The ‘other’ cartoonist is going to change his strip in the ‘Best Little City in America TIMES’
http://folkertscartoonstudio.blogspot.com/
I wonder where he got such a great idea? Like putting crowns on the Mayor’s head, etc., etc.
The ‘other’ cartoonist is going to change his strip in the ‘Best Little City in America TIMES’
http://folkertscartoonstudio.blogspot.com/
I wonder where he got such a great idea? Like putting crowns on the Mayor’s head, etc., etc.
Comments are closed.
I guess if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Jason is payin’ you a tribute there Scott. 😉
Now, it’d be nice to ASK him about those ideas or simply interact, but his new blog doesn’t allow comments. So, when the best lil’ Prairie Hamlet denies global warming or insists Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore is a “maroon” — I guess no counter viewpoint will be accepted or welcomed.
Yeah, it’s a stretch, I just thought it was funny. I’ve noticed there is ‘faint’ ideas taken from other cartoonists quite often in Jason’s work. Like when he drew Herseth as a dog. I couldn’t figure out why the dog looked familiar (and male) and then I pulled up a picture of Clifford the big ‘RED’ dog. Somehow mysteriously Clifford changed from Red to Blue and became Stephanie.
I brought it up to him about deleting people’s comments on his old site and not allowing dissent. As an editorial cartoonist I thought it was hypocritical, but hey we can’t all be as thick skinned as us liberal pagans.
It’s good to see Jason doing well. Seriously.
In SD I’ve learned if you love Jesus, kiss ass (rich Republiskum) and copy people who are already famous, you will do well.
I’m doomed.
I’m assuming the HAMLET series is an effort by the AL to clean up there image and appeal to more little old ladies who keep canceling their subscriptions because the TV guide type is too small, yet still being ‘editorial’ but nice. Jason has mentioned to me a few times I was ‘too controversial’ (truthful) for the AL. I know that’s not his words, that’s from people who work there.
Surprisingly, my conservative friends have been the most vocal to me about missing me in the paper. I had one of them ask me last week why I’m not in there anymore. I can’t repeat what I said about the Ex. Editor, let’s just say it wasn’t ‘KIND’ words.
This country is slowly becoming a herd of sheep, and our newspapers are following suit.
It’s not just newspapers following suit. Network television media is just as bad. When the White House edits and spoon feeds the “journalists” and all obey, we’re no longer a free press.
It’s scary times. Corporate sponsored news and corporate sponsored politicians, corporate war profits …. in a way we’re all doomed.
Cartoon wise, I don’t really follow Jason’s cartoons and wouldn’t know about them without your links — we don’t subscribe to the Argus. I usually find I don’t agree with much of his editorial viewpoints, but think that in news, there should be allowances for each side of the arena if any media is interested in balanced opinion.
I disagree with Jackie’s characterization of Jason’s tales from a Prairie Hamlet as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It’s outright plagiarism. However, Jason is not at fault. He is naive. The Argus editors, Nestor Ramos and Randell Beck, are taking advantage of him. Beck and Ramos obviously are clueless concerning the art of political cartooning. Case in point: they recently publish another gag cartoon featuring a Dick Cheney hunting mishap. (It especially hurts that one of my favorite cartoonists, Don Wright, drew it.) Like Scott, I have had people inquire about my cartoons no longer appearing in the Argus. I was fortunate to have my cartoons published four times a month in the Argus from 1992 to 1998 because of the support I received from Jack Marsh, Rob Swenson, and Pam Terrell. They allowed me to speak my mind. Unfortunately, Jason doesn’t have that luxury.
Tim, I was being a little light and smart alecy, but thanks for setting me straight. I went back and revisited Jason’s site and yeah, it is direct lifting of content from Scott’s earlier cartoon. While revisiting, it appears Jason is intrigued and experimenting/imitating Scott’s style to a degree in his Dunkin’ Donuts panel. Then I think back to the shell game cartoon …
Maybe in time he’ll come into his own style and be consistant there.
