65, I did not find anything that was offensive. No hidden messages, and the man was very sorry about it...and it wasn't even his decision to run it on Veterans Day...Lighten up.
If anything us Vet's should do is show a sense of humor. Let people quit trying to find something to offend them to make themselves feel better... Definitely lighten up!
I am a former Marine who served in Vietnam and I thought the damn thing was funny. People have got to get a grip man. Mr Davis, Semper Fi.
I am a former marine, (1976-1979) and the damn thing is FUNNY.
Sarasotan,
What? Did YOU read Chas's comment entirely? Just a thought...
BB, what you and Chas fail to understand is that MR. Davis has to submit the cartoons months in advance. Want to blame someone? Blame the editors who approved running the cartoon today. Their job is to make sure everything is up to snuf. There, that will set the anti tobacco crowd off, and the cartoon will be forgotten.
anyone who is offended by this cartoon is a fool...........pure and simple..... nam/vet61-65 NAVY
No offense taken, my freind. It was actually pretty funny (duma---d spider got what he had coming)!
USAF Vet, 1957-65
To all Veterens on this day,YOUR DAY, Thank You for defending our Country and the freedom for the one idiot (he knows who he is) on this discussion to speak utter Bulls#$t!
Why so many references to 'hidden messages'? Could it be that some people are just dense, and the message (if there ever was one) was never 'hidden' at all? Or isn't it even more likely that some of us would like to identify with some group who is so esteemed as to be above any criticism?
I'm a vet myself, although I've never tried to cloak myself in the patriotic mantle so many do (it was something I did when I was young and stupid, and had few options). Those vets to whom we really owe the greatest debt cannot speak up for themselves, and if there's one thing I remember from my time in the service, it's that those who squawk the most do the least.
Hmmmm...I'm also a vet myself...and I don't "cloak myself in the patriotic mantle"...but I must admit to you that I'm patriotic and proud to have served. Perhaps the "cloaking" is not a self-administered thing but comes from the heart. Perhaps one's service is inextricably intertwined with patriotism...or it is not.
I am not a vet, but I work for one, and I am grateful to all of you.
Political correctness has RUINED this country,
BTW, I did not see any humour or offense in the strip.
By the way you spell humor I'm wonderiing what country you are talking about
@ Dustin
Good get! Anyone who comes up with "humour" is not likely a native born American. Could be a transplant, of course...this place is crawling with em...oops, guess I'm one too...
Political correctness is what happens when you vote nerds into powerful offices. Clinton did a lot of good, but his screw ups were monumental.
okay is wasn't that funny or bad but does anyone in the newspaper business know how to read a calendar. I thought you were the smart guys.
I was offended years ago by the column when he insulted government workers. Retired Federal Nuclear Engineer
I may not be the brightest flare floating over the perimeter wire but I aint the dullest either. I just dont see any connection between this cartoon and Veterans Day. I am a veteran of 2 branches and I think I woulda been offended if this cartoon was a slight about us in any way. But its not. Just a cartoon about Garfied and a spider.
Saw the cartoon this morning, laughed, and never, never associated it with Veterans' Day. As a vet, I don't look for shots at our service. I think most people appreciate what veterans have done, and are doing. I served in Nam for two years, and my son is a lifer Marine. Love Garfield.