Daily Archives: July 14, 2008

Did Obama cartoon go too far?

July 14, 200812:34 p.m.

newyorker.jpgThere’s a big hoo-hah today about that New Yorker cover drawing by artist Barry Blitt that depicts Barack and Michelle Obama as a Muslim terrorist and a militant Black Panther. The Obama and McCain campaigns have expressed outrage, and there’s much sputtering and indignation nationally. The New Yorker magazine said in a statement that the satirical cartoon “combines a number of fantastical images about the Obamas and shows them for the obvious distortions they are.”
As an editorial cartoonist, I have to say that I love it. Every time a piece of graphic satire gets a lot of attention like this, it underscores the power of the visual image. Images can short-circuit our emotions like few other things can do. That’s why some of us are so drawn (no pun intended) to them.
Of course, with edgy satire there’s always the chance that the literally minded will miss the irony and the artist will lose his balance, tumbling into the canyon like Wile E. Coyote as his cry gradually diminishes to nothingness, a small silence and then a tiny puff of smoke signaling his flattened countenance against the boulders of literalness. But, hey! It’s cartoonland! He’ll be back in the next panel, good as new!
What say you, gentle blog persons? When does a cartoon go to far? Or is that even possible?

By Richard Crowson | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (111)

Conservatism will miss Snow’s eloquence, passion

July 14, 200812:32 p.m.

snowbush.jpgWith the death of former White House spokesman Tony Snow, conservatism lost one of its most passionate and eloquent advocates. Even before his 17-month tenure on the Bush team, Snow was a familiar spokesman for the movement through his work on Fox News, on the radio and in newspaper columns. Snow’s death on Saturday, at age 53, put his December address to the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce in a bittersweet light. Then, Snow already had given 25 speeches since leaving the White House in September and had 50 more scheduled, in a race to earn money to provide for his family should he lose his battle with cancer.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Media, President Bush | Comments (75)

Maybe U.S. can’t drive 55

July 14, 20086:05 a.m.

speedThe proposal by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., that Congress consider another national speed limit to save gas seems far-fetched. But in asking Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to assess the idea, Warner cited compelling studies suggesting that the 55 mph limit, in effect between 1974 and 1995, saved 2 percent on highway fuel consumption and up to 4,000 annual traffic deaths. When the 55 mph limit was imposed last time, during the OPEC oil embargo, gas was 55 cents a gallon and oil was a shocking $12 a barrel. Now, gas averages $4.11 a gallon and oil is $144 a barrel.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress | Comments (38)

Open thread 7/14

July 14, 20086:04 a.m.

thread

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (105)

Koch donates $100 million to theater

July 14, 20086:02 a.m.

kochBravo to David Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries, for agreeing to donate $100 million toward renovating the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. “I’ve been going to the New York State Theater for 40 years,” said Koch, who reportedly is the richest resident of New York City. “I can assure you, I would not make a gift of this magnitude unless I was absolutely convinced that the quality of the work was world-class.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas news | Comments (10)

Praeger, Jenkins are leaders’ leaders

July 14, 20086:00 a.m.

prageerTwo of Kansas’ statewide officeholders are standing out in their fields: Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger (in photo) is president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins is president of the National Association of State Treasurers. It’s a vote of confidence in Kansans’ judgment whenever their elected officials are looked to for leadership among their peers.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (8)