#pat oliphant

[tilbageidanmark]

Underground cartoonist Ron Cobb.

[politicalrpf]

1982 political cartoon featuring Ronald Reagan, by Pat Oliphant.

[polkadotmotmot]

Pat Oliphant - Downtown, 2022

[beesandwasps]

Plus ça change — here’s a Pat Oliphant political cartoon from September 5, 1985. If the Democratic Party had any self-awareness or intelligence, the fact that Biden is using the same arguments as the Reagan administration would be cause for a primary challenge all by itself. But since the Democrats have been officially right of center since 1992, led consistently by people who admire Ronald Reagan and would elect him again in a heartbeat if he were alive and running for office, instead we get as close to no primaries at all as they can possibly manage.

Listen dipshit. I don’t care if you can’t afford groceries, I don’t care if your landlord priced you out of your own home, and I certainly don’t care that you can’t find a new job that pays enough to live - the economy is doing great. Literally all of the graphs say so.

[brookston]

Holidays 7.24

Holidays

Amelia Earhart Day

Asarnha Bucha Day (Thailand)

Body Painting Day

Boycott SeaWorld Day

Carnival of Awussu (Tunisia)

Children’s Day (Vanuatu)

Cousins Day

Drive-Thru Day

Feast of the Trickster of Liberty

Fellowship of the Ring Day

Guayaquil Day (Ecuador)

Horsetail Day (French Republic)

International FemDom Day

International Save the Vaquita Day

International Security Officers Day

International Self-Care Day

Life Peerage Day (UK)

Midsummer Day (Denmark)

National Day of Motoring

National Drive-Thru Day

National Kebab Day

National Madison Day

National Private Investigator Day

National Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Day (UK)

National Thermal Engineer Day

National Water Gun Fight Day

National YOLO Day (Indonesia)

Navy Day (Venezuela)

Pioneer Day (Utah)

Police Day (Poland)

Pop A Wheelie Day

Public Opinion Day

Puzzle Day

Resident Evil Day

Samaritans’ National Awareness Day (UK)

724 Day (Pennsylvania)

Simón Bolívar Day (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador)

Tell an Old Joke Day

Tenjin Matsuri (Japan)

Treaty of Lausanne Anniversary Day

Virtual Love Day

World BDSM Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Instant Coffee Day

National Drink Watermelon Day

National Frozen Margarita Day

National Tequila Day

Pie 'n' Beer Day

Independence & Related Days

Restoration of Democracy Day (Greece)

Tennessee (Readmitted to Union; 1866)

4th Wednesday in July

Bubble Tea Day [3rd Wednesday]

Cat Yoga Day [3rd Wednesday]

Festivals Beginning July 24, 2024

Cinehill Motovun Film Festival (Gorski Kotar, Croatia) [thru 7.28]

Days of '47 Parade (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Gage County Fair (Beatrice, Nebraska) [thru 7.28]

Hood River County Fair (Odell, Oregon) [thru 7.27]

Kotka Maritime Festival (Kotka, Finland) [thru 7.27]

NYC Restaurant Week (New York, New York) [thru 8.20]

Ohio State Fair (Columbus, Ohio) [thru 8.4]

Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka, Japan) [thru 7.25]

Tolminator (Tolmin, Slovenia) [thru 7.28]

Feast Days

Alexandre Dumas (Writerism)

Alex Katz (Artology)

Alphonse Mucha (Artology)

Asalha Puja Day (Buddhism)

Banana Yoshimoto (Writerism)

Boris and Gleb (Christian; Martyrs)

Charbel (Maronite Church/Catholic Church)

Christina the Astonishing (Christian; Saint)

Christina of Bolsena (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Pioneer Day

Cunegundes of Poland (a.k.a. Kings; Christian; Saint)

Day of Bast (Pagan)

Day of Mourning (Orthodox)

Declán of Ardmore (Christian; Saint)

Eugene J. Martin (Artology)

Expensive Hugs Day (Pastafarian)

Feast Day of Vatiaz (Mongolia; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Francis Solano (Christian; Saint)

Jakaba Diena (Ancient Latvian Hay Harvest Festival)

Jilwalla Jinks’ Jamboree (Shamanism)

John Boste (Christian; Saint)

Kinga (a.k.a. Cunegunda) of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Lewine of Britain (Christian; Saint)

Lord Dunsany (Writerism)

Lupus, Bishop of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Martyrs of Daimiel (Christian; Saint)

Mel Ramos (Artology)

Menefrida of Cornwall (Christian; Saint)

Michaelangelo (Positivist; Saint)

Mourning Day (Greek Orthodox)

The Old Mothering (Celtic Book of Days)

