In 2002 the Australian reported that scientists claimed to have found the remains of the biggest goose ever to have lived in Australia. I wrote a letter to the paper suggesting that the scientists’ claim was questionable because Alexander Downer was still alive. My letter didn’t get printed.
Fast forward to yesterday. I wrote a letter to the Brisbane Courier-Mail expressing surprise at reports that the bones of the biggest dinosaur ever to have lived in Australia had been put on display at the Queensland Museum, because Bill Heffernan was still alive. I posted a comment expressing similar sentiments here.
Once again the paper didn’t print my letter. But look at the cartoon in today’s Courier-Mail (accessible via the “Our Say” menu).
Edited to add: direct link to cartoon - tigtog
Verry interestink.
Just between you, me and whoever drops in to read this comment, I know someone who wrote an article for one of the dailies, which was then extensively quoted by one of said dailies “Editors” in an article on the very same subject. Not sure if the article in question was solicited or not, though. You’d at least hope not, wouldn’t you?
well done Paul, I needed a giggle!
No attribution on the cartoon Paul. Off to the Press Council but since the CM is a Murdoch clone and not a signatory your chances are nil. But at least we all know. Maybe third time lucky with bones and modern fossils.
Nice to know you can pick a gag as well as the professionals – pity they didn’t run teh goose version because that is more cleverer.
As if that is plagiarism.
Cartoonists often land at the same jokes in common news. Slate or Salon have a “best cartoons” columnist who collects editorial cartoons on a theme. More than once I have seen multiple cartoonists come up with very similar gags.
If the Courier-Mail is anything like the local rag, the cartoonist doesn’t even come near the office, let alone feverishly scan letters for ideas to pinch.
Face it: cartoonists go for the quick and easy joke. Except for Wicking. That guy is just all sorts of brilliant