Jason does need to be called out on these things (“borrowing intellectual property”), yet it’s also up to the Argus Leader to to ensure and not reward lifting of people’s content. Does he get PAID for these? Maybe a stronger calling out in the form of a letter from a legal firm would be an educational lesson?
One other item, if the Argus pays someone to publish a cartoon, it does not mean they then hold ownership to the cartoon, do they? In other words, they should not be offering to sell and make $$$$ off of prints of either Scott, Tim, or Jason’s cartoons.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with ‘borrowing’ ideas, obviously paths cross once in awhile. In graphic design it is encouraged to borrow your comrades work. Big time designers are more interested in the awards and getting recognized for being the ‘first’.
I think the problem is diversity on the editorial page of the AL. In fact this bothers conservatives more then liberals (in fact they complain more about it). I think editorial toons should be biting and short. The Argus prefers colorful and cute. Not much we can do about it until we become the editor.
I’m glad to be out of that world. They asked me the other day to comment for a story and I said NO COMMENT. They were looking for a ‘critical voice’ for the story. I read it today and see they only found one person (conveniently) to be critical in the piece. The column was laced with glowing reviews about a certain organization (of course) who spends $$$ with the adverstising department of the AL.
They have really turned into a ADVERTORIAL newspaper, and that is sad. Sugar coating in the media has really destroyed the industry in fairness, etc.
Think I may have to set the facts straight on my blog since you keep deleting away the truth. Plus, I better zip over to Jackie’s and fill her in as well. Hey, who contacted you at the Argus about a comment on a story – I’m curious? We’re all curious, since that was your world afterall.
Huh? I never got any of your comments.
Email from the AL:
Good morning, Scott.
I have been asked to round out another reporter’s story about the direction the Washington Pavilion might take under new leadership.
So far, we have just one critical voice in it. I hope you can share with me your frustrations with the past and hopes for the future of the pavilion.
I’d prefer a phone call today, but e-mail works today.
Thanks.
-josh
Josh Verges
Argus Leader
W: (605) 331-2335
C: (605) 201-7034
Fax: (605) 331-2294
jverges@argusleader.com
Thanks, good to see Josh thinks of you as being a curmudgeon in our community. I sent four comments your way and they were on for a little while than dissapeared. Figured you were dumping them. They addressed your accusations of me stealing your ideas. That’s hilarious. First I actually draw my toons – you just muck around in some print program and augment photos. Like to see you actually pick up a pen and draw out a toon. I used the hamlet moniker way back in 2006 on my blog buddy, used it on Belfrage’s show way back then as well, plus other times – long before you did one of your few toons that ever made it in the Argus. I stuck a crown on the Gov long before you ever added one to the mayor. Who’s swiping who? Plus, blue dog doesn’t even remotely look like Clifford. Jackie is acting nuts and her leftist rants are getting annoying. Tim is just a showing himself to be a bitter fella who can’t let go of something that happened 10 years ago, ancient history in media world.
Last I checked cartooning was considered ‘Lowbrow’ art. Always has been, always will be. That’s why they hand out Pulitzer prizes to editorial cartoonists and not MOMA grants, and that’s why I spend more time writing my toons then drawing them. On average it takes me about 5-15 minutes to draw my toons, and it shows, I know. I’m more about delivering a message then coloring a tree leaf right. That’s what editorial cartooning and illustration is about, delivery.
Fine art, that’s another beast, but never put the two in the same arena, that’s what us satarists would call armegeddan.
Jackie’s leftist rants are getting annoying. Scott just “mucks around in some print program and augments photos.” Tim is just showing himself to be a bitter fella who can’t let go of something that happened 10 years ago, ancient history in media world. I sent an e-mail to Lee Salem of United Features informing him of a Mike Rounds cartoon, drawn by Jason, published June 20, 2007 in the Argus, strikingly similar to a Pat Oliphant cartoon published Feb. 10, 1997 by United Features and also featured on the Library Of Congress’ website. To his credit, Jason is good at public speaking. Too bad he chooses to not rely on his own god-given talents as an artist. It was true ten years ago and it’s true today. The media frowns upon plagiarism.
