Art and Expression of Political Cartoons

Even if you dont like politics....
...you might appreciate the imagery and artistry of political or editorial cartoons as commentaries on issues, events or personalities in the news.

Ben Franklin's “Join, or Die” is recognized by many as the first political cartoon in the US, published in the Penn Gazette in the 1750s and making the simple point of the importance of colonial unity well before the American Revolution.



So here is one for today:



The idea is to rate the political cartoon above in terms of effect delivery of the intended message and then post one of your own that has recently caught your eyes.

Yes, some may convey a message with which you disagree. But the idea is NOT to debate the merits of the message but simply its effectiveness in conveying a message. If you wish to debate the merits of the message, you're welcome to bring it to the Politics Forum for discussion.

Here's a chance to share a unique and popular art form, so post one you think is effective (or not) and see what others think, but stick to the rules, please!

 

I like this one, too, because it conveys a lot of information in a simple way. GWB's, um, communication problems, obviously, but also how he got 'burned' by these issues during his administration. And then, of course, Obama's bewildered expression, having not even left the inaugural podium, yet, I'm guessing. All very funny, but all very true.

I've had this one hanging around in my files for quite a while. Seems relevant again today.



Phil May 'Poverty and Wealth: it all depends on the position of the bundle', Bulletin, 1887

 

I grew up with Aislin's cartoons in the Montreal Gazette.

 

Poor Bill will never live it down. I think it would have had more of an impact if Weiner were in Bill's place. More current.

My first thought when I saw this cartoon below was "duh, what were we expecting?"

 

I like the "Actual Rate: 99%" in the lower corner but smaller print would have been better!

The flat tax is back.

 

I like the above because it shows the true nature and who ultimately will be hurt in the GOP agendas. But they have charismatic talking heads that can sell ice cubes and air conditioning to Eskimos.



This I find relevant to Cyn's torch are passed.

 

I do not tweet...I will not tweet

 

One of my favourite political cartoonists is a Canadian called J.J. McCullough (he went to my alma mater while I was going there, so we've had the opportunity to chat several times). Here's a couple of his more recent ones I enjoy.

On the EU:


On the 10 year anniversary of 9/11:



I love the resigned apathy. That couple BLEEDS Pacific North-West hipster disenchantment.

 

I think this is in part due to the fact he isn't published in a newspaper. It's a political webcomic, which allows him to play with the medium in different ways.

Here's a perfect example of him doing just that:



At the same time, he does comics that fit that "a-ha!" style you mention. Here's one such example:



I also enjoy that he writes up short essays on the topics he draws and discusses them with his fans. He leans right on the political spectrum, so we don't always agree, but it's refreshing to see.

[edit]

Aw crap, now I miss Jack Layton

 

Super Committee and compromise?

 

Who is your favorite terrorist?

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I am torn between the Terrorist Winner and the ET

 

Today's frank topic: the evil of contraception

 

my chuckling at how funny this is was quickly stifled by the fact that there are some people who probably genuinely believe that this is how the govt thinks

 

Or how to lose an election w/o really trying.