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Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
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Trying to watch her taped response is worse than annoying, and the woman makes up her own facts as she goes, which has come to define her.
In short, if this is the best that the Tea Pot party has to offer, then there's really nothing to see or hear that has not been offered time and again. I really don't care for parrots.
Michele Bachmann is also defined by her presumptive beliefs, obtained God only knows where.
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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 base 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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Tim Eagan, Deep Cover, Buy this cartoon
Reserved Seating by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Date Night by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon
State Of The Union Seating by RJ Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Comics.com (Arizona Republic)
Mike Luckovich, Comics.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
I'm With Stupid At The State Of The Union by RJ Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Buy this cartoon
John Sherffius, Comics.com (Boulder Daily Camera)
Steve Sack, Comics.com (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Rebuttal by Rob Rogers, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
I know the Tea Party made some gains in the last election, but does that give them the right to their own State of the Union rebuttal? Aren't they a part of the Republican Party? The rebuttal made some GOP members very angry. I don't blame them. Are we now going to give every fringe group a rebuttal after the president addresses the nation? Help us all.
-- Rogers expressing his disgust with the Tea Party butting in to schedule their own response to the SOTU Speech
Michele Bachmann by Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record, Buy this cartoon
Rebuttals by Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
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PLEASE READ THIS: Because of the length of this weekly diary, sometimes Daily Kos reacts negatively -- isn't it always MB's fault? :-) -- and makes the Rec Button (and other stuff that you usually find in the upper right corner) disappear. Don't worry if that happens. Just scroll to the bottom of the diary past the last diary comment and you'll see the Rec Button there.
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INTRODUCTION
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Michele Bachmann Rises by Chan Lowe, Comics.com, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Lowe doesn't think much of Michele Bachmann and considers her a mini-me version of Sarah Palin
Just as we are becoming oversaturated with Sarah Palin, her tweets, her Facebook postings, her bull's-eyes, her surveyor's marks, her book signings, her narcissism, we learn that -- like a female version of John the Baptist -- she has only been preparing the way for one to follow.
For a couple of years now, Michele Bachmann has lurked on the lunatic fringe, not exactly a household name. But she whose unabashed and unapologetic verbal bombs make Ms. Palin, by comparison, seem like a model of statesmanship is about to catapult herself onto the national stage in the form of a Tea Party (she is its self-proclaimed Grande Dame) rebuttal to both the President and the Republican establishment...
It’s hard to top calling for a federal investigation of the subversive, anti-patriotic tendencies of Democrats in Congress, but if Ms. Bachmann really wants to run for president, as she has been hinting, she’ll have to one-up herself and deliver the cheesecake. Like all good politicians, Ms. Bachmann is fully aware that her real enemy is audience boredom.
As for Sarah Palin, we thank her for softening up the American people so that they can truly appreciate Rep. Bachmann’s gifts. Nevertheless, she’s had more than her fifteen minutes, and her act has gone stale. It’s time for her to take her millions and shuffle off into the obscurity she so well deserves... there’s a new girl in town.
Given how intensely they are hyped, most State of the Union speeches are largely forgotten within a few days. Imagine if you are the patsy who has to give a response to this speech but absent the nation's attention and the majesty of the House chamber on Capitol Hill.
Now imagine if your speech is the (kinda) response to the response. Well, let Daryl Cagle of Cagle Cartoons explain it
Find a politician who hangs out on the fringe and says crazy things (like the founding fathers ended slavery), and you’ll often find a local political cartoonist making a living lampooning her.
Bachmann has the misfortune of sharing a state with the talented Steve Sack, the terrific cartoonist at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Steve has been a long-time contributor on Cagle.com, and we thought in light of Bachmann’s remarks tonight to share some of his funniest cartoons about the right’s second-favorite female politician.
Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Buy these cartoons
Click this link to see larger cartoon images
I have deliberately kept my commentary to a minimum in this diary as many of these exquisite cartoons speak quite loudly and clearly. I literally have hundreds of never-posted editorial cartoons and will post some in the comments section.