LOL. Well, by golly this is interesting dialogue. 🙂
Scott – I’ll toss out some thoughts on the contrary regarding cartooning. It might be considered lowbrow, but I do think there is a fine art to it and illustrators who do bring the artform to a high standard.
Jason – I’m kinda surprised you consider my comments “leftist” — as you yourself made commentary about doubting the media re: global warming – your view was media touting it existed. Either you agree we’re getting spoon fed selective info or you don’t. It doesn’t matter the party in charge, if it happens, it shouldn’t.
I’m just one of a growing percentage (70%) not pleased with what is going on. You and I have kids that will deal with the consequences of decisions our elected officials do. If you find that “annoying” — let me continue to be a thorn in your side.
Regarding acting “nuts” — I’ll toss out a cartoonist/ethical challenge. Take your shell game cartoon and in Photoshop superimpose it over the original you were inspired by. Play with the transparency some.
Jackie-
I LOVE lowbrow art, that’s most of the art hanging on my walls. I just think there is a ‘difference’ between lowbrow and fine art. There has been quite a movement on the west coast to combine the two, but the more established galleries still insist the difference is there. But to tell someone they have to be a pen to the paper artist to draw editorial cartoons is just spittle from someone who is extremely misinformed about satire and it’s intent.
Here’s some ‘Lowbrow’ artists I have some prints by:
http://www.shag.com/
http://www.coopstuff.com/
http://www.johnjohnjesse.net/
I really like John Johns’ work, I only have 2 of his prints, but wish I could afford an original. He reminds me of the punk rock version of Norman Rockwell. Look closely at the faces.
When I drew that toon for a collective bunch of toons, as we all did for the Argus, I gave chops to Oliphant on my blog saying I used an older toon of his as a template for the idea, a toon that I have always liked alot and as an artist, has inspired me in my young days. I probably shouldn’t have done that – but I had about 30 minutes to get it in as it was a special toon on a selective story, remember. But lots of toonists have copied image styles and looks – how many Kirby, Byrne. Marlette, Walker, Doonesbury and Swan mimicks have there been? tons and tons. I’ve looked at famous posters and images to draw things from time to time, you have to Tim. My question is this, take for example Scott’s toons – he uses direct photos of individiuals and other peoples paintings to augment and play with them for his style. Doesn’t someone own those as well, I think I remember a Mona Lisa knockoff – should I send a letter to the Louvre. When does he give any credit or aknowledge them for using those pics and drawings.
As far as writing a letter Tim, Whatever. You do what you got to do to make yourself feel better. Remember that little email you sent me not long ago. Maybe I should pull that out and print that on my blog for all to see so folks can get a perspective of what is driving your frustration at me – I thought we resolved the struggle you had with my stuff in the Argus and Journal, after reading the above blog comments – guess not. If it gives you pleasure to rip on me and my work, so be it. Like I said before, I have always enjoyed your work and tried to be supportive of your efforts in tooning. But your actions taken above clearly say to me that you’d rather rip than support local cartooning, and especially those who are doing okay with it and the good it can do for a community.
Same goes for you Jackie, real supportive of cartooning in the community – give me a break.
How much fun it must be for you to sit around and find ways to attack the guy who is actually getting paid a bit and better yet, getting local cartoons published in this town – believe it or not, what little cartooning I have done for SD papers is actually helping to open up doors for more and other cartoonist opportunities and artists in this state. Naw, let’s just go back to National stuff and trash the local artists.
Jason- I suggest you pickup some reading material about copyright infringement. You seem to know very little about it.
I think Tim was just pulling your chain anyway. It seems you get pretty irritated when you are ignorant to a topic. I don’t understand your dislike for criticism, editorial cartooning is’t like Sunday school where everyone sings “Jesus loves me”, prays and goes home. You have to be willing to take criticism, and most of all you have to realize it’s about content not substance.
