When joint chiefs attack

First Muslems are offended by a cartoon, now the joint chiefs.

In a move that is without precedence in recent memory, all six members of the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff have signed a letter complaining to Washington Post managing editor Phil Bennett about a recent political cartoon.

The January 29th cartoon by Tom Toles depicts a wounded soldier, missing his arms and legs and with his head bandaged, in his hospital bed. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is standing next to the bed, saying, “I am listing your condition as battle hardened.”

The cartoon is a reference to comments Rumsfeld made last Wednesday, January 25th, in which he blasted critics who said that America’s military was stretched too thin, saying they didn’t understand the state of the “battle-hardened” military.

“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-altering wounds,” the letter says (read the letter, pdf). “Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless.”

The Joint Chiefs noted that the Post and cartoonists like Toles are “obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of today’s Armed Forces.” Nevertheless, the letter explains: “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 our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.”

The Pentagon reported that as of today, 2,498 American servicemen and women have been killed as part of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“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,” the letter concludes.

It is signed by Marine Corps General Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, along with Navy Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, as well as Commandant of the Marine Corps Michael W. Hagee, Army Chief of Staff Peter J. Schoomaker, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen, and Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley.

Let me translate the key sentence in the letter:

“Using the likeness of a Secretary of Defense who has lost his mind and reputation in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless.”

Makes more sense now, doesn't it?