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AUSTIN, Texas -- Gov. Rick Perry said Friday he's disgusted a California newspaper ran a cartoon that depicts him boasting about booming business in Texas, then shows an explosion, a week after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people in a Texas town.

Perry said he wants an apology from the Sacramento Bee on behalf of the town.

The cartoon in Thursday's edition shows Perry crowing that "Business is Booming," flanked by signs saying "Low Tax!" and "`Low Regs!" It's a play on the Republican's often-repeated mantra that his state's low-regulation, business-friendly climate has its economy humming.

The next panel reads "Boom!" as a blast engulfs the area behind the governor and his signs.

Ohman defended his cartoon with an Internet post, noting that the fertilizer plant "had not been inspected by the state of Texas since 2006" and that many "Texas cities have little or no zoning, resulting in homes being permitted next to sparely inspected businesses that store explosive chemicals."

The Bee's editorial page editor, Stuart Leavenworth, responded Friday that the artist, Jack Ohman, "made a strong statement about Gov. Rick Perry's disregard for worker safety, and his attempts to market Texas a place where industries can thrive with few regulations."

"My job, as I understand it, is to be provocative," Ohman wrote. "I provoke, you decide. I don't dictate, I put out my opinion along with everyone else. I sign my name. I own it. In my opinion, I could have gone further. Much further."

California has seen Perry's touting of his state's pro-business prowess firsthand. In February, a public-private Texas marketing firm ran radio ads featuring Perry denigrating California's taxes and regulation, and then Perry traveled there to recruit jobs. He made a similar trip – this time backed by a print-media ad buy – to Chicago this past week.

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, also a Republican, called for Ohman to be fired.

"I think it's reprehensible for a member of the media to sit in safety and mock such a profound tragedy regardless of any `point' he is trying to make," Dewhurst said.

JohnStOnge wrote:Yes it's always a risk/benefit circumstance. You can go for zero risk and smother everything or you can accept some risk and at least have a chance of living a wife worth living.

I think that one of the biggest problems the United States has now is prevalence of the belief that "staying safe" is the end all and be all.

kalm wrote:Just a reminder to conks that low regulation has its consequences.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Gov. Rick Perry said Friday he's disgusted a California newspaper ran a cartoon that depicts him boasting about booming business in Texas, then shows an explosion, a week after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people in a Texas town.

Perry said he wants an apology from the Sacramento Bee on behalf of the town.

The cartoon in Thursday's edition shows Perry crowing that "Business is Booming," flanked by signs saying "Low Tax!" and "`Low Regs!" It's a play on the Republican's often-repeated mantra that his state's low-regulation, business-friendly climate has its economy humming.

The next panel reads "Boom!" as a blast engulfs the area behind the governor and his signs.

Ohman defended his cartoon with an Internet post, noting that the fertilizer plant "had not been inspected by the state of Texas since 2006" and that many "Texas cities have little or no zoning, resulting in homes being permitted next to sparely inspected businesses that store explosive chemicals."

The Bee's editorial page editor, Stuart Leavenworth, responded Friday that the artist, Jack Ohman, "made a strong statement about Gov. Rick Perry's disregard for worker safety, and his attempts to market Texas a place where industries can thrive with few regulations."

"My job, as I understand it, is to be provocative," Ohman wrote. "I provoke, you decide. I don't dictate, I put out my opinion along with everyone else. I sign my name. I own it. In my opinion, I could have gone further. Much further."

California has seen Perry's touting of his state's pro-business prowess firsthand. In February, a public-private Texas marketing firm ran radio ads featuring Perry denigrating California's taxes and regulation, and then Perry traveled there to recruit jobs. He made a similar trip – this time backed by a print-media ad buy – to Chicago this past week.

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, also a Republican, called for Ohman to be fired.

"I think it's reprehensible for a member of the media to sit in safety and mock such a profound tragedy regardless of any `point' he is trying to make," Dewhurst said.