Pat Oliphant (Artology)

Piganini (Muppetism)

Romanus and David of Muscovy (Christian; Martyrs)

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (St. John the Baptist Day; Quebec)

Sigolena of Albi (Christian; Saint)

Sylvester Graham Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Tequila Day (Pastafarian)

Vladimir Borovikovsky (Artology)

Wulfhad and Ruffin (Christian; Martyrs)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Baby Wants a Battle (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1953)

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (Film; 1947)

Begin the Beguine, recorded by Artie Shaw (Song; 1938)

Bewitched Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

The Black Cauldron (Disney Animated Film; 1985)

Blow Out (Film; 1981)

Corn on the Cop (WB MM Cartoon; 1965)

Cupid Gets His Man (Rainbow Parade Cartoon; 1936)

Donald’s Gold Mine (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Existentialism is a Humanism, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Philosophy Book; 1946)

Eye of the Needle (Film; 1981)

Folklore, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2020)

Franken-Stymied (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1961)

Friedenstag (Day of Peace), by Richard Strauss (Opera; 1938)

G-Force (Film; 2009)

High Noon (Film; 1952)

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, recorded by Marvin Gaye (Song; 1964)

Jungle Jitters (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1934)

La Bamba (Film; 1987)

La Feet’s Defeat (The Inspector Cartoon; 1968)

Le Ball and Chain Gang (The Inspector Cartoon; 1968)

Let’s Get Movin’ (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

The Masks of God, Vol. 1: Primitive Mythology, by Joseph Campbell (Science Book; 1959)

A Maze of Death, by Philip K. Dick (Novel; 1970)

Olivia, by Dorothy Strachey (Novel; 1949)

Paper Towns (Film; 2015)

Pixels (Film; 2015)

Porky’s Bedtime Story (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

Puddy Pup and the Gypsies (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Saving Private Ryan (Film; 1998)

Sherlock (BBC TV Series; 2010)

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Film; 1978)

Spring is Here, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Summer School (Film; 1987)

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Film; 1987)

A Time to Kill (Film; 1996)

Tire Trouble (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Christophorus (Austria)

Boris, Kristina, Ljudevit, Mirjana, Sarbelije (Croatia)

Kristýna (Czech Republic)

Christina (Denmark)

Kersti, Kerstin, Kirsti, Krista, Kristel, Kristi, Kristiina, Kristin, Kristina, Rista, Riste (Estonia)

Kiia, Kirsi, Kirsti, Krista, Kristiina, Tiina, Tinja (Finland)

Christine, Ségolène (France)

Christine, Christoph (Germany)

Christina (Greece)

Kincső, Kinga (Hungary)

Cristina (Italy)

Krista, Kristiāna, Kristīne, Krists (Latvia)

Dargvilas, Dargvilė, Kristina, Kristoforas (Lithuania)

Kristi, Kristin, Kristine (Norway)

Antoni, Kinga, Krystyna, Kunegunda, Olga, Wojciecha (Poland)

Elena, Olga (Russia)

Vladimír (Slovakia)

Cristina (Spain)

Kerstin, Kristina (Sweden)

Christine (Ukraine)

Chrissie, Chrissy, Christabel, Christelle, Christene, Christi, Christie, Christine, Christy, Cis, Cissy, Declan, Kirsti, Kirstie, Kirstin, Kirsty, Kristel, Kristie, Kristine (Universal)

Amalia, Amelia, Boris, Chris, Christa, Christen, Christian, Christina, Christine, Christy, Cristina, Cristian, Declan, Kiersten, Kirsten, Krista, Kristian, Kristen, Kristi, Kris (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 206 of 2024; 160 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 30 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 19 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 18 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 17 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 26 Red; Fryday [26 of 30]

Julian: 11 July 2024

Moon: 87%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 9 Dante (8th Month) [Michaelangelo]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 35 of 94)

Week: 4th Week of July

Zodiac: Leo (Day 3 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Thorn (Defense) [Half-Month 14 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 8.7)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 7.24

Holidays

Amelia Earhart Day

Asarnha Bucha Day (Thailand)

Body Painting Day

Boycott SeaWorld Day

Carnival of Awussu (Tunisia)

Children’s Day (Vanuatu)

Cousins Day

Drive-Thru Day

Feast of the Trickster of Liberty

Fellowship of the Ring Day

Guayaquil Day (Ecuador)

Horsetail Day (French Republic)

International FemDom Day

International Save the Vaquita Day

International Security Officers Day

International Self-Care Day

Life Peerage Day (UK)

Midsummer Day (Denmark)

National Day of Motoring

National Drive-Thru Day

National Kebab Day

National Madison Day

National Private Investigator Day

National Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Day (UK)

