Crossposted at Docudharma and The Stars Hollow Gazette
| PLEASE READ THIS - HELPING TORNADO VICTIMS
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
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With the death toll over 300 and rising, there are a number of ways in which you can help tornado victims both in the short and long term, particularly if you live in or near the states devastated by these horrendous storms
The massive devastation left behind by the April 27 tornadoes in Alabama and other southern states will take weeks, if not months, to clean. Rebuilding will take years and millions of dollars, and that's just to replace material things like businesses and homes.
Barometric Pressure by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
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1. The American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the thousands of people who lost their homes in the tornadoes. They're also providing food, blood, emergency-response vehicles and other relief supplies. You can make a cash gift online or by visiting your local Red Cross office, and you can text message REDCROSS to 90999 to give a $10 donation via your mobile phone.
2. The Salvation Army is setting up mobile stations to feed thousands of people in storm-affected areas. You can give online at your local Salvation Army store. You can text message GIVE to 80888 to donate money via your mobile phone.
3. A new Facebook page is trying to reunite tornado victims with property and personal effects (photos, for instance) that were blown miles and miles away by the tornadoes.
4. The Governor of Alabama has posted information for people wanting to volunteer. Call one of the phone numbers here to begin your journey.
Twisters by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
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Additional Cartoons
I will be adding 30-40 more editorial cartoons to the diary and will update here as I add new sections.
1. Update #1 - Section 2. If She Said So, It Must Be True -- added 11 new editorial cartoons.
2. Update #2 - Section 3. As Rosanne Rosannadanna (Gilda Radner) used to say on SNL, "If it's not one thing, it's another" -- added 11 new editorial cartoons.
3. Update #3 - Section 4. Glenn Beck's Long Goodbye from Fox News -- added 7 new editorial cartoons.
I have added a total of 36 new editorial cartoons (including 7 in the comments section) and commentary since originally posting the diary. If it is still active in the morning and lots of you are leaving comments, I'll post a few more.
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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:
1. Does a cartoon add to my existing knowledge base and help crystallize my thinking about the issue depicted?
2. Does the cartoonist have any obvious biases that distort reality?
3. 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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Birther in Chief by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
GOP Hopefuls by Mike Keefe, Denver Post, Buy this cartoon
 
Hat tip: totallylookslike.com
Birthers Certified by Bruce Plante, see Reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon
Trump by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Joel Pett, McLatchy Cartoons/Lexington Herald-Leader
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Trump Comb-over by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Donald Trump by Sandy Huffaker, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Ken Catalino, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon
Bob Gorrell, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon
Tony Auth, Yahoo Comics/Philadelphia Inquirer
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Bachmann Red Meat by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
 
Hat tip: totallylookslike.com
Walt Handelsman, Comics.com (Newsday)
Good Question by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the very large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
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INTRODUCTION
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Crowe explains the rise of Donald Trump in terms of the weakness of the slate of 2012 presidential candidates put forth by the Republican Party. Absent a compelling personality, it was somewhat inevitable that a huckster like Trump would grab media attention the way he did the past few weeks
It's surprising enough that the Donald is being taken seriously in the polls. But you might think the Mr. Richie Rich would be more at home with the fiscally conservative corporate, free enterprise, business end of the GOP rather than the extremist, socially conservative right wing populated by the likes of the birthers.
Perhaps he thinks he needs the birther nonsense to balance his wealthy businessman persona. But then, you still have to pretend an egomaniacal reality TV show tycoon buffoon has any kind of credibility as a candidate. The fact that Trump is polling better than any other GOP candidate at this point is more of a reflection on the quality of the field than the potential for a Trump presidency.
As for the Rapunzel analogy, that's a spoof. I'm not convinced that thing on Trump's head is a comb over. I think it's a varmint with a mind of its own. Late at night, it sneaks out of the house and does terrible things out of pent-up anger.
Even so, it is worth noting that in the history of the Republic, only one person has ever been nominated as a major party presidential candidate who wasn't either a vice president, governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, or a decorated military hero. It was corporate lawyer Wendell Willkie in 1940, who captured the Republican nomination that year.
In 1940, with the winds of war fast approaching the shores of the United States, the incumbent Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt decided to seek an unprecedented third term. The Republicans felt that Willkie's background in business would make him an attractive opponent who could hammer the New Deal platform and pin the Great Depression upon the Democrats. He would also do his utmost to keep the country out of World War II, which had started over a year ago in September 1939.
