Neal O’s Shocker
By: Mr. Wilson on
December 13, 2007
I, on many occasions, have been disappointed with the editorial cartoons of Neal Obermeyer. While reading my Sunday, Dec. 9, newspaper, that disappointment was replaced with pure shock. [View the cartoon.] The lack of sensitivity, compassion and respect for the victims’ families, their friends and their coworkers was not only distasteful but blatantly irresponsible. As we Nebraskans attempt to face the reality that there are those among us that wish to do us harm, the last thing we need in our time of mourning and understanding is the cold slap of a humorless and senseless editorial cartoon. I am shocked not only by the meaningless scribbling of Obermeyer but equally as shocked by the editorial staff that allowed this trash to be printed.It's obvious that the cartoon was meant to generate fiery discussion. That's Neal's shtick. But I'm a little surprised how much ire Mr. Svoboda directs at the cartoonist in this case. I don't see the "lack of sensitivity, compassion and respect for the victims’ families, their friends and their coworkers" when I look at the cartoon. I don't see any glorification of the shooter; condemnation of the victims; or disrespect toward the victims' kin. The cartoon's only target, as far as I can see, is the media. Considering the amount of discussion on that topic, Neal's cartoon is neither surprising nor inconsistent with many peoples' feelings. Mr. Svoboda calls the cartoon "humorless" and "senseless". I disagree. It's filled with humor. It's dark humor, but humor nonetheless. Neither is it senseless. On the contrary, the cartoon intelligently highlights one of the post-tragedy discussions that we as a society and the media as an industry need to have. I can't help but think that Mr. Svoboda completely missed the point, and that his anger is based on a perception of the cartoon that is well outside of its explicit or implicit intent. Of course, I certainly could be the one with the perception problem. What do you think? Incidentally, Mr. Svoboda signed off with this:
I personally expect more from Lincoln’s only printed news source.I have to ask: Really?
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LOL @ the linked LJS story. Its such a tragedy what happens in a town like Lincoln. That surely led the nightly news.
I find the cartoon to be very interesting and makes a good point about todays media.
I don’t understand the outrage. I found the cartoon to be one of Neal’s more powerful drawings. It’s sad, poignant and an indictment against the medium in which he works.
I think this is a well done editorial cartoon.
The comments on his cartoon are mostly positive.
I wonder if Ken Svoboda is still mad at NealO for his depictions of him as Magnum P.I. during his campaign. Anyhoo, I thought it was one of the best Obermeyer’s ever done.
I, too, liked the cartoon.
I don’t like how Ken seems to think we should tiptoe around important issues. I hope the newspaper has the sense not to listen to him.
The City Did!!!! 😊
Oh no you didn’t!
Snap!
😊
This is actually something that I have been thinking about the past couple of days. The media always has the tenancy to drag these things out and write too much about the tragedy. Every piece of information is put front and center for everyone to see. So the question is, “when is enough, enough?”
My question was, now that a tragedy like this has hit home(Nebraska) soil, how would the media treat it?
The perfect time would have been with the last funeral, which was Wednesday. What a perfect time for closure, the families have…why can’t the media? Did it stop? Nope. Two articles in the OWH the last two days “Hawkins got gun when left alone” and “Contents of search warrants revealed” Both top headlines on Omaha.com.
Neal’s cartoon is spot on. We both graduated from the same broadcasting college and both are in the media. He’s obviously in a much higher profile position than I am but I agree. The media has made this kid EXACTLY what he wanted to be, a hero. His name was being mentioned along side Charles Starkweather. In Nebraska, thats a big name to be alongside. He trumped Starkweather and will be forever known (until the next time it happens) as Nebraska’s deadliest killer. Hows that for fame?
edit: sorry. He wanted to be famous. Not a hero. my mistake.
If an editorial cartoonist does not make you think, laugh, or irk a few folk they have no business being published.
I would rather read nealo over garfield any day, even if he pointed out kids are more important than beer 😉 I would chuckle then learn how to draw.
DMB, do I know you in real life? Did you know Bob Clemens? I heard him on KFAB today.
I wish I was more bothered by this Svoboda letter. I remember a time when having Ken Svoboda lash out at me probably would’ve meant something. But now, it just kind of seems like a sad ploy for attention. He’s using a tragedy to score political points by trying to convince people I used a tragedy to score political points.
My job wasn’t going to get any better by running that cartoon. If anything, it was going to get worse. However, Ken just got himself in the paper as a champion of the victims. Go Ken.
Maybe he really, truly feels what he said in that letter. Good for him. I don’t want to take that right away from him. I just have a tough time believing that someone can really, truly and honestly look at my cartoon and come away thinking that the cartoon was tasteless and meaningless and existed without any concern for the families.
That cartoon existed because of concern for the families. That cartoon existed because that little prick got exactly what he wanted by killing their loved ones.
Don’t know Bob Clemens, Neal. You probably know me by name only.
Yeah I basically agree with what you said. Ken’s letter was at the least really misplaced, or more likely, an attempt to score some political points. Either way, he must have woke up and had a bowl of lame for breakfast that day.
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