Tasteless Washington Post Editorial Cartoon

Received an editorial cartoon in an email from a friend of mine that works in the Pentagon (sorry, man). I've heard Fox and quite a few others bash the Washington Post for the things they publish, but I've honestly never read the paper itself at all. Unfortunately, they officially moved themselves into my "wacko" (sorry, James) column of things that I refuse to read...

This is heartless and done in an attempt at humor. I'm all for tasteless jokes, but this has gone too far. The saving grace, and the reason I'm posting about it, is that the Joint Chiefs of Staff responded immediately to the cartoon with a jointly signed letter to the defeatist rag newspaper. Incidentally, I've never set eyes on anything that the entire CJCS has signed together--which I thought was pretty awesome. Only the letter and first two signatures are on there--just take my word for it that the other four signatures were on the other page and chalk it up to my lack of prowess in image posting.

Due to the image being poor--here's a copy of what it says:

To the editors of the Washington Post:

We were extremely disappointed to see the editorial cartoon by Tom Toles on page B6 in the January 29th edition. Using the likeness of a servicemember who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons are often designed to exaggerate issues--and your paper is obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of today's Armed Forces. However, we believe you and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to your readers and your paper's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defend this nation and, as a result, have suffered traumatic and life-threatening wounds.

Those who visit with wounded veterans in hospitals have found lives profoundly changed by pain and loss. They have also found brave men and women with a sense of purpose and selfless commitment that causes truly battle-hardened warriors to pause. Where do we get such men and women? From the cities, and farmlands of this great Nation--they serve to be a part of something bigger than themselves. While you or some of your readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve their country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.

As the Joint Chiefs, it is rare that we all put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered.

Sincerely,

Gen Peter Pace, Chairman JCS
Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Vice Chairman JCS
General Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps
General Peter Schoomaker, US Army Chief of Staff
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations
General Michael Mosely, US Air Force Chief of Staff