Updated 19 July 2008

I know I've posted these cartoons before, however they just recently ran the the Ft. Huachuca "AT EASE" Newspaper and  I'm putting them up again because my editor is concerned about Ft. Huachuca possibly not allowing the "AT EASE" to be distributed on Post because of them.  You see, the  304th MI Bn Commander is upset about  the cartoons and wrote the following e-mail. (Please see below) You may note that the e-mail is not just addressed to the editor of the "At Ease" (Sierra Vista Herald) but also several high ranking Army and DoD Civilians.  I think there is a  misunderstanding.   I don't think LTC Monnard understands that these cartoons were in response to a specific event(s).  Specifically - a US Army Colonel kissing the Koran during a formal apology to Tribal leaders after a US Army Sniper used the Koran for target practice.

I thought I would give LTC Monnard the opportunity to express his views about the cartoons by posting his e-mail here on my site.  I am also looking for other points of view.  Please e-mail me if you are so inclined and I will post your opinions as well.

From: "Monnard, Richard M LTC MIL USA TRADOC"
Date: July 17, 2008 8:55:39 AM MST
To: "Moncur, Angela L CIV USA IMCOM"
Cc: "Miller, Thomas L COL MIL USA TRADOC", "Roberts, Michael W CSM MIL USA FORSCOM", "Krausman, James R Mr CIV USA TRADOC", "Manigault, Steven E CIV USA TRADOC"
Subject: Fort Huachuca At Ease - 16 July 2008 - Vol 6 No 29

Ms Moncur,
As the current commander of the 304th MI Battalion, one of my responsibilities is the training of international officers as part of the International Military Education and Training Program (IMET). At the present time I have over 15 officers from Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
In the last two additions of the FORT HUACHCUA AT EASE, the Pvt Murphy Cartoon has depicted the Koran and persons of Middle Eastern decent in a negative light. I understand the Bill of Rights and founding principles of this Nation and I have read the sm all print on page 2 which indicates that the paper is not affiliated with the US Army or FortHuachuca. However, it is hard to understand how one would not perceive this being a US Army and Fort Huachucaenterprise, when the title of the paper is FORT HUACHUCA AT EASE. Furthermore, the installation allows the Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review to distribute this periodical to all military members and their families.
We would appreciate it if we could be a bit more sensitive to those who are here on this installation as part of the International Military Education and Training Program. It is a key component of US security assistance that provides US training to students from allied and friendly nations. The IMET program is also an investment in ideas and people by providing democratic alternatives to key foreign military and civilian leaders. Additionally, the IMET program exposes students to the US professional military establishment and the American way of life, including amongst other things, U.S.regard for democratic values, respect for individual and human rights and belief in the rule of law.
Thanks for your help in building partnerships in regions where we have Soldiers fighting and dying every day.
LTC Mike Monnard
304th MI Battalion
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark, Unfortunately, LTC. Monnard got it wrong. He talked about teaching respect for Democratic values, human rights, etc. but he wants to show his "guests" the same type of controlled society that they all come from. Sometimes Democracy and First Amendment rights are not convienient and they can be a little embarrassing. Seeing that and having LTC Monnard explain that to them, would do those foreign officers a world of good. We don't train foreign officers well or do them a service when we impose self censorship just to make their stay comfortable.

Thanks for your great cartoons. They depict military life more correctly than some people would like to admit.

Thanks,
Ed Napier
USA (Ret)

_____________________________________________________________________________

Sir,

I understand the point you were making with the cartoon. I think it’s a good example of how far the PC movement has taken this country down the tubes.

We can’t address our troops without fear of stepping on someone’s toes or offending them in such a way as to have us standing in front of the boss trying to explain to them what you were trying to do.

There was a time when we as Americans were not afraid to stand for what is right and say to hell with what the others think. Yes, I know one has to be diplomatic and there is a ton of ass kissing being done on a regular day to day basis. But It’s times that we start realizing that we need to start acting like the big dog in the yard instead of a cowering little puppy in the corner, afraid to stand up for ourselves and what we feel is right.

I mean look at us. We can go to the moon and back not just once but several times, fight a war in the jungles of Viet Nam, make major strides against diseases, help prop up other countries economies at the expense of our own, and should we decide to do so, exterminate ourselves in a radiation filled haze. And yet here we are, begging some bunch of rag heads to increase the production of oil so tha t we can have cheap gas to run our cars with. We cower to extremeists and pay them off to leave us alone, and so forth. What has happened to our national will is summed up so well in your cartoon.

The old saying is “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Should be the watch word to these “student” at Ft Hoochie. You don’t like the culture, then stay out of it in your little cubicle on base. This is OUR country and they must adapt to OUR customs, just as they expect us to adapt to theirs. Unfortunately, we do the adapting and they do the laughing.

Keep on doing what you’re doing, sir.

Oh and please dpn’t discontinue the mis adventures of Murphy..you know as well as I that all because you pick up that third stripe, the Law still applies, only it’s been modified to include the added stuff. I even coined a “law” while I was a young sergeant in the Marines and it still applies today. I call it “Cole’s Law” which states If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen on my watch and I’m the one who’s going to have to find, fix and explain why it occurred. And in the end, I’m going to be the one to pay for it.”
I’m now a 1st Lt and a company commander in the Virginia Defense Force and it STILL applies only 3xs worse.


Semper Fi

Lloyd Cole
1st Lt. INF VaDF
S/Sgt USMC 73-86

___________________________________________________________________________

Mark,
Sorry to see you getting grief over the cartoons about the Koran and Arabs . What sort of irritation does the LTC show over cartoons in the local papers making fun of the Commander in Chief?