If Willkie is Trump's model, he better think again. Although Willkie captured a fairly respectable 45% of the popular vote, he lost in a landslide in the electoral college, 449-82 votes.
Trump should first decide to seek election as dog catcher in a small town like Schenectady, New York (pretty place, by the way) before he sets his goals any higher. I bet you he wouldn't even win that election.
Over the past several weeks, Trump has appealed to the worst instincts of many voters in the Republican Party. While his bombastic claims may have raised his public profile a lot, his blatantly racist dog whistles may have finally backfired on him.
A recent Pew Research survey showed the following results
Donald Trump has drawn a lot of attention in a slow-starting race for the GOP presidential nomination. Roughly a quarter of all Americans (26%) name Trump as the possible Republican presidential candidate they have heard most about lately, far more than volunteer any other candidate. Among Republicans, 39% name Trump as most visible -- more than all other possible GOP candidates combined.
To be sure, Trump is standing out in a contest that has yet to draw much public interest or media coverage. In fact, about half of all Americans (53%) could not name anyone when asked which GOP candidate they have been hearing the most about.
Overall, just 20% of the public say they followed possible candidates for the 2012 presidential elections very closely last week and just 4% named it as their most closely followed story. The disaster in Japan was once again the most closely followed story (at 26%).
The Trump Boomlet may be coming to an end.
After his triumphant tour of the early 2012 primary state of New Hampshire -- where he was greeted by millions of his diehard supporters -- Donald Trump returned home to New York City.
He was seen earlier this morning taking a walk outside his luxury apartment in the city. Given his new-found celebrity and deeply-held political convictions, he had finally decided to shed any pretensions of political partisanship and dress appropriately for the occasion. It was a sight to behold.
(Ben Sargent, Washington Post/Universal Press Syndicate
-- click link to enlarge cartoon)
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"Voodoo Economics" - The Sequel
This Republican proposal of "ending Medicare as we know it" provides those currently under 55 years old with vouchers to buy health insurance on the private market. The purpose of this "reform" is obvious: continue to provide the economic haves in this country with more and more tax cuts!
The National Journal reports that anti-Republican ads have started to run in Republican-controlled districts. This was a political gift to the Democratic Party and if Democratic strategists cannot successfully hang this idiotic and very unpopular proposal around the GOP candidates' necks in the 2012 Elections, they ought to be fired for political malpractice.
(Shared Sacrifice by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon)
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I should mention that I have literally posted dozens of editorial cartoons by John Darkow in diaries and comments over the past two years and he isn't always supportive of President Obama's policies. This cartoon will give you a bit of an idea of how the Ryan Budget Proposal is playing in a swing state like Missouri, one that the President lost very narrowly by less than 4,000 votes (out of over 2.9 million cast) in 2008 to John McCain.
For those of you unfamiliar with the term "Voodoo Economics"... it was first used in the 1980 Republican presidential primaries by George H.W. Bush. He used it to describe candidate Ronald Reagan's economic proposals in a mocking and unflattering manner.
Note: I'll have a lot more on this Ryan Budget Plan in my next weekly diary.
I hope you enjoy this week's offering of editorial cartoons.
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1. Cartoons of the Week
Trump Reveals Own Birth Certificate by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon |
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If You Lie With Dogs...
Chan Lowe, Comics.com (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News, Buy this cartoon
The Really Serious GOP 2012 Candidates
Exploratory Newt by Rob Rogers, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Newt Gingrich has appointed an exploratory committee to test the waters of a presidential run in 2012. His biggest opponent will be his own behavior and hypocrisy. Now, he is claiming that his extra-marital affairs were due to an overzealous love of country. All I can say to that is: Run, Newt, Run!