National Thermal Engineer Day

National Water Gun Fight Day

National YOLO Day (Indonesia)

Navy Day (Venezuela)

Pioneer Day (Utah)

Police Day (Poland)

Pop A Wheelie Day

Public Opinion Day

Puzzle Day

Resident Evil Day

Samaritans’ National Awareness Day (UK)

724 Day (Pennsylvania)

Simón Bolívar Day (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador)

Tell an Old Joke Day

Tenjin Matsuri (Japan)

Treaty of Lausanne Anniversary Day

Virtual Love Day

World BDSM Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Instant Coffee Day

National Drink Watermelon Day

National Frozen Margarita Day

National Tequila Day

Pie 'n' Beer Day

Independence & Related Days

Restoration of Democracy Day (Greece)

Tennessee (Readmitted to Union; 1866)

4th Wednesday in July

Bubble Tea Day [3rd Wednesday]

Cat Yoga Day [3rd Wednesday]

Festivals Beginning July 24, 2024

Cinehill Motovun Film Festival (Gorski Kotar, Croatia) [thru 7.28]

Days of '47 Parade (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Gage County Fair (Beatrice, Nebraska) [thru 7.28]

Hood River County Fair (Odell, Oregon) [thru 7.27]

Kotka Maritime Festival (Kotka, Finland) [thru 7.27]

NYC Restaurant Week (New York, New York) [thru 8.20]

Ohio State Fair (Columbus, Ohio) [thru 8.4]

Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka, Japan) [thru 7.25]

Tolminator (Tolmin, Slovenia) [thru 7.28]

Feast Days

Alexandre Dumas (Writerism)

Alex Katz (Artology)

Alphonse Mucha (Artology)

Asalha Puja Day (Buddhism)

Banana Yoshimoto (Writerism)

Boris and Gleb (Christian; Martyrs)

Charbel (Maronite Church/Catholic Church)

Christina the Astonishing (Christian; Saint)

Christina of Bolsena (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Pioneer Day

Cunegundes of Poland (a.k.a. Kings; Christian; Saint)

Day of Bast (Pagan)

Day of Mourning (Orthodox)

Declán of Ardmore (Christian; Saint)

Eugene J. Martin (Artology)

Expensive Hugs Day (Pastafarian)

Feast Day of Vatiaz (Mongolia; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Francis Solano (Christian; Saint)

Jakaba Diena (Ancient Latvian Hay Harvest Festival)

Jilwalla Jinks’ Jamboree (Shamanism)

John Boste (Christian; Saint)

Kinga (a.k.a. Cunegunda) of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Lewine of Britain (Christian; Saint)

Lord Dunsany (Writerism)

Lupus, Bishop of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Martyrs of Daimiel (Christian; Saint)

Mel Ramos (Artology)

Menefrida of Cornwall (Christian; Saint)

Michaelangelo (Positivist; Saint)

Mourning Day (Greek Orthodox)

The Old Mothering (Celtic Book of Days)

Pat Oliphant (Artology)

Piganini (Muppetism)

Romanus and David of Muscovy (Christian; Martyrs)

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (St. John the Baptist Day; Quebec)

Sigolena of Albi (Christian; Saint)

Sylvester Graham Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Tequila Day (Pastafarian)

Vladimir Borovikovsky (Artology)

Wulfhad and Ruffin (Christian; Martyrs)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Baby Wants a Battle (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1953)

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (Film; 1947)

Begin the Beguine, recorded by Artie Shaw (Song; 1938)

Bewitched Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

The Black Cauldron (Disney Animated Film; 1985)

Blow Out (Film; 1981)

Corn on the Cop (WB MM Cartoon; 1965)

Cupid Gets His Man (Rainbow Parade Cartoon; 1936)

Donald’s Gold Mine (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Existentialism is a Humanism, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Philosophy Book; 1946)

Eye of the Needle (Film; 1981)

Folklore, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2020)

Franken-Stymied (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1961)

Friedenstag (Day of Peace), by Richard Strauss (Opera; 1938)

G-Force (Film; 2009)

High Noon (Film; 1952)

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, recorded by Marvin Gaye (Song; 1964)

Jungle Jitters (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1934)

La Bamba (Film; 1987)

La Feet’s Defeat (The Inspector Cartoon; 1968)

Le Ball and Chain Gang (The Inspector Cartoon; 1968)

Let’s Get Movin’ (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

The Masks of God, Vol. 1: Primitive Mythology, by Joseph Campbell (Science Book; 1959)

A Maze of Death, by Philip K. Dick (Novel; 1970)

Olivia, by Dorothy Strachey (Novel; 1949)

