So what exactly are readers saying about HarperCat?
A sampling of some comments we've received about HarperCat and our front-page photo. (See related story link below for news story.)
*
I see the freedom of expression becomes obnoxious, nasty, heartwrenchingly immoral.
I know you (and many others, including myself) were greatly disappointed by his immunity to human sufferings, but you don't need to disgrace yourself and the paper you make living out of, for many decades, by making the way for such things as this "art" to the front page …. I am more and more embarrassed and disappointed by your papers, way more than the Harper's disappointing works.
-Sylvia Gung (by email)
*
I am not in favour of everything Stephen Harper has done or the way he has done it, but the depiction of "HarperCat" is nasty and in extremely bad taste, especially to have been put on the front page.
Sharon Hempell (by email)
*
I shouldn’t be surprised at gutter sensationalism but very disappointed to see the glee on the “artists” face at your support of their political opinion, will you do the same for those who use the text of Islam and are actually drawing the blood of thousands if not hundreds of thousands. Are you willing to follow Charlie Hebdo and actually address real evil?
Rich Baerg, by email
*
What a piece of dirt you posted in your trash paper, the picture of Stephen Harper.
Harper was one of our greatest statesmen. You fell for all the lies spread about him. You should be ashamed of yourselves. What have we got now? A glorified drama teacher who is as dumb as a sack of rotten potatoes.
Pat Bischoff
*
I just want to express my disappointment and disgust at this so-called reimagining of Stephen Harper, with the face on a leopard. I know we have freedom of speech and expression, but you don’t have to print this disgusting stuff. I hope you have better judgment next time.
Two things: first, Mr. Harper was not perfect, and I didn’t always agree with him either, but he did as good a job for Canada as anyone could have done under the circumstances. Second, as a boy I was brought up to respect our nation’s leaders –even if we didn’t agree with them.
I have been amazed and very disappointed at the vitriol in speaking of Mr. Harper and intense hatred expressed by many Liberals over the years, as if he was the devil incarnate. It was neither fair, nor honest.
I am very sorry to see in Canada individuals with so much hatred and poor judgment.
Allan MacLeod (by email)
*
Well, the clay bust looks pretty good... but the other sorry excuse for 'art' is completely tasteless, lacks class and is surprising that it could even be considered art. I am the first person to defend freedom of expression and I love a political satire poking fun and any and all politicians, but that cringe-worthy object is just crass.
bill smith (on Burnaby NOW website)
*
Are you sure you are supporting art when putting the "Harper" cat on your front page? This is sick! Would you dare to depict Mohammed in such a manner?
Ziggy Eckardt (on Burnaby NOW website)
*
OMG. Some reason I just find it hilarious people were offended by that.
Ariel Camfield Pavic (Facebook)
*
Insightful art indeed.
Oscar Chavarria (Facebook)
*
Much ado...The complaint concerns the actual "printing" of a picture of an art exhibit in a local newspaper. That someone should be so offended is asinine. Obviously, the artist has a right to create. As does the newspaper the right to publish the news of a local art exhibit.
Nick Hughes (Facebook)
