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Re ("What's in a cartoon? The Trib should know better," July 26):
Ms. Schwartzman criticizes the Tribune's editorial process because of two recently published Bagley cartoons on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She says that one of the cartoons can be considered offensive and that the other "plainly misrepresented current events and crossed a line."
In my opinion, both cartoons speak some truth and both include wild political satire. I think that's the point. They're cartoons.
Ms. Schwartzman explains that she and other leaders in her community met with the Tribune's editorial staff in an apparent attempt to straighten them out and educate the editors about the important nuances of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Obviously, Ms. Schwartzman hopes that any future Bagley cartoons on the subject will be more consistent with her sensibilities.
I like Bagley's cartoons, especially because they make strong, sometimes overexaggerated, points. I have also been angered by his cartoons and written a letter to the Public Forum saying as much. I think that's the correct way to challenge a Bagley cartoon.
I hope that no interest group is allowed hold sway over the Tribune's editorial staff or Bagley, and I hope that Bagley continues to offend a lot of people including me. Sometimes we all need a wake-up call.
Luke Smart
Salt Lake City