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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Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
PLEASE READ THIS: As usual, Daily Kos is not accepting the diary as it is too damn long. I'll post it section by section over the next hour or so to weed out errors, if any.
Thanks and I'll update as I go along. I may not respond quickly to your comments until I post the complete diary but I will. Be patient.
Final Update: The complete diary is now posted.
INTRODUCTION
Matt Bors, Comics.com, see reader comments on Bors's blog
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Some might think that Bors is being unusually harsh on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) but editorial cartoonists don't always do nuance and subtlety very well. They have a limited amount of space (not hundreds or thousands of words to explain subtle differences) to portray and lampoon the tiniest of mistakes made by politicians. Bors explains it further on his blog
Bob McDonnell doesn't care about black people. But he's a conservative so that shouldn't come as a surprise. The GOP seems more invested in the Civil War than the Confederate Tchotchke Industrial Complex that makes all those dumb ass bumper stickers for hillbillies. 150 years after the Civil War ended slavery, Governors of former slave states don't forget to mention it while proclaiming "awareness" of the Civil War. It's done on purpose as one part of the larger GOP strategy: convincing the most privileged class of human beings on earth - White Americans - that they are actually part of a minority that has been horribly wronged for centuries.
Pat Buchanan, MSNBC's senior political racist, was getting fired up about the slavery-ending war on Hardball. Buchanan, a war crime apologist for any atrocity ever committed against a brown person, calls General Sherman the "great terrorist" of the Civil War for all the pillaging he did. This is the type of person who says black people need to get over the past.
Pat "Both Sides Were Right" Buchanan also writes: "Slavery was not the cause of this war. Secession was..." Logic 101, Pat. Why were they seceding? For fun?
If you read Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson's excellent article yesterday in the Washington Post, you would know that he took another Republican, Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS), to task for minimizing the disastrous effects of slavery over millions of African-Americans
Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
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The Atlantic slave trade was one of the last millennium's greatest horrors. An estimated 17 million Africans, most of them teenagers, were snatched from their families, stuffed into the holds of ships and brought to the New World. As many as 7 million of them died en route, either on the high seas or at "seasoning" camps in the Caribbean where they were "broken" to the will of their masters.
If he has never done so, Barbour should hold in his hands some of the leg irons, manacles and other restraints that were used to subdue the Africans. He should visit some of the plantations where slave cabins still stand -- there are plenty in his state -- to get a sense of how the Africans lived. He should spend a long, hot day picking cotton. He should read the accounts of plantation life written by former slaves, and then he should explain why there is any reason to "honor" soldiers who fought to perpetuate a system that could never have functioned without constant, deliberate, unflinching cruelty.
The editorial cartoonists also picked on a number of other juicy targets this week. Republicans were criticized for already opposing the next Supreme Court nominee. Never mind that President Obama has yet to name one!
Kevin Siers, Charlotte Observer, Buy this cartoon
The Catholic Church was strongly criticized by cartoonists from all over the world for its secretive ways and stonewalling. Daryl Cagle of Cagle Cartoons explains the effect that such cartoons may be having in exposing the shortcomings of the church
Peter Bromhead, Dominion-Post, Wellington and Sunday-Star Times, Auckland (New Zealand), Buy this cartoon
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As the Vatican defends against lawsuits and launches a public relations blitz to defend the Pope, editorial cartoons may be the most visible, powerful and damning criticism the church faces. The cartoon floodgates have opened as editorial cartoonists around the world have released a deluge of Pope bashing cartoons.
By an odd coincidence, the Catholic church has a strong presence in countries that happen to have a strong tradition of cartooning and the passionate anger of cartoonists who were raised in the church has been on display recently like never before.
Additionally this week you will see some wonderfully delicious cartoons on the GOP's misfortunes; Teabagger antics; the West Virginia coal mine tragedy; the unstable behavior by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan; the Loony Right's reaction to the reduction of nuclear weapons; and much, much more.
All in all, once I post another 15-20 cartoons in the comments section, there will be over 140 editorial cartoons in this diary. I encourage you to make comments and offer your criticism. Important: if you comment, please refer to the section, issue, and cartoonist so I can quickly respond to you.
Thanks and hope you enjoy the work of these talented cartoonists.
