By: Dave Astor Are some American newspapers being too anxious about the appearance of "Turd Blossom" -- President Bush's nickname for Karl Rove -- in Tuesday and Wednesday's "Doonesbury" comic?
Well, The Globe and Mail's Washington correspondent used "Turd Blossom" in an A1 article for the Toronto-based daily, and didn't hear a peep from readers. "No complaints," said Alan Freeman, when contacted today by E&P.
Freeman's July 13 story -- headlined "Scandal dogs Republican mastermind" -- had the following first paragraph: "The scent surrounding 'Turd Blossom' is growing ever stronger, and unfortunately for President George W. Bush, the odour is not sweet."
Ten to 12 "Doonesbury" clients pulled or edited the strips using the "Turd Blossom" nickname (
E&P Online, July 26). Freeman was asked what he thought about the caution of these editors.
"I think some newspapers in the U.S. seem to be overly sensitive to issues of language," Freeman replied. "Perhaps they're too fearful of insulting the sensibilities of a small minority of readers."
In
today's installment of "Doonesbury," Bush says: "Here's my problem, Karl. I made it clear I would fire anyone found leaking the identity of one of our spies. And now it turns out it was you! So what am I going to do with you, Turd Blossom?" A thought balloon over Rove's head reads: "I smell a promotion," as Bush adds: "Can you say promotion?"
"Doonesbury," by Garry Trudeau, runs in about 1,400 newspapers via Universal Press Syndicate.
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