When Australian Canberra Times editorial cartoonist David Pope was alerted that one of his original cartoons had been altered and posted on the Facebook page of Senator Jacqui Lambie, he did what many would do in 2014 – he tweeted about it saying, “Politicians re-captioning cartoons without permission for their own political purposes probs needs to be discouraged.” His paper also alerted the senator of the plagiarized cartoon.
Here’s the original cartoon:
Here’s the altered cartoon that was posted on Lambie’s Facebook wall:
So if you thought David’s response used strong language (“probs needs to be discouraged”), just wait until you read Senator Lambie response to posting a plagiarized cartoon on her wall. Here it is as quoted by the Guardian:
?Dear David, thank you for ringing my office and alerting us to the fact that a cartoon I received from the thousands of emails I receive weekly and posted on my face book [sic] is a fake. The offending pic has been immediacy [sic] removed. Until my office received your email confirming your phone call and showing the offending cartoon, my staff thought they were talking to an idiot or the subject a prank radio call,? Lambie wrote in a statement released to the media.
?Given that you?ve now accused me of altering the original ?Pope Cartoon? for my own evil political purposes, I?m now seeking advise [sic] from my solicitor. After carefully examining the cartoon and reading its ?fake? comments, I have to admit that we?re dealing with an exceptional offender ? a cartoon forger, who not only is a criminal master mind, but has uncanny powers of observations.
?When you refer this matter to fraud squad, which I?m sure you?re about to do ? as soon as your [sic] finish writing your cheap beat up ? I mean serious political expose? [sic] ? please ask that they contact me a.s.a.p. I?m happy to co-operate fully,? she said.
?I?ve been impressed by your anger and self-righteous rage over this important matter. Are you and the Canberra Times as angry about the case of the ?Fake Pope Cartoon? as you are about the Liberals ripping off pay and entitlements from our Defence Families and Veterans?
?We look forward to your insightful writings. No doubt you?ll give Mr Tolstoy a run for his money and collect that Walkley for outstanding journalism.?
According to Lambie, “probs needs to be discouraged.” is equal to “anger and self-righteous rage”. Gotcha!
She truly is Australia’s Sarah Palin… a blessing for all cartoonists.