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1. CARTOONS OF THE WEEK
John Sherffius, Comics.com
Republican Bondage by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Signe Wilkinson, Comics.com
Matt Bors, Idiot Box, Buy this cartoon
Justice John Paul Stevens Retires by RJ Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Buy this cartoon
Supreme Court Nominee by Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record, Buy this cartoon
Mine Safety vs. Profit by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Drilling For Republicans by RJ Matson, Roll Call, Buy this cartoon
Barack Drills by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
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2. Revisionist Southern History: Denying the Obvious
Clay Jones, see reader comments in the Freelance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), Buy this cartoon
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Jones, the editorial cartoonist for the Freelance-Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia -- the site of some of the bloodiest battles during the Civil War -- criticizes Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and concludes that he is either racist or stupid. Or, perhaps both
OK, I don’t believe Bob McDonnell is a racist. But only two types would reignite the controversy of commemorating the Confederacy without a mention of slavery: Racists and people who are just stupid. Bob McDonnell may not be a stupid man but he’s governing like one. Seriously, how short-sighted are these people in his administration. I know they wanted to give a nod to the good ole boys and build up his base, while entirely wiping out any chance of building a new one, but c’mon. This is just stupid. And then to come out and say he didn’t mention it because he wanted to focus on the most "significant" issues for Virginia. Really? Slavery wasn’t a significant issue for Virginia? Obviously it was an intentional omission. Now Bob has come out and said "oops, I’m sorry and slavery is evil, after the storm hit him.
Stupid.
Governor Gilmore had a Confederate History Month and he included mentions of slavery. Governors Kaine and Warner both opted not to have it. Governor Bob not only wanted it, but he apparently thought Gilmore’s was too liberal. Stupid.
Ben Sargent, Universal Press Syndicate
Bill Day, Comics.com
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3. Sex and the Republican National Committee
RNC Lesbian Strippers by J.D. Crowe, see reader comments in the Mobile Register, Buy this cartoon
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Under Michael Steele, change has come to the Republican Party. But, was it unintentional or a designed play to spice up the image of the GOP as a bunch of boring, country club types? Crowe wonders how big the GOP tent has really become
Finally. The Republicans, a.k.a the Grand Old Party, have always been a little short on the "party" part of their name. Oh, there's the occasional gay sex scandal or a wayward hike on the Appalachian Trail, but by and large, your regular Republican party guys are pretty dull. How much fun can you have in a airport bathroom stall anyway? Pretty lame atmosphere, if you ask me.
But now that Michael Steele is in charge of raising money for Camp Neocon, things are lookin' up. The man travels in style, flying around in first class, staying in the finest luxury hotels and spending thousands of donor dollars on lesbian stripper parties for the faithful. Lesbian. Strippers. That's a big tent, there, my friends. Mr. Steele is trying to do away with the whole "intolerant" stereotype. But on the other hand, what's he got against hetero strippers? Hmmm.
Michael Steele is not only puttin' the PARTY in the GOP, but he's putting the FUN into Republican fundraising.
Party on, Mike.
Steve Benson, Comics.com
Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey Record, Buy this cartoon
Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rob Rogers, Comics.com
Stuart Carlson, Universal Press Syndicate
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Salt Lake City, Utah is one of three possible sites for the 2012 Republican National Convention
GOP 2012 Convention by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
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Chip Bok, Akron Beacon-Journal, Buy this cartoon
Vic Harville, Stephens Media Group (Little Rock, AR), Buy this cartoon
Michael Steele and RNC by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
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4. Teabaggers, the GOP, and Wingnuts of All Stripes
Tea Party Flag by Bob Englehart, see reader comments in the Hartford Courant, Buy this cartoon
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Englehart recounts an effort by the Connecticut Tea Party to have their flag fly atop the state capitol building and one that was denied
Whew! Close call. For you folks in other parts of America who are part of the Tea Party movement, you'll be disappointed to know that the state of Connecticut has changed its mind about giving permission for the local chapter, the Connecticut Tea Party Patriots, to fly your borrowed flag over our state Capitol from today until April 15. This would've been a major coup for the movement...
If future archaeologists thousands of years in the future ever dig up our civilization, they'll have one helluva time figuring us out.
Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Tea Party and GOP by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News
David Cohen, Asheville Citizen Times
Clay Jones, Freelance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), Buy this cartoon
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com, Buy this cartoon
Jen Sorensen, Slowpoke, Buy this cartoon
Yeah, bring back those Articles of Confederation. They worked so well in the 1780's to make this country the stunning success it's become over two hundred years later.
Tom Toles, see reader comments in the Washington Post
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
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Who is Stormy Daniels, you ask?
Jeff Danziger, New York Times Syndicate
Paul Szep, Comics.com
Paul Szep, Comics.com
Bill Day, Comics.com
Jeff Danziger, New York Times Syndicate
Matt Bors, Comics.com, listen to an interview and see reader comments with Doctor Jack Cassell on Think Progress
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Bors explains why this doctor decided to treat Obama supporters differently even though he doesn't have a clue about the provisions of the new HCR law
So Dr. Jack Cassell wants anyone who voted for Obama to go elsewhere for urologic care. He won't deny treatment to anyone - how Obamacare of him - but he'd prefer if Democrats fuck off and die of bladder infection before asking for his help, so horrible is health care reform. Having voted overwhelmingly for Obama, I'm sure his African-American patients feel at ease with him treating their UTIs.
Oh, and as it turns out the guy has no idea what the hell he is even talking about.
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5. SCOTUS: The Coming Fight to Replace Justice John Paul Stevens
Chan Lowe, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Lowe summarizes the political posturing by the opposition party whenever there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court but is definitely not a fan of the process and tactics used during which nominees are subject to absurd questioning
I think it was John McCain who said, "Elections mean something." It is the constitutional prerogative of the president to present a nominee in the event of a court vacancy, and it is the Senate's job to decide whether that person is qualified.
It made sense to the Founding Fathers. What wouldn't make sense to them are the ideological hoops we make the nominees run through, thanks to our poisonous political atmosphere, and the attempts to discredit them by digging through their pasts to find out if they talked back to their kindergarten teacher during recess.
Jim Morin, Miami Herald
Stuart Carlson, Universal Press Syndicate
Jeff Stahler, Comics.com
Vacant Bench -- Vicious Battle by Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons
John Sherrfius, Comics.com
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Tom Toles, see reader comments in the Washington Post
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant, Buy this cartoon
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6. West Virginia Coalmine Tragedy: Utter Disregard for Worker Safety
Chan Lowe, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Coal miners have some of the toughest jobs in the country and under hazardous working conditions that could literally kill them. Do they have much of a choice if these are the only kind of jobs available in their communities, Lowe asks?
They say these are the best jobs in Appalachia. Those who have them consider themselves fortunate.
Imagine what it would be like, though, to head into the office every morning and wonder whether today was the day the ceiling was going to cave in and crush you?
Would you still go to work? And what if you were told that breathing the office air over a period of years would leave you with permanent lung damage?
Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Coal Boss by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Rob Rogers, Comics.com
Jeff Stahler, Comics.com
Massey Energy's Don Blankenship by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
John Sherffius, Comics.com
Vic Harville, Stephens Media Group (Little Rock, AR), Buy this cartoon
Clay Jones, Freelance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), Buy this cartoon
Kevin Siers, Charlotte Observer, Buy this cartoon
Jim McCloskey, News Leader (Staunton, VA), Buy this cartoon
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Everything's just fine in the mining industry!
Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
West Virginia Coal Mine by J.D. Crowe, Mobile Register, Buy this cartoon
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Crowe has a simple message for those who lost their lives in this tragedy: our deepest sympathies and condolences
Cheap energy ain't cheap.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the miners killed and injured in the West Virginia coal mine tragedy.
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7. President Barack Obama, Offshore Oil Drilling, Nuclear Arms Reduction, and Democrats
Ed Stein, Comics.com, see reader comments on Stein's blog
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Do Republicans support President Obama even when he introduces a policy proposal that they have promoted and agreed with for decades? No way. Whatever Obama says, they are programmed to oppose it. Stein gives the reasons why they act the way they do
Many years ago I read a hilarious Russell Baker column (at least, I’m pretty sure it was Russell Baker) in which he promised not to trash Richard Nixon for one single day. By the end of the column, however, he was unable to restrain himself and let loose a barrage of invective. I made a promise to myself to lay off criticizing the Party of No for its blind hyperpartisanship for a week or so, but like Mr. Baker a few decades ago, I couldn’t help myself. Even when Obama does something the GOP agrees with, its members join ranks against him. The party of "Drill, baby, drill!" now takes exception to Obama’s joining the chorus. So, I couldn’t help wondering what the reaction would be to Obama doing something completely innocuous like throwing out the first pitch of the baseball season. In my fantasy, something like this.
