PLEASE READ THIS - Slowpoke on Daily Kos Every Wednesday
As our Comics Editor Tom Tomorrow of This Modern World announced a few days ago, one of the very best altie editorial cartoonists Jen Sorensen made her debut earlier today on Daily Kos. As many of you know, I have been highlighting her brilliant cartoons for some time now. Jen is one of the very few female cartoonists around and I am thrilled that she joined Daily Kos for I have long been a huge fan of her work.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, you can see her being interviewed by Daryl Cagle of MSNBC's cagle.com (along with Mikhaela Reid) in these two videos. In this wide-ranging interview, both express their thoughts on what motivates them, how they see the political world differently, and what it takes to survive in a tough professional and economic environment.
Jen Sorensen Interviews, Part I and Part II
On her Slowpoke blog a few days ago, Sorensen noted her addition to the fast-growing group of editorial cartoonists on Daily Kos
I can officially announce that Slowpoke will be joining the comics roster at Daily Kos, alongside my colleagues Tom Tomorrow and Matt Bors. I've been hoping something like this would happen for a long time... Hats off to Markos (and comics coordinator Tom Tomorrow) for founding a great new home online for alternative political cartoons.
Please support Jen Sorensen's work on Daily Kos every Wednesday. Thank you.
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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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Steve Kelley, New Orleans Times-Picayune, Buy this cartoon
An Offer for Trump by Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Buy this cartoon
Vic Harville, Stephens Media Group (Little Rock, AR), Buy this cartoon
The Donald... by Aislin, Montreal Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Bill Day, Comics.com (Memphis Commercial-Appeal)
Vic Harville, Stephens Media Group (Little Rock, AR), Buy this cartoon
Out of This World Trump by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Dana Summers, Comics.com (Orlando Sentinel)
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INTRODUCTION
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From early on in his career as a budding real estate mogul, Donald Trump was destined for greatness. Given his brilliant mind, movie star looks, affable personalty, impeccable hair, humility, and a reputation for problem solving, he could have become the 45th President of the United States. Alas, it was not meant to be.
President Barack Obama recognized this brilliance in Trump and deemed him to be one of the nation's best and brightest. He saw in Trump a worthy political opponent who would join him in resolving the country's pressing problems over the next two years.
Just a few minutes ago, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney issued this statement from President Obama
Four score and seven days ago when Donald Trump announced his intention to dip his toes into the frigid waters of the Potomac River, I was heartened to see him do so. When he said that he had always had a good relationship with "the blacks," I said to myself, "Here's my kind of Republican."
I can tell you now that since I assumed that Donald would be my opponent in the 2012 Presidential Election, we vowed to tour every state, every county, every precinct, and from sea to shining sea to vigorously engage in a battle of ideas ala the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858. A return to civility in politics has long been a goal of mine. Donald and I would have succeeded in achieving it in spectacular fashion. Together, we would have done the country proud.
Just this past Monday -- when Donald decided to withdraw from the presidential race -- I was heartbroken. Who will help me bring OPEC to its knees? Who will help create millions of jobs? Who will broker desperately-needed peace between the Israelis and Palestinians? In the fine tradition of Paul Robeson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, who will speak out on behalf of the dispossessed and disenfranchised? Donald was an exemplary public servant and, together, we would have achieved concrete and tangible results.
Most importantly, Donald understands business and how to create jobs. His business acumen and superb academic credentials from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business -- unlike mediocre schools like Columbia and Harvard that I attended -- instilled in him values that all Americans (myself included) cherish. As he loudly proclaimed several times on the campaign trail, he was absolutely correct in his approach to ensure that a government of corporations, by corporations, for corporations, shall not perish from the earth. I regret that, now, it will never come to pass. Corporations are among the most vulnerable of institutions and must be protected. Donald fully understood that.
Donald Trump always, always appealed to the better angels of our nature. He could have been a contender. He could have been somebody.
He will be sorely missed. His absence from the political scene will keep me awake at night.
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Editorial cartoonist David Horsey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reviews the list of 2012 GOP Presidential hopefuls
From Trump to Gingrich, the GOP wannabes are a curious crew
How strange it seems that Barack Obama is barely more than two years into his four-year term, yet there has already been a debate between a second-tier team of Republican presidential candidates.
