The 2011 year is best summed up with these three words, Democracy, Disasters and Devices. Technology in my opinion was the big story from Nuclear power gone awry, Steve Jobs passing and leaving a huge technological legacy, Mid East and Occupy protests using social networks to organize and mobilize and of course the crazy GOP campaign with a few sex scandals thrown in for good measure.

NY Times Link…

2010 had many ups and downs and graphically there was a lot to draw. There is always a balance or judicious decisions to be made when covering the events and news. Natural disasters are tough as there is not a lot of comic room to debate or draw like Haiti, while the pot smoking legislation in California is almost too comical in its own right. The Gulf oil spill would have to be the biggest news event in terms of environmental, political, and geographical impact and allowed cartoonists to tackle a myriad of topics. The fall elections and the last few weeks of the year also triggered a flurry of topics and material as the Tea Party, the Palins, John Boehner/Nancy Pelosi, Wikileaks, airport security and Obama’s last push of legislation made it a very busy last month which made up for the dog days of July thru Sept.

The new year of course brings ripe material of Congressional battles that only a cartoonist would probably embrace but having nothing but Democrats to poke fun at can create a very boring political season so I anticipate more dynamic issues and “characters” to tackle. But I hope there are less natural disasters and more pot legislation on the horizon!

This is the one that started it all. No matter what your religious beliefs or non beliefs, the solstice is remarkable event and what makes this one even more remarkable is the lunar eclipse which the Earth’s shadow’s will cast an orange glow on the full moon. The solstice did not only signify the shortest day of the year but also was a time that wine and beer fermented and was ready to drink from the fall’s harvest. Some debate when Christ was actually born since the Gregorian and Julian calendar’s have discrepancies…weblink

Regardless, I embrace a pure moment in nature where an individual can apply their own meaning, whether spiritual, mystical, natural or astronomical to this wonderful event as opposed to this rampant commercialism and greed has clouded our senses and perceptions.

As for our neighbors south of the equator, enjoy your longest day of the year and rejoice in the wonders of this planet and beyond.

I know this may not be the most direct political cartoon, but definitely news worthy especially after all this exhausting election year. What made Sparky so remarkable aside from just managing a boy’s game, was he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing difficult players or prima donnas during his tenure. He led the Big Red Machine of the Reds to a remarkable back to back World Series Championships with huge egos like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey Sr. to name a few. He came to Detroit and took a rag tag team and developed them into a world class baseball club…and I had the fortune to experience this during my childhood.

I just hope that we can have a few politicians that could exhibit the remarkable leadership, charm and energy that this great soul possessed. It seems today we have become bitter, entangled and stuck in our trenches refusing to look past our egos and convictions to embrace team work and a positive attitude to get things done.

Espn link

With another decisive and bitter election coming up, it looks like further gridlock as Americans split further apart politically, socially and economically.  Names and labels are replacing concepts and ideas that once brought people to the table.  Not to be too romantic or idealistic but what ever happen to the concept of What you can do for your country?  Have we become a self centered, hedonistic, spoiled brat of a nation?  Or am I just a foolish cartoonist who thinks this country can still come together with action instead of words?  This is a rhetorical question by the way ;)