Rob Tornoe

Atlantic City in the Red

2010-02-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Tornoe's Toons: Corzine and Last-Minute Appointments

2010-01-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

Tornoe's Toons: Christie Takes Aim at Teachers' Unions

2010-01-17T18:20:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year New Jersey!

2009-12-31T10:25:00.003-05:00

Let's all hope that 2010 being change to New Jersey that's desperately needed. For starters, we can get lobbyists out of the state pension system.

Tornoe toon: Chris Christie - Change We Can Believe In

2009-12-12T08:50:00.001-05:00

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Tornoe toon: Sick Time Payouts Sickening

2009-12-08T11:10:00.003-05:00

My latest cartoon on the ridiculous 6-figure sick-time payouts NJ gives to some outgoing employees...

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Tornoe toon: Daggett Gets a Little Help From His Friend

2009-11-03T08:03:00.001-05:00

Tornoe toon: Christie's Loan

2009-08-24T08:25:00.005-05:00

Republican gubernatorial challenger Chris Christie has gotten into some hot water over a $46,000 loan he gave to Michele Brown, the first assistant U.S. attorney.

According to Jon Corzine, this loan presents "an appearance of a conflict" of interest.

However, there's no word from Corzine about giving a $470,000 loan, and then paying off that loan, to the then head of the state's largest labor union, and what "appearance" of a conflict" that might present.

And let's not forget that Katz’ $1.1 million condo purchase came at the same time negotiators for her union and the Corzine administration were entering intense negotiations over a new contract for state workers. Katz was president of the largest of five Communications Workers of America locals that are about to vote on the four-year deal.

I wonder if Christie has emails from Michele Brown that he's keeping a secret as well...

Tornoe toon: Cash for Clunkers in Atlantic City

2009-08-22T11:05:00.002-05:00

So Atlantic City passed their $200 million budget, but things look rough for the gambling mecca moving forward.

Here are some numbers from Michael Clark's Press of Atlantic City piece:

• The city has to defer more than $6 million in payments to the state's pension system, leaving a large hole that needs to be filled next year.

• The budget includes an $11 million increase in taxes

• The city had to raid their piggy bank to pay for the budget, depleting their surplus by $9 million, all the way down to $850,000.

But hey, at least the air show was cool.

Karl Rove and Chris Christie

2009-08-17T07:06:00.001-05:00

Obama Comes To Save the Day...

2009-07-18T09:13:00.003-05:00

An interesting take on Obama's trip to New Jersey to help rally the troops behind wounded governor Jon Corzine, via In the Lobby:

“This New Jersey thing, by the way. This is one of those boxes he has to check as leader of the Democratic Party. You don’t do a rally with 17,000 people in July unless you don’t want to be doing that rally with 17,000 people in October because you’re worried that guy is not going to win. They’re getting it out of the way," said Chuck Todd, political director of MSNBC, analyzing President Obama's trip to New Jersey.(7/17/09)

My Toon: Chris Christie Gets His... Girl

2009-07-13T06:36:00.002-05:00

Who Will New Jerseyans Choose in November?

2009-06-15T07:54:00.002-05:00

Seems like an obvious choice to me.

NJ School Districts Face Hike in Health Care Costs. Which Means...

2009-06-02T07:25:00.005-05:00

The Star-Ledger has reported that health insurance premiums for more than 250 school districts in New Jersey could increase by as much as 20 percent next year.

So this means that the teachers will just pay a bit more for their health care coverage, right?

Wrong!

According to New Jersey Education Association spokesman Steve Baker, the premium increase probably won't require teachers to pay more because most employee contracts prevent that.

Which Republican is Corzine Pulling For?

2009-05-26T08:22:00.004-05:00

While the Steve Lonegan/Chris Christie youTube battle rages on, a new Lonegan backer is coming out to support his pick for the GOP nomination for Governor - Jon Corzine.

