Chan Lowe | Sun-Sentinel Blogs

That's right--another brilliant effort, brutally snuffed by a Pollyanna-ish bigwig. This was inspired by the Bush Administration's decision that restoring the mighty River of Grass should no longer be a federal priority. Nice way to treat the state that put you in office, but we won't go there yet again. I thought this was a succinct, bitingly appropriate comment on the President's callous attitude.

My boss, Dr. Antonio Fins, had other ideas, to wit:

"The Bush bashers would have loved this one, no doubt. But, sorry, no. This one got axed for the same reason that another one, of Uncle Sam throwing up over the side of an aircraft carrier, or some Navy ship, got axed. Bodily functioned-themed cartoons really just aren't for our pages.

"That said, one of a poodle peeing on someone's leg, Tony Blair maybe?, got in 'cause I took it to our editor on appeal and he thought it was fine. But I follow the precedent set by my predecessor, who sided more with clever, original humor.

"I enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone, and Chan can testify that humorous cartoons are my preference. But punch lines driven by someone peeing on someone or puking on someone are cliche and overdone."

My take: These are EDITORIAL CARTOONS, for crying out loud. It may be overdone--that's my business, after all. But cliche? I take umbrage.

With whom do you agree?

Comments

Sometimes a bodily function is the best metaphor for a morally disgusting situation.

Posted by: Lois_Lane | April 9, 2008 4:10 PM

I got a good chuckle out of this reject, even though I don't agree. We have a huge Federal budget deficit, and an even bigger Federal debt. Unless we start making some tough decisions, it won't matter how much water is in the Everglades, the Chinese will own it, and we all know what they think of natural resources

Posted by: Jeff | April 9, 2008 4:18 PM

You know what? I am not the brightest bulb in the knife drawer. I did not get it first time around. My first thought was that some photographer was shooting a plastic flamingo, pushing it off as real. Until I read the comment and saw what were 'ripples' in the water, and connected the 'Bush' on the shirt, I was out in left field. My first thoughts were you were depicting a hoax on the public, using plastic flamingos, and a set like a fake moonscape, I guess subtle will take me some time. Sorry I missed the first take.

Posted by: bob | April 9, 2008 11:30 PM

I agree with you, OF COURSE! Bush's legacy will be one for Stephen (sp) King to write about.

Posted by: mel | April 10, 2008 7:04 AM

Trite, maybe. Balls-on right, of course. It doesn't matter whether it is Bush or any other official. The fact that the Bush administration has a long history of peeing on the needs of the country in order to push their own agenda, validates this editorial cartoon, and is far less offensive than what is actually being done to the country. Should it be in a family newspaper? Probably not, but, both adults and kids find bathroom humor hilarious and, besides, how many kids really read the editorial pages?

Posted by: Larry Paull | April 10, 2008 11:53 AM

Big mistake! You should have called it Mr. RayGuns "environmental rehabilitation and restroom restoration project using that old time tested trickle down voodo incantations." Aaahh, ooohhh, aaahhh, nothing else feels so good.

Posted by: Clark Kent | April 13, 2008 9:45 PM

This cartoon clearly indicates a person peeing in water. It is puzzling how you do not find it disgusting. May be you and some men find humor in observing people perform bodily functions.Women will find it disgusting and also you should realize that everglades water is used as household water supply too.And it is a big tourist destination. Do you intend to make everyone feel grossed out?

Posted by: alka | September 16, 2009 8:14 AM

Is Bush pissing in the Everglades?

Posted by: Janie | October 20, 2009 6:20 PM