Before I went on Fox News’ “Hannity and Colmes” tonight to discuss my rather picayune blog entry from earlier this week–the one where I noted the fact that, if you buy into the Christian concept of Heaven and Hell, Ronald Reagan is probably turning crispy brown by now–Sean Hannity turned to me and asked me whether I “do this for the publicity.”
I’ve gotten asked that a few times this week, which I find amusing if for no other reason than the fact that publicity doesn’t really get you very much except, in my case, a free taxi to midtown Manhattan and some pancake makeup smeared across my delicate pores. They don’t pay you to appear, you get insulted and abused and you end up with several hundred angry emails from right-wing psychopaths whose aim is hopefully on par with their grammar. Yeah, it’s a great life if you don’t weaken and all that.
Truth is, when I was starting out as a cartoonist I quickly discovered that I had no way of predicting reactions to my work. Certain cartoons are widely reprinted; others ignored. Some cause offense, most not. Same thing with books–I had no idea that “2024” would do badly because so few people remembered the source material I parodied, “1984.” I thought “To Afghanistan and Back” would do poorly; wrong again.
Had I suspected that my blog entry about Reagan would draw national media attention through a link on the Drudge Report, I would spent more time on it, crafting it carefully. As my best friend says, blogs are like a column but without the responsibility. They’re dashed off miscellany, random thoughts you log as you think of them. So no, Mr. Hannity, I had no idea that I would be one of a few public figures with the temerity to note that Ronald Reagan was a shitty president who caused a lot of misery and hurt this country that I adore. Frankly, it never occured to me that so many of my fellow liberals would be so lame, so cowardly, as to ignore his true legacy. But there you are,
So why do I do it? Why do I go on Fox and let assholes like Hannity yell at me?
The answer is simple: because someone has to. To be liberal in America nowadays is to feel desperately alone, alienated even from a Democratic Party that’s totally unwilling to fight for its own principles. Believing in true (liberal) American values nowadays is like working at a job where you’re represented by a corrupt union: you’d probably be better off without a union at all. Ditto for the so-called liberal media; the delusion that we’re represented prevents us from getting organized.
I go on those stupid shows to let other liberals know that they are not alone, that millions of others feel exactly the same way that they do about the direction that this country is going. It’s a thankless task to be sure, one I’ll happily give up when other, more prominent, more articulate liberals step up to the plate. Frankly, the only thing I really want to do is stay home and draw cartoons and write columns.
By the way, my Hate Mail postings have become so popular that I can’t resist sharing my latest batch, most of these as a result of my appearance on Hannity and Colmes. Enemies like these–violent, illogical, pedantic, ignorant, uneducated–help keep self-doubt at bay. These, my friends, are the voices of Republican voters. These are supporters of George W. Bush. They support the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have no problem with prisoner abuse in Iraq. They represent the dark, racist underbelly of America. We must never forget that they are out there, and we must never, ever stop working to make sure their kind gets to impose its will on those of us who think.
Here goes…a journey into the mind of a Fox viewer:
From USPropMgnt@aol.com:
I live in NYC!!! God I hope to see you sometime. I promise I’ll introduce myself. I know your a dumbass, so any chance you can provide your adress? Thanks! HOPE TO SEE YOU REAL SOON
It’s “you’re.” Dumbass. Of course, maybe this person went to a school suffering from Reagan’s budget cuts.
From jeanijon@netscape.net:
You are truly the ugliest thing I have ever seen on TV.
Now that’s saying something.
From craigusnret@yahoo.com:
Teddie, for once for proving how irrational you truly are on the Hannity show tonight, thus furthering the cause of the Right and showing the true colors of the Left. Wow, what a performance! By the way, Teddie, it doesn’t take a cartoonist to figure out that AIDS was spread by unprotected anal sex amongst homosexuals back then (and still is), not by the President. Now Teddie, you wouldn’t be familiar with that practice, would you?
In any case, Teddie, keep up the good work, and God bless the soul of President Reagan!
Yes, let’s pick on the fags. Reagan let 500,000 of them die without a passing thought, but evidently they haven’t suffered enough.
A thinly-veiled threat from rdlynch@alaska.net:
Should you ever need a lifeline, I will just watch. I hope it is soon.
Ralph Lynch
Anchorage, Alaska
A lovely missive from laprentke@yahoo.com:
Ted,
You miserable shred of human debris.
I will pray every Sunday that you find aids in one of your lovers’ asses, turn “brown & crispy”, then die without taxpayer concern!