A Washington-based political organization with ties to democrats is running ads attacking Christie, the Republican they consider more formidable, in an attempt to knock him out in the June primary.

The ad, released by the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Fund, highlights the Wall Street entanglements of Christie’s younger brother and suggests the former U.S. Attorney improperly used his connections to bail him out of trouble.

“This week is a stark reminder of how Jon Corzine operates,” Chris Christie Campaign Consultant Mike DuHaime told PolitickerNJ.com. “Taxes are up, unemployment is up… The only thing going down are his polls numbers. Clearly this is an effort to influence the Republican Primary. Jon Corzine may have bought the Democrat Party, but he will not buy the Republican Party.”

Here's the ad:

Atlantic City Casinos: It's Only a Flesh Wound

2009-05-16T10:14:00.005-05:00

As if the times weren't already tough enough for the casinos in Atlantic City, Delaware Governor Jack Markell has signed his controversial sports betting bill into law, paving the way to sports betting and table games to make their way to Delaware's 3 racinos (one of which I pissed off with this cartoon).

Atlantic City’s casinos have been taking a beating, with gaming revenue down 15.7 percent for the first four months of 2009 and headed for a third straight year of declines.

It's estimated that table games in both Pennsylvania and Delaware would cut into Atlantic City’s $4.55 billion annual gaming revenue by about 5 percent, although he has also calculated a worst-case scenario of about 10 percent.

If Atlantic City wants to survive, it needs to get on the path following Las Vegas to a family destination. Atlantic City still offers something that no casino in the surrounding area can ever compete with - the beach.

Unless the Delaware racinos, protected by a state-run monopoly, get smart and build a casino at Rehoboth Beach.

The Stacked Deck for Delaware Racinos

2009-05-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

Delaware state senators Thurman Adams and Gary Simpson are unpaid directors and members of the Delaware State Fair executive board and hold non-dividend fair stock from Harrington Raceway & Casino, who alongside Dover Downs and Delaware Park have lobbied strongly against Markell's sports betting bill, saying that increasing the state's share of the gambling monopoly will cause them considerable financial stress.

As the News Journal recently pointed out, Harrington recently went through a $35 million expansion and renovation, hardly indicative of a business in stress.

Harrington has also entered into a long-term contract with its operator that guarantees an accelerating increase in annual payment while the racino moves to become its own operator. According to a News Journal editorial, the management firm will be getting paid to watch itself lose the Harrington contract.

Harrington's stockholder list reads like a who's who of Delaware politics. No wonder they always get what they want.

As an added bonus, here is Delaware Governor Jack Markell appearing on ESPN's E:60 show discussing the issue of sports betting. One thing I found interesting was the NCAA admitting that allowing Montana, which does have a sports lottery, to host NCAA post-season games and events was an “oversight” - and one they will correct. They of course are fighting to prevent any NCAA post-season games from occurring in Delaware due to the legalization of sports betting.

For Jon Corzine, it's 'Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past'

2009-05-04T06:54:00.007-05:00

Man, would I have loved to be in Jon Corzine's office when he heard the news that his former girlfriend and labor leader leader Carla Katz is going to be doing spots on 101.5, New Jersey's most popular radio station. She starts Monday with an hour-long spot on the 'Jersey Guys' – Casey Bartholomew and Ray Rossi – one of the periodic appearances she’ll apparently be making on the station.

I wonder if she'll spill the beans on how much money Corzine actually gave her when he became governor. The New York Times estimated it at $6 million, including a $1.1 million condo, $500,000 in renovations to her home, her Lexus SUV and her kids’ tuition at a private school, just to name a few.

Most importantly, will she speak-up about the infamous email exchange she had with Corzine back when he agreed to give back the concession that CWA workers agreed to during their negotiations, which would have required retired state employees to contribute 1.5% of their pension toward their health insurance premium and would have saved taxpayers $2 million?

As Long as Voters Know who Jon Corzine is...

