THE WEEK IN EDITORIAL CARTOONS
This weekly diary takes a look at the past week's important news stories from the perspective of our leading editorial cartoonists (including a few foreign ones) with analysis and commentary added in by me.
When evaluating a cartoon, ask yourself these questions:
- Does a cartoon add to my existing knowledge and help crystallize my thinking about the issue depicted?
- Does the cartoonist have any obvious biases that distort reality?
- Is the cartoonist reflecting prevailing public opinion or trying to shape it?
The answers will help determine the effectiveness of the cartoonist's message.
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Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
SPECIAL THANKS to Meteor Blades, Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, and Land of Enchantment.
DAILY KOS ECO-WEEK BLOGATHON
June 28 – July 4, 2009
David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Daily Kos Eco-Week concluded this past Saturday, July 4th. Guided by Meteor Blades and brilliantly organized by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse and Land of Enchantment, this week-long celebration of the environment was very successful. Here's the final calendar of diaries posted during this period.
How did the diaries fare? In an email all participants received from PDNC, here's what was achieved
The stats for eco week are impressive. We posted 80 diaries. 27 were on the Rec List or 34%. When excluding 9 diaries not qualified for Rec List (fp posts), then 38% of the diaries made the Rec List.
That’s an average of almost 4 diaries a day on the rec list.
The rangers rescued at least 7 diaries (some could be rescued on Sunday) and Meteor Blades rescued all diaries as part of Green Diary Rescue.
These numbers are important because this may be the first time that so many eco diaries landed on the rec list.
But, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. One really impressive success of eco week was that each diary was absolutely outstanding, and I say that with all sincerity. These were articles that could have been published in any of the best magazines in the world.
Climate Change Editorial Cartoon Gets Noticed
If I may, I'd like to share a personal experience during Eco-Week which, in a small way, measures growing interest in environmental issues.
When I mentioned to PDNC and LOE that I was going to write a promo and post a few editorial cartoons about the environment in my weekly diary of Sunday, June 28th, little did I realize what would happen next. As background, when I post cartoons on a wide variety of issues (Republican scandals, healthcare, Rightwing misdeeds, Obama policies, and the like), the best cartoon may get a total of 6,000-8,000 "views" -- with this one about Sarah Palin being an exception with over 15,000 views to-date -- as recorded by the stats meter on Photobucket. But one of the four environmental cartoons I posted in my last weekly diary has received almost 20 times the views so far -- a total of 154,227 views!
It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons as to why this happened but there is no question in my mind that the cartoon in question received extensive exposure when re-posted by Meteor Blades in his 'Green Diary Rescue & Open Thread: DK GreenRoots' front page post the next night. It goes to show you that there is probably more interest in environmental issues than public opinion polls have normally indicated for several years now.
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Please read these two articles in the Economist magazine and the Guardian newspaper about the dangers posed by Global Warming.
R.J. Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch
Jack Ohman, Portland Oregonian
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
As a reminder, I would urge all of you to join DKGreenRoots. There are lots of interesting discussions going on there and just like myself, you will learn a great deal from group members who actually know what they are writing about.
If you are interested in environmental issues, please join DK GreenRoots, a new environmental advocacy group created by Meteor Blades and Patriot Daily. DK GreenRoots comprises bloggers at Daily Kos and eco-advocates from other sites. We focus on a broad range of issues and are always open to new ones.
Over the coming weeks and months, DK Greenroots will initiate a variety of environmental projects, some political and some having nothing directly to do with politics at all.
Some projects may involve the creation of eco working groups that can be used for a variety of actions, including implementing political action or drafting proposed legislation. We are in exciting times now because for the first time in decades, significant environmental legislation will be passed by Congress. It is far easier to achieve real change if our proposal is on the table rather than fighting rearguard actions.
We alert each other to important eco-stories in the mainstream media and on the Internet, promote bloggers at one site to readers at other sites, connect bloggers of similar interests to each other and discuss crucial eco-issues.
Come help us put these projects together. Bring ideas of your own. There is no limit on what we can accomplish together. |
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1. CARTOONS OF THE WEEK
Gone But Not Forgotten
Memories
Light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
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Sarah Palin will be sorely missed. Her entry onto the national political stage last year has sometimes been referred to as 'The Full Employment Act for Editorial Cartoonists.'
Clearly, some people will miss Palin's unselfish contributions in this regard. Having seen hundreds of cartoons about her over the past 10 months, I can attest to the fact she is widely admired, even revered by this demographic of voters. Her ability to provide constant thrills for all of us was an essential ingredient of our ongoing national discourse. Palin's adventures are what makes for a vibrant and thriving democracy.
But, is she really exiting national politics or, like other burnt-out intellectuals and academics, embarking upon a much-needed sabbatical? Opinions have ranged from this being a savvy political move to the dumbest action ever taken by a prominent politician. Some commentators like Bill Kristol and Gary Bauer have called it a brilliant political move; most others see it as a sign of weakness.
How will this all turn out? As they say, only time will tell.
David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me - Would we? Could we?
Bruce Beattie, Daytona News-Journal
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
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2. Palinmania: It Came From Wasilla
Memories
May be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
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Vanity Fair writer Todd Purdum recently wrote this long and devastating article about Sarah Palin and one that was published in the magazine's current issue
It Came from Wasilla
Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska’s charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn’t always jibe with reality. As John McCain’s top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs—political and personal—that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.
Oh... and a few days ago, Palin won this dubious honor, of which I'm sure she is very proud.
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
Dan Wasserman, Boston Globe
R.J. Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
Barbra Streisand, The Way We Were
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon and moments on the Hudson River Line
How lovely it was!
