Garth the General
Garth Turner posted an artistic rendering that shows him to be Stephane Dion's general assigned the task to take back the West for the Liberal Party, while General Stephane Dion takes the east. Taken in the context in which it was intended, the cartoon is actually poking fun at those who think Garth Turner has been assigned such an exalted task.
Of course, Garth Turner doesn't provide that context, nor does he link to where you can understand the original context.
Garth Turner, Liberal MP for Halton, is on a tour of western provinces, delivering speeches to the Liberal faithful.
The cartoon is on the Garth Turner's posting My Job, but I'll repost here:
Artistic rendering courtesy of The Wingnuterer
Now some context. The cartoon is not by Garth Turner but by the humorist who runs The Wingnuterer. Turner names the artist but does not give the link to posting for the cartoon. The cartoon is actually a slam against some of the reactions to Garth Turner's visits out west.
When Garth Turner shows up to give a speech to fellow Liberals, some people think it's an invasion. The Wingnuterer was attempting to portray what these people must be imagining when Garth Turner comes through the door.
The funny thing is, understood in the context in which it is given, the cartoon helps Garth Turner's cause by pointing out that a violent reaction to his appearance is not appropriate. It is not an invasion, Garth Turner is not Stephane Dion's general on the Western Front, and no one should be worried about a coup d'etat.
Well, maybe you think these things are true, but I'm just trying to explain the cartoon, which is more than what Garth Turner has done.
He provides the name of the "artist" but no link or acknowledgment that he is a blogger with a website. I happen to know Wingnuterer is a blogger on Blogspot so I knew exactly where to go, but the average reader is not going to make the effort to search out the name, then zero in on the blog, then go backwards through the posts until he finds the cartoon. Indeed, the average reader wouldn't follow the link itself even if it was provided, which is why a short explanation is helpful.
So why would Garth Turner put this cartoon up with no explanation and no easy way to get to the original context of the cartoon?
Does he like the imagery of Stephane Dion and himself decked out as soldiers? Not Canadian soldiers, but American Marines hitting the beach on some island in the Pacific Theatre in WWII, but then he didn't draw the cartoon so I can't fault him for that.
Does he want people to come away thinking that Stephane Dion has handed Canada's western provinces to Garth Turner to win back for the Liberal Party?
Note that Garth Turner doesn't call it a political cartoon, but an "artistic rendering".
Note that Garth Turner places the cartoon (sorry, the rendering) in a post called "My Job".
Maybe you see this cartoon and immediately understand it the way it was meant. Of course, this is a sarcastic envisioning of what other people think of Garth's tour. Those silly people. But I bet lots of people didn't get that at all. I find it telling that the Wingnuterer didn't just post the cartoon on his blog, but included enough explanation in an introductory lead-in to make sure his readership got the point.
Too bad Garth Turner isn't as considerate. I think Garth Turner owes an apology to his readership, who might think that Stephane Dion has made Garth Turner the Liberal Party's western general. And unless that's actually true, the point of the cartoon is to poke fun at people who think Garth Turner has been assigned that job.
But then maybe Garth Turner wouldn't mind people getting the wrong impression.
Garth Turner has been blogging for a while, so I shouldn't have to tell him the importance of linking to original sources of information, especially when the material is being reproduced directly, and especially when there is contextual information.
I won't suggest that Garth Turner apologize to the Wingnuterer, since apparently he didn't mind:
You know, I have been accused in the past of being a Liberal operative by some, yet I have never seen an brown paper bags of cash ~sigh~ So where's my royalty cheque Garth? LOL, nah, never mind, I just love seeing my photo-hackery being used on other peoples blogs, makes all more worth doing. Hope Mr. Dion gets a chuckle out of it ;-)
Zorph [aka The Wingnuterer]
Gee, in the subtitle given by Garth Turner, the rendering was a courtesy, like it was used with permission. Sounds like the Wingnuterer had no idea that his cartoon was being used. I guess "Artistic rendering courtesy of The Wingnuterer" sounds better than "Cartoon ripped off from of The Wingnuterer and used without context".
No link and the suggestion that someone elses work was used with permission -- hey Garth, your blog sucks! On technical merit, that is.
If the Wingnuterer wants his material used with linkage and without context, that's his business. But bad blogging? We all should feel free to stand up and call Garth Turner out on it.
The funny thing about all this? When I saw Stephane Dion and Garth Turner depicted as fighting soldiers, I thought it was really offensive. But I took the time to check into the background of the cartoon, and the focus changed for me. For some people though, Garth Turner and Stephane Dion depicted as soldiers while real soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan (and succeeding in part because of new equipment being rushed to them by the Conservative government, equipment the Liberals would never have purchased even though they sent the soldiers into harm's way) would be so insulting that with or without the context, they'd be crying for Garth Turner's political head on a plate. It doesn't seem like a smart move to me.
