Happy? Good Grief!

(Cartoon: Happy? Good Grief!, Cartoonist: Troy Johnson)


Often the best cartoons are those that convey one message very quickly.  At least that sounds good.  What I often find is people of different walks get a different message from the same cartoon.  Especially those analyzer types.  I have to admit it does cause me some anxiety when crafting the cartoons as to what exactly the message will be in the eyes of each observer.

Despite the angst, there is value in seeing things from multiple viewpoints.  I suppose it could be argued that "Happy Holidays" is a more inclusive year end greeting than "Merry Christmas".  Somehow though, dressed differently, it seems like Christmas is smothered in the dress of "Happy Holidays".  Many have turned Christmas into one more stop on the Happy Holiday highway.

It's not for me.  It's not that I don't respect the other holidays.  I'm not out to demean them.  I wonder if those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, or Ramadan, feel cheated by the generic "Happy Holidays" offering?  It's gone on long enough or perhaps we've settled on some supposed political equivalence that we endure it quietly.

For me the message of this cartoon is that someone else is trying to redecorate my "Merry Christmas".  I'm a  Christian and I want to celebrate it.  Please let others have their opportunity.  The irony of "Happy Holidays" trying to be inclusive leaves me feeling excluded at times.

And "Good Grief" it should be simpler than this!

How about you?

Reaching Out to Our Neighbors

(PARK ANIMAL NETWORKING,  Artist: Troy Johnson)

It's December 1st.  The holiday season is in full swing.  MANY are unemployed or underemployed.  It could be better financially for most everyone, working or not.  Outside of finances, many people are hanging on by a thread health wise.  Many are lonely and need some reassurance.  We have a powerful resource in the help we get from others.  We have a great power in ourselves to reach out and make a difference.

That is the power of America: The People.  People who reach out and lend a helping hand.  People who take time to care and wish others well.  I appreciate the many people who have offered to help or have helped me otherwise during my time of unemployment and underemployment.  It is comforting to know that people do care.  You do make a difference.

So what about that someone you know that needs some help?  They may be too big to admit it, but they do.  Together we can make a difference as we unite as neighbors,  as Americans.  Dang, even the park animals make a difference- well not in the way my cartoon conveys it. 

Make it a good day for someone else too!

Troy Johnson

But do you understand Mr President?

(American Patience, Artist: Troy Johnson)




With the recent mid-term elections, many Americans believe there was an overwhelming show of caustic rejection of the status quo and course of events established over the last two years,  ultimately leading to a more conservative mix in Congress.  Will the two years ahead show a tempering of the President's bullish persistence to drive his widely unpopular agenda through?  Does the President intend to moderate his position to incorporate a more popular approach in jump starting a sluggish economy?  Will government interventions continue to be the talk of the day, or can private enterprise break the shackles of over-regulation and small business success find a pulse once again?

The clock is ticking.  American patience is wearing thin with the commander in chief.  But Americans are also watching to see if a more conservative approach will bear dividends as well.  Will our patience be justified or completely spent in 2012?  Standby....

Troy Johnson

The Prosperity of the Grackle

(The Prosperity of the Grackle, Artist: Troy Johnson)




Something, if not somebody, is prospering in this economy.  Did you know that a group of grackles is popularly referred to as a plague?   Are we sure they didn't appear during ancient Biblical times?  They have surely appeared in the thousands in my home town.  They covered half of the Wal-Mart parking lot that I visited this morning.  It was about 6 a.m. and there weren't many cars, so I was tempted to drive responsibly into the crowd of them and watch them scatter.

Of course that brings up at least a couple potential problems.  One, are there grackle enthusiasts who would get video of my little escapade and use it in some animal rights campaign?  Two, how much wiper fluid did I have exactly in the tank?  So I opted out- this time.  Still I'm tempted.

Not until I moved to Texas in 2000 did I begin to learn that a grackle is essentially a blackbird, having some distinct differences.  The grackle is taller and has a longer tail, as well and more glossy iridescence.  They eat a lot of corn and garbage, among other things.  They can't shut their yaps and they torpedo the concrete with their little white bootie bombs.

They've taken over my city.  They are one prosperous plague.  Just don't tell me there is a government program to subsidize their diet.  This is one area where the retail sector can handle that charity :)

May your day be plague-free!

Troy

A positive perspective on the November unemployment picture

("It Didn't Crush My Head"; Artist: Troy Johnson)


THE NOVEMBER JOB PICTURE
Seemingly crushed America is hanging on.  It ain't pretty as some Americans would say, but play enough with the numbers and we'll have something in the job picture to help us feel a bit more positive.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims under state assistance fell 24,000 between October 30th, and November 6th, 2010 to 435,000.  For the same period last year there were 507,000 claims.  That's the positive. I guess. (http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm)


What's not so rosy is a number in the same report that states  "The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending Oct. 23 was 8,624,679."  That's a whopping number of Americans hanging onto the public doll right now.  


I'm one of them.  I live in North Texas, and it seems that our regional economy is better by many reports than other parts of the nation.  If that's true, I would hate to be elsewhere.  So I guess that's another positive on which to hang.  It could be worse somewhere else, right?  


I've been unemployed except for some small side work since early January of this year.  But it really is a matter of perspective, right?  We can dwell on all that isn't working and all who are not working, particularly the army of over 8 million who claimed benefits in October, or we can see that the numbers are down from last year.  


What's your perspective?


Troy Johnson

Green Jobs Cartoon

CARTOON: ("GREEN JOBS 2010", Artist, Troy Johnson)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Troys-Toons-Caricatures/137982246252510

GREEN JOBS
DOE Secretary Steve Chu recently said, these words: "Thanks to the Recovery Act, we are creating the clean energy jobs of the future while positioning the U.S. as a world leader in the production of renewable energy. This project is part of the Administration’s commitment to doubling our renewable energy generation by 2012 while putting Americans to work in communities across the country."   According to White House Press Secretary Bill Burton, “The Administration is committed to the 1705 loan program and the role it plays in helping us bring about a clean energy economy and creating jobs in this burgeoning industry.” ((http://www.conservativeblog.org/amyridenour/2010/11/10/obamas-top-advisors-critical-of-obamas-green-jobs-stimulus-p.html))


Are we the leader of the world in the "production of renewable energy"?  Are Americans being "put to work" in our communities by green jobs?   Is this Washington-speak for more big promises and not so sizeable deliveries?  That is the foundation of this cartoon.