QOTW #6

Senior year has so far been enjoyable, though stressful with college apps, homework, swimming, science fair, etc. I'm looking forward to next semester, where things should cool down a bit. I've done reasonably well in all of my classes, despite slacking off a bit here and there. I can't wait to graduate and have all my exams and work behind me. It's been a trip, but there're bigger and better things waiting down the road. Hopefully I can make it in the "real world."

Political Cartoon 1/15

1. This cartoon is by Taylor Jones.
2. The cartoon shows Republican candidates Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul as "capitalist birds."
3. All three candidates favor a more open market with fewer regulations and lower taxes, which the cartoonist does not agree with, as evidenced by the portrayals of Romney as a vulture, Gingrich as an overweight turkey, and Paul as an awkward duck. All three candidates are gathered around a carcass and bloodstained bills, which could represent the exploitation of the middle and working classes by big-money capitalists that would be allowed under a deregulated system.
4. The cartoon deals with the economic policies of three republican candidates.
5. I enjoy both the caricature and scientific names in this cartoon, especially N. butterballus as Newt Gingrich and Oddus duckus as Ron Paul. I also agree with the cartoonists seemingly negative view of the economic policies of deregulation advocated by the three candidates, as well as their greed.
6. The cartoonist is most likely liberal, holding a very unfavorable opinion of these three candidates.

QOTW #5: GOP Candidate

It's been all about Romney since the beginning, and I think he'll hold through the entire process. Though lately he's been smashed from all sides by attacks and no longer holds a commanding lead in the polls, I believe that his relative sanity in comparison to his competitors and his ability to grab the moderate vote will lead to his eventual nomination. We'll see how stuff goes. Could be that Paul or Santorum (even Huntsman, with a win in New Hampshire) might pull an upset. So far, though, Romney has been successful in fighting off any and all challengers. I don't see Gingrich being a big contender, what with his substantial baggage.

Political Cartoon 1/8

1. This cartoon is by Bob Englehart.
2. Ron Paul rides what appears to be a flying saucer toward the South Carolina primary.
3. Paul seeks to follow up an impressive showing in the Iowa caucuses and possibly in the New Hampshire primary with success in South Carolina. The flying saucer most likely references some of Paul's more outlandish policy positions.
4. The cartoon references the presidential campaign of Texas Representative Ron Paul (R).
5. My opinions of Ron Paul are mixed. Though he supports a foreign policy of non-intervention and a libertarian social policy including support for gay marriage and opposition to the death penalty, all of which I agree with, his strict Constitutionalism, belief in total economic deregulation, and rabid opposition to taxes do not sit well with me. I admire his record of voting on principle, sometimes against his own party, but the principle has often been, in my humble opinion, flawed.
6. The cartoonist holds the view that Ron Paul is on some crazy ganja, man.

QOTW #4: I'm a Grinch

I don't really remember most of my holidays, leaving me with a somewhat shallow pool of experiences to draw upon (or even fabricate and exaggerate). I suppose that playing balloon volleyball with a multitude of hazily recalled relatives when I was around five years old would take the cake as my favorite holiday memory. It was Christmas, and we were playing in the living room. Thinking back, it was probably lucky that no one dove face-first into the tree trying for a spectacular dig. The highlight of the game (as I remember) was my aunt smashing down a towering spike on the head of my dad (her older brother). Sibling rivalries never die.

Political Cartoon 12/17

1. This cartoon is by Taylor Jones.

2. Barack Obama stands behind a lectern, backed by a "Mission Exhausted" banner.

3. The text of the banner shows the American disinterest and fatigue concerning the War in Iraq, contrasting it with the jubilation usually accompanying the withdrawal of troops from a foreign war. Obama's statement reflects the sad state of the American economy, showing that there are still many problems facing the nation despite the war's close.

4. The cartoon concerns itself with the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

5. The war in Iraq should never have occurred. The withdrawal comes much too late, delayed by the sectarian turmoil and violence caused in the first place by American involvement. Hopefully, this chapter in our history will be recognized as a potent lesson against undue military action in the future.

6. Jones expresses jaded cynicism in his portrayal of the withdrawal and Obama. His viewpoint is shared widely by citizens of every political stripe.