Letters to the Editor Many readers will miss Mallard Fillmore – The Dallas Morning News

Editors note: We received more than 100 letters about the papers decision to stop running Mallard Fillmore. Here are a few of them.

I have disagreed with just about every opinion put forth in the Doonesbury strip since its inception. At the same time, I thoroughly enjoy reading it for the clever satirical style in which it is written. It would never have occurred to me to try to ban its existence because that political view is different from my own.

The Mallard Fillmore decision mystifies me. I have to wonder how many woke reactions to the strip from the left side of the street constitute enough reader feedback to make such a decision. I doubt we will ever know. But you have to ask yourself how hard it would be to surpass that number in Dallas with reader feedback to eliminate Doonesbury. Wake up, guys. Bad decision.

Ken Kelley, Pottsboro

You stated that in response to reader feedback you will no longer publish Mallard Fillmore. Did I miss an opportunity to weigh in with reader feedback? There have been opportunities in the past to vote for comic strips; I did not see one regarding Mallard Fillmore. Although I may not have always agreed with the cartoonist, I enjoyed reading the strip each week and will miss it. Any chance youll bring it back to present both sides of the story?

Ann Fleming, Dallas/Lake Highlands

So sorry you decided to cancel Mallard Fillmore. Your left-leaning censorship has finally prompted me to cancel my subscription. It amazes me that you have increasingly, over the years, become so biased. If I dont like something I just ignore it or, in your case, dont read it.

Left-thinkers whine and want anything they dont agree with banished. Your paper has completely forgotten that you are in a blue county surrounded by red counties. You have at least five comics that continually spew liberal messages every day. I will seek my daily periodical elsewhere. You canceled the duck, so I will cancel you.

Doug Mazey, Allen

I didnt always find Mallard Fillmore funny. Sometimes it made me uncomfortable. It did make me think, which is why I read anything. First it was Non Sequitur. Now Mallard Fillmore. Watch out, Doonesbury. People might complain about your take on retirees from a recent strip, and youll be gone. Watch out Zits. There might be complaints about the portrayal of a well-meaning, protective, helicoptering mom.

And then theres LuAnn, who, to some, might seem like a daily dose of blond jokes. Is this censorship? Is this political correctness? I have no answers, but in a week where a legislator wants to know what books are in school libraries, it scares the heck out of me.

Cynthia Stock, Garland

I and others I have spoken with very much believe the removal of Mallard Fillmore was a mistake. (Pardon, your liberal bias is showing.) I saw the replacement today and all I have to say is, are you serious? I strongly suggest that you reverse your decision.

Robert Smith, North Dallas

To be fair, bring back Mallard Fillmore or doom the Doonesbury. What about Judge Parker. Where does that belong?

John Jeffry Green, Hickory Creek

I am experiencing fremdschmen for you after reading your brief notice that your comics page will no longer carry Mallard Fillmore. Like watching an old friend cave in to the neighborhood bullies.

Buist Fanning, Irving

After perusing the recent letters concerning Rep. Matt Krauses attempts at library book screening and/or removal, I feel compelled to point out that the cancel culture is apparently alive and well at The Dallas Morning News as well. Your claim that the cancellation and replacement of Mallard Fillmore was the result of reader feedback is every bit as scary as the actions of Krause.

I am occasionally offended by the disrespect shown to our seniors with minor dementia by Pickles as well as by the condescension shown to Latinos and Blacks by Baldo and Curtis, respectively. Your readers either need to develop better senses of humor or just stick with the sports pages.

Henry Benedict, San Angelo

Re: Lefty defends Mallard Fillmore, by John G. Irvin, Nov. 6 letters.

What gives other readers the right to choose what I can read and enjoy, just because they dont like it? I am a true conservative and I enjoy reading comics that make me laugh and sometimes pause to reflect. I may not agree with the content of Mallard Fillmore or Doonesbury, but they express opposing views that I enjoy reading every Sunday.

Im sure many, many people have asked for the removal of Doonesbury over the years, but its still in there every Sunday. What gives?

Rene Wimmer, Aubrey

Re: Choice to read comic revoked, by Sally Weiss, Nov. 6 letters.