Obama Oil Tough Stain by Jeff Parker, read his blog entry in Florida Today, Buy this cartoon
Mike Thompson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Detroit Free Press
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Thompson sees the President's proposals as benefiting him politically but on the merits of the policy to open up huge areas for oil drilling, he sees a potential environmental disaster. The clear implication is that it is now time to invest in alternative sources of energy
Politically speaking, President Obama’s announcement that he was opening up huge costal regions to offshore oil drilling was brilliant. The party of "No" is also the party of "Drill, baby drill," and Republicans will be tying themselves in knots figuring out how to slam Obama for doing something that they themselves support. Oil hit $85 per barrel on Tuesday and Obama’s plan could have a moderating effect on oil prices during an election year, even if it’ll be years before the new offshore rigs start pumping. Plus, pundits have had a field day speculating on possible political quid pro quo scenarios related to Obama’s announcement.
Economically and environmentally speaking, Obama’s announcement is a tragedy. America sits on just ten percent of the world’s oil supply, but gulps down 23 percent of all the oil pumped from the ground. As the world’s oil supply continues to dwindle, it’s gonna be a lot harder to get our hands on such a huge chunk of a vanishing resource.
Bart Stupak Announces Retirement by RJ Matson, Roll Call, Buy this cartoon
Lloyd Dangle, Troubletown, Buy this cartoon
Irrational opposition to Obama's stance on nuclear weapons.
Chris Britt, Comics.com, see reader comments in the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
START II Treaty Signing by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon
Medvedev, Obama in Prague by Rainer Hachfeld, Neues Deutschland (Germany), Buy this cartoon
Palin and Nukes by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News, Buy this cartoon
Obama and Nukes by Bruce Plante, see reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon
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8. Our Man in Afghanistan, Krazy Karzai, and Tragedy in Poland
Ed Stein, Comics.com, see reader comments on Stein's blog
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While a Washington Post article sees Afghan President Hamid Karzai -- corrupt, unstable, and inept as he is -- as our best hope in making progress in war-torn Afghanistan, Stein is not very optimistic about that country's future prospects and sees parallels with another losing cause -- the Vietnam War
It’s deja vu all over again. Our escalation in Afghanistan takes me back to the bad old days of Vietnam, another war fought with dubious goals and supporting an unreliable local government. And we all know how that one turned out.
Karzai and Reform by Mike Keefe, Denver Post, Buy this cartoon
Chip Bok, Comics.com
Karzai Threatens to Join Taliban by Aislin, Montreal Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Bill Day, Comics.com
Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen, Buy this cartoon
Crazy Karzai by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
With Allies Like This by Bruce Plante, see reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon
Krazy Karzai by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
David Horsey, see reader comments in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Matt Wuerker, Politico
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant
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Englehart remembers the President of Poland Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash en route to Russia to attend a ceremony to remember the victims of the 1940 Katyn Massacre during World War II
The day before Poland's president and 96 others were killed in a plane wreck, I got some bad news about the health of a close friend, who ironically, is Polish. While the news of the plane crash sunk in to the rest of the world, I was thinking about my friend and not thinking about a memorial cartoon for President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, the army chief of staff ... well, I won't go on. It's overwhelming.
It took me about a week to integrate the fact of my friend's illness into my life. The magnitude of this plane wreck will affect Poland's future for years. I can't think of a comparable event in modern history.
The funeral for the president and his wife is this coming Sunday in Poland. The country is in mourning. President and Michelle Obama and other world leaders will be flying there for the service. Let's all pray for their safe travel.
