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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"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know."
Groucho Marx
Kevin Siers, Charlotte Observer
- CARTOONS OF THE WEEK
pa·tri·ot·ism (ptr--tzm) n. Love of and devotion to one's country.
Dan Wasserman, Boston Globe
"America: love it or leave it."
Vietnam War bumper sticker, often displayed by "patriotic" supporters of the war
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
"In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press
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- Every few decades, political parties need to reinvent themselves. Times change, the country's priorities shift, and old ideas just don't resonate anymore with the electorate. The Republicans are caught up in such an unenviable position for -- to borrow a phrase from former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan -- the winds of change are making them less and less relevant as the years go passing by
Scott Stantis, Birmingham News
Robert Ariail, The State (South Carolina)
Adam Zyglis, Buffalo News
A significant and particularly noticeable trend in the 2008 Election enabled Barack Obama to carry states like Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado. Whatever the long-term benefits of Arlen Specter joining the Democratic Party are, it is clear that the disillusionment of moderate and independent voters with the Republican Party continues to this day. Will it abate anytime soon? Not if Dick Cheney's advice was taken seriously by the party
Gary Brookins, Richmond Times-Dispatch
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Stuart Carlson, Universal Press Syndicate
Ben Sargent, Universal Press Syndicate
From the 'When-It-Rains-It-Pours' file comes this brilliant piece of advice from noted GOP pollster, Frank Luntz. He has several suggestions for the Republicans. Will it work? The memo sounds so 1990's! Moreover, as noted author Thomas Wolfe wrote once, "You can't go home again."
Jeff Danziger, Syndicated Political Cartoonist
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- The Republicans might be imploding as a national party but what has the Democratic Party and President Barack Obama been up to? It looks like their plate is full but there is reason for optimism
Steve Sack, Minnesota, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Senior senators are always protective of their seniority and committee assignments -- as Harry Reid and Arlen Specter learned this past week. Whosoever said that "Hell hath no fury like a US Senator scorned" was wrong!
Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News
Is President Obama the 'Great Seducer?'
Lloyd Dangle, The Progressive
Soon after Barack Obama was inaugurated, an article in the Washington Post asked the question: was there a liberal revival of Americanism? It surely didn't imply that all Democrats were about to engage in mindless, cynical, and manipulative jingoism. Nor was the party ready to condone the kind of unconstitutional and unlawful behavior that characterized the Bush years. Therefore, the Obama Administration needs to adequately address this most urgent of lingering issues: was or was not torture committed in our names and in defiance of international laws? Until that question is satisfactorily answered, the clamor for justice among online activists will simply not subside
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury
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- More by default than by design, Barack Obama wears many hats. He is the President of the United States, Commander in Chief, politician extraordinaire, dog owner, family man, international banker, economic stimulator, great basketball jump shooter, and the leader of the free world. And now? It looks like he has a new job added to his portfolio. So, if you need a good deal on a new car, check out this ad I saw advertising unbeatable deals in today's paper
BLOCKBUSTER NEW CAR SALE
Government Motors, Inc.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Under new management, the company is located in the heart of Downtown, Washington, DC. C'mon folks, do your patriotic duty and "Buy American"
Everyday 8:00am-9:00pm
Come early, long lines expected
Credit cards accepted
Gary Clement, National Post (Toronto)
Clay Jones, Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA)
Where have you gone, Lee Iacocca
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)
What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson
Lee Iacocca has left and gone away
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)
Simon and Garfunkel, Mrs. Robinson
Gary Brookins, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Help is on the way via Fiat and our friends over in Italy
Jeff Danziger, Syndicated Political Cartoonist
Stephane Peray, The Nation (Bangkok, Thailand)
Will this partnership work and cure all of what ails Chrysler? Maybe
Ed Stein, United Media Syndicate
Jimmy Margulies, The New Jersey Record
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days.
Mary Hopkin, Those Were The Days
Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen
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- More than two decades ago, the Pakistan Army supported the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan to oppose the Soviet invaders. With American military and other logistical aid flowing to these resistance fighters through the army's intelligence services, the effort was successful. Now, the Taliban (who ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 during which they also received help from Benazir Bhutto's government) and their like-minded brethren across the border are locking horns with the Pakistani Army in the NWFP in an attempt to destabilize the country's government. It is the classic case of what the C.I.A refers to as "Blowback." Throw in Pakistan's nuclear weapons into the mix and you can see why Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently mentioned this "existential threat" facing the country of Pakistan
Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wond'ring in the night
What were the chances we'd be sharing love
Before the night was through.
Something in your eyes was so inviting,
Something in your smile was so exciting,
Something in my heart,
Told me I must have you.
Frank Sinatra, Strangers in the Night
Pat Oliphant, Universal Press Syndicate
Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner
Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle
"The vanquished Afghanistan-based Taliban was inexplicably left for years to fester and prosper in the mountains to the west of Pakistan, while we upped and left to focus on Iraq. Now the Taliban have a powerful foothold in Pakistan, and Taliban rebel forces are 60 miles from Islamabad. And the US is (rightly) panicking. Many people have been warning of this exact scenario for years, but were largely ignored."
Matt Davies
Matt Davies, Journal News (NY)
Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen
Cal Grondahl, Utah Standard Examiner
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- The retirement of Justice David Souter is probably the first of several such opportunities that Barack Obama may have to put his stamp on the US Supreme Court
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant
Decisions, decisions! Who will the President choose? Will it be a female, an Hispanic, or will he replace one reserved and reclusive New Englander with another? There are many constituencies to consider and many options to ponder
R.J. Matson, Neww York Observer and Roll Call
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Pretending I'm doing well
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I play the game but to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone
The Platters, The Great Pretender
Jack Ohman, The Oregonian
You coulda been a contender, John. You coulda been somebody
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain-Dealer
Don't worry, rightwing nuts will huff and puff but when all's said and done, Obama will nominate someone he trusts and won't disappoint his base... right?
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
Dick Locher, Chicago Tribune
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- Congratulation to all of you who are graduating from college this year. Oh... and good luck in your future endeavors!
Jimmy Margulies, The New Jersey Record
Scott Stantis, Birmingham News
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera
Tom Toles, Washington Post
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- Finally, today is Mother's Day. Have you called your mom as yet? Even though all mothers can be most unforgiving, just be sure that you find the right words to express your sentiments
Steve Nease, Freelance Cartoonist (Ontario)
David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
Steve Nease, Freelance Cartoonist (Ontario)
Bob Englehart, Hartford Courant
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A Note About the Diary Poll
In these trying economic times, comedic relief is not only a necessary but an healthy diversion. There were many other great comedy teams that I could have included in the poll. Gotta make choices, ya know!
One of my all-time favorites routines -- as I suspect it is for many of you -- is this one by Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello, "Who's on First?"
Costello: Well then who's on first?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: I mean the fellow's name.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy on first.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The first baseman.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy playing...
Abbott: Who is on first!
Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.
Abbott: That's the man's name.
Costello: That's who's name?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.
Abbott: That's it.
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