Joel Pett: Lament, not disrespect, was subject of flooding cartoon.

A number of upset readers have contacted us regarding Sunday’s piece about the flooding in Eastern Kentucky, accusing me of insensitivity toward the victims, or of outright hostility to the region.

The intention of the drawing was to lament that when heartbreaking disasters like this strike, it is often the people who can least afford it who are hit the hardest. (“When it rains, it pours on the poor” was the caption.)

I genuinely regret that, to some readers, I may have added another layer of hardship to an already unthinkably difficult time.

My colleagues and I are 100% behind our fellow Kentuckians, and will continue to use our platform to advocate for aid, for compassion, and for solutions to the problems of all the people of the commonwealth. Godspeed to you all, and I am deeply sorry for your losses.

Joel Pett, August 3, 2022

This story was originally published August 2, 2022 at 8:41 AM.