Political (a)Musings Newsletter Launch
Welcome!
Welcome to the first “official” Substack newsletter focused around my conservative cartoons. Each Friday I’ll be sending an issue that includes my recent efforts, along with commentary and insights into editorial cartooning. This issue includes a sampling of content I’ve put together over the last couple of weeks.
I’ve been cartooning for decades and am currently syndicated through Creators Syndicate to deliver 4-5 editorial cartoons each week, which they then distribute to well over 200 newspapers. I’m a step removed from the newspapers and even farther removed from the reader which is why I’m excited to venture into the Substack environment.
As you read the newsletters please take a moment to comment and engage with me and others. This type of engagement is motivating even if it’s constructive criticism. Feedback is like a fuel. If people are reacting and motivated to provide feedback, at the very least I know it’s being seen but it’s more about making connections and engaging.
Due to the variety and length of content, several pieces are continued on Substack. Links provided.
Now on to the content!
Tesla Torching
Gasp! The existential threat, the destroyer of worlds, for which we must abandon our heathen gasoline powered gear, our home appliances operating on natural gas, and coal burning 🔥home comfort. Didn’t you hear it’s an existential threat?
Our very existence and our children’s future are in peril like never seen before! It’s the end of the planet if we… wait a second, time-out, put that on hold, I forgot it was an even numbered day. Those are Tesla torching days…
Putin Sets His Demands
The Evolution of an Editorial Cartoon
Today I’m walking through my editorial cartoon development process using a recent cartoon (see below) as an example. Hopefully, in this post I don’t come across as Kamala Harris explaining Ukraine and Russia, or space, or the intricacies of a fingernail clipper.
As an added bonus, I’ve included a very funny video clip from Saturday Night Live that I thought fits in nicely with the cartoon’s topic.
Every day starts the same. First, the gnawing feeling that yesterday’s editorial cartoon was the last idea my brain will ever muster. Been cartooning since 1989 but yeah, today’s the day the well runs dry. But yesterday! Yesterday was a success! To hell with yesterday, what about tomorrow. Gasp. Whimper. Sigh. With my daily pep talk complete, I’m off and running.
(Due to the length of this piece, it is continued on Substack.)
The Value of Art
I guess after an entire life of seeing grifting so effortlessly accomplished, Hunter shouldn’t be blamed for thinking his artistic talents could stand on their own. Now the closest he gets to the gravy train is the dog food brand…
I’m an ACTOR!
I’ve always said, in general, that liberals are more creative than conservatives. You see this in creative outlets such as entertainment, art, and literature. But where they truly excel is theater! Within the last week they’ve put on a series of festive exhibitions in the second oldest profession’s grand tradition. (Their proficiency in the oldest profession to be discussed another time.)
In DC, every day is Thespian Arts Ostentation Festival, informally known as The Grifters Grifting Gala. No cause can’t be exploited to gain campaign contributions, voters’ interest, and victimhood heroes. In sometimes solemn, sometimes boisterous displays they showcase their singing, dancing, and feigning indignation talents. These can be seen in well-choreographed and costumed staging that rivals an Off-Off-Off Broadway production of movie Gigli.
(Due to the length of this piece, it is continued on Substack.)
Death, Taxes, and Continuing Resolutions
(written last week) Congress is in the midst of their annual ongoing, never ending, Continuing Resolution budget exercises. The best-case scenario means we’ll have a CR for the entire 2025 fiscal year. That hasn’t happened since 2011, when Congress approved a whopping 7 CR’s. For context, the average is 2-3 per year
The full year CR possibility is due to big fiscal changes identified through DOGE’s efforts. Republicans know that a new budget effort, instead of just standing pat with a CR, would be its own waste of time and efficiency. They need to see the targets stop moving, otherwise the effort will merge pin-the-tail-on-the-budget with drunken axe throwing.
Our founders didn’t establish the legislative process to be particularly efficient and nimble. It was to ensure we had enough time to rigorously evaluate impacts and assess the need. The optimist would say “mission accomplished.”
But everyone recognizes that we’ve added one more item to things that are a certainty: death, taxes, and CR’s.
(Due to the length of this piece, it is continued on Substack.)
There’s so much more I could have crammed in here, but hopefully a good start for the first issue.
Let’s chat:
What other topics are ripe for a cartoon?
Anything standout to you in this first issue? Like, dislike, want more of?
Anyone read Lord of the Flies and have a lasting impression… or a fear of rotting pig heads?
A great SNL skit we might not remember? And a link. 😁
Any difficulties with the newsletter?
See you next Friday!