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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Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world...
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
Note: I found the HTML error and updated the diary. It is now posted in its entirety.
INTRODUCTION
One of the reasons I try to include editorial cartoons from all over the country is that even in so-called "red states," there are cartoonists who simply aren't afraid to expose the dishonesty and obstructionism of the modern Republican Party.
Clay Bennett of the Chattanooga Times Free Press has been on an unbelievable roll these past few weeks. His portrayal of the Republican Party's hypocrisy has been evident in his brilliant editorial cartoons. Thanks to Kossack Sandy on Signal, I have become a huge fan of his since I started writing this weekly diary. Bennett's style is subtle and understated. In his quietly effective manner, his cartoons not only make you laugh but, importantly, think more about the characters and issues depicted.
Cash for Clunkers
Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Race in America
Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
This past week, healthcare issues dominated the world of cartooning. "Birthers" came under heavy fire for their wacky and bizarre behavior. So did "Blue Dog" Democrats for their obstructionist ways in the U.S. House of Representatives. The unethical insurance industry lobby as well as their Republican (and, some Democratic) sympathizers were portrayed as openly corrupt and interested only in killing healthcare reform and maintaining the status quo.
Finally, both liberal and conservative editorial cartoonists had a field day making fun of Barack Obama and his much-touted "Beer Summit" at the White House. All in good humor, of course!
Once again I hope you enjoy the rather large number of cartoons in this week's diary.
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1. CARTOONS OF THE WEEK
So, Four Guys Walk Into a Bar...
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic
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It was an explosive, emotional issue awaiting attention at all levels of society. It had torn the nation apart, with each sides adamant that they were right. One side contended that not only did the perpetrator deserve no mercy but that he should be held fully accountable in the court of public opinion. The other side was equally stubborn in its belief that enough was enough and that it was time to turn the page over.
What better setting than to have the "Great Conciliator" invite a bunch of regular guys to thrash it out over a few beers.
Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette
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Obama: So, guys, what's on your mind?
Gates: I must say that this issue reminds me of the days when I was growing up in West Virginia. The deck is stacked against men of color.
Crowley: You mean that you people are incapable of pulling yourselves up by your bootstraps?
Biden: What the hell are you guys talking about?
Obama: Joe, Skip's referring to the fact whether or not ex-Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick ought to be able to return and play again in the National Football League.
Biden: Oh, that. As I told a reporter from the Wall Street Journal the other day...
Obama: Um, moving right along...
Jerry Holbert, Boston Herald
Gates: Look, he's paid his dues to society, he's done his time in prison, and he deserves better. Enough is enough.
Crowley: Wrong, he is guilty as hell! Even today, the look on his face betrays his true feelings and until he apologizes to all authorities for his uppity behavior, I say let him rot in hell.
Obama: By the way, if his name was Michelle Vick and if she were a world-class swimmer, would you guys think any differently?
Gates: It depends on the color of her...
Crowley: I can just read your mind, Skip. You were thinking if Michelle were white, no way she ought to be reinstated. If she were black, however, you think ...
Gates: Wait a minute. How did you know what I was thinking? I'm sure, though, that I know what you were thinking!
Paul Szep, Creators Syndicate
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com
Biden: We can always call Rush Limbaugh. As a Philadelphia Iggles fan, I can tell you that he is an expert on matter of race and sports.
Obama: Nah, Joe! The person who really knows about such an important issue is my good friend Larry Summers.
Obama gets a cell phone out of his pocket and calls Larry Summers.
Obama: Say, Larry... among your many qualifications, aren't you also quite knowledgeable about the role of women in society?
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons
Summers: Well, boss, as you know I'm a rather modest kinda fellow. However, as the son of two economists, the youngest-tenured professor ever on Hahvahd University's faculty, a former member of the Council of Economic Advisers, the Chief Economist at the World Bank, a former Treasury Secretary, President of Hahvahd, a Wall Street alumnus, and, not to mention, a brilliant economist in my own right, I'd have to agree that, yes, Michelle Vick absolutely deserves a chance to participate in world swim meets.
Obama: As usual, thanks for your brilliant advice. This country owes you a lot. Now, when Bernanke's term is over at the Fed...
Knowing that he had just gotten great advice from possibly the one man more brilliant than he is, Obama hung up the phone.