“- believe it or not, what little cartooning I have done for SD papers is actually helping to open up doors for more and other cartoonist opportunities and artists in this state.”
That is the biggest line of bullshit I have ever heard. Going to talk to highschool kids and book signings doesn’t qualify. Use your cartooning to make a difference, and then you will truly earn respect. Your attack on Stehly was extremely out of line. This country is falling behind when it comes to grassroots movements. Theresa volunteered her own time to make a difference in her community and you made her look like a bitch. She is actually a very pleasent appreciative person. It’s one thing to make fun of a scumbag like Larry Craig or a f’ckn liar like Mike Rounds but to pick on a citizen that did so much for her community? In the words of one of the letter writers to the AL in reference to the Stehly toon: “You need to bo back to cartooning school”
Jason,
Lots of benefit of the doubt and lots of praise has also been given to you in this discussion. No one here can disagree that you have talent. I do hope you realize there is some educative area here. Any of us cartoonists need to really look over and be familiar with copyright, fair use, and respecting the property of others as well as ourselves.
We do spend a unit and lesson about copyright in my classes. If borrowing or nodding to someone, getting permission from the original artist and a statement like “a study after X X” is an approach I teach it to my students. While I can understand time restraints — if something is a well known cartoon, giving credit to the original artist on the cartoon that is published should be in order — and preferably drawn at a different angle or altered a bit more if springboarding from the idea. In Education, you can use direct images, etc. for instructional purposes — but only a certain percentage of it. In business, however, intellectual property becomes more serious and there is definitely a cash value attached.
Stuff like going after The Scream, The Mona Lisa, etc. is parody of the original. Parody falls a bit different area under Fair Use. Political figures are also fair game in the images situation, I believe, I’d go back to my Powerpoint and look over it all again.
Whether it’s Jason, Scott, Tim, any of us, if we publish something editorial — we need to realize that it’s open to differing opinions. I think that is where I do have an issue with the closed comment section of blogs.
Regarding shrugging me off as unsupportive, you *all* still will continue to be included in anything I’m involved in planning regarding cartoonist activities. I’m not designated the official social coordinator and would happily allow others to plan gatherings … but no one has been written off by me. I think there’s some good that can come out of all this discussion.
I went back to the original posting I did on my old blog, June 21st, you were right Tim, glad to see you know my work so well. So I went back and did a looksee since I had forgotten what I actually wrote and drew (to a degree). Yup, I paid total homage to the main man of editorial cartooning Oliphant and said I copied “his look and style” and made complete reference to the actual toon that Tim got all huffy about. I was totally into that guys stuff as a young, hungry, and eagar artist and that’s that. It was in honor to him, not to take away from him. In fact, just underneath that post was a toon I did for the Journal of an image I drew of Barney the Dinosaur for. Interesting that was there – you gonna write an email to PBS now Tim saying I swiped Barney?
Scott, I want to respond to your stuff, but now now, not here.
Was there a statement or credit on the cartoon that was originally published in the Argus Leader? (So that Joe Q. Public knew that this was a study after Oliphant?)
Jason, I did say to you in an e-mail that I am jealous of your success. I don’t deny it. I have no reason to contest your use of the Barney imagery. I have used imagery from Sesame Street, myself. However, what caught my attention, in the first place, is an Oliphant cartoon, published on the Library of Congress’ website, depicting President Clinton as a huckster in a shell game, seemed strikingly similar to your Mike Rounds’ cartoon. I’m sorry. Deadline pressure is no excuse. I’ve worked for three college newspapers and two daily newspapers as a writer and cartoonist. The hands drawn by Oliphant are nearly exact copies of the hands on your Mike Rounds drawing. Earlier this year, you said you drew in a style similar to Oliphant’s, due to your great admiration of Oliphant. I don’t see an Oliphant style in your current work. The Library of Congress, where I originally saw the Oliphant cartoon, agreed with me that your cartoon was borderline plagiarism. However, they also said they had no intention to pursue the issue due to the lack of people who viewed your cartoon, on a national level. I have yet to hear from Oliphant’s syndicate, United Features. I’m sure the issue is low on their radar as well. You say I’m a bitter has-been. That hurts. You are finding success following Bruce Tinsley’s footsteps in drawing a conservative political cartoon strip. Kudos to you.
