Cartoons: snapshot of America on this 4th

While, as Steve Breen asserts in the cartoon below, many of us still value life, liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness, some in America don't value these rights so much.  This is especially true when the self-evident rights of others are concerned.  Here are some dos and don'ts for today's America.

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Steve Breen, US News

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If you pray, pray for a tolerant employer.

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Jack Ohman, US News

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Forget what you love to do, learn what will bring home the bacon.

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Michael Ramirez, US News

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When faced with an anti-Obama Congress, use executive actions to get things done.

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Dana Summers, US News

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Watch out for underhanded play in the marketplace.

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Drew Sheneman, US News

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-- Marge

Humor: Black Friday is coming...

Like winter in Game of Thrones, Black Friday is coming. Have you noticed that retailers are advertising Black Friday as if it's a cultural event? Or is it just my retail-phobia kicking in?  Cartoonists have fun with the sales event every year; meme-makers add to the mix.  Here are some new takes, or takes that seem new to me, on the topic. 

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Marshall Ramsey, Black Friday Deals Today, Creators Syndicate

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pumptime, Black Friday Is Coming, Cheezburger

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David Fitzsimmons, Black Friday Ops, Cagle

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Tchothcky, Not Sure If Looting, Cheezburger

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Adam Zyglis, Walmart, AAEC

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Marcy Bonebright has published a collection of Black Friday memes, titled "Let Internet Memes Explain Why Shopping In-Store on Black Friday Is a #FAIL," at DealNews.  Competition does have benefits.

-- 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

Cartoons about climate change denial and more

There's a treasure trove of cartoons on climate change at the U.S. News and World Report site in their Energy Policy Cartoons section; so many good ones that I got greedy.  Here are eight of the forty about energy, the ones that I particularly like.  Warning: some of these are not really funny, just straight to the point.

Creators Syndicate -- A new cartoon every hour

At Creators,com (aka Creators Syndicate) you can find a variety of cartoons and comic strips. The cartoon page has an ever-changing assortment of material. I found the cartoons by clicking on the "Content" link on the landing page.  The site bills itself as "a syndicate of talent" and features political opinion pieces, as well as advice and lifestyle.  While the content is intended for syndication by newspapers and other publishers, viewers can read it and comment.

Under editorial cartoons I found this one by Steve Sack:

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And under comic strips there was this one by John L. Hart:

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There is a page where you can find samples of  games, such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles, word finds, and so one.  This link downloads a Charles Preston crossword.

For your added enjoyment here's a sample of Steve Sack's sculpture, titled "Sleeping with the Fishies." He says about his sculpture --

My sculptures are made of paper mache. Not many artists over the age of nine work in paper mache. Which may explain my place in the art world.

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Steve's work is A#1 in my view.

-- Marge