Political Cartoon #4 - Shutdown

1. This cartoon was drawn by Rick McKee for the Augusta Chronicle.
2. The Occupy DC sign and Washington Monument very clearly describe the cartoon's setting as federal Washington. The character on the left serves as the stereotypical resemblance of an occupier, while the man on the right is clearly involved in corporate politics, as expressed through his "portly" figure, pinstripe suit and Congress briefcase.
3. The caricature depictions of an occupier and Congress member draw heavily from the stereotypical public perception of such figures, the movement member wearing plaid, a beanie, patched jeans and various other indications of financial instability while the government worker's figure and suit work to exaggerate his encapsulation of corporate politics.
4. The cartoon references recent threats of government shutdown that have been narrowly avoided through extensions, as well as the general desire of the occupy movement to promote redistribution of wealth and the libertarian ideology of a decrease in government influence.
5. While the cartoon lacks a clear standpoint and is not overtly partisan, the McKee is likely displaying his annoyance towards government's general lack of commitment and laziness, which has in effect jeopardized many.
6. Again, McKee exudes an anti-government view while remaining relatively light on distinct partisan influence.

My Favorite Holiday Memory (and quite possibly my only)

Besides general euphoria, I've never been able to remember distinct holiday moments. While I can't recall if it had happened on Christmas day, my cat's fateful fifteen-odd foot plunge into our merciful tannenbaum will forever be etched into my memory. I'll just take this opportunity to elaborate on my cats, given that's practically it for the memory. We have two cats, Yoyo and Wynton, named after Yoyo Ma and Wynton Marsalis respectively, as my brother and I play the cello and the trumpet. They, like any sane cats (as you must be very aware of), seem to find comfort in the most precarious places, and can often be found on the outside railings of are small upstairs balcony. Yoyo's unyielding holiday spirit resulted in some uncareful footing, resulting in his first, and quite surprisingly only, plunge from the balcony. Our tree, which had been brought in only a day earlier (this still could have been on Christmas, we're unfashionably late), acted as a shock absorber, allowing him to land safely, and, of course, on all fours. This was Yoyo's second most notorious stunt, bested only by his eight foot leap into a now shattered plate a china. Anyways, I was very thankful he wasn't injured, and it's always been an entertaining memory to reference.

Political Cartoon #3: The Perpetual Undermining of Rick Perry

1. This cartoon was drawn by J.D. Crowe for Cagle Cartoons.
2. Here we have an undeniable depiction of the illustrious Rick Perry, dressed to a disturbing likeness to Heath Ledger's closeted homosexual character depicted in Brokeback Mountain, a film Crowe describes as " like the most gay movie of all time except for Top Gun." 
3. The cartoonist puts meticulous effort into accurately portraying Rick Perry's questionable attire in the notorious "String" advertisement, which has at this point in time accumulated an admittedly admirable 623,203 dislikes on youtube, contrasted strongly by the internet community's embrace of Ron Paul following the Iowa caucus. Crowe was kind enough to provide direct commentary regarding the picture, stating "The thing is - and everybody knows this but homophobes - the more you talk about hatin' gays, the more you sound like a bitter, closeted homosexual." Jake Gyllenhaal's character is depicted opposite Perry to further assert this comedic stance, ironically commenting on how Perry's excessive homophobia may serve to mirror that which he has so devoutly opposed.
4. As previously stated, the cartoon addresses Perry's recent "Strong" campaign advertisement, in which he openly embraces religious practices in school while expressing disapproval for gays serving in the militatry.
5. The cartoon essentially works to emphasize Perry's continued ineptitude at appealing to the American public, strengthened by his disrespect of the military, regardless to one's sexuality. This commercial may very well serve as the nail in the coffin for Perry's campaign.
6. Perry's wardrobe assistants have a wonderful sense of humor.

