Cartoons: news-worthy news

Trump's firing Comey was the move that broke my inaction. If you think Trump should go, sign up at Impeach Trump Now.

During the ascension of Trump we've learned a number of things. Such as anyone, including the Democrats, can have a white whale in her/his life.

***

Nate Beeler, The Week

***

The short view (vs. the long view) will eventually bite you in the a**.

***

Gary Varvel, The Week

***

Trump bears no resemblance to what a good president is/was.

***

Steve Benson, The Week

***

-- Marge

Cartoons: tax-free money for the 1%

Steve Sack, The Week

***

The Panama papers are all the news lately. South German Newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, received the data that reveals the activities of Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. SZ reports this activity in Panama papers: the secrets of dirty money. The opening video is a must-see.

In the article SZ states

The data
The Panama Papers include approximately 11.5 million documents – more than the combined total of the Wikileaks Cablegate, Offshore Leaks, Lux Leaks, and Swiss Leaks. The data primarily comprises e-mails, pdf files, photo files, and excerpts of an internal Mossack Fonseca database. It covers a period spanning from the 1970s to the spring of 2016. 

According to the New York Times, Panama Papers Leak Casts Light on a Law Firm Founded on Secrecy.

***

Walt Handelsman, The Week

***

Many are particulary interested in Putin's secret cash stash. A highly cited article by The Guardian states: Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin.

***

Steve Benson, The Week

***

As cartoonist Pat Bagley points out, the 1% rides on our backs.

***

Pat Bagley, The Week

***

Angry yet?

-- Marge

Cartoons: sharp pencils

Today's mix includes comments on Donald Trump v. Carly Fiorina; the Pope v. Republicans; County Clerk Kim Davis v. all not in agreement; and Apple v. the common pencil.

In the second GOP presidential debate Trump met his match: Carly Fiorina.

***

Steve Benson, The Week

***

The Syrian refugees are posing intense problems for Europe and the U.S. is being asked to step up and help. Here's are some excuses the U.S. is presenting: Why the U.S. Can't Immediately Resettle Syrian Refugees. Pope Francis wants us to give them shelter.

***

Steve Kelley, The Week

***

Published in the Louisville Courier-Journal, Clergy weighs Kim Davis' legal, moral rights.

***

Mike Luckovich, The Week

***

And last, but not least, Apple announces the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro.

***

Nate Beeler, The Week

***

-- Marge

Cartoons: spring--what is that I smell?

Ah, spring!

***

Rick McKee, The Week

***

In spring, 2014, a 2-year renovation of the U.S. Capitol Dome was started; it may be done by January, 2017, reports WJLA in Washington, DC. This is what cartoonist Tom Toles has to say about it.

***

Tom Toles, The Week

***

Here's a comment on the current U.S. budget.

***

David Horsey, The Week

***

And, if you're as confused about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA--"riff-ra" in common speak), be sure to read Jay Michaelson's "RFRA 101."

***

Steve Benson, The Week

***

-- Marge

Cartoons: Peace on earth vs the Minerva Initiative

Today's mix of cartoons looks at waning idealism, cold-hearted materialism, and the DoD's (Department of Defense) scary preparations for the future.

To start with--today's general view of the dream of peace on Earth.

***

Walt Handelsman, The Week

***

Then there's another portion of the reality--the homeless in Silicon Valley.

***

Chan Lowe, The Week

***

In this next cartoon I don't see taxes vs. entitlements in governmental terms but the Rich vs. the rest of us.

***

Glenn McCoy, The Week

***

Here's the scary part. The Pentagon is preparing for mass civil breakdown. If you don't believe it, check out this Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) page on the Minerva Initiative. Better to stand up now, while we still can? Huffington Post notes that civil unrest is not always related to cases like Ferguson.  Maybe we are headed for mass civil breakdown.

***

Steve Benson, The Week

***

One more look at the dream of peace on earth, before it's forgotten.

***

Paul Combs, The Week

***

-- Marge

Cartoons: Ray Rice and others

What the NFL showed us.