Jason-
If you can’t say it here, don’t say it all. I beleive strongly in dissent and open forums.
Don’t take criticism of your cartooning personal. In fact, many people have asked me if I have met you and when I tell them yes, they ask my opinion about you, and I always say the same thing, that you are very friendly affable person.
As an artist I can never let my art define who I am as a person. Imagine if they would have judged Caravaggio by his personal life, he would never gotten hired.
When I critique your cartoons, that’s all I’m doing, it has nothing to do with you as a person. Seriously man.
Tim, I never used the word bitter has been, I said you were bitter about the past issues with the Argus, you can’t deny that. It’s pretty obvious you carry a big ol’ grudge with some folks around there, you mention it, not me.
And… your line of “Kudos to me”.
“Kudos to me?” After you email both the Library of Congress and King Syndicate to go after me over an intrepretation that you get overly irate about, over some “hands drawn” in an Oliphant style. By the way – you never saw any of my college work, which was much more rough and edgy, like Oliphant. “Kudos to me?” after I gave ample chops to both Oliphant and even you on the blogsite concerning the toon. “Kudos to me?” After you get done blasting me, calling me naive, taking a jab at me about God given talents and the direction those should go – and “kudos to me”?
It’s one thing to disagree with me and even dislike my style and/or humor in tooning, but to take it to another level and try to bring real hurt into my life and or my family is something I won’t soon forget.
You need to know that I have always spoken of you highly to the Editors at the Argus, and that’s a fact. Said you were a great guy and to any others who asked about you as a cartoonist in this town – I always say Tim is a great guy. That ends. I will be only to glad to share with them the petty actions you took against me, which I took very personally.
When we watch another cartoonist trace, literally trace over a published and well established editorial cartoonist — and when calling him (deservingly) out on it out comes lashing out terms like “nuts”, “has been”, etc. as well as excuses like “everyone does it.” “Edgy” doesn’t mean tracing the friggin’ edges of another’s work and claiming it as your own idea — or slipping some credit to the original in a tucked away blog vs on the original where it belonged. I took the Photoshop challenge and created an animated gif where the transparency reveals the original. Want me to post it?
That practice hurts the art form, dude. You aren’t being honest with yourself, with us, with the publication that prints your work, or the readers that enjoy your cartoons. The original topic of this thread dealt with intellectual property or content. This discussion is a heck of a lot cheaper than consequences further on down the road if the borrowing/tracing continues and cartoonin’ Karma gets you. A group of us, with good reason, have some diminished respect for this. You wouldn’t get away with copying over something like this in high school or college — you’d get no credit. You know better Jason.
I drew the image free hand Jackie, but yes, I did look at the image when I drew it, which I stated on my blog when the toon came out. looking back I should have put a hat’s off nod to Oliphant on the toon. If it makes you feel better I will be glad to post both toons on my blog later today and offer an apology to all who are concerned.
Just know this – I expect some acknowledgments from Scott from here on out on all the images he swipes off the net and then recolors, etc. Including all his knockoff paintings from other artists and images as well. It’s one thing to look at an image and draw it – as I have done on numerous occasions and did with the Oliphant homage, and others I’ve done such as the Grinch, Barney, Uncle Sam, Wile E. Coyote, Statue of David, Sunday in the Park, etc. In fact – you can go back to any of my art classes from grade school on up and ask them how I did with drawing images from other painters mimicking their style, etc. Straight up A’s in that department. I also did that with comic books as a kid, which I also have done from time to time in my toons with superheroes. You made your point and I’ll acknowledge that I should have tipped my hat even more and will do so more evidently in future.