Paper Towns (Film; 2015)

Pixels (Film; 2015)

Porky’s Bedtime Story (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

Puddy Pup and the Gypsies (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Saving Private Ryan (Film; 1998)

Sherlock (BBC TV Series; 2010)

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Film; 1978)

Spring is Here, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Summer School (Film; 1987)

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Film; 1987)

A Time to Kill (Film; 1996)

Tire Trouble (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Christophorus (Austria)

Boris, Kristina, Ljudevit, Mirjana, Sarbelije (Croatia)

Kristýna (Czech Republic)

Christina (Denmark)

Kersti, Kerstin, Kirsti, Krista, Kristel, Kristi, Kristiina, Kristin, Kristina, Rista, Riste (Estonia)

Kiia, Kirsi, Kirsti, Krista, Kristiina, Tiina, Tinja (Finland)

Christine, Ségolène (France)

Christine, Christoph (Germany)

Christina (Greece)

Kincső, Kinga (Hungary)

Cristina (Italy)

Krista, Kristiāna, Kristīne, Krists (Latvia)

Dargvilas, Dargvilė, Kristina, Kristoforas (Lithuania)

Kristi, Kristin, Kristine (Norway)

Antoni, Kinga, Krystyna, Kunegunda, Olga, Wojciecha (Poland)

Elena, Olga (Russia)

Vladimír (Slovakia)

Cristina (Spain)

Kerstin, Kristina (Sweden)

Christine (Ukraine)

Chrissie, Chrissy, Christabel, Christelle, Christene, Christi, Christie, Christine, Christy, Cis, Cissy, Declan, Kirsti, Kirstie, Kirstin, Kirsty, Kristel, Kristie, Kristine (Universal)

Amalia, Amelia, Boris, Chris, Christa, Christen, Christian, Christina, Christine, Christy, Cristina, Cristian, Declan, Kiersten, Kirsten, Krista, Kristian, Kristen, Kristi, Kris (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 206 of 2024; 160 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 30 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 19 (Ji-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 18 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 17 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 26 Red; Fryday [26 of 30]

Julian: 11 July 2024

Moon: 87%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 9 Dante (8th Month) [Michaelangelo]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 35 of 94)

Week: 4th Week of July

Zodiac: Leo (Day 3 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Thorn (Defense) [Half-Month 14 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 8.7)

[writer59january13]

Silence reigns supreme in my reich

No don (except me) doth trumpet within the aborted barren reach of freedoms within expansive realm, I annexed courtesy manifest destiny, which peoples now inhabiting said jurisdiction circumscribed by following coordinates - Latitude: 40° 16' 22.20" N Longitude: -75° 29' 29.39" W and for better or worse

must abide by decrees promulgation declared today May 21st, 2024, whence Poet of Perkiomen Valley issues proclamation, regarding any living person paying blind obedience lest posse comitatus act enforced otherwise Herr Harris will bring to fore active duty personnel

to "execute the laws"; however, there be disagreement over whether this language may apply to troops used in an advisory, support, disaster response, or other homeland defense role, as opposed to domestic law enforcement to challenge aforesaid claims which forthwith ownership of said territory

foremost allows, enables and provides yours truly to enact legislation, and especially restitution of comstock act predicated upon due diligence guaranteeing appropriation of all and every rights affecting master and slave

linkedin within said domain. Welcome to the dictatorship (er rather presidency)

of Putin diehard adherent.

Matter of fact, a favorite author of mine crafted the following words of inspiration,

which evocation will help shed figurative light on caricatures of terror reign as forty fifth president targeted by political cartoonists, but struggled to come up with an image that sticks. In october 2016, Vanity Fair

made a video of four of its cartoonists—

Edward Sorel, Steve Brodner,

Philip Burke, and Robert Risko—

drawing Donald Trump.

They clearly enjoyed themselves,

exploring every aspect of his physique:

 his “girth,” the fact that

“there’s so much of him” (Burke);

the hair that “essentially closely a beret

flipped forward on his head” (Risko);

the eyes that show “greed, disdain” (Burke);

the “marvelously rat like” nose (Brodner);

the mouth a “sphincter muscle” (Risko);

the “sleazy” look (Sorel);

the facial features that resemble

“piss holes in the snow” (Brodner). And now? How have artists and cartoonists

dealt with Trump since he became president?

We’ve seen cartoons of the orange

potus smooching Vladimir Putin

and groping the Statue of Liberty.

We’ve seen him drawn (by Barry Blitt

in The New Yorker) as a fat-assed golfer

driving balls into the White House.

We’ve seen him caricatured (by Pat Oliphant

for The Nib) as a preening SS officer

being heiled by Steve Bannon.