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Katyn 1940 + 2010 by Arend van Dam, Freelance Cartoonist (Netherlands)
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9. The Ongoing Problems of the Catholic Church
Ed Stein, Comics.com, see reader comments on Stein's blog
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Stein explains the pedophilia scandal with which the Catholic Church is having a very difficult time dealing with. He sees no signs of the scandal moving away from the front page of newspapers unless the Pope takes the lead in being upfront about it and introducing policies to avoid a recurrence
I wasn’t going to draw another cartoon about the most recent pedophile priest scandal, especially during the Easter holiday. Then I heard the sanctimonious sermons from the Vatican, witnessed the refusal to take responsibility, the deflection of blame, and, worst of all, the Vatican acting as though the Church was the victim of this scandal, and I changed my mind. Comparing the criticism of the Church’s handling of its problems to anti-semitism was the worst of all. Nobody is claiming that pedophile priests do what they do because they are Catholic, nor does anyone attribute the crimes they commit to Catholics in general. The analogy not only doesn’t hold, it’s an affront to the victims of the anti-semitism promulgated for centuries by the Church, not to mention the victims the Church failed for so many years to protect. We are still waiting for more than an apology from the Vatican. While individual priests have been (belatedly) disciplined, the Church hierarchy has yet to hold itself accountable for ignoring and, in many cases, covering up the scandal. Until we get something other than the self-pitying homilies of the past weekend, the scandal closing in on the Pope will continue to grow.
Ben Sargent, Universal Press Syndicate
Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Houston Chronicle
Dan Wasserman, see reader comments in the Boston Globe
Lalo Alcaraz, LA Weekly, Buy this cartoon
Ingrid Rice, Freelance Cartoonist (British Columbia, Canada), Buy this cartoon
Curse the Messenger by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Learn How to Draw the Pope by Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com, Buy this cartoon
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
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10. The Economy: Signs of a Rebound?
Chan Lowe, see reader comments in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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While Robert Samuelson of the Washington Post sees the economy perking up a bit, Lowe sees problems inherent in all capitalist economies but doesn't see socialism as the answer to the country's economic ills. Yet, he argues for progressive economic policies which reminded me of the writings of moral and political philosopher John Rawls and his Theory of Justice
The inherent problem with capitalism -- at least the American variant of it -- is that for someone to win, it seems like someone always has to lose.
It’s wonderful that the Wall Street bonus babies can get obscenely rich, but at the same time, it’s not so wonderful that there are a significant number of people whose wages chronically lag behind the cost of living, and who work several jobs but still can’t make ends meet...
So, each according to his abilities, but maybe with some restraints and regulations. Why not still allow the worthy to get plenty rich, but implement a more progressive tax system that takes more from those who will miss it the least? It won’t be enough to kill the profit motive, but it might be enough to forestall a revolution.
Jim Morin, Miami Herald
FDR and Obama by Paresh Nath, Khaleej Times (UAE), Buy this cartoon
Wall Street Gambling by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
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11. Money in Politics: A Corrupting Influence
Mike Thompson, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Detroit Free Press
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Thompson makes the argument that I've heard for years living here in Washington, D.C.: the biggest scandal in domestic politics has to do with not what's illegal but what is legal. Is the pervasive influence and presence of virtually unlimited money in political campaigns healthy for a democracy?
The big political scandal of the hour is the one involving the young Republicans who billed their tab from a kinky bondage nightclub to the Republican National Committee, right? Wrong. The big political scandal of the hour is that same that it is every hour: the corrupting influence of money in politics.
The randy Republicans saga is just more proof that dumb things happen when you have too much money sloshing around in politics. Not to let these guys of the hook, but It's almost surprising that the embarrassing expense was even noticed considering the huge sums of cash drowning our political system. This week, it's the Republicans who are under the microscope. Next week, it'll be the Democrats. And on and on it will go.
Until we finally realize that money is destroying our system of representative government and resolve to do something about the problem.
Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
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A Note About the Diary Poll
Drew Litton, Comics.com
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It is always difficult to defeat the reigning champion in any sport. This year, however, the Cleveland Cavaliers are poised to do just that. With the league's best record and a well-rested Shaquille O'Neill returning, look for the Cavaliers to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant and Shaq will both be vying for their 5th championship ring.
The Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard had a very good second half and with a deep bench could make the finals again. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant could be the surprise team of the NBA playoffs and will do better than expected.
My prediction: the Cavaliers will beat the Lakers in six games to win their first-ever NBA Championship.