Jason-
I was serious, you need to read a little about copyright infringement, public domain and fair use. Until you know more about the topic I really can’t sit here and debate you. I do credit when I directly use an image, like I did with the Van Halen/Schip toon. Other images fall under fair use and public domain so they do not have to be credited. Also, when you change an image by a certain percentage It is no longer protected by copyright. There is also a difference between an internet blog and print media. For example if someone thought I was wronglyfully using an image on my site, the worst that could happen is a ‘cease and desist’ in which I would have to take the post down. Once something is printed, there is no going back. Many things could happen, but let’s just say copyright lawsuits are not a pretty.
On a different topic entirely I think you need to stop invoking your family when we are critical of you. I don’t think any of us have EVER said anything about your family. This is about you Jason, that’s it. If you want to have an honest debate (something I allow on my site) we can, but don’t start saying we have attacked your family because that’s a bunch of malarkey.
Well, in that case I would like to see percentages – I think I covered both “my respects to” and “changed it up enough” that it is not plagiarism but rather an image likeness of a famous toon, but I will still post it on my blog and offer an apology if I misled or didn’t know all the nuances of copyrights, etc. I plan on printing what I said back then on my blog and offer also some other thoughts. And just so Jackie knows – my blog is far from obscure, probably as many people, if not more read it than look at the paper and see my toons there. Overall I plan on doing some research on all this and see where it lies. Which is difficult given all the image sources out there and domain rights. Overall, at the base of all this I feel, just a feeling mind you, that so much of your collective angst toward me far beyond this Oliphant issue lies in me just getting published on a regular basis and not seeing your own stuff in print more regularly, at least that is what it comes across to me and many others. A jealousy toward someone who is finding a little (real “little” mind you) success in art. Tim has said as much several times. What do you want me to say – the Argus Leader has chosen me to be the regular toonist and for whatever reasons they have and are not that jazzed about the stuff you or Tim produce, I guess Jackie too, though I have no idea if she has ever had anything professionally printed in toon world in their paper, I don’t think I’ve even seen any or her work out there. It’s easy to take shots (where this all began) at the guy who is actually visible to the greater majority. Guess it goes with the territory I’m in.
Jason,
I honestly am not jealous of you. I don’t envy you at all — I could not work a full time job, raise a family, keep house, plus plunk out cartoons. I do some freelancing and turn down some. I’m at a point where I want to do my own thing, work for myself, make my own designs/cartoons and if there is a market for it, great – it’s gravy. I honestly like cartooning better if I’m cartooning for me or what I’m interested in.
I’m not sure how you were taught, but in our Graphics curriculum – we’re really big on fair use and copyright. If I take a picture of student work and want to exhibit it on my web site, I get their signed permission plus their parents.
If you are a professional and in the business, then it’s your business and your professional obligation to respect other people’s ideas, content and work.
I plunked up one web site on the cartoonist blog that references fair use and copy right and is kind of entertaining to look at.
I’m going to go out on a limb and give some other advice which I’m sure will not be welcome and I’m feeling less than tactful at this point. Jason – believe it or not, others have traveled the cartooning path before you. You come off a bit naive and a bit know-it-all and toot your own horn rather loudly. I don’t get the feel you are out to help other cartoonists, but it’s all about Jason. Tim does not deserve to be called a has been by someone that works fairly cheap and doesn’t get the grasp of ethics or copyright.
Jason- I look forward to your ‘tribute’ to the other cartoonists on your site. But remember, unlike your site, I have given you the opportuntiy to defend yourself here, I would appreciate the same from you.
Jackie, I saw your posting on your site and I will look at the reference. That is a good thing to post and I thank you for that.
I too have a young and active family, hold another job, freelance, etc. So I understand your busyness – I feel it to.
You certainly have your opinions about me. Fine. Think of me as you will and in fairness I will think of you as I so choose. Since you brought it up, let me respond accordingly. I completely understand that many others have walked the path before me and I only benefit from their wisdom. But if you think that Scott Ehrisman, Tim Benson and you are those I should look to for cartooning guidance, after you trash me upside and down, you would be sadly mistaken, what? Do you think I’m an idiot. I will seek out those who I deem qualified and experienced to guide my way and learn from those who are successful.
