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July 11, 2005
Juiceball: As American as Baseball, Mom, and McDonald’s Apple Pie
Commentary on Newgrounds.com
There has been an awesome response to Juiceball on Newgrounds.com; lots of love and even some hate. Cool!
We were a little surprised that any offense was taken by what we considered some pretty tame spoofing. Tastes and sensitivities vary, of course, and maybe we could have guessed, but we really see this weighing in as rather gentle irony, not caustic ridicule. We hope that people will appreciate it in the spirit that it is offered.
Humor has always been a good way to bring up a touchy topic, but hitting the funny bone sometimes entails some discomfort.
In this case we are struck by the observation that we Americans are in turmoil over what we put into our bodies, and what we know we shouldn’t put into our bodies. We often tell each other what we should do, but then we have trouble doing so ourselves.
We seem to want the “More-Bigger” even when it could kill us. Why?
Anyway, we thought it was a little funny, and we appreciate the feed back from all of you because it helps us learn. Thanks.
As for you poor humorless souls that detect a slight against the national honor, let me remind you that it is a time honored American tradition to satirize the foibles around us and within us. A democratic republic doesn’t simply permit its citizens to say what they think, it needs them to do so.
So God Bless America, and pass the Pie!
By THOMAS HUDSON REEVE
Posted by photocartoonist at July 11, 2005 9:11 PM