***

Steve Benson, US News

***

What I see when I look at Ray Price, abuser.

***

Rick McKee, Cagle

***

What I see when walking down the street.

***

Randall Enos, The Week

***

What rural Republicans may see.

***

David Horsey,  US News

***

What the English saw in Braveheart.

***

Cameron Cardow, The Week

***

-- Marge

Cartoons: Another Bush president?

Oh, horrors!  Another Bush may force his way into the White House.  Or maybe not.  Jeb has already shot himself in the foot from a Republican standpoint.

Standing back and letting the cartoonists tell the story--

***

Chan Lowe, US News

***

Bill Schorr, Cagle

***

Drew Sheneman, US News

***

David Horsey, US News

***

Seems to me most of politics is a Game of Thrones.

-- Marge

Cartoons: the Republican circus

Steve Sack, "On Lockdown," The Week

That the Republicans in Congress are holding the government hostage over Obamacare really twists my knickers.  Having lost count of the number of times they've voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obamacare, I checked today.  At present it's 42 times.  Fortunately Democrats in the Senate have given the government and Obamacare a little more time.
***

Steve Benson, "GOP Circus," Cagle.com

***

Michael Ramirez, "Leading From Behind," The Week

***

Jim Morin, Miami Herald/McClatchy

***

Marshall Ramsey, "Shut Down the Government," USNews

***

Mike Luckovich "The Grumpy Old Party," The Week

***
A huge thanks to these fine cartoonists for their insights.

-- Marge

Cartoons because we need them

This week, with the grim news about Syria, we need a laugh to relieve some of the stress. These cartoons from The Week offer some insights to go along with the humor.
***

Steve Benson, "Sounding Familiar," theWeek

***

Scott Stantis, "Cheer Section," theWeek

***

Bob Englehart, "Accidental Allies," theWeek

***

Patrick Chappatte, "Spoiler Alert," theWeek

***

Steve Sack, "Peace of Mind," theWeek

***
***

Gary Varvel, "Finally A Plan of Attack," theWeek

-- Marge

Shhh. They may be listening...

Editorial cartoonists are having a field day with the news that the NSA has a hush-hush court order to collect Verizon call records (theGuardian).  So without further ado, let's take a look.  All of the cartoons below were found at The Week, except for the last one, which was published at U.S. News.

Michael Ramirez, "Finally An Answer:"
***

***
Chis Britt, "Unwanted Assistance:"
***

***
Drew Sheneman, "Exception to the Rule:"
***

***
Dana Summers, "Taking Out the Opposition:"
***

***
Steve Benson, "N-S-A!:"
***

***
Have you stopped to consider lately how much we've allowed the Al-Qaeda attacks to influence life in America?  Our collective/political reactions have eroded the legal (habeus corpus, fourth amendment) underpinnings of American society and intruded on our personal (airport security, surveillance) lives.  Sure there be terrorists, but can't we get our fear under control?
***
-- Marge

Friday cartoons: Congress loves the NRA

Congress also loves the health-care-industrial complex, which has spent $5.36 billion lobbying since 1998, compared to the defense and aerospace industries at $1.53 billion and oil and gas interests at $1.3 billion (Steven Brill, "Bitter Pill," Time Magazine, March 4, 2013).  But today we looking at the love affair between Congress and the NRA, which spent $2.98 million in 2012 on lobbying, $2.90 in 2011, and has spent $1.45+ million on contributions (OpenSecrets.org).  If you estimate an average of $2 million per year, the NRA has spent $2.8 billion on lobbying from 1998 through 2012.

So, without more ado, let's have a rueful laugh on the U.S. Congress.

From political humor at About.com by Pat Bagley (slow connection):

From TheWeek by David Horsey:

Also from TheWeek by Chan Lowe:

From U.S. News (political cartoons, April 19, 2013) by Walt Handelsman:

From Creators.com by Steve Benson:

The almighty dollar still rules.

-- Marge