Gates: By the way, Barack, I just saw on my blackberry that the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick are considering signing Michael Vick to a contract. I think that's great.
Crowley: Why Vick... wasn't Brett Favre available? He'd be perfect for fans of the Boston area.
Gates: You never did say if the Patriots ought to sign Michael Vick.
Crowley: Well, can Vick win three Super Bowl titles like Tom Brady did for us? Perhaps he should try his hand at baseball.
Gates: I knew you'd say that! I'm getting to be an expert in predicting how you'd answer a certain type of question.
Crowley: I won't apologize for anything I've said.
Biden: Let me tell you all something. I think Vick should sign with the Iggles. Donovan McNabb is pretty much done!
Obama: Joe, I would recalibrate that statement a bit differently. Guys, it's getting late but in all honesty, this has been one hell of a teachable moment for me!
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So ended an important and highly successful meeting at Barack's Bar. Leaving Joe Biden behind for an additional beer or two, Barack Obama, Skip Gates, and Joe Crowley left the bar late at night knowing that they had contributed greatly to this national day of healing and reconciliation. Although Michael Vick's future in professional football was still a bit fuzzy, they had expressed their feelings freely and with malice towards none. This was, after all, (incremental) progress they could all believe in.
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald
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What? You thought four guys were gonna get together for a few beers after work and talk about nuclear proliferation, the role of this country as the world's hegemon, or, even, if peace were attainable in the Middle East without even mentioning sports???
Get real!
Sometimes in Early November 2009
A few months later, even after Michael Vick had been reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and served a six-game suspension in the 2009 NFL Season, no team had offered him a contract as yet. Not even Joe Crowley's beloved New England Patriots.
Never one to be discouraged -- and buoyed by the passage of healthcare reform and an improving economy -- Barack Obama had another brilliant idea. It was time to spend some political capital he'd been accumulating for almost a year. Predictably, a prominent FOX News talk show host was decidedly unhappy that no white folks were invited to this meeting.
Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic
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2. Blue Doggin' It: Every Dog Has His Day?
The Speed Trap
Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press, cartoon submitted by Kossack Sandy on Signal
If this was the only time or instance the GOP had attempted to intervene for "the welfare of the country" I would have no argument. However, since Obama has taken office the "Right" has taken 'foot-dragging' and intervention to the extreme.
Sure, "haste makes waste", of that there is no doubt.
But the time has come to, "...lead, follow, or get out of the way" of what is overdue the good people of this land.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Woody
Username: woody | On: August 2, 2009 at 7:24 a.m.
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See more reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant
After noodling around on a blank piece of white paper, the idea of a bomb squad came to me and I decided to use a character from the movie "The Hurt Locker." Presto, cartoon city...
I know I'm a heretic here in the Insurance Capital of the freakin' World, but I think single-payer is the only way to go and anything else is just blowing smoke up our hospital gowns.
I guess this means I won't be on Travelers', The Hartford's, Aetna's, Cigna's and Phoenix's Christmas card list this year.
Read more of cartoonist Bob Englehart's Commentary and reader comments in the Hartford Courant.
Lloyd Dangle, Troubletown
Bill Day, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Jen Sorensen, Slowpoke
Ron Rogers, South Bend Tribune
Bruce Plante, Tulsa World
Jim Day, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune
Ed Stein, United Media
R.J. Matson, Roll Call
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune
Marshall Ramsey, Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Bill Day, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Jeff Danziger, Creators and Writers Syndicate
Bill Sanders, sanderscartoon.blogspot.com
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
Ben Sargent, Universal Press Syndicate
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Matt Wuerker, Politico
Matt Bors, United Features Syndicate
Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune
Jim Morin, Miami Herald
Tom Toles, Washington Post
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
Richard Crowson, Wichita Eagle
Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tom Toles, Washington Post
R.J. Matson, Roll Call
Tim Eagan, Deep Cover
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star
Paul Szep, Creators Syndicate
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Additional Reading
- 'Are Liberal Netroots Groups Helping Obama Fail?' in the Huffington Post.
- 'Where 'Blue Dog' Was Born' in the Washington Post.
- 'Large Majority Wants Health Care Reform' in Political Wire.
- 'Public Trusts Obama More on Health Care' in Political Wire.
- 'Democrats in the Middle' in the Los Angeles Times.