-- Rogers revealing that he is a big political fan of that paragon of virtue, Newt Gingrich
Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News
(click link to enlarge cartoon of 3/23/11 in Peters' archives)
We Hardly Knew Ye, Glenn
Tell No One by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Fox News Drops Beck by Mike Keefe, Denver Post, Buy this cartoon
Will and Kate's Excellent Adventure
Royal Wedding by Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Buy this cartoon
The Royal Yawn by Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
Bashar al-Assad: Like Father, Like Son
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
Arcadio Esquivel, La Nacion (Costa Rica), Buy this cartoon
Muammar Gaddafi: Libya's Strongman
Guy Badeaux (Bado), Journal LeDroit (Ottawa, Canada), Buy this cartoon
Gaddafi Steps Down - April Fool by Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
150 Years Later, the Civil War's Still Being Fought
Robert Arial, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)
David Horsey, see reader comments in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Americans Keep Confederates in the Attic, Slaves in the Cellar
Slavery was the perennial issue of contention in American politics from the writing of the Constitution onwards. Decade after decade, as the boundaries of the country pushed west, national leaders anguished over the issue and struggled to forge brittle compromises that might forestall armed conflict for a few more years. When, finally, the Southern states chose to secede, Confederate leaders forthrightly declared that preservation of the slave system was the impetus for their actions...
And so, after a century-and-a-half, it will not be enough to commemorate the war by simply going to our national attic to rummage through charming relics and try on old uniforms. The ghosts of slaves remain locked away in the cellar. We must go down there, as well, and open the cellar doors to the fresh air and the light of truth.
Read David Horsey excellent comment in full
Our Favorite Addiction: Imported Oil
Energy Arguments by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Buy this cartoon
The Republican Position on Women and Choice
Open The Hatches by Matt Bors, Comics.com, see reader comments on the Bors Blog
Republicans, the party of fiscally responsible wars and tax cuts for the rich, nearly shut the government down over funding for Planned Parenthood... Paul Ryan’s budget is being thought of as "serious." We live in Bizarro world.
-- Bors criticizes the Republicans for their misplaced budgetary priorities
Abortion Rights by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the very large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Who's Going to Win the Canadian Elections?
Steve Nease, Freelance Cartoonist (Ontario), Buy this cartoon
Haircut by Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen, Buy this cartoon
Air Traffic Controllers and Republicans Hard at Work
Rob Rogers, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Maybe republicans in Congress should have mandated power naps. Not because they are falling asleep like air traffic controllers, but because if they were asleep they would do less damage to America's most vulnerable citizens.
-- Rogers has some advice for brain-dead Republican lawmakers and their callous ways of mistreating the have-nots of society
Air Traffic Control by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the very large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Their Taxes Need to Be Raised... and Soon
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
Class Warfare by the Rich by Kirk Anderson, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
The Ryan Budget Proposal: Sinking Fast
Saving Medicare by RJ Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Buy this cartoon
Boehner and House Freshmen by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
"Godspeed, John Glenn Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords"
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, Buy this cartoon
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News, Buy this cartoon
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2. If She Said So, It Must Be True
Obama's Birth Certificate by Mike Thompson, Comics.Com, see reader comments in the Detroit Free Press |
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Thompson recognizes racism and dog whistles when he sees it, particularly when it comes from the mouth of people like Sarah Palin
Donald Trump had been playing the birther card so successfully that even Sarah Palin had tried neutralize the birther issue and Trump’s birther-driven jump in the polls by claiming she took "Obama at his word" when he stated that he was born in this country. Right, just ignore all the evidence available before the release of the president’s long -form birth certificate; Obama’s "word" was the only proof of his citizenship. That’s all we had to go on, just Obama’s "word." Which is a clever way of pretending to take the high road while continuing to sow seeds of doubt.
All of which goes to show that it really doesn’t matter what Obama says or does, conservatives like Trump and Palin will find some way to twist his words and actions. Of course, this tactic is as common to politics as baby kissing, but what separates run of the mill political distortions from the birther movement is the element of race. It’s an ugly tactic and it needs to stop.
Donald Trump for President by Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, Buy this cartoon
PT Trump by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
Bob Gorrell, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon
Don Wright, Comics.com (Tribune Media Service)
Scott Stantis, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
The Donald by Bruce Plante, see reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, Buy this cartoon
Dana Summers, Comics.com (Orlando Sentinel)
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3. As Rosanne Rosannadanna (Gilda Radner) used to say on SNL, "If it's not one thing, it's another"
Obama Reveals Birth Certificate by Chan Lowe, Comics.com, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel |
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Lowe believes that nothing will satisfy the hardcore Birthers and it remains to be seen if Donald Trump will continue to exploit other issues in his naked quest to gain relevance. I don't believe that he has a snowball's chance in hell to get the 2012 GOP nomination but I'm not too unhappy to see him drag the entire Republican Party into the sewer
So the White House finally did it. The Donald is strutting around like a gamecock, taking credit for forcing the administration to do something no one else had been able to. Effortlessly shifting gears, the pompous pompadour has moved on to questioning the president’s academic qualifications for getting into Columbia and Harvard, two institutions of higher learning that remained unattainable to Mr. Trump despite his financial advantages.