It’s absurdly early. Perhaps that’s why the early birds seem so cuckoo, starting with Donald Trump – he of the whipped meringue of hair, jumbo ego and birther babble – right through to Ron Paul whose debating points – legalize heroin and slash the military budget – make orthodox Republicans reach for the Maalox.
Among the allegedly serious candidates, Tim Pawlenty, is outdoing Mitt Romney in his rush to renounce every moderate political stance that made him an effective governor of Minnesota. Ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich has his third wife standing front and center with him, as if daring anyone to make a big deal out of the fact she was his mistress when he dumped his second wife, who, in turn, was his mistress when he dumped his first wife. Then there’s Herman Cain who piles on platitudes like pieces of pepperoni on the Godfather’s pizzas he used to sell.
So far, it’s curious crew, sort of like a line of karaoke singers with ambitious illusions of an imminent debut at Carnegie Hall.
(David Horsey, see reader comments in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, click link to enlarge cartoon)
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There are over 120 editorial cartoons in this diary. I will post a few more in the comments section. Look for Part II of this diary in the next couple of days. Thanks.
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1. Cartoons of the Week
Mankind and Earth by Steve Greenberg, Freelance Cartoonist (Los Angeles, CA), Buy this cartoon |
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Newt and Improved
Say What> by Tim Eagan, Deep Cover, Buy this cartoon
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
A Motley Crue of "Contenders"
Hope Springs Eternal by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Robert Ariail, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)
Whither, Libya and Syria?
Rob Rogers, Comics.com (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Bashar Assad by Taylor Jones, El Nuevo Dia (Puerto Rico), Buy this cartoon
Pakistan: Neither Friend Nor Foe?
Probing Pakistan by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Hiding by Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen, Buy this cartoon
Al Qaeda's Future
Bin Laden Dead by Aislin, Montreal Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Anwar al-Awlaki by Taylor Jones, El Nuevo Dia (Puerto Rico), Buy this cartoon
To Hell and (Not Coming) Back
Osama is Going to Hell by Martin Sutovec (Slovakia), Buy this cartoon
Osama bin Laden Dead by Peter Broelman (Australia), Buy this cartoon
About Those 72 Virgins...
Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Osama's Elevator Ride by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Government is Not the Problem
Government Lover by Nick Anderson, Comics.com (Houston Chronicle)
My Little Phony by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Enough Already!
Chris Britt, State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), Buy this cartoon
The Homeless by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press
Get Well, Gabby Giffords and Stay Safe, Mark Kelly
Fairy Tale by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon
Spirit of Gabby by David Cohen, Asheville Citizen-Times
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
High Oil Prices: Slowing the Economic Recovery
Chris Britt, State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), Buy this cartoon
BP Spill One Year by Jeff Parker, Florida Today, Buy this cartoon
Oil Subsidies = More Jobs?
John Sherffius, Boulder Daily Camera, Buy this cartoon
Oil Subsidies by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
When Will We Ever Get Serious About Climate Change?
Forest Fires by Mike Keefe, Denver Post, Buy this cartoon
Bill Day, Comics.com (Memphis Commercial-Appeal)
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1. The Loyal Opposition
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Jones offers his opinions on the 2012 Republican Field
Crazy Car
It’s more like a car for crazies. I don’t see how the GOP race for the nomination can be big enough for Trump and Newt’s egos. When you add in the crazy and insanity and quite frankly, stupidity, of Palin and Bachmann…hey it’s gonna be fun for me. Oh, please, God... let them run.
I was going to use a Volkswagon but I googled for images of clown cars and a Smart Car popped up. Since I know a couple of girls who drive VW Bugs and I really don’t want them to beat me up, I decided to use the Smart Car. The Smart Cars look ridiculous anyway and they’re already clown cars. Actually, I’m not sure if they’re the cars that are described as "Smart Cars" (and I’m too tired to look it up and kinda bored of it) so if I’m wrong go ahead and point that out.
And if this cartoon annoys you because you’re a supporter or a fan of Newt, Trump, Palin or Bachmann…then you too can go to Party City, buy a big fuzzy orange wig and a rubber nose and jump in the car.