2009-04-27T06:47:00.005-05:00

Governor Corzine's approval ratings continue to be upside-down as he struggles to close New Jersey's budget gap, but his Republican opponents for governor, Chris Christie and Steve Lonegan, have their own problems.

According to a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 56% of respondents haven't heard enough about Christie to rate him favorable or not. That number jumps to 72% for Steve Lonegan.

But as long as more than 50% of New Jerseyans don't approve of the job Corzine is doing, they should just continue to remain "the other guy."

Go to Rutgers to Watch Football, Not to Learn

2009-04-22T08:01:00.005-05:00

Due to state aid reductions in Gov. Jon Corzine's proposed budget, Rutgers University officials announced they will lay off workers, cut courses and raise tuition to fill a $60 million hole in the university budget.

Two things strike me as weird.

1: The proposed cut is 5 percent of state funding, or $15.5 million. So why cut $60 million?

2: Why cut professors when your plunking millions into both a stadium expansion, and into Greg Schiano 's exorbitant contract, when the football program continues to lose money? (BTW- Schiano is the state's highest paid public employee)

Does Rutgers still want to be an institute for higher learning? It doesn't seem like it. All they're concerned with is profit, and they don't even seem good at that.

Cartoon: Bruce Springsteen Named as "The Other Man"

2009-04-11T10:50:00.005-05:00

He may be The Boss, but according to a Red Bank man's divorce papers, Bruce Springsteen is also a home wrecker.

Businessman Arthur J. Kelly named the Jersey rock 'n' roller as the reason for the breakup of his 17-year marriage to Ann C. Kelly, according to the Star-Ledger.

"Patti and I have been together for 18 years -- the best 18 years of my life," Springsteen posted on his website, brucespringsteen.net. "We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married."

Here a link to the divorce paper.

I just wonder if Obama feels betrayed.

New Jersey Cartoon: Illegal Immigrants at Rutgers?

2009-04-06T06:37:00.005-05:00

I know most of you will disagree with me about the recommendations from Corzine's Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Policy report which recommends, among other things, allowing in-state tuition rates for foreign-born New Jersey students.

That's okay. Just think of me as Ned Flanders.

I just think it's a much more complicated issue than simply "send them home."

The Star-Ledger had an excellent editorial on the subject, which drew out the anger of many readers. Among what they said:

"We may call them law-breakers. We may demand they go home and reenter the country "the right way." We rage on internet sites about how much money they're costing us "real Americans." We demand that our politicians -- the same ones without the guts to design an effective immigration policy -- "enforce the laws on the books." Maybe that makes us feel better, but it doesn't solve the problem. Outrage isn't a policy."

Is Corzine Hiding on Financial Television?

2009-03-30T06:21:00.004-05:00

Jon Corzine is in love with appearing on Financial TV. It seems like every weekend he ends up on one of the talk shows as a former "financial wizard" telling us how to save the economy.

How has that worked in New Jersey?

Maybe appearing on all these shows keeps him in New York and Washington, and out of New Jersey, where former Attorney Chris Christie leads Gov. Jon Corzine, 44% to 38% in the New Jersey Governor’s race.

Anyone need make-up?

New Jersey Cartoon: Corzine E-mails With Ex Remain Private

2009-03-21T11:48:00.006-05:00

The New Jersey Supreme Court declined to order Gov. Corzine to release e-mail exchanges with his former girlfriend Carla Katz, who lead the largest public employees’ union in New Jersey while the state was negotiating contracts in 2006 and 2007.

The governor and his legal team cited executive privilege in not making the e-mails public. However, now that the supreme court has ruled in his favor, I think Corzine should make the emails public. This would simultaneously allow him to gain back credibility he lost in potentially hiding information from the public, as well as smack back against Republicans who have gained traction with the issue.

That is, if he doesn't have anything to hide.