Ibanez wrote: So let's recap. Perry is AGAINST anything that threatens the 2nd Amendment, but the 1st is fair game? Got it.

bluehenbillk wrote:

Ibanez wrote: So let's recap. Perry is AGAINST anything that threatens the 2nd Amendment, but the 1st is fair game? Got it.

It's sad to make fun of the loss of life, but that is a good observation....

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

Baldy wrote:

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

True, but that only happens when the right mocks the left.

andy7171 wrote:The Bee continues to spread the manure thick.

93henfan wrote:

andy7171 wrote:The Bee continues to spread the manure thick.

Yes. This was clearly too manure for other papers.

But not the Bee!

andy7171 wrote:

93henfan wrote:

Yes. This was clearly too manure for other papers.

But not the Bee!

They usually spread it about Cow Poly, so this is a little out of bounds.

kalm wrote:

andy7171 wrote: They usually spread it about Cow Poly, so this is a little out of bounds.

Speaking of which, I have you seen the Bee's coverage ...or lack there of...regarding the Siren's big win?

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

dbackjon wrote:

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

Why tasteless?

Perry recruits CA companies to move to Texas under the banner of low regulation. Low regulation has it's risks - and now the owner of the company is likely ruined for life. If Texas treated him like they do poor people, he'd be executed within a year.


Perry's low-regulation state likely lead directly to the deaths of 14 people. Hell, execute Perry while we are at it.

dbackjon wrote:

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

Why tasteless?

Perry recruits CA companies to move to Texas under the banner of low regulation. Low regulation has it's risks - and now the owner of the company is likely ruined for life. If Texas treated him like they do poor people, he'd be executed within a year.


Perry's low-regulation state likely lead directly to the deaths of 14 people. Hell, execute Perry while we are at it.

Ibanez wrote:

89Hen wrote:Pretty tasteless cartoon. People have been outraged over a LOT less.

Is it really that tasteless? He shows an explosion next to Perry being flanked by a Low Regulation banner. It's symbolic but I don't see it as tasteless. It could have been more graphic but I find the cartoon in line with what to expect from political cartoons.

89Hen wrote:

dbackjon wrote:
Why tasteless?

Perry recruits CA companies to move to Texas under the banner of low regulation. Low regulation has it's risks - and now the owner of the company is likely ruined for life. If Texas treated him like they do poor people, he'd be executed within a year.


Perry's low-regulation state likely lead directly to the deaths of 14 people. Hell, execute Perry while we are at it.

Pretty obvious that EVERYTHING is fair game for you when it comes to mocking an R.

89Hen wrote:

Ibanez wrote: Is it really that tasteless? He shows an explosion next to Perry being flanked by a Low Regulation banner. It's symbolic but I don't see it as tasteless. It could have been more graphic but I find the cartoon in line with what to expect from political cartoons.

IMO, yes. Doesn't mean I think the cartoonist should be fired. Just sayin it's tasteless IMO.

89Hen wrote:

Ibanez wrote: Is it really that tasteless? He shows an explosion next to Perry being flanked by a Low Regulation banner. It's symbolic but I don't see it as tasteless. It could have been more graphic but I find the cartoon in line with what to expect from political cartoons.

IMO, yes. Doesn't mean I think the cartoonist should be fired. Just sayin it's tasteless IMO.

93henfan wrote:

89Hen wrote: IMO, yes. Doesn't mean I think the cartoonist should be fired. Just sayin it's tasteless IMO.

You should issue a Fatwa. That's what I do when people draw cartoons that offend me.

Ibanez wrote:

93henfan wrote:
You should issue a Fatwa. That's what I do when people draw cartoons that offend me.

Fatwa? What does an statement on obesity have to do with this?

93henfan wrote:

Ibanez wrote: Fatwa? What does an statement on obesity have to do with this?

I have just commissioned a new Fatwa against you.