Lawrence A. Prentke
Lake Almanor, Ca.
From douglasice@yahoo.com:
You are a cocksucker,Go back to the USSR, that failed like you.When you are a fag, you need to pull your head out of your ass.Do every one some good and move down to Cuba.
Thank you.Jerkweed Burn In Hell!!!!
Doug
West Virginia
“Jerkweed”?!?
From junky54@bellsouth.net:
I just saw your interview on Hannity and Colmes and really hope you are “turning a crispy brown” soon. You do not deserve to breath the same air that I do. I hope you die and rot in hell.
From carpenterathome@hotmail.com:
I just scanned thru the last two months of your articles and cartoons. It’s pure trash. I hope you see the light when iraq ends up a victory for bush and the free world. You would love to see the war fail. The more dead US servicemen the better. Your lucky you can write this crap and earn a living.
If you were in Iraq before saddam was overthrown, you most likely would be a statistic.
mike
Can you believe it? They actually think we can win in Iraq…That’s what you get when you rely on Fox for your news.
From warphead@hotmail.com:
President Reagan was a great man. You are but garbage stuck between the treads of my boots.
When it is your time to leave this world how will you be remembered? Not sure? I can tell you.
YOU WONT. You live your life as a piece of garbage, you are remembered as garbage. If your vile disgusting comments at a time when the nation mourns moves me to speak. Then I can only imagine the millions of e-mails you must be receiving. All of which reflect the same feeling toward you as I do. There are only a few things I can do to silence the poison in which your sick vile body spews. These are to educate myself as to how you finance and spread your sickness.Then to make certain I never unknowingly spend a cent
to further your sickness. To vote and by voting oppose all those who are afflicted with your illness. To speak out against all the vile sick digusting things in which you stand for. To bring your ideals to light and make sure your name is associated with each and every vile statement and act that you make. To educate and educate all those who will listen. Lastly I will become active in as many causes that are just, legal and moral to oppose everything in which you stand. I am an American. I am one of the millions and millions of average Americans who do not believe in your sickness. I am part of the majority and I am joining the fight to regain my country from the politically correct liberal communists that you are a part of.
Very Very Sincerely,
Kevin Egan
Lebanon, TN.
I just want to point out that “warphead” is an appropriate username for someone (there are a lot of these guys) who believes that every Democrat is a Communist.
From sjellis@ecentral.com:
I just saw you on Fox and felt the urge to tell you what an ASS you are. I suppose your behavior is directly due to your being a four-eyed geek, since, according to you, hair, complexion, and ones overall genetics make a person what he is. I pray to God that you don’t have children, if that be the case!
I can’t believe how completely classless you are, to write (poorly, I might add–good thing you’re just a cartoonist and not a real writer) as you did about a man who gave his all for the country he loved and has just passed away, leaving a family that is already in pain.
You say you believe that Presiden Reagan has gone to hell, which means you believe in heaven and hell. That being the case, and it also being the case that heaven and hell only exist to those who believe in JudeoChristian beliefs, then you should know that as Reagan was a believer, he is most definitely in heaven. The works we do here on earth have nothing to do with where we end up, which should give even a nasty and ignorant ASS such as yourself hope for an eternity in heaven rather than hell. Somehow, I don’t think you will ever be a believer–you are just to hateful and your heart too hard to ever learn the Truth.
Just as you obviously don’t know the truth as to why healthcare costs are so high. Let me see–let’s start with the addition of health insurance to the picture. That occurred on Democrat Roosevelt’s watch and was pushed by the unions. Being in the health care field, I know darn well where that money is going–to the insurance companies. It sure ain’t making it to the hospitals, clinics, etc. who have to fight for every penny (literally). Next comes Medicare. Now, wasn’t that the big campaign issue for Democrat Kennedy? Being enacted under Democrat Johnson? And lastly, there’s managed healthcare, a failure of a concept from the mind of Presidend Hilary Clinton.
Stick to your cartoons, Ted. You wouldn’t have made it through my high school composition class the way you write, much less a graduate level technical writing class.
Happy you’re a Democrat because we sure wouldn’t want somebody like you–you’re actually an asset to the Republican party!
A non-fan (to say the least)
I loved this one.
From wlcook@bellsouth.net:
You are an insult to the public on both Television & your writings. How you can say such terrible things about a great man is hard for a human to understand! I am sure that Ragan will go to Heaven and I am also sure where you will go when you die!
I will be sure to cancel any newspaper or publication that prints your writings.