We’ve seen him portrayed

(by Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia

Daily News) linking arms

with a Confederate and a Nazi.

We’ve seen him depicted

(by Mike Luckovich of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

as Jabba the Hutt, holding Lady Liberty in chains. We’ve seen him represented (by Matt Wuerker in Politico) as a kook in a straitjacket. We’ve seen him rendered (by Ann Telnaes of The Washington Post) as a red-faced fathead sitting on the toilet while he plots to pull out of the Paris climate accord.

Putin (also fell prey

to his fair share of cartoonists) not only as Vlad the Impaler reincarnate (a notion in mind of at least one writer), but also various and sundry other manifestations.

The self styled ruthless thug classified as a voivode (prince) of Wallachia (part of modern Romania).

Surrounded by enemies that included the Hungarians, the Ottomans, his younger brother, and Walachian nobility, Vlad employed extremely cruel gruesome measures to inspire fear in those who opposed him.

He earned his nickname by impaling his enemies on stakes.

No argument Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin equals and invariably will outrank Vlad the Impaler the second son of Vlad Dracul who became ruler of Wallachia in 1436.

Impossible mission to comprehend propensity exhibiting characteristics linkedin as impish, hellish, ghoulish... fiend whereby pathological pretensions besotted (punch drunk with delight) to incinerate, eradicate, annihilate, essentially to deplorably, heinously, loathingly... interblend all manner of atrocious, deleterious, insidious, opprobrious, vicious... lend ding his own vainglorious trademark to offend

Homo sapiens who strive toward repairing ruptures versus to rend usurpation of life, liberty and continuity of civilization to upend.

Worst nightmare scenario unfolding before our collective eyes Ukraine suffers blitzkrieg Russian soldiers devastatingly carpet bomb major metropolitan areas civilian population suffers major loss of innocent lives linkedin with accompanied psychological fallout, especially affecting babies, children and youth.

All commands issued by autocratic monster probably housed within secure bunker, meanwhile countless thousands or millions of battle fatigued people hunker among ruins gingerly negotiating their way thru rubble analogous to spelunker.

Though yours truly removed (think physically), where chaos and pandemonium run amuck and terror unruly, overt rampant upheaval plagues long established generations of Slavic peoples, this commonplace American experiences vicarious grief, when tragedy viewed online and/or television heart wrenching images also evoke anger being linkedin to most abominable, horrible, reprehensible, creatures that roamed the terrestrial firm

since time immemorial.

Major war crimes against humanity necessitate urgent punishment, if in fact such a global entity exists to condemn and convict the incontestable tyrant, yet never in the annals of twenty first century geopolitical webbed zeitgeist

did self anointed sovereign

access nuclear weapons

to obliterate fellow Earthlings.

[seanhowe]

Pat Oliphant, July 1967

[scrambler]

One of my favorite things to look for in the work of Pat Oliphant is the way he can suggest ornate detail with just some educated scribbles. Look at this throne. I love his work so much.

[aunti-christ-ine]

It's TIME. To get rid of Daylight Saving Time!

[politicalrpf]

2007 political cartoon featuring Bill and Hillary Clinton, by Pat Oliphant.

[thenib]

Trump and Bannon Drag Legendary Cartoonist Pat Oliphant Out of Retirement

The Pulitzer-Prize Winning editorial cartoonist hasn’t published any work in years, but released two comics last week on the President and his Chief Strategist.

[secotm]

Wait, so Rose IS aware of other cartoonists and has some working knowledge of the medium itself?

Then what’s his fucking excuse?

[mattbors]

​I’m part of a symposium on "The Future of American Political Cartoons" streaming this Saturday, featuring multiple panels on the field with Keith Knight, Jen Sorensen, Signe Wilkinson, and many others. 

[sea-side-scribbles]

Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/62486839#workskin

Chapter 26:

The moment Nick came back to his senses he noticed he was still standing in front of the mirror, in the bathroom, staring at his own startled face. Next thing he noticed was his head, that was pounding, and his pulse too. Overwhelmed by memories he must’ve been frozen for a while. Everything that had been long forgotten suddenly came back to him. Everything he hadn’t been able to recall for years but still had feelings about. Now these feelings grew stronger. 

The third thing he noticed was that it was time to go back to bed before his lover found out that he was gone. Therefore he walked quietly along the corridor and opened the door to his room as quietly as possible. In utter darkness he searched for the bed.

Before he reached it, he heard his lover’s voice whisper his name and froze.

Then Morrie turned on the light and he noticed he looked ridiculous, crouching on the floor like that.

„What are you doing down there? Are you trying to spook me?“, Morrie asked him with a grin. Obviously he found it funny too.