The Obama Update

President Obama currently holds an approval rating of 43% percent, which I admittedly find rather inflated, mirrored by disapproval from half of the nation's population. A staggering 77% percent of declared democrats remain supportive of the president's efforts, which I personally perceive to be rather blindly partisan. Obama is quite simply not embracing moderate compromise to the degree in which a partisan gridlock in Congress may be alleviated, and given trending election polls his continuation in the seat may very well be in jeopardy. With an unsuccessful stimulus package prompting a stronger laissez-faire ideology among the public, the president's approval may very well experience a perpetual decline for the remainder of his current office. Following the recent Iowa debate, I find current Gallup statistics comparing support between Obama and Perry to be quite incomprehensible, but his gridlock statistics with Romney indicate a shifting public opinion, charting 47% approval between Obama and the potential, though increasingly questionable, GOP candidate. Regarding the president's reelection bid, I the eventual nomination of a GOP candidate to be incredibly influential. Being a relatively moderate liberal, my ideologies would be tested if Obama were to face either Romney or Ron Paul for reelection, especially following Paul's stellar performance in recent debates. Therefore, I find it only justified to state Obama's chances facing each legitimate, potential candidate:
Cain: 99.999%
Bachmann: 100.01%
Perry: 70%
Paul: 60% (I'm eagerly awaiting Ron's ascent into the public eye, given his being unanimously lauded across the internet community)
Gingrich: 56%
Romney: 52%

Political Cartoon #2

1. This cartoon was drawn by Tom Toles on November 24th for the Washington Post.
2. Three primary objects are referenced: The elephant undeniably serves as representation of the Republican party, the tax plans menu functions to outline the general effort by GOP candidates to exert a flat tax that benefits America's most wealthy, contradictory to the tax plans proposed by liberals, and an obese man serving to represent the aggregation of wealthy Americans, further benefiting from conservative taxing ideology.
3. Toles again utilizes humorous caricatures with excessive features to clearly illustrate his message, asserting that America's most wealthy have benefited excessively from conservative tax plans. Numerous puns are used in his outlining of the GOP menu, incorporating candidates Herman Cain (now passed), Rick Perry (now passed), Michele Bachmann (passed approximately a year ago), Newt Gingrich (alive, despite previous popular opinion), Ron Paul (very much alive), and Mitt Romney (remains in purgatory).
4. As previously stated, the cartoon deals with the proposed conservative flat tax that would significantly benefit wealthy Americans.
5. Toles displays disdain towards Republican tax plans through his characterization of the wealthy, asserting that conservatives will do little to benefit common Americans regarding wealth distribution (I'm still debating whether they should, Paul is growing on me).
6. Toles' humorous depiction of the rich suggests a liberal standpoint, functioning to ridicule Republican taxing plans.

Mitt Romney: Was it meant to be?

    Practically since the beginning of GOP candidacy declarations, Mitt Romney was foreseen to function as the party's forerunner, displaying the most promising appeal to a more moderate American base that would prove most effective in ultimately unseating president Obama. Romney holds a vast variety of attributes that benefit his chances in the public eye, such as his proven success and guaranteed understanding of the business sector, which will undeniably serve as the most prevalent issue in our coming election, and the public's general perception of Mitt as the rational and straightforward candidate. As the press has consistently referenced, recent poll results suggest that Newt Gingrich shall likely serve as Romney's final substantial opposition, and many have been quite surprised that Newt's questionable track record, including the siphoning of hundreds of thousands of dollars towards personal interest that had previously been allotted to underprivileged children.
    While Romney has maintained a positive public reception in his relative rationality and general inability to undermine himself, the candidate faces strong opposition due to his supposed evolution of policy since his serving as the governor of Massachusetts. Facing agenda swaps on such significant issues as abortion and gay rights, Republicans have justifiably questioned Romney's ability to emulate their beliefs in the president's chair, looking toward Tea Party sweethearts such and Gingrich as a potential, though less assured, alternative. Additionally, Romney has recently developed an offsetting haughtiness with the press in response to his bafflement towards the rise of Newt, further cementing previous perceptions of Mitt as cold and uneasy despite his general appeal. Editors in a recent news conference voted Romney three to one, though expressed humorous interest in his inability to cement the nomination against seemingly inferior candidates. While I hold by my belief that Romney will very likely acquire the GOP nomination, and quite possibly the presidency, his behavior in upcoming debates shall be instrumental in rekindling his appeal with the general American public.