Meanwhile, the "legitimate" birthers are left scrabbling for a rationale, the way millenialists do after they’ve predicted the world will end and the sun stubbornly rises the next morning. Not to worry. They won’t believe this birth certificate any more than the last one.
The fact remains that this is the first president in history who has had to present documents to prove his origins. Some say it’s because his doubters believe he’s a closet communist. They said that about FDR, too, but nobody asked if he was born in the United States. John McCain has a much more tenuous hold on the "natural born" label than Mr. Obama, yet no birther movement coalesced to doubt his background, either.
I’m part of the group that feels the president did the right thing today. His disclosure may at least have allayed the doubts of those who were sitting on the birther fence. If any Republicans remain who are opportunistic enough to continue to fuel this fire, the existence of the original document will push them further into the corner with the crazies. As for Trump, what he has done so far is despicable enough for a candidate. If his quest for the presidency turns out to be the mere publicity-seeking joke that many suspect, then he has compounded his sins to a point beyond redemption.
Chris Britt, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), Buy this cartoon
Alien Concept by Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Walt Handelsman, Comics.com (Newsday)
Afterbirthers by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Trump Trial Balloon by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Robert Ariail, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)
The Comb Over by Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see the very large number of reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Donald Trump - Birther by Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com, Buy this cartoon
Birth Certificate by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
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4. Glenn Beck's Long Goodbye from Fox News
Glenn Beck and Fox News Part Ways by Chan Lowe, Comics.com, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel |
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Lowe asserts that people like Glenn Beck (and his predecessors) only thrive when the country is in a sour mood and isn't unhappy that Beck's toxic message of fear and ignorance is being shelved by Fox News
That Glenn Beck and Fox News are parting ways could be the glimmer of hope we’ve been waiting for after this long, dark night of the national soul.
It’s in tough times like these, when fear has been stalking the land, that the Glenn Becks, Father Coughlins and Joe McCarthys have historically held sway. Fear erodes tolerance, clouds judgment, and makes men susceptible to easy palliatives like xenophobia, scapegoating and race baiting...
Getting back to my intro, the fact that he was losing his audience is what gives me hope for our country. We disagree, honestly, on so many issues, but there are certain things most decent Americans will not tolerate, no matter what their bent…particularly when the veil of fear is lifted away.
Chris Britt, State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Danziger, New York Times Syndicate
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Freak Show by Rob Rogers, see reader comments in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Glenn Beck has been deemed too nutty/controversial for the Fox News channel. Wow. That's like being kicked off Jersey Shore for being too tacky. I never thought I would say this, but... good for you, Fox News! Now, as long as you are pretending to have some standards, how about taking a closer look at the rest of your wingnuts?
-- Rogers asking Fox News to be consistent in getting rid of the rest of its wingnuts on the air
Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Beck Crazy by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon
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5. RIP Phoebe Snow
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I featured Singer Phoebe Snow in my last diary, a tribute to Karen Carpenter and Eva Cassidy -- "Death Doesn't Always Get the Last Word" - A Tribute to Two Great Female Singers. A number of you remembered her immense musical talent and contributions.
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6. Final Thoughts
Isaac Newton on Twitter and Facebook by Luojie, China Daily (China), Buy this cartoon |
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Finally, are you on Facebook or do you use Twitter? Sir Isaac Newton is. Memo to self: don't get left behind!
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A Note About the Diary Poll
One of Us by Rob Rogers, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
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After President Obama revealed his long-form birth certificate a couple of days ago, does that put an end to this silly nonsense? Is Birtherism finally dead?
Maybe not, according to Rob Rogers
Donald Trump is taking credit for forcing President Barack Obama to furnish his official birth certificate. The President had to ask Hawaii officials to make a special exception and give him copies of the long form birth certificate (the short form has been available to the public for two years.) Obama claims he gave into the birther demands because the discussion was distracting everyone from more important matters. Guess what? They'll find other reasons not to believe Obama is legitimate.
Don't forget to take the diary poll. I am interested in your thoughts about what the future holds for Birthers.