Nick got up and sat down on the mattress without giving an explanation.

„Turn the light off,“ he begged.

Morrie furrowed his brows but he did it.

The second it went dark Nick reached out for Morrie and pulled him into a tight hug. Soon, he felt the other man’s arms wrap around him and his hands patting his back. Quietly, Nick rubbed his cheek on Morrie’s.

„Are you ok?“, his lover asked quietly.

„My Morrie…“, Nick sighed and began to send kisses all over the other man’s face, or rather every spot he could find in the dark. Morrie moaned.

„Norbert, I can’t even see you…“, he chuckled, but he did his best to return the favors.

They needed a few attempts to find each other’s lips. When they got them, Nick kissed Morrie breathless and climbed on his lap.

„Mercy, please…“, his lover started to beg. „I’m still tired…“

„My Morrie, my love,“ Nick whispered. 

In his head he saw them both standing on that soft green hill where they had confessed their love to each other.

Forever. 

He couldn’t remember what had happened to that. 

What had happened to their love.

Nick’s chest hurt. He had tears in his eyes and fought down sobs that tried to shake him.

„I’m so sorry.…You deserved better…so much better…“

He kept kissing and hugging Morrie and the other man searched for Nick’s face with his hands.

When he felt that Nick’s cheeks were wet with tears, he did everything to calm him down, stroking his back and running his fingers through his hair.

„Sssh, Norbert…It’s okay…we’ll make this work….I love you.“

Nick let everything happen while he cried and sobbed into Morrie’s shirt. The other man kissed his hairline and whispered gentle words to him.

What Nick didn’t see was that Morrie’s eyes were wet as well. 

It felt so good to hear the apologies, to hear that everything was getting better, that Norbert needed him and wouldn’t abandon him again.

In time, Nick’s breath calmed down and his eyes dried.

Morrie convinced him to lay down again and Nick rested his head on Morrie’s chest.

„Do you remember our past?“, he suddenly asked.

„How we met? And our first kiss?“

Morrie rustled with the blanket, pondering. Everything he recalled were blurry images, accompanied by a feeling that made his heart tense up. Usually, whenever these images tried to haunt him he popped a Joy.

But now it was different. 

It was getting better, right?, he thought while his fingers curled into the blanket. 

Now the pain should vanish.

„Vaguely,“ he answered and tried to describe the first image he saw. „I see us sitting at the piano… I’m trying to explain something to you…but you don’t get it.“

Nick started to giggle at that. It turned into a fit that was almost as strong as the crying fit from before. And it made Morrie laugh too.

When they calmed down Nick said: „Yep, that’s exactly what happened, Morrie-Moo. Anything else?“

„Did we go to the Garden District together?“, he asked, because every time he set foot into a garden he felt the pain too.

„It was a park near school,“ Nick explained. „The Garden District didn’t exist back then. I played you a song, remember?“

Morrie struggled with his foggy mind, but whatever he tried he couldn’t get through it.

„No, I wish I could…“

Now he was sorry that he had deleted their time together.

Nick however took Morrie’s hand and said: „I think it went like this…“ 

He started to hum a melody. 

His lover’s hand tensed.

When the melody broke through the fog Morrie felt a sudden panic, as if there was something really dangerous behind that cloud. Then he listened to the song and slowly, everything came back together again. He saw Norbert with his old guitar, sitting under a tree and singing a song just for him. It was such a wonderful picture. Then he saw himself running away.

Oh, you damn coward, he thought but smiled.

When the song ended, it was Morrie who cried, because Nick had just recreated one of the most beautiful moments of his youth.

„My god…thank you…thank you so much…“, he sobbed.

Nick kissed his forehead, whispering: „I can tell you more.“

Morrie begged for more.

It was a long night.

The next day Arthur had a new plan. 

He had found a way to get close to Nick without raising suspicion. After all, he didn’t want to wait for him in the tunnel every time. Because of that he was going to the “O“ Courant editorial office to get his old job back. It felt a bit weird to come back just like that, as if the incident in the Parade District had never happened. But he counted on one thing: Wellies were forgetful.

Protected by Sunshine and excited to see Nick’s reaction later, he strutted into the building. The workers there barely noticed him, focusing on their papers and typewriters. Arthur smiled at the sight, remembering that he had liked the job. 

Eagerly typing, drinking coffee and chit-chatting with the colleagues, going out to research things… Not that he had been unhappy in the Department of Archives, as a decent citizen he had never been, but in hindsight he preferred being a reporter over everything else. 

He found his old desk that was now used by someone new and assumed it wouldn’t be easy to get his job back. But he had an ace up his sleeve. 