Addendum: You might be wondering about what Stephane Dion's reaction would be to one of his MPs posting a cartoon of him and Dion like the one Garth Turner posted. I'm wondering that too. Maybe some advice to check with the centre first the next time the opportunity comes up?
Check out other entries from the Garth Turner Lost Tory Tour category
Results will open in a new window.
Skew my story on Skewz.com
Rate political news for their bias, read related stories, and leave your own skewed commentary
Search for more opinions from Canadian bloggers on these related keywords
Garth Turner Stephane Dion The Wingnuterer Liberal Party Canada
Sphere presents related news articles and blog posts
Sphere It!
Comments
If I were Garth, I would have provided some context. When I first saw the cartoon, I though Garth was taking a potshot at Dion.
With the caption "No one is expecting Liberal leadership" it looks like Garth is expressing shock that Dion is actually making a stand on some issue.
Knowing the context that the cartoonist intended, it is clear that this is not an attack on Dion. With Garth's blog as the only source, however, it is easy to think Dion is the target.
Posted by: Concerned Torontonian at September 3, 2007 08:55 AM
Not to mention, IF Dion HAD a Western General, why would he pick an Easterner? Yeah, like that would go over well.. another Easterner heading West to tell those "reprobate, childlike Westerners" how the Liberals will save them. Considering the East/West divide, Dion would have to be a COMPLETE idot to appoint Garth to the Western flank.
Posted by: SSomax at September 3, 2007 09:09 AM
So what you're saying is that this is a poorly rendered cartoon with a murky message that is being misused by one of its intended targets who mistakenly believes it is complimentary.
Sounds like par for the course for the fiberal farty.
Posted by: A. N. Onymous at September 3, 2007 09:19 AM
I don't think it would be wrong to assume that Garth was flattered by this cartoon showing him as Dion's right hand man considering the fact that no context was given. The caption "No one is expecting Liberal Leadership" gives the impression that Garth is included in said "Leadership" and a central figure in the party.
Perhaps Dion is right to have that gun trained on Garth, heh heh.
Posted by: at September 3, 2007 09:31 AM
Actually,the cartoon seems to show Dion ready to empty his rifle into Garth,probably because he,like Harper,now realizes what an absolute moron this guy is.
Posted by: paulsstuff at September 3, 2007 09:34 AM
That was my 09:31 post that I forgot to put my alias on. I guess some people are warning Dion about Garth's motives and Garth is blaming it, of course, on Harper:
"I even heard today that members of the Harper Conservative leadership have just ‘warned’ Dion’s people that I am not to be trusted, and impossible to work with. If they choose to believe that, then I guess I’ll stay a no-title, garden variety backbench MP."
Posted by: muttsrus at September 3, 2007 09:43 AM
Garth is out on an Ego trip and the Liberals are not in a position to do much about it, he may take a hissy fit and start slagging them. They sure have little room for any more problems .
They have a leader who can't speak clearly in the language of the majority , sounds like Bob Dylan on dope and a co-leader who muses about about adopting a bird that hides it's s**t.
No, they need all the help they can get, even taking a chance with a guy with a short fuse.
Thing is, the people in the West know phony when they see it, he won't get away with much there.
Posted by: Libby at September 3, 2007 10:31 AM
Considering that the Liberals are often so anti-American, it is incredibly amusing that they try to use a cartoon to their own benefit in which they are wearing AMERICAN battledress....... It is even more amusing that Mr. Dion is holding a Thompson sub-machinegun when you think about the fact that the Liberals are so keen on strict gun control legislation.
Posted by: The Mad Maple at September 3, 2007 11:23 AM
Boy oh boy, this is really something to be investigated - suspicious, worthy of investigative reporting, calling Dr. Sleuth.
C'mon - this is dumb. It's just a picture.
Hey maybe you should call in the RCMP - this is serious stuff.
LOL, LOL!
Posted by: Sara at September 3, 2007 11:29 AM
Yeah Sara, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
Get the feeling your not really laughing.
Posted by: Libby at September 3, 2007 12:27 PM
are these restricted weapons registered ?
Posted by: spike at September 3, 2007 12:28 PM
Garth, Garth, Garth...Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth,...Garth, Garth, Garth....Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, did I mention Garth, Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth...
Garth, Garth, Garth...Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth,...Garth, Garth, Garth....Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, did I mention Garth, Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth...
Garth, Garth, Garth...Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth,...Garth, Garth, Garth....Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, did I mention Garth, Garth Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth, Garth...
Posted by: not Garth Turner at September 3, 2007 12:37 PM
What's interesting about Garth's proposals to allow income splitting and sweetheart income trust schemes is that they are in direct conflict with the rest of the socialist Liberal agenda, and anything that can conceivably be written by the guy writing Liberal policies, the socialist Bob Rae, or a guy who wrote his thesis on Marxism, Stephane Dion.