Finally, I did a sincere apology on my blog and offered some thoughts. I’m willing to say I’m sorry where need be.
On taht note – I have never once heard Scott Ehrisman offer any apology to attacking my faith and beliefs (did it above again), what does that have to do with my cartooning? He called me a Nazi once, I remember that and so do others. Did you know he did that on his blog – he yanked it when I called him on it, I thought you liberals were big into hate speech, does that qualify? You see it’s a little tough to be so supportive of certain cartoonists when those same cartoonists cross over the line and attack me on that level. Yeah, I think I will ask Tim Benson for advice after he ran to the Library of Congress and King Syndicate to get me.
Further, I can’t tell you the number of times that Scott has unloaded on my site and spewed out his angst (other sites as well). Sites he gets banned for either being a potty mouth or just being so angry all the time nobody takes him seriously. My first memory of Scott was when he asked to have a link placed on my old blogsite and I didn’t respond the way he liked, he went nuts on me. I thought who is this guy and what’s his beef? In time I learned, as many have learned, including the Argus, that Scott is not someone you trust, he’s aloose cannon. He’ll be nice to you one moment and then stick it to you on the next blog entry.
By the way, what school do you teach at?
As a taxpayer I would like to know a little more about the people I employ. I asked this question early on in this never ending dialogue and Scott conveniently deleted four of my comments that were on the blog for a moment and then mysteriously dissapeared.
I believe I called you a ‘propagandist’ artist, because that is what the thread was about. My exact words were, “Too bad it’s not the 1940’s I heard the Germans were hiring.” Not sure where I called you a Nazi (I said the Nazi’s were hiring in a tongue and cheek way), but you do have trouble comprehending satire, as this thread shows.
As for your ‘loose cannon’ comment in reference to the Argus ‘Need to pull the knife out of my back’ Leader they have also misquoted me and misrepresented my views in so many articles it is hard to keep track. Damn right I’m pissed. When you have a reporter basically call you a vandalist, it tends to piss you off a bit. I would hardly rely on the opinions of a newspaper that has been loosing subscriptions and advertisers hand over fist the past 2 years and one that has a libel suit against them. Their cred in this town isn’t much better then mine, so I guess we are even.
The decision to not show my toons in the Argus Leader is clearly a philisophical one. I’m sure you only hear there side of the story. They love the ruin people’s reputations who don’t agree with them (Staggers and Stehly come to mind). I think they are jealous of Kermit, since he is the only politician in city government who actually has a PHD in political science, I chuckled when they tried to berate him. Pretty stupid move that blew up in their face. I may be a smart ass, but I know better then to get in a debate with a Doctor of Political Science.
I’m also not a brownoser, and refuse to kiss someone’s ass so I can get something in return. When I dowl out critiscism it is because I’m being truthful with someone and when I’m ‘nice’ it is because I want to be. I guess what I’m saying is I’m not ‘fake’ you can take me warts and all or not at all.
BTW-
You have NO ROOM to talk about ‘deleting comments’ it was common practice on your old blog.
Okay.
By the way, I realized after coming back again and again and again to this site that Norman Mailer died, bummer.
Okay again, I’m done.
I really have said all that can be said from my point of view without having a nervous breakdown with you folks…
If you want to keep ranting and baashing me, keep on keeping on – I have decided to block myself from ever coming to this site ever again, I don’t get paid enough to deal with this useless banter. Adios forever.
“That’s all Folks!” – Porky Pig
(Tim, notice I credited Porky, don’t turn me into the Library of Congress. He, He)
Jeez Folkarts, thin skinned would not even begin to describe you. Grow some balls. You do draw well though, and are a talented artist.
