Hollywood Kap Attack

Every morning while I’m drawing, I take a break to check out some of my colleagues’ work at GoComics and the AAEC’s site. Partly, because I want to make sure nobody scooped me with the idea I’m working on and, because I’m also a fan.

While looking one night/morning a few days ago, I spotted a cartoon by a conservative on being outraged about Hollywood doing a movie about the first moon landing and not showing the planting of the American flag. Then, I saw another cartoon on it, and then another. My first thought was, “what?” The next day, I saw two more.

I am usually aware of every serious news issue before most people but I hadn’t heard of this. But, it’s not uncommon for me to see a cartoon by one of my conservative colleagues that doesn’t make any sense to me. Still, I Googled and there it was. A new movie is about to come out, or it’s already out, called First Man and it excludes the planting of the flag, though it does show the flag later flapping on the moon (do they flap on the moon?).

Did the right-wing blogosphere issue a memo or talking points to get upset over this? Was this all the rage at InfoWars, the Daily Stormer, and 4chan? How do they have the energy to be upset over this at the same time they’re burning their Nikes while calling liberals “snowflakes?” I do envy the conservatives’ ability to multitask.

Yes, conservatives are still upset over Nike running a new ad with Colin Kaepernick. Some of them wanting to send the message that they’ll never support Nike, rushed out to buy a pair, so they could post photos online of them burning the expensive shoes. A few conservatives, figuring out that “Nike” starts with an “N,” bought New Balance shoes, because their logo is a great big “N,” and posted photos of those being burned. Republicans always get in trouble with words that start with “N.”

Speaking of Republicans who have trouble with words…and logic, Trump made a statement about the film. He said, “It’s unfortunate. It’s almost like they’re embarrassed at the achievement coming from America, I think it’s a terrible thing. When you think of Neil Armstrong and when you think of the landing on the moon, you think about the American flag. For that reason, I wouldn’t even want to watch the movie.” This means he’s criticizing the film without seeing it, which I’m sure the majority of other conservatives bashing it haven’t either. And, sure. They’re so embarrassed at one of the greatest American achievements that they made an entire big-budget picture about it. I’m less deterred from seeing this film over the flag flap and more so because Ryan Gosling is in it.

The family of Neil Armstrong, who the movie is actually about, issued a statement saying, “We do not feel this movie is anti-American in the slightest. Quite the opposite. But don’t take our word for it. We’d encourage everyone to go see this remarkable film and see for themselves.” So, maybe go see the movie before you get your butt in a bunch over it. Does that make sense that you should know what you’re talking about before you talk about it? But, to be fair, I’m pretty sure I hate La La Land and I haven’t seen it.

Because of this newest faux outrage by Republicans, a film about one of America’s greatest achievements will have fewer white conservatives in the theaters than BlacKkKlansman (which was excellent).

So, if you do go to see the film, it will probably be safe to wear your Nikes.

Your support in the form of donations is appreciated. I am fully independent as I’m not employed by a newspaper or with a major syndicate (leaving one to be independent). It does take a lot of work to provide you with cartoons, columns, and videos almost every day (more than any other political cartoonist), and I don’t charge my clients much at all. If you can, please consider making a financial contribution to keep the fun flowing, or purchase a signed print for $40. Whether you can help support, can’t, or just choose not to, please continue to enjoy and keep reading my work. Thank you!!!

You can purchase a signed print of this cartoon.

Watch me draw.