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3. Birth(er) of a Nation: The Age of Insanity
Controversy Surrounding Lou Dobbs Has Failed to Increase His Ratings
Mr. Dobbs' first began reporting on Obama birth certificate conspiracy theories on the night of Wednesday, July 15. In the roughly two weeks since then, from July 15 through July 28, Mr. Dobbs' 7 p.m. show on CNN has averaged 653,000 total viewers and 157,000 in the 25-54 demo.
By contrast, during the first two weeks of the month (July 1 to July 14) Mr. Dobbs averaged 771,000 total viewers and 218,000 in the 25-54 demo. In other words, Mr. Dobbs' audience has decreased 15 percent in total viewers and 27 percent in the demo since the start of the controversy.
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Read the rest of the article in the New York Observer, which I think is one of the very best weekly newspapers in the country.
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Bill Sanders, sanderscartoon.blogspot.com
Matt Bors, Idiot Box
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle, see reader comments in response to this cartoon in the Houston Chronicle.
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GOP-Force: Opening at a Theater Near You
R.J. Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch
Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner
Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Bruce Plante, Tulsa World
Dan Wasserman, Boston Globe
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record
Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Walt Handelsman, Newsday
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star
Mike Keefe, Denver Post
Jim Morin, Miami Herald
Drew Sheneman, New Jersey Star-Ledger
David Cohen, Freelance Cartoonist, cohencidents.com
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Additional Reading
- 'How Many Southern Whites Believe Obama Was Born in America?' in the Washington Independent.
- 'Fewer Than Half of Republicans Think Obama is a Citizen' in Political Wire.
- 'Many Virginians Doubt Obama Citizenship' in Political Wire.
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4. This Bud's For You: Reconciliation Now, Reconciliation Tomorrow, Reconciliation Forever!
Chan Lowe, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
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Letterman's Top Ten Things Overheard At The White House Beer Summit
- "Don't worry, Biden will clean up the empties"
- "Guys stop me if I try to drunk dial Nancy Pelosi"
- "Smoking, drinking. Suddenly our president is Artie Lange"
- "Let's call Limbaugh and take this party to the next level"
- "I feel dizzy and confused — just like Bush! Hi-yoo!"
- "I don't want to freak anybody out, but I just saw Nixon walking down the hall"
- "Tell Geithner to put his shirt on"
- "Sen. Larry Craig asked if he could have his beer brought to the men's room"
- "You guys wanna see where Clinton used to get freaky?"
- "Excuse me while I take a presidential leak"
Matt Bors, Idiot Box
Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald
Mike Keefe, Denver Post
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chip Bok, Akron Beacon Journal
Steve Kelley, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Rex Babin, Sacramento Bee
David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
John Trever, Albuquerque Journal
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Additional Reading
- 'Obama Criticism Crosses Racial Line' in Political Wire.
- 'White House Beer Summit Becomes Something of a Brouhaha' in the Wall Street Journal.
- 'Police Behaving Badly' in This Modern World.
- 'Pique And the Professor' in the Washington Post.
- 'On Race, Harvard Still Must Learn' in the Los Angeles Times.
- 'Stop the Racial Score-Settling' in the Washington Post.
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5. The State of Barack Obama
NBC/WSJ co-pollster Bill McInturff (R) says Obama had been flying above the partisan fray, but he’s now come back down to earth. "The question I asked back in February was: When does political gravity take hold? The answer is in this survey. It is happening now."
Tom Toles, Washington Post
Bob Gorrell, Creators Syndicate
Paul Szep, Creators Syndicate
Bruce Beattie, Daytona News-Journal
Kevin Kallaugher (KAL), The Economist (U.K.)
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
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Additional Reading
- 'Obama Ratings Slide Across the Board' in Political Wire.
- 'Has Obama’s Brand Taken A Hit?' in The Plum Line.
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6. The Republicans: Still Down in the Dumps
Never can say goodbye
No no no no, I
Never can say goodbye
Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try to hide my feelings
They always seem to show
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no
Michael Jackson, Never Can Say Goodbye
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Steve Benson, Arizona Republic
Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle
Bruce Beattie, Daytona News-Journal
Rex Babin, Sacramento Bee
Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader
Jeff Danziger, Creators and Writers Syndicate
Jeff Stahler, Columbus Dispatch
Jeff Danziger, Creators and Writers Syndicate
Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader
Bruce Plante, Tulsa World
Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record
Bruce Beattie, Daytona News-Journal
Matt Wuerker, Politico
Kirk Walters, Toledo Blade
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Additional Reading
- 'The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power' is the new book by Jeff Sharlet.