The Liberal Women's caucus' Pink Book calls for universal state-run institutionalized day care costing $15 billion a year, indexed to GDP. The Liberals also support Kyoto and carbon markets, which would see billions of taxpayer dollars go to sketchy overseas schemes, all while the Chinese build a new coal power plant a week for the next ten years.
Add a few billion for other Liberal policy proposals largely believed to be included in the Liberal platform, such as seniors homecare, pharmacare, and more post-secondary funding (all of which are provincial jurisdiction, btw), and we're looking at additional annual spending of between $20 billion and $25 billion on new social programs.
In this context, it is entirely reasonable to ask how the Liberals, should they adopt Garth's schemes, plan to simultaneously increase spending $20-25 billion while giving divisive, inequitable sweetheart tax breaks worth billions to key demographic targets, all while not plunging us back into deep deficit.
Posted by: Pierre at September 3, 2007 12:37 PM
Great Catch Steve!
Posted by: Sentinel at September 3, 2007 01:00 PM
Nothing like cradle to grave care, and tax your ass off to pay,if you work for a living, then tax the hole in the ground we all end up in. Rest in Peace?
Posted by: Libby at September 3, 2007 01:45 PM
I can get better quality service, any day of the week, from the local hookers and crack peddlars...than I could ever get from these two f***ing clowns.
Posted by: Feldwebel Wolfenstool at September 3, 2007 06:59 PM
Wow, Steve, you are so close to understanding the point of my "artistic Rendering" (giggle, I think Garth was being overly kind with those words).
Well, I'm not going to bust your nuts over this issue, not worth the effort over small details, but I will clear up a few details that you pondered about permissions and rights of use.
1) Many, many months ago I gave Garth Permission to use any "art" my site that he wished. That is also open to any blogger or media source, including you.
2) When I have materials that are not for redistribution without consent, such as my underwater photograph (sorry gang, there is literally tens of thousands of dollars of training, equipment and travel expenses spent getting those pictures and video) I clearly mark them as such.
3) Lastly, since I am a regular on Garth's Blog most people know where to go to find the details, and the day prior to Garth using that "artist Rendering" ~giggle~ I had posted the link in his comment section where he talked at the charming lady who was bothered by Garth and Dion's attempted overthrow of Canada's New Government TM.
PS, btw you put way to much thought and analysis into this none issue,... was it a slow news days or what?
Anyways, thanks for the link and traffic and feel free to my "artist Renderings" ~giggle~ in the future. The silly season is coming to the end and hopeful morons in Ottawa will prive me much better photos and stories to "artistically render" Wish I had the time to do Iggy and the Puffins, but I had too much work to spare the ten minutes and the news cycle is now to old for the Iggiot's lame duck joke,... HA I kill me!
Zorph
Posted by: Zorpheous at September 3, 2007 08:49 PM
What "west" is Garth going to take for the Liberals - you mean, the "far west", like west of Keele Street? Good luck with that. Those people back of Etobicoke and on the frontier in Mississauga are barely above the level of savages. They're just not ready for someone with the keen intelligence and political cunning of Wise Old Garth.
Have they tried sending Bebimba out west? Maybe they'll fall for the Political Courtesan with a Heart of Gold shtick.
Posted by: at September 3, 2007 09:27 PM
lol talk about taking up a lost (or in this case NONE) cause.
You sure got bent outta shape over nothin. I think Zorpheous wrapped it all up just fine though.
lol what a joke.
Posted by: SJ at September 3, 2007 09:57 PM
FRAG THE FUCKER .... STEPHANE ... NOW ... !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Observer at September 3, 2007 11:10 PM
I really expected the reaction to be harsher than this. I hope my readership isn't get soft on me.
This was a lightweight post, to be sure. I stand by my statement that not providing links and context is bad form in a blogger. But call this an appetizer. My real post is one that took hours to prepare, but now it's up. It's a lot meatier than this bit of pastry. It looks into major controversy to which Garth Turner has taken a strong stand. It shows another side to the argument, with supporting documentation, that suggests a very different focus on who is really responsible for a lot of the pain that Garth Turner is using to score political points with.
And no cartoons. Promise.
Posted by: Steve Janke at September 4, 2007 12:45 AM
I received an invitation to the Garth Turner Public Meeting in Abbotsford. I am a Conservative member, so it is obvious Turner used his list of Conservative member to try to pack his meetings because he knows he won't get enough Liberals interested. On top of that, the invitation were mailed from John McCallum's office! I guess Turner doesn't have much of a budget with the Liberals.
Posted by: Louise Fribance at September 4, 2007 08:30 PM
 
|
|
