Ramirez’s Environment Cartoon Surprises Some

I was shocked to see Michael Ramirez abandon his post as local apologist for the pro-big-business Bush administration and the anti-environment right-wingers who run it. His Nov. 29 editorial cartoon (Commentary), captioned “Gutted,” tells it like it is, with the skeletal remains of two fish labeled “Clean Water Act” and “Clean Air Act,” along with the “EPA” knife that gutted them. Thank you for the criticism, Mr. Ramirez. I don’t think anyone will ever call you a tree hugger, but it’s encouraging to sense that a caring heart beats in that breast, somewhere.

Thomas Thomas

Pacific Palisades

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Ramirez’s cartoon should have shown a third fish labeled “EPA” and the knife should have been labeled “Bush White House.”

Richard Crook Jr.

Sierra Madre

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For years I have avoided looking at Ramirez’s cartoons because I was so put off by his invective. Today I have two of his drawings posted on my refrigerator. What has happened? Has he changed? Have I changed?

Or is it finally time to confront issues such as environmental degradation or California’s deficit without donning our team shirts labeled “liberal” and “conservative”?

Jean Moore

Los Angeles