I have seen some pro-gun control comics

[ZombieHorde]

that depict gun enthusiasts as out of shape, ignorant, buffoons. I won't bother to post any of them because I believe we have all seen them. I dislike these depictions for two reasons: one is they are a mean-spirited personal attack, and the second is I feel as though I am supposed to dismiss their arguments because they are out of shape, ignorant, brutes or buffoons. Even if someone is an out of shape, ignorant, brute or buffoon, that does not mean their arguments have no merit.

My second point assumes motivation, but I am not sure why else the depiction is used. I suppose the artist could just be a bigoted jerk.

[Niceguy1]

1. you bring up a good point.

Often the phrase "Murica" is included.

I dont think that hate is productive. I dont understand how we can gleefully point out hateful comments from someone on the right but turn a blind eye to those posted by our members.

Hate is hate no matter what side it comes from.

[rrneck]

2. Cartoons trade on bigoted sterotypes to make a point.

That point is generally to pander to partisan rancor and bigotry. The easiest way to make money is this country is to tell people what they want to hear.

[SecularMotion]

3. Comics like these?

[ZombieHorde]

4. Yes. nt

[Eleanors38]

6. Behind every prohibition is a hated Other....

BTW, the cartoonists weaken their own effort by leaving out the watermelons.

[petronius]

5. Political cartoons have pretty much always relied on mocking, ridiculing,

caricaturizing, and insulting the cartoonists opponent - god help the public figure with any sort of easily-exaggerated quirk or physical feature. For two reasons, as you point out: the dubious pleasure given to the artist and the reader by insulting someone they dislike, and the implicit suggestion that the opponents' views are less valid because they're being promoted by such awful and ridiculous people.

The unfortunate thing about the caricatures you mention (IMO) is that they rely on some attitudes that ought to be and often are viewed as inappropriate in other contexts: the regional/rural stereotype indicated by the weird 'southern' accent that is often used, and the implicit suggestion that fat = bad...