Entering the office of the editor-in-chief, he thought it was a good sign that Mrs. Oliphant didn’t chase him away at first sight.

„Arthur. Arthur Hastings,“ she shouted in surprise. „So you came back from holiday I see.“ 

„I just had a lovely time, nothing to worry about“, Arthur said nervously. „I was hoping you could use a reporter.“

„I’m afraid I’ve got a dozen of them, all useless, the lot of them. I’ve got six pieces on my desk, all about the new flavor of Joy. Can you believe it, it’s Coconut.“

She crossed her arms and shook her head, looking very exhausted.

Time to play the ace.

„I thought you might want some real news.“

She furrowed her brows.

„And what are real news to you?“

„You’ve heard about the great band reunion, Nick Lightbearer and The Make Believes, right?“

She let out a moan.

„You have no idea! We had the concert on the front page, downer fight and all, but now we’re starving because he doesn’t let anyone near him. He doesn’t even leave the house anymore. God knows how he’s living like that. I’d do anything for a glimpse at the new album. Don’t tell me you found out something?“

She stared at him in anticipation and Arthur was glad he could help her out.

„Well, I can safely say I’m one of Nick’s closest friends.“

„Really?“ Mrs. Oliphant tilted her head. „You’re not making this up, do you? No offense but you don’t really look like his type.“

Arthur was speechless with a gaping mouth for a moment, but he caught himself.

„It’s true. Sadly the Constable who’s guarding his house seals him off from the outside world. I’d have a better chance with a press pass.“

She considered that. Then she waved him off.

„Well, there goes nothing,“ she said. „But Arthur, just in case you have other plans with your pass…we never met, you understand?“

„Of course“.

Arthur happily accepted the pass.

Finally he was somebody again! No downer, no tunnel rat, but a real reporter.

Him and a star together at a table - who would question that?

Arthur strutted outside and was motivated enough to try it out right now. He was excited to meet Nick in his house again anyway, but this time not as an intruder.

He had to take another sunshine pill, before he could approach the Constable that was guarding the rockstar’s front door.

He remembered that the bobby was picky about who he let in, so he couldn’t just pull out his pass and ask for anything. But Arthur had more aces. He pulled out a bottle of Scotch, all bobbies loved a friendly gesture.

„Just to show you I appreciate your work,“ he said and held out the bottle.

„That’s nice of you,“ the bobby said and took a hit.

Arthur considered it was save now to have a little chat. 

„I bet you’re quite busy these days, after the concert and all.“

The Constable gave him a real smile.

„Yes, but it’s wonderful! Just like the old days! I’ve been worried about him, you see, he didn’t come out for weeks, and now everything is peachy again.“

„Good to hear jolly news like these, am I right? Especially in such hurly-burly times…“

„What do you mean by that, sir?“

„Well, we need good new’s, don’t we? The upcoming festival, the new flavor of Joy, the Make Believes, that’s something people should hear more about. Instead of stupid rumors.“

„There’s wisdom in your words,“ the bobby agreed and took another sip from the bottle.

„You think Mr. Lightbearer would agree too?“, Arthur tried.

„Sure. Why do you ask?“

„I’m wondering if Mr. Lightbearer would give me an interview about the new album. It would match the other good news so nicely. And isn’t it everyone’s duty to make people happy?“

„It is. I must still warn you, Mr. Lightbearer has been quite anti-social in the past days“, the bobby said and opened the door for Arthur.

„Good luck, sir.“

„Thank you very much, Constable.“

A very happy Arthur entered the house and called for Nick.

He could hear the sound of music coming from the upper floors. That must be the band. So he came too soon?

While he was standing around and couldn’t decide what to do another man entered the room, decoyed by his calls.

„I’m afraid Mr. Lightbearer is busy right now. I’m Virgil Dainty, his manager. Who are you?“

Arthur looked at the other man who was a slight bit taller than him and most of all unexpected.

He had to tell himself that he was still a good citizen, not at all a downer.

„I’m Arthur Hastings, reporter from the Hamlyn “O“ Courant,“ he answered and it felt good to say.

„All I’m asking for is one interview, to get in touch with the fans again. To make them feel close to their idol gain. They’ve been starving for months now.“

The other man’s expression softened.

„I’ll talk to him. Come back in the afternoon. He’ll see you then.“

„Thank you, Mr. Dainty,“ Arthur said and started to walk backwards out of the room. He was afraid his wide grin would raise suspicion. „See you!“, he added before he quickly left the house.

Outside he climbed into the first hatch he found and then broke out in cheers.

He finally did it! He could meet Nick as a person!

Virgil talked to Nick when the band made a pause.

