Iraq

 
I ran across this interesting political cartoon that uses some advertising techniques to emphasize its message.  The cartoon is of a man who has fought in Iraq (presumably an American) who approaches a sign that says "Now Leaving Iraq."  He has a number of very unattractive options upon leaving Iraq: suicide; post traumatic stress; depression; violent behavior; or fighting in Afghanistan.

The message of the carton is obviously anti-war.  The black and white of the carton enhances the message of the cartoon.  The man's options are dark and stark just like the colors (or lack there of) of the cartoon.  Notice also how the clouds are dark grey and black rather than white.  This both foregrounds and foreshadows the bleak options of the man.  Notice also that the areas where it appears a bomb has gone off are also black.

Part of the appeal of the cartoon (like some advertisements) is its simplicity.  There is very little clutter in the cartoon.  Just a sign, a man, and sand dunes (which allows reader to identify the man's  location as a desert in Iraq.   This allows the reader to focus almost exclusively on the choices of the man.

Obviously the cartoon is biased.  This is intentional.  Of course not everyone who leaves Iraq is going to face the five stark choices presented in the cartoon.  Indeed, some of those will stay in the military and go to other locations than Afghanistan.  It is also certainly not the case that everyone returning from Iraq will face psychological issues.  Some will smoothly reintegrate into society.

There is one peculiar aspect of the cartoon that I believe undermines its effectiveness.  The man in the carton looks overweight.  He has a big nose and what appears to be large skin tags on his face.  He hardly looks like a well conditioned, well oiled solider.  One could make the case then that the cartoon is also satirizing the military.  This is unfortunate because even those who are anti-war are not likely to accept the physical characterization of our military men portrayed in this cartoon.