Dan Wasserman, Comics.com (Boston Globe)
Gary Markstein, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Buy this cartoon
Lee Judge, McLatchy Cartoons/Kansas City Star
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Obama and Rivals by Paresh Nath, Khaleej Times (UAE), Buy this cartoon
Jack Ohman, Comics.com (Portland Oregonian)
Dana Summers, Comics.com (Orlando Sentinel)
Newt and the GOP by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
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2. Donald Trump: "Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war." - link
Kissing GOP Frogs by Adam Zyglis, Buffalo News, Buy this cartoon
Henry Payne, Comics.com (Detroit News)
Jack Ohman, Comics.com (Portland Oregonian)
KAL (Kevin Kallaugher), The Economist
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
IN AMERICAN politics, as at the theatre, it can help to suspend your disbelief. That helps you to entertain even the most improbable of possibilities, such as the possibility that Donald Trump, TV showman and property billionaire, really intends to seek, and may actually win, the presidency of the United States. There is, certainly, no questioning the putative candidate’s own gargantuan self-belief. In recent weeks he has left interviewers slack-jawed with amazement as he throws out his thoughts on how he would behave as president.
-- The Economist magazine opined on the absurdity of a Trump candidacy in 2012
Paul Szep, Comics.com
Robert Arial, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)
Birther Reality by Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon
Drew Sheneman, Comics.com (Newark Star-Ledger)
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3. Donald Trump: "As long as you're going to be thinking anyway, think big." - link
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Donald Trump's hair had become the talk of the nation. Jones chimes in on this most unique of hairstyles
Vanity
The beard thing though, that’s funny. What brand of hair product did he use? Did Hitler dye his hair? Did Stalin de-flea his mustache? Does Kim Jong Il mouse? Does Castro shave his back? Wouldn’t shaving Castro’s back be the worst job in Cuba?
I think the reason we found those videos is because Osama watched them and realized how ridiculous he looks. Which leads me to think Donald Trump has never seen a photo of himself. Why would anyone choose to look like that? I’ve often wondered why guys go with the combover because it doesn’t fool anyone ever. Never in the history of combovers has anyone ever been fooled, except for Donald Trump. He believes he’s not balding. If you’re bald, nobody thinks anything of it. If you’re going bald nobody thinks anything of it. If you comb it over, everybody thinks how ridiculous and pathetic you are.
Larry Wright, Detroit News, Buy this cartoon
Henry Payne, Comics.com (Detroit News)
Robert Arial, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)
Matt Bors, Comics.com (Idiot Box), see reader comments on the Bors Blog
This is easily explained by racism. You see, many people still loathe black people and, since you can’t really express it in public as vividly as you used to, it manifests itself as bizarre conspiracy theories. That’s the reason it appeals to the Republican base, and assholes like Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee are simply pandering to them. No one who ever interviews these guys seems able to call them on what they are doing. I guess they’re just whacky fellas!
-- Bors pulls no punches in explaining the motivation for the Birther Movement
Tony Auth, Washington Post Comics/Philadelphia Inquirer
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
The Cockroach by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
The Donald by Stuart Carlson, /www.carlsontoons.com/Universal Press Syndicate, see Carlson's comment about this editorial cartoon on his blog
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
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4. Donald Trump: "Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that's more productive." - link
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For Donald Trump, all publicity was good publicity. In his own mind, he was the center of the universe. Bors offers his thoughts on this narcissistic behavior
All Trump Everything
Donald Trump has revealed a truth about our system: advertising, media and politics have become so closely intertwined that there is absolutely no way to determine if Donald Trump is serious about being president – even if he goes so far as to actually hold the office. What does the word "serious" even mean in a world where becoming a Senator is merely a stepping stone to a more lucrative career lobbying for corporate plunder? Momentarily proclaiming that you might run for president the very week you release a book is simply part of the normal booking process for interviews these days.
Mounting a presidential campaign has always been a great way get pet issues into the media spotlight. That works especially well when your pet issue is yourself being in the media spolight.