„A reporter asked for an interview today and actually, it wouldn’t hurt to be in the news again. Do you think you’re capable?“

„Today?“ Nick was surprised.

„He’ll be back in the afternoon, in case he doesn’t forget.“

Nick liked interviews, but most of the time he wasn’t able to give any.

„I can do that, Virgil,“ he told his worried manager.

The other man eyed him.

„Perhaps it’s better if I come along.“

Nick smirked.

„Don’t you trust him or don’t you trust me?“

„Both,“ Virgil admitted.

„Virgie, I’m clean! If I don’t like that guy I’ll ditch him, it’s easy,“ Nick waved him off and stretched himself out on the chair he was slouching on.

Virgil laid a hand on his star’s shoulder and immediately he had his full attention again.

„Don’t tell any sad stories from your past, okay? That’s nobody’s business. Only the happy times.“

„I know, Virgie! It’s not my first interview after all,“ Nick assured him and looked him in the eyes.

Virgil sighed. 

„Alright, there goes nothing.“

When that mysterious reporter finally rang the bell Nick opened the door himself.

Arthur could see how his lover’s face froze. He however grinned and held out his press pass.

„Mr. Lightbearer, are you ready for an interview?“

Nick stared at the pass, then at Arthur. 

„Arthur, you’re a reporter?“

„Yep, “O“ Courant, freshly hired,“ the other man answered proudly.

„But aren’t you…“, Nick lowered his voice, „aren’t you a downer?“

„I still have friends at the office“, Arthur said and chuckled. „Now what? Will you let me in, or will you stare at me all day?“

„Uh..I…“, Nick stuttered and glanced inside. „You know, it still looks like a pigsty in there and…my band is still there too. Why don’t we go somewhere else, like, the Garden or something?“

He made a step outside and closed the door.

Arthur gave him a pleading look.

„I hoped you would show me a place you like. The Garden is my favorite place. But what’s yours?“

Nick thought about it.

„Have you ever been in the Avalon Hotel?“, he proposed.

„The most expensive hotel in town? Hell, no, I could never afford that.“

Arthur beamed at him.

„Do you still have your suite there?“

Nick returned the smile.

„You bet I have! Come, Artie, let’s stir up some snobs!“, he said and gently slapped Arthur’s back.

Arthur was inches from hugging Nick, but he had to wait.

Thanks to Nick’s new success it was even more important to hide in the underground. Nick also preferred not to be seen with Arthur in public or even be photographed with him.

They sneaked through Nick’s yard and opened the same hatch they had used when they first met. Arthur noticed that Nick wasn’t afraid of climbing anymore and felt proud of his lover. Perhaps he could learn more, and they would be able to move around in town without hindrance.

Down in the tunnel, Nick waited for Arthur at the ladder and just when his feet touched the ground he pulled the other man into a kiss. Arthur was happy that Nick obviously couldn’t keep his hands off him, as soon as they were alone. He felt the same. He returned the kiss, then he took Nick’s hand as they strolled along.

„What would we do without the underground?“, Nick remarked and chuckled.

„We would have to put on silly costumes,“ Arthur supposed. „Fake hair and fake beards and such.“

Nick felt a tickle in his stomach at that, but he didn’t let it show. Instead he said: „I can’t imagine you in a costume.“

Arthur gave a nervous laughter.

„If you knew what I had to do to survive.“

„A minidress?“, Nick guessed.

„No, but a rubber suit.“ 

„Meow,“ Nick said and formed claws with his fingers. „Very sexy. Perhaps we should turn back. The Reform Club is on the other side of the town.“

„You know the way, don’t you?“, Arthur purred in his ear and made Nick’s hair stand on end.

„I know a lot of ways,“ he purred back.

Arthur shook his hand as if he burned himself.

„Now I’m curious what you’ll do with me.“

Nick laid a hand on Arthur’s chest.

„And I’m curious if you’ll like it.“

He brushed the other man’s chin with his lips and soon they were entangled into another deep kiss. Their hands were roaming each other’s bodies. Nick digged under Arthur’s jacked, testing how far he could go. He wouldn’t mind doing it right now, on the spot. But then Arthur grabbed his hand.

They moved apart and Nick opened his eyes. Arthur’s brown eyes examined him.

„Not here,“ he whispered, making Nick’s legs turn to jelly. He retreated a little.

Then he felt how Arthur cupped his chin.

„You’re a bad boy, Nickie,“ he purred, before he lifted up his chin and kissed the tip of his nose.

After that he put out his hand.

„Let’s go.“

Still entranced, Nick accepted Arthur’s hand. His pulse was running much faster now, while he led a very happy Arthur through the tunnel.