Comments encouraged. Hope you enjoy this week's edition.
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1. Cartoons of the Week
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Irresponsible Liberals: Keith, Bernie, Paul, and Rachel
Jen Sorensen, read more on her blog and see reader comments on Slowpoke, Buy this cartoon
Fun With False Equivalence
This comic has attracted more irate email than usual, with a longtime conservative reader referring to it as done "with vitriol." I don't see it as a particularly angry cartoon -- if anything, it seems like my usual absurdist approach, showing how ridiculous militant right-wing rhetoric sounds coming from the mouths of famous progressives. (Aren't we usually accused of being wimps?) I planned to do this strip ever since a blog commenter (not here) hilariously referred to Paul Krugman as an example of incivility on the left equivalent to the insurrectionist language on the right that has come under criticism since the Giffords shooting.
Only one side of the political spectrum has a broad, organized movement -- once fringe, now growing ever-more mainstream -- based on extreme paranoia of the government and the idea of resistance through armed revolution. This stuff forms the very raison d'etre of the Tea Party and various "patriot movement" subgroups. You have heard of the Oath Keepers, yes? If not, look 'em up. Much of the rhetoric I criticize in my cartoons comes from politicians stirring this particular pot -- they are pandering directly to their gun-nut base. They aren't just trying to use more action verbs.
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Note: this editorial cartoon was published a couple of days before Keith Olberman's departure from MSNBC. Here is the the cartoon that Sorensen referred to above and one that I also featured in the previous edition of this diary. Also, compare it with Lloyd Dangle's cartoon that I used in referring to "false equivalence."
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Brainwashing Unpatriotic Nutrition Plan by Clay Jones, Freelance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), Buy this cartoon
It’s not a secret I’m no big fan of Fox News. I think it’s irresponsible, reckless and dangerous to the country by giving out misinformation. In the past there were bumper stickers that read "annoy the media. Vote Republican." Well now the media is Republican as Fox News leads the way with viewers, which is another consternation of mine. Why does the majority of people who watch news choose a source that’s so biased?
People argue that it balances out since CNN, MSNBC, ABC and CBS are so biased. No it doesn’t balance out.
-- While not a huge fan of Keith Olbermann, Jones has a strong dislike for Fox News, a "news" organization he has graphically mocked on many occasions in the past
Strong Personality by Nick Anderson, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Buy this cartoon
Sarah Palin in the Crosshairs by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Martyn Turner, Irish Times (Ireland), Buy this cartoon
Mike Luckovich, Comics.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Jeff Danziger, Yahoo Comics/New York Times Syndicate and Joe Lieberman by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Joe Lieberman Monument by Andy Singer, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Guns & Ammo by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Arizona Gun Laws by Bob Englehart, see reader comments in the Hartford Courant, Buy this cartoon
I hope an investigation sheds light on how that Tucson killer was able to buy a gun. He has a long record of disturbing behavior behind him. Don't they keep track of the nut cases in Arizona, or would it be too much to ask for.
-- Englehart recognizing loopholes in existing laws and calling for states to improve background checks on potential gun buyers who are mentally unstable
Steele-Toe Shoes by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Danziger, Yahoo Comics/New York Times Syndicate
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
The House GOP's First Act of Recklessness by Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Damien Glez, Journal du Jeudi (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso), Buy this cartoon
Tunisian Dictator Overthrown by Arend van Dam (The Netherlands), Buy this cartoon
Emanuel Court Ruling by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Scott Stantis, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
Hu Jintao in America by Patrick Chappatte, International Herald Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Rob Rogers, Comics.com (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
President Hu of China is in town for a big state dinner at the White House. The sad thing is, we're probably using money we borrowed from China to pull the whole thing off.