Trump Won't Run by Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Buy this cartoon
Birther or Bust by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Conspiracy Apprentice by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, Buy this cartoon
Long Form by David Cohen, Asheville Citizen-Times
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Trump for President by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Larry Wright, Detroit News, Buy this cartoon
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5. Donald Trump: "Everything in life is luck." - link
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Does the political Right ever stop dabbling in bizarre conspiracy theories, no matter the evidence available? No, according to Crowe
Birther Trump
Why does President Obama always cover his stomach during press conferences? Does he have a real belly button? Trump's people are on the ground investigating the first navel.
The real birthers aren't gonna be satisfied with this. For them, it was never about the birth certificate. They can't produce their own birth certificate. It is all about the name and color of the mixed race candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, who became president. They will find other excuses to refuse the legitimacy of this country's elected leader.
America has enough problems in need of real solutions. We don't have time to wander into these alleys of silly distractions. If you're a serious candidate with positive ideas on how to solve the nation's problems, please speak up. Work with your political allies and your enemies to produce solutions.
Unfortunately, in this 24/7 'entertain me now' news cycle, the pompous, opportunistic windbags get all the attention. Too many times, the news is reality TV at its worst.
Clay Jones, Freelance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), Buy this cartoon
Awake at Night by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Danziger, New York Times Syndicate
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Trump Tower by Matt Davies, Comics.com, see reader comments in Connecticut News
And We Demand His Pre-school Records by Stuart Carlson, /www.carlsontoons.com/Universal Press Syndicate
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Tim Eagan, Deep Cover, Buy this cartoon
Trump Is Out by Nate Beeler, Washington Examiner, Buy this cartoon
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6. Donald Trump: "Without passion you don't have energy, without energy you have nothing." - link
Jerry Holbert, Comics.com (Boston Herald)
Matt Bors, Idiot Box, Buy this cartoon
Trump for President? by Bruce Plante, see reader comments in Tulsa World
Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Drew Sheneman, Comics.com (Newark Star-Ledger)
Kevin Siers, Charlotte Observer, Buy this cartoon
The Donald by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Buy this cartoon
Jerry Holbert, Boston Herald, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Stahler, Comics.com (Columbus Dispatch)
Dan Wasserman, Comics.com (Boston Globe)
Gary Varvel, Indianapolis Star-News, Buy this cartoon
Mike Thompson, Comics.com (Detroit Free Press)
Ken Catalino, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon
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7. No End to Wingnut Conspiracies
Bin Laden Photo by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
Where's Osama? by Peter Broelman (Australia), Buy this cartoon
Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Buy this cartoon
Tony Auth, Yahoo Comics/Philadelphia Inquirer
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Ken Catalino, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon
Cal Grondahl, Utah Standard Examiner, Buy this cartoon
Ed Stein, formerly of the Rocky Mountain News, Buy this cartoon
Steve Benson, Arizona Republic, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Koterba, Omaha World Herald, Buy this cartoon
R.I.P. by Stuart Carlson, www.carlsontoons.com/Universal Press Syndicate
(click link to enlarge cartoon)
Scott Stantis, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
Anyone Else? by Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen, Buy this cartoon
Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune, Buy this cartoon
The Conspiracy Continues by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon
Jeff Stahler, Comics.com (Columbus Dispatch)
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8. Sports Talk
Drew Litton, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune) |
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Drew Litton, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
New Yankee Stadium by RJ Matson, New York Observer, Buy this cartoon
Lakers and Phil Jackson by Steve Greenberg, Freelance Cartoonist (Los Angeles, CA)
Drew Litton, Comics.com (Chicago Tribune)
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8. Final Thoughts
What's Under the Donald's Hair by Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon |
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Finally, what will you miss most about Donald Trump? Was it the bombastic statements, false bravado, ill-informed comments, confrontational nature, or an utter lack of personal humility?
The list is so long that I can't seem to make up my mind.
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A Note About the Diary Poll
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Donald Trump's departure from politics is a huge loss for the Republican Party. He had just about the best chance of defeating incumbent President Barack Obama.
With "The Donald" gone, there are many worthy candidates left to carry the GOP banner in the 2012 Presidential Election. Who will it be: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, John Huntsman, Mitvh Daniels, or perhaps even a surprise nominee?
Don't forget to take the diary poll.