Rod Stewart, Thanks For The Memory
Daryl Cagle, cagle.com/politicalcartoons/
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3. The Republican Party: 'Ishtar' of American Politics
The Republican Class of 1994 plagued with scandal
The sex scandals that have tarnished Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) don’t appear to have much in common. Yet there is one thread that binds them together: Both Ensign and Sanford were members of the famed Republican House class of 1994, as well as its latest casualties.
As it turns out, the pressures and demands of political life have inflicted devastating damage not only on the Ensign and Sanford families, but on the families of many of the 71 other freshmen who formed the vanguard of the Republican Revolution.
In the 14 years since that star-crossed class arrived in Washington espousing an agenda that placed family values at its core, no less than a dozen of its members have been caught up in affairs, sex scandals or in messy separations and divorces from their spouses that, in more than a few instances, led to their political downfalls.
Read more of this story from the Politico
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'Ishtar' - Now Playing at a Theater Near You
Ed Stein, United Media
I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way they could have made two
Girl you're my reality
But I'm lost in a-a-a a dream
You're the first, you're the last, my everything
Barry White, You're My First, My Last, My Everything
Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen
Don Wright, Palm Beach Post
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
Bruce Beattie, Daytona News-Journal
Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
**Sanford and Hon: The Sequel**
Calls for Sanford's Resignation Escalate
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) new admissions of more affairs may have been the tipping point for his governorship.
According to The State, 6 of 27 members of the conservative Senate Republican Caucus issued a letter calling on Sanford to resign. Two additional senators considered among Sanford's staunchest allies, also said they want him to resign though they did not sign the letter. And two others indicated they were moving in that direction.
A new CNN/Opinion Research poll also finds a majority of Americans feel Sanford should resign.
link
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Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
R.J. Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch
Walt Handelsman, Newsday
Dan Wasserman, Boston Globe
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dwane Powell, Raleigh News & Observer
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4. A More Perfect Union
Two cheers for America
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE was so enthralled by the nine months he spent in the United States in 1831 that he wrote two fat volumes about the country. He admired the vigour of its democratic institutions and the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, which was rapidly transforming a vast wilderness into a polished civilisation. And he approved of the way that the country’s potential vices were moderated by its commonplace virtues, particularly its civic pride and religious observance. The proud French aristocrat was happy to call himself "half Yankee."
Read this interesting article by a British journalist in the Economist magazine
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Matt Bors, Idiot Box
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
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5. Out of Iraq: Prisoners of Our Own Device
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said we are all just prisoners here, of our own device
And in the masters chambers,
They gathered for the feast
The stab it with their steely knives,
But they just cant kill the beast
Eagles, Hotel California
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Bob Gorrell, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist
Stuart Carlson, Universal Press Syndicate
Chan Lowe, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jim Morin, Miami Herald
David Donar, Donklephant.com
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News
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6. The Struggle for Iran's Soul: It Ain't Over Till It's Over
Iranians find new ways to keep protests alive
The Iranian regime continued this weekend in its bid to paint citizens protesting the announced results of its June 12 presidential election as tools of outside powers.
In a scathing editorial published Saturday in the influential state-run newspaper, Kayhan, editor-in-chief Hossein Shariatmadari said opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi had committed "terrible crimes," including "murdering innocent people, holding riots, co-operating with foreigners, and acting as America's fifth column."
Using social networking sites like Twitter and video sites like Youtube, protesters have compiled powerful evidence of a legitimate outpouring of anger. Raw videos like this one of a clash between demonstrators and police. And more polished ones like this compilation of protesters and the wounds they've received for their pains set to patriotic music.
Read the article in the Christian Science Monitor and more in this diary about discord amongst the clergy in Iran.
Tim Goheen, McClatchy Newspapers
Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen
Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Jack Ohman, Portland Oregonian
John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune
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7. What's Barack Obama Up To?
Reviving the economy, seeking resolution on healthcare plans being discussed on Capitol Hill, and ensuring passage of Climate Change legislation remains high on Obama's agenda. Powerful business interests remain opposed to many of his proposals.
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Paul Szep, Syndicated Cartoonist
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
Paresh Nath, Khaleej Times (UAE)
Kirk Walters, Toledo Blade
Glenn Foden, BusinessandMedia.Org
Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader
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8. Mr. Franken Goes to Washington
Democrats Have 60 Votes. What Will They Do With Them?
But just as the Republican dominance in the early-Oughts was illusory, and the 61 Democrats who controlled the Senate in 1978 were about to be run over by the Reagan Revolution, it's a pretty safe bet that Democrats won't hold these margins for long. As such, there are two ways to think about a 60-vote majority. One way is in terms of how long you can keep it. The other is in terms of how much you can achieve with it. The latter strategy means forcing risky votes from vulnerable senators in order to secure enduring accomplishments on things like health-care reform and cap-and-trade. It means accepting, as Kristol said, that the worm will turn, and the question is what the world looks like when it does.
More from Ezra Klein here
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Henry Payne, Detroit News
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star
Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner
Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle
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9. Affirmative Distraction
No Peril Seen for Sotomayor
The Supreme Court's rejection of a decision against white firefighters endorsed by Judge Sonia Sotomayor gives Republicans a renewed chance to attack her speeches and writings but is not expected to imperil her confirmation to the high court, political and legal sources said yesterday.
link
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
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10. Final Thoughts
Finally, have you just about had enough of All-Michael Jackson-All-the-Time coverage on cable television?
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
Peter Broelman, Freelance Cartoonist (Australia)
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A Note About the Diary Poll
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States
"If the people of Philadelphia, the founders, had been the kind of politicians who are poll-driven, they would have scrapped the whole thing, because only about a third of the country was for it-- at most a third of the country was for it; at least a third, or more, were adamently against it; while the remaining third, in the good old human way, were waiting to see who came out on top."
Read article about David McCullough's lecture at Depauw University and see the complete list of this country's founders