Okay, here’s the deal. I could have pointed out this Mike Rounds’ cartoon, drawn by Jason, immediately when it was published in June. I chose not to sabotage Jason’s artistic career at that time because I felt no one would take my accusation seriously because I would have been viewed as a “bitter” person. I would have preferred to discuss my concerns with Jason privately. However, I didn’t think Jason would take my concerns seriously. I assumed he felt superior to the other local cartoonists by not attending the Lowdown, Lowbrow reception at the Horse Barn Art Museum last Summer. I did not discuss this issue with the Argus, which I could have done, as well. Why would Jason accuse me of attacking his family? I was the victim of plagiarism. A guy in Arkansas, pretending to express an interest in my cartoons, asked me to give him three copies of my cartoons. He ended up using the ideas of all three as his own work and published them in his newspaper and for his syndicate. He’s syndicated in 250 newspapers. He profitted by stealing my ideas. That, Jason, is taking money from my family, which I did not do to you.
And hear I said I wasn’t coming back…
Fair enough Tim, that was not right in me saying you went after my family. I was a little steamed by all the banter and my emotions got the better of me. And it certainly was not right by what happened to you with the story you mentioned. I’m also sorry that I did not make it to the opening show at the horsebarn, I wanted to be there but something personal came up. Just so you know, over the last month or so I have really been evaluating my time and energies and the whole cartooning thing. I am reminded that it is something that I sorta fell into – very grateful for that. Cartooning has been an education on many levels. I have come to realize that I really enjoy illustrating for books or magazines a great deal and I am sorting out whether or not cartooning is for me. I so appreciate many of the talented people who put out Editorial Cartoons day after day and deal with the pressures that come with it, deadlines, hate mail, etc. I know you know the feeling. My skin probably ain’t tough enuff’ for this long term. It’s a hoot to do these toons for our town – but it has also created stress on my family and me at times. I’ve had people email me or say things to me on the phone that I couldn’t repeat here.
Flat out Tim, I offer my apologies for some of the things I said above, they were over the pail, and so were some of the comments I made toward Jackie, she is no doubt a great person and wonderful teacher. Ah, the artist in me comes out with the emotions. I do think you are a great guy and a fine artist who loves Editorial Cartooning – Kudos to you, and I do mean that. Hope that on some level we can still be civil after all this.
Jason, I have always wanted to have a friendship with you, Scott, Jackie, John, Ken, and with anyone else, who is interested in cartooning. I love to banter with people who have an alternative opinion to my own. That is how I truly learn to have humility and to gain knowledge. I don’t understand your hasty decision to resign from political cartooning. I sound like a hypocrite. However, no matter how incredulous it may seem, I thought a local conservative opinion in the Argus would be very well received by readers. Jason, you are a celebrity in Sioux Falls. My sister-in-law told a gas station clerk last January that I drew cartoons for the Argus. He replied: “Are you THE Jason Folkerts.†True story. Hopefully, the Argus can offer political cartooning from a myriad of cartoonists. Don Wright, Lisa Benson, and Joe Heller are okay, but it would be exciting to see cartoons from Pulitzer winners, like conservative Michael Ramirez and liberal Matt Davies, as well.
My life just got way too busy at this time and something needed to give a bit, plus I needed a little refocus time. Plus plus, USF is such a great place with great students and I want to step up in some places there as well. Thanks for the words and chops about me, even given our differences. I will be honest that I am learning to dislike the blog world in that, in an emotional state, you can type stuff you’d never express in person. Almost like your subconcious comes spilling out and there is no checks and balances.
ps. Please don’t contact any more syndicates (sounds like the mafia) or government entities against me, thanks.
Jason-
I was going to bring this up the other day, but I assumed the AL might have already told you. You really don’t have anything to worry about. In most cases copyright lawsuits are filed against the publisher, especially since they ‘commission’ you to do the cartoons. By contracting you as the cartoonist they attain the copyright to your work, which doesn’t make you legally obligated, and more then likely they would prefer to sue GANNET over Jason Folkerts. (I think GANNET, probably has more money anyway). I don’t blame you for the whole incident. The page editors are ultimately responsible for the content. They have rejected Tim and I’s toons because they were a bit edgy. They should have known better. It’s always good to be a little bit ‘cynical’ of people.