W. L. Cook, Jr.
All these years, and people still can’t spell Reagan. So many hate mails come in praising “Regan” it’s scary. For God’s sake, how stupid can you be?
From flagators56@hotmail.com:
ted
you’re the greatest asshole i’ve ever heard. i would love to kick your ass, but i’m sure you are such a pussy that you would never show up for a fair fight. i just heard you denegratating the greatest President of the 20th century, i never thought i would see a weasle in real life. teddy boy, you have real issues and i will not help you resolve them. you are filled with such hate and anger that they will consume you and cause you more anguish than i ever could. i look forward to the day when i hear or read that you have blown your two cell brain out.
teddy, you have areal nice warped day.
bill bass
augusta, ga
From ONE900LAWBABE@msn.com:
Ted,
I just saw your interview on Hannity & Colmes. You are a poor excuse for a human being! What a bitter, hateful man you must be to say such rotten things about President Reagan, ESPECIALLY at this time! Even ALan COlmes, who is pretty liberal, was obviously embarrassed and disgusted by you.
Just for the record, President Reagan did not kill 500,000 gays–they killed themselves by having promiscuous sex without protection and leading a perverted lifestyle. Why is it that people can’t take responsibility for their OWN actions, and have to blame their troubles on other people?
YOu said that you felt that President Reagan deserved to burn in hell, but what about you? It is OBVIOUS that you are a hateful, bitter gay man without any soul. If we all talked like you, I would say I hope you DO get aids, but that would be really hateful, cruel and wrong, wouldn’t it? It is different when the shoe is on the other foot.
You’ll be surprised when you do die, because there IS a GOD, but YOU are never going to see him. If anyone will be burning in hell, it will be YOU.
You disgust me and all DECENT people everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From SilkyErin@aol.com:
I watched your ranting on Hannity and Colms —– where you berated the greatest president of the 20th century. You are such a totally insensitive and disgusting idiot! I cannot even force myself to call you a human being. It is YOU who will FRY IN HELL ….. and no one deserved that more! You don’t deserve to be counted as one of our species.
What kind of upbringing did you have? You’re the epitome of a HATEMONGER!! I hope you get a case of Alzheimer’s like none other on earth. Let’s see how you feel crapping in your diapers, Ted! Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!!
Just to let you know, I spent 8 hours last night driving to the Reagan Library, standing in line for the bus which took us up to pay our respects to this great man and I shed some tears.
No, I was born in 1978 …. and I was a child when Reagan was president, but I read about him and his great work. He is the one who established a Department of Education. He turned this country around for the better. After inherited a total economic mess from that asshole, Jimmy Carter (a man who never met a dictator he didn’t like and to whom we owe the islamic mess we’re in ..) …. Reagan turned this country around. He changed history! He put an end to the Cold War …. and for that he will be revered forever.
Erin Cummings
Santa Monica, California
Actually Ronald Reagan did not create the Department of Education. He actually attempted to eliminate it entirely upon taking office. And though Carter had many faults as President, he wasn’t renowned for coddling dictators–with the exception of the Shah of Iran.
From CWHARTX@aol.com:
You’ve really increased your exposure with your recent intemperant rants.
Ronald Reagan is one of the most beloved American leaders of the last 50 years. He won 2 elections by landslides and improved the lives of innumerable working class Americans.
Ask Margaret Thatcher who won the cold war, and she will tell you.
Yeah, like Maggie Thatcher is someone I’d ask for advice. Which reminds me…how old is that nasty old crone?
This one from PatriciaWings30@aol.com is pretty damned awesome:
You are one disgusting piece of trash. Your remarks about former President Reagan is totally outrageous. I’ve listened to you remarks and think hell is waiting for you. You talk about Reagan being in hell, your full of crap. I have heard many undecided voters say that after listening to your trash and other evil Democrats that they want no part of that party. The hate that you and most of the party is spreading is horrible. I agree with freedom of speech, but hate spreading isn’t what our forefathers meant. It’s to bad that instead of Berg it wasn’t you that Zarqawi got a hold of. But the sad thing is that it’s the innocence that get hurt and the evil ones go on spreading hate. Hell is to good for you, God should come up with a more server punishment. You have no heart, soul, or feelings. I feel really sorry for you mom. You must bring tears and pain to her heart daily. You give trueness to the word bad seed. You are truly the seed of Satan. I just don’t see how God can let evilness such as you walk the face of the earth. There is one thing that the people that your hatefulness has hurt can know is that you’ll face a higher power. You’ll face God and he will bring judgment on you digesting mouth. You’ll feel each ounce of pain that you’ve caused others. It’s coward like you that run your mouth and then hide. Go to Iraq and face our brave troops. Go to the family members of brave troops that have given their life and say the horrible things to them. Our a coward, you want do that. You hide behind a pencil, paper, and a web sight. You use you hate spreading to make money. Your just the most disgusting, sickening, and horrible person on the face of the earth. I hear those talk about the antichrist. Well, they can look at you and see the face of that beast.