He would have probably been upset over 'SGT Mike in VietNam"

I enjoy your cartoons and agree with other writers that the PC Police need to be shook up now and then.

Good luck!!!!

Jay Ward Viet Vet
Slick pilot 71-72 B troop 3/17 Cav
___________________________________________________________________________
Mark,
Ok, I agree with you. I have travelled a bit over the years and I “respect” the unique nature of another culture. However, I take issue with people who get too PC. The strength of our country lies not in the PC nature but in our individual backgrounds/culture. That also means it is our greatest weakness when we let people divide us.
IF the LTC has an opinion he must also understand that the US Constitution gives you the right to publish your own opinion. But I also saw the whole Koran thing as “kissing” someone too…even before you published your cartoon.

CW2 William Bowe
_____________________________________________________________________________
Hi!
Got my Sgt. Murphy - spent an hour reading and re-reading it and
laughing my ass off. Thank you very much.

Regarding the foreign officers at Ft. Huachuca - They need to develop a
sense of humor, and failing that, thicker skin. I am tired of the US
Military having cater to the wishes of people from other countries. I
miss the days of gunboat diplomacy and colonialism...

Thanks!
Ray Spitz

_____________________________________________________________________________
Mark,
It should be nothing new. From that guy who shared a gin drink name at Bragg to this guy. Some people lack the ability to either see realism or have the sense of humor to laugh at themselves.
The cartoon about the US kissing butts over the Koran incident is exactly what most of the soldiers here in theater felt and thought. You just put it in ink for us.
Gotta love the first amendment. It's what separates us from them.
Got Book 5 in today. I now have the complete collection (well, except for the very first one). Gonna hate to see Murph go.
To steal a line from Bob Hope: "Thanks for the Memories"
Dan
 

__________________________________________________________________________

Mark,

I've got something to say: First I’d like to state that the Army would have a massive PR nightmare if they attempted at any time, for nearly any reason (this one included, I’m sure), to censor or ban a local paper on Fort Huachuca. This is in direct violation of both the freedoms of speech and press, of course guaranteed under the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution. As a veteran myself, I know that all members of the armed services, enlisted, officer, and Lieutenant Colonel Monnard included, swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of these United States. Though he states that he understands the Bill of Rights, I’m afraid I must remind him that the word “uphold” is defined by Webster’s as: “to support against an opponent” among others. This doesn’t sound like his oath and understanding are altogether in line.

Furthermore, the cartoons in question were an opinion, granted, but the events driving that opinion were of the following nature: A uniformed soldier in a foreign country acted in such a way that was offensive to that country’s people and culture. Although I don’t agree with the way the Army handled the incident, the soldier in question nonetheless was not entitled to conduct himself in any way that offended or affronted that society and culture. The same can be said, and should be expected, from the 15 officers from Middle Eastern countries (or any foreign uniformed service members) who are now in a foreign country with a society and culture that is different from their own. It’s kind of a “quid pro quo,” wherein if our soldiers must be “sensitive” to a foreign culture even if they don’t like it, shouldn’t the same rules apply to foreign soldiers here? They don’t have to like how much freedoms are guaranteed to our society, but that’s not their call. I mean, even the most senior officials in the United States government are not protected from being the subject of free speech and press. If the sitting President of the United States, as well as senior Senators (to name a few) can be subjected legally to political opinions and satire, then how are foreign personnel elevated above our highest executives and legislators? They don’t have the right to demand, or even expect, our fundamental way of life to change just for them, especially when it directly conflicts with GUARANTEED freedoms granted by the Constitution. If we bend to that way of thinking, then the next step will be female soldiers having wear niqabs on Fort Huachuca in the presence or view of these 15 Middle Eastern officers, or at the very least, they’ll not be allowed to hold their heads high and look men in the eye while in their presence. The latter point I’m sure sounds extreme, but the fundamental point is the same. Being “a bit more sensitive” at the expense of our own rights becomes a double standard at best, and at worst will degrade the very principles and values that men and women swear to “uphold and defend” every time they don a uniform of the United States military.

Keath Warlick USMC

__________________________________________________________________________
 

Here you go, Mark! My opinion only, of course.

It seems to me, as a retired Army officer and fairly well educated and traveled man, that we are being very one sided in our efforts to accommodate those of other cultures. When I went to other countries in the course of my duties I was encouraged to learn the language and culture of the host nation as a sign of respect to them (a good idea). Yet I am forced to choose between a foreign language and English in my own country. I'm told that it is disrespectful to Muslims to make jokes about their religion yet there seems to be very little concern for ridicule and threats by Islamic sources of Christianity and Judaism, not to mention direct violence that focuses on the religion rather than actions or politics. I will give respect but only for so long unless respect is returned in kind. And every Army leader worth their salt should have learned that respect is a two way street.

I think the call for more sensitivity toward Americans and American values and sacrifices is long overdue and if some young battalion commander has a problem with that then maybe he or she should re-read their commission, the part at the top that talks about "fidelity". Your first concern should be with and for your soldiers, not with the sensitivities of guests who barely return the same consideration we give when we are in their country. Be considerate. Be a good host, by all means. But require the same respect from our allies as they demand from us. Perhaps the International Military Education and Training Program should institute a block of instruction on "Respect for American Culture" as part of their curriculum? Make it a graded block, colonel.

Roger L. Perkins
US Army (Retired)