-- Rogers stating the obvious, i.e., China holds a large amount of U.S. debt and, thus, that makes it difficult for many Americans to, say, lecture China on other issues of concern like human rights abuses
Obama and Hu Playing Poker by Riber Hansson (Sweden), Buy this cartoon
Polar Bears by Bob Englehart, see reader comments in the Hartford Courant, Buy this cartoon
Gas Price Formula by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Baby Doc Comes Home by Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
Baby Doc Duvalier by Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Buy this cartoon
Rex Babin, Sacramento Bee, Buy this cartoon
Mama Griz by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Tim Eagan, Deep Cover, Buy this cartoon
Chasm by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Comics.com (Arizona Republic)
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2. More on the SOTU Speech: Who's Crying Now
Speaker Boehner by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
The U.S. House of Representatives has become the Theater of the Absurd, starring John of Orange, aka 'The Weeper.' Can anyone describe a scenario where the new Speaker of the House would ever introduce a bill that would actually help out working class people? How about a bill that would address unemployment? Job creation was a favorite republican political mantra last Fall.
Can you think of one proposal the GOP is currently kicking around that would not benefit millionaires or mult-national corporations? Hell no, you can't.
Political Discourse by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
David Horsey, see reader comments in the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Spending Freeze by Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Mike Luckovich, Comics.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
The Report by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, Buy this cartoon
Sputnik Moment by RJ Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Buy this cartoon
The New Congressional Civility by Bruce Plante, see the large number of reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon
Super Serious Sarah by Milt Priggee, www.miltpriggee.com, Buy this cartoon
Paul Szep, Comics.com
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3. Super Bowl Shuffle: Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers
Scott Stantis, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
Scott Stantis, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
There's always next year, Bears by Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Smash Talk by Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Granted, Rex Ryan was much quieter than normal during the week between the Patriots and the Steelers. Why... who knows? But for an entire season (and more if you watched the HBO reality show) we've been hearing him go on and on about the Jets winning the Super Bowl and trash-talking everybody else. I understand that some of that stuff is part of the game. But it gets old after a while.
-- Rogers himself engaging in a bit of trash talk after his Steelers made it to the Super Bowl for (along with the Dallas Cowboys) a record-tying 8th time
Steelers Vs the Jets by Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Buy this cartoon
Jets Fans by Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record, Buy this cartoon
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4. RIP Sargent Shriver (1915-2011), Jack LaLanne (1914-2011), and Remembering Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986)
Sargent Shriver by Steve Greenberg, Freelance Cartoonist (Los Angeles, CA), Buy this cartoon
Deb Milbrath, milbrathdraws.com
(click cartoon to enlarge it)
Jeff Stahler, Comics.com (Columbus Dispatch)
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News, Buy this cartoon
Christa McAuliffe Tribute by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Christa McAuliffe Illustration by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
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5. Final Thoughts
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, Buy this cartoon
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In the Garden of Eden, do you wonder if Adam and Eve ever talked about the forbidden fruit? Given that they were tekkies, I bet the chit chat even included some mention of Steve Jobs. Maybe even of the dreaded DK4!
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A Note About the Diary Poll
There have been many great speeches given over the course of history. What makes for a memorable speech?
These speeches lifted hearts in dark times, gave hope in despair, refined the characters of men, inspired brave feats, gave courage to the weary, honored the dead, and changed the course of history...
Great oratory has three components: style, substance, and impact.
Style: A great speech must be masterfully constructed. The best orators are masters of both the written and spoken word, and use words to create texts that are beautiful to both hear and read.
Substance: A speech may be flowery and charismatically presented, and yet lack any true substance at all. Great oratory must center on a worthy theme; it must appeal to and inspire the audience’s finest values and ideals.
Impact: Great oratory always seeks to persuade the audience of some fact or idea. The very best speeches change hearts and minds and seem as revelatory several decades or centuries removed as when they were first given.
I have only included a few of history's great speeches and addresses in the diary poll. It is not the definitive list of its kind. If your favorite one is missing, mention it in the comments section. And you might even be able to find it on one of these lists
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Crossposted at Docudharma and The Stars Hollow Gazette