EDITOR’S NOTE: The Columbian has joined other newspapers in halting publication of comic strip “Dilbert,” following a racist online rant by cartoonist Scott Adams. While that decision took effect last week and while Editor Craig Brown addressed the situation in Tuesday’s paper (https://tinyurl.com/58dz9wp6), we are sharing a selection of the letters we received regarding the issue:
I have been a fan of Scott Adams’ “Dilbert” cartoon since the 1980s, when I first came across him in a PSU student paper, and was elated when he made it into the mainstream. Over the years, he was the first cartoon I looked up in the morning. But, as he got more and more political, he also got less and less funny. I kept hoping that he would return to a semblance of his former self. But now, with Scott’s open, virulent racism, I think that’s a fool’s hope. Scott has lost his marbles, and won’t ever be funny again.
I’m not going to tell you what to do, but if you were to replace “Dilbert” with something truly funny, this longtime fan won’t shed a tear.
William Pfeifer
Vancouver
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“Dilbert”? Really? Because of how you interpreted the language used by the strip’s creator in a totally different context? Totally unrelated to the content he provides for The Columbian’s customers. What does that say about how you stand on the whole free speech thing? Please bring back “Dilbert”!
Joe Barbera
Vancouver
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I appreciated seeing the blank spot in the paper today where “Dilbert” used to be.
Garrett Hoyt
Battle Ground
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My name is Emerson Hoyt and I am 11 years old. Since you aren’t putting “Dilbert” in the comics anymore, I was wondering if you could replace it with “Wallace the Brave” by Will Henry. Right now we can only read that comic online and I would like to read it in the paper every day. It is our family’s favorite comic. It is a lot like “Calvin and Hobbes.”
Emerson Hoyt
Battle Ground
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Please consider the comic strip “Breaking Cat News” to replace “Dilbert.” “Breaking Cat News” creator Georgia Dunn is a Washingtonian, and she has created a delightful comic about cats presenting news important to cats. Her watercolor art is refreshing, and the stories are sweet and engaging. We need a fresh take on comics! I would love to see “Peanuts” replaced as well.
Roberta May
Washougal
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I stopped following any of Scott Adams’ writing after the 2016 election. During the run-up to the election, I was appalled by his pro-Trump writing and by his misogyny — he was very nasty toward women. I used to like “Dilbert,” but Adams went off the tracks then. Guess he hasn’t gotten back on the track. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for it to be fully publicized.
Anne Brock
Brush Prairie
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Like a lot of people, I get up early for work and look forward to checking my favorite sections of the paper (except on Monday). I check the obituaries, then a few of the comics and read the rest in the evening. I used to enjoy Press Talk with Lou Brancaccio but oh my, it is gone also!
I understand the cartoonist for “Dilbert” has become politically incorrect and that comic strip is now gone. Thank you for being the watchdog for those of us who just ignorantly enjoy the product. May I suggest you also check into the “Pearls Before Swine” cartoonist Stephan Pastis? His panels are sometimes skirting the edge.
Will we get to vote on the replacement cartoon choice? After checking the cartoonist’s social media posts, of course.
Cheryl Moulton
Washougal