- 'WSJ/NBC Poll: Would You Like to See Palin as President Someday?' in the Wall Street Journal.
- 'Palin Leaves on Negative Note' in Political Wire.
- 'Americans Still Prefer a Democratic Congress' in Political Wire.
- 'Letter Shows SC gov Predicting Public Humiliation' in the Associated Press.
- 'A Rural and Southern Party' from two separate sources.
- 'Jesus Plus Nothing: Undercover Among America's Secret Theocrats (2003 article) by Jeff Sharlet in Harpers Magazine.
- 'Not Ready for Syndication?' in Political Wire.
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7. Foreign Affairs: Reaching the Point of "Imperial Overstretch?"
Since Barack Obama became president back in January, his administration has launched a dizzying array of foreign policy initiatives. They've "pushed the reset button" with Russia, gotten serious about a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, and doubled down in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Obama has extended an open-hand to Iran, made a major speech to the Muslim world, pressed ahead on climate change, and talked about major reductions in nuclear arsenals. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden added a few more items to the agenda just last week.
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Bill Mutranowski, Atheist Cartoons
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant
Paresh Nath, Khaleej Times (UAE)
Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader
Rainer Hachfeld Neues Deutschland (Germany)
Jeff Danziger, Creators and Writers Syndicate
Paresh Nath, Khaleej Times (UAE)
Dana Summers, Orlando Sentinel
Jeff Danziger, Creators and Writers Syndicate
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8. Judge Sonia Sotomayor: Maybe Even 70 Votes in the U.S. Senate?
Ben Sargent, Universal Press Syndicate
Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
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9. Sports Talk: The Return of Michael Vick?
Time to Let Him Play
I also think Michael Vick deserves to play in the NFL this season, which either makes me a hypocrite or another observer of elite athletes who has to confront a troubling question.
Can we love the song while despising the singer?
Can you hate what he did but love what he does?
They've had no trouble separating the two in Baltimore, where Ray Lewis is treated like a deity years after pleading guilty to obstructing justice in a double murder. The same goes in New York, where Latrell Sprewell once resurrected his career after choking his coach. And Philadelphia, where Allen Iverson, the young knucklehead, became a mature veteran the moment he put the 76ers in the NBA Finals.
Read more of Mike Wise's interesting column in the Washington Post.
Bruce Plante, Tulsa World
Steve Kelley, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Drew Litton, Rocky Mountain News
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10. R.I.P President Corazon Aquino
Aquino, who died Saturday at age 76 from colon cancer, was a self-described "plain housewife" who never aspired to enter politics. Yet she always believed in that most powerful of political truths: that personal freedom is a moral right. After her husband, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was assassinated in 1983, she took up his mantle. Her courage served as an example to democracy activists from South Korea to Eastern Europe to Latin America—and matters still for oppressed peoples from Iran to Cuba.
Read the rest of the article in the Wall Street Journal.
Taylor Jones, politicalcartoons.com
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11. Final Thoughts
Finally, as Andy Rooney might ask on '60 Minutes,' "Who is more weird, straights or gays?"
Jen Sorenson, Slowpoke
... and have you visited the 'Woodstock Era Museum' as yet?
Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com
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A Note About the Diary Poll
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star
It is true that in recent months several PEW Polls have shown that Southern attitudes towards Barack Obama are markedly different than those of people living in the North, Midwest, or the West. The number of "Birthers" are also in greater numbers in Southern states, as indicated in a recent poll.
Do Southern states have a monopoly on institutional and individual racism? I think not. After all, two of the more high-profile incidents in the past few weeks involving race occurred in Boston and Philadelphia in a region of the country (the North) considered to be the bastion of present-day liberalism. See this excellent comment by Kossack businessdem in one of the two recent diaries about the South. One objected to the South being targeted as a racist region. The other encouraged Southern bashing.
Based on your work, living, and travel experiences, do you believe racism is any lower or higher in the three regions of the country outside of the South?
I'm really interested in how people respond.