From manda0131@msn.com:
Fuck you dick weed. I hope the maggots won’t even eat your dead carcass.
This is a confusing insult. Is it more desirable to become maggot dinner than not?
From bgee181@comcast.net:
YOU ARE THE MOST SHAMELSESS PIECE OF SHIT I HAVE EVER SEEN. FOR YOU TO ATTACK REAGAN , AND YOU COULDN’T SHINE HIS SHOES, ON THE EVE OF HIS FUNERAL, TELLS ME THAT YOU ARE A TOTAL MOTHER FUCKING SCUMBAG. FUCK YOU, YOU GODDAMN MOTHERFUCKER. SPITWAD!
From rhagen3@wi.rr.com:
The perfect murder
Just shoot Ted Rall.
Who would ever want to convict?
From trigeek@mindspring.com:
Ted, I will go to bed tonight praying that you die soon…………………very slowly…………….and very, very painfully. That will give me great glee.
Peter Coblentz
Tucker, GA
From jkucinski@adelphia.net:
I saw you on Hannity and Colmes tonight.
Both Hannity and Colmes were completely right about you.
Check the mirror and you’ll see a wessal-like, weak, weak little asshole of a man and maybe even a faggot.
Joe Kucinski
Colorado Springs
Sexuality is a recurring theme in Republican hate mail.
From armyret@hotmail.com:
I watched with interest, your comments on the Hannity and Colmes Show, and your charges towards President Reagan, and America’s hero, Sergeant Tillman. I could tell by the way you talk, you’ve consumed much sperm, and are addicted to homosexuality. Mr. Hannity was correct in saying you are an evil, soulless, hateful, mean person. I fully agree. You have no God, and it is you who will turn to a crisp in Hell.
Anthony Retel
U.S. Army Retired
Another threat from texman4268@yahoo.com:
You have got to be the most weasely looking little
cynical bastard on the planet. Too bad Sean Hannity
couldn’t give the location of the studio door you’d be
leaving from so there could be some “mislead
Americans” to give you a proper greeting.
A lynch mob wouldn’t be a bad thing to bring back in
your case.
One of these days, you will finally strike the wrong
nerve and someone is going to kick your ass good.
Best wishes loser!!!
From sbrandt@starband.net:
I saw you on Fox News and i think you are a DICK HEAD
you Communist Ass Hole
.you are NOT funny you Dickless Idiot and your cartoons are NOT funny either
I think you would be happier if you would move to France and take the UN with you
Scott
From warology@cox.net:
You deserve a big punch in the nose. And if I ever run in to you on the street, that is exactly what you will get.
From abfbrinlee@att.net:
Ted,
I saw you on fox news. If I had a chance to meet you in person i would go to jail for assalt and battery and it would be worth it. I would beat the living shit out of you for your remarks on Reagan. You better hope we never meet in person. You deserve a good old fasion ass kicking. I can not believe your evil intent. You must have made a deal with the devil and I hope you do burn in hell. I know you will. Our President Reagan is in Heaven and I am sure is weaping for you. Thats the difference in you and him. Your a hater and he was a lover. I will have to ask God to forgive me for this note and I will. I hope that one day you will humble yourself to God also.
Sincerely,
Doug
“Reagan was a lover”?!?!
From info@apsprecision.com:
Fuck you! you cocksucker!… You piss ant twerp… I would shove those gay glasses up your ass… You Cocksucker FUCK YOU
From lwillens@msn.com:
Dear Comrade Rall:
Mother Fucking low life communist faggot pig. You are as much of a virus as the aids virus. The problem with this country is you and the faggotry you practice.
Len and Dana Willens
From tmeans4121@adelphia.net:
MR RALL…..
YOU HEARTLESS PERSON….YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING PRESIDENT REAGAN ARE THOUGHLESS AND HATEFUL…
HE WAS THE GREATEST PEACETIME PRESIDENT IN THE 20TH CENTURY
Except for the war, of course. And the bombing campaign.
From TuAl@msn.com:
You are so ugly and mean spirited I hope someone puts a bullet in the back of your head.