After reading both Irwins and Sally Weiss letters, I feel the need to put in my 2 cents worth. Please bring back the comic Mallard Fillmore. My liberal children tell me that I am a moderate. I enjoy both Doonesbury and Mallard Fillmore.

As Weiss said, if someone doesnt like Mallard Fillmore, they dont have to read it. Now that you have removed it, I cant read it. I actually think the last Mallard Fillmore comic before you pulled it saying the scariest thing on Halloween was an unvaccinated person was spot on.

Frances C. Wilson, McKinney

I guess I dont get it. Why is everyone these days so sensitive and so demanding that whatever they dont like must be censored/removed from public view?

Ive been reading your paper for years and I dont care for the Doonesbury left-wing agenda. However, it never entered my mind that it should be removed from the paper. I dont like it so I just dont read it.

It seems ridiculous to censor/remove items that we quiet readers enjoy because a few squeaky wheels complain. Newspapers are supposed to be unbiased in their content. In your attempts to present to everyone, I would consider numerous complaints as a testament that youre probably doing it right.

Benjamin Franklin said, If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. Why dont we all calm down and not be so afraid of what the opposition prints? Let your readers choose what theyll read or not read, but at least print it.

The truth is often painful to those who dont want to hear the truth. We can all find and follow our own truth without having to deny others that opportunity.

Jerry Janway, Waxahachie

I was sorry to hear that you have canceled another political type cartoon. I understand why the previous one was canceled. I have looked forward to reading the letters about Mallard Fillmore. I remember the fuss over Doonesbury, but it finally made its way back to the comics.

Im wondering if this action is an ongoing outcome of falling prey to the cancellation groups and the political animosity that is so prevalent. Your paper has become smaller and smaller over the years, and I hope somewhere along the way you will make it back to more reporting and investigation.

Phyllis Fosdick, Plano

You said that you are canceling Mallard Fillmore due to reader feedback. Well, here is my feedback do not cancel Mallard Fillmore. I cannot believe that you would cancel Mallard Fillmore but continue to print Doonesbury.

George Bannerman Dealey must be spinning in his grave. You have now removed every conservative voice from your so-called newspaper and your bias is obvious for everyone to see.

Robert Chambers, North Dallas

Im disappointed in The Dallas Morning News for dropping Mallard Fillmore. I viewed it as the conservative counterpoint to Doonesbury, a blatantly leftist strip. In dropping Mallard Fillmore, you are abandoning George B. Dealeys admonition that the paper, Acknowledge the right of the people to get from the newspaper both sides of every important question.

Your embracing the cancel culture leads me to embrace it as well: I will be canceling my subscription to The DMN (after about 40 years).

Dale Crane, Southlake

Mallard Fillmore, goodbye. I shall miss you, as you gave me something to think about. Like B.C., The Wizard of Id and Peanuts, you have a lesson for all of us.

Donald N. Wright, Garland

Cancel culture is alive and well at The Dallas Morning News. I am a bit surprised, as I was under the impression that The News at least tried to present opinions and news in a fair and balanced manner. Guess I was mistaken. After all, we cant have one single comic that presents a conservative point of view even though its perfectly acceptable to have the screamingly left-wing comic Doonesbury as well as other strips that occasionally venture into the political arena and present a non-conservative opinion.

In a state where the vast majority of the people are conservative, I find the excuse used to cancel Mallard Fillmore, which was user input, to be lacking in credibility.

Im greatly disappointed in The News. The comic Mallard Fillmore is intelligent, clever and entertaining. I will miss it greatly.

Olan Knight, Murphy

I dont understand why you are ending a decent comic like a Mallard Fillmore when you allow Judge Parker to run daily in the comics section. Judge Parker is an absolute waste of space. Its not funny or entertaining at all. How it has managed to be in the comics for such a long time is mind boggling.

While Im at it, why the heck does Aces on Bridge regularly publish? I dont read the paper to learn how to play bridge. All that is is a waste of valuable real estate in the paper as well. Instead of removing a decent subject, how about removing the true wastes of space?

Seth Morgan, Mesquite

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Letters to the Editor Many readers will miss Mallard Fillmore - The Dallas Morning News