Twitter Trouble

Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen posted this picture on his twitter account today. He has received backlash from both liberals and conservatives. The cartoon Cohen tweeted is placing blame on the NRA in the midst of the Navy yard shooting. The ad doesn't directly correlate with the Navy yard shootings but the Congressman's timing says it all. The rifle has the capitol and the Washington Monument as a symbol of the power the NRA holds over the government.
There are many aspects of the cartoon that make it so controversial. The first characteristic is the NRA branding on the side of the gun. The type of gun is also important; it's an assault rifle. The same type of gun used in many major shootings all over he US.
The second detail is the Washington Monument and the Capitol mounted at the edge of the gun. This is showing the government's support and also the NRA's power over the government. The last characteristic are the dark colors used to depict how grim and scary the NRA can be. The cartoonist did a wonderful job of putting the blame on the NRA for the recent shootings in America. Many politicians lately have been getting into trouble on twitter because of pictures they have posted or statements they have made.
I love how the meaning of this picture is so multidimensional. It began as an artist's opinion, then was used to convey an opinion of Congressman Cohen, and finally it was used as a way for the public to react. Cohen changed the way I viewed this comic than if I would of seen it a week ago.

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