Earmarks are Bad (Except When They're Local)

2009-03-14T09:34:00.001-05:00

New Jersey Cartoon: Corzine's Budget Address

2009-03-12T08:06:00.004-05:00

And here's the sketch:

Delaware Cartoon: Gov. Markell Could Use the Help of Dr. Manhattan

2009-03-11T10:42:00.004-05:00

Completely forgot to post this cartoon I did earlier in the week for Delaware newspapers.

Delaware's projected budget deficit for fiscal year 2010 is $600 million. Now, this might not sound like a lot compared to the billions in deficits states like New Jersey have to overcome, but remember that Delaware's entire budget is only $3.4 billion dollars. So $600 million (a number likely to go up in the coming weeks) is a large hurdle to overcome.

Maybe Markell should invest in Powerball tickets. Someone won in Dover a couple of weeks ago. Lighting might strike twice.

Who Watches the New Jersey Labor Unions?

2009-03-07T10:15:00.003-05:00

It's always great when I can squeeze a movie reference into my cartoons.

In New Jersey, the state labor unions are fiercely opposing Gov. Jon Corzine's call for a wage freeze and 12 days of furloughs to save $400 million in the next budget.

This despite the fact that Corzine threatens to lay off up to 7,000 state employees the unions reject his plan.

I just think the unions are being greedy, and seem willing to sacrifice jobs so they don't have to give up concessions in their contract negotiation. I mean, bloods running in the streets of New Jersey private enterprise, yet the labor unions are attempting to make the case that it's too painful for state workers to give up a FUTURE increase, even as Corzine attempts to come up with solutions that don't involve massive layoffs.

"State workers understand that everybody has to do their fair share to solve this historic budget crisis," says Bob Master, spokesman for the biggest state employee union, the Communication Workers of America.

So why not act like it?

Too Bad Delaware's Budget Deficit Can't Take a Snowday

2009-03-03T01:19:00.000-05:00

Sports Betting in New Jersey

2009-03-02T02:55:00.000-05:00

Furloughs in New Jersey

2009-02-23T02:56:00.000-05:00

Jon Corzine, Money Man

2009-02-16T00:16:00.002-05:00

Chris Christie may currently lead Jon Corzine in the polls for the 2009 Gubernatorial race, but does anyone expect Corzine not to dig into his unlimited pockets of cash to narrow the gap?

Charlie Stile of the Bergen Record says that Corzine "has never tangled toe-to-toe with his opponents on a level playing field."

I tend to agree with him.

Is Chris Christie Prepared to be Governor?

2009-02-07T10:13:00.005-05:00

Straight on the heels of the release of polling data suggesting he could beat incumbent Jon Corzine, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie officially kicked off his campaign this week.

The only thing he forgot to pack: specifics.

According to the Star-Ledger:

Christie said he would not raise taxes, but declined to say how he would recoup the lost revenue if he reduces income and business taxes to make New Jersey more competitive. He did not take a position on the state's property tax rebate program, saying he wanted to carefully study it before presenting a comprehensive plan to tackle the entrenched property tax problem.

On other issues, such as town consolidation or state worker concessions, Christie sounded more like Corzine. He said he'd "encourage" New Jersey's 566 towns to consolidate, and that he thought state worker unions had to "step up and contribute" by making concessions. But according to his statements, Christie wouldn't force the issue on either side.

Former Borgata mayor Steve Lonegan, who is running against Christie in a four-man Republican primary that includes Morris County Assemblyman Rick Merkt and Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine, called Christie's refusal to provide specific budget-cutting plans "irresponsible."

"It's clear to me that Mr. Christie is in over his head," Lonegan told The Star-Ledger.

The NJ Schmooze Cruise

2009-01-31T09:36:00.002-05:00

A rite of passage among the New Jersey political elite for over 70 years, the annual Chamber of Commerce train ride attracts more than 1,000 lawmakers, lobbyists and corporate officials each year to wine and dine with the New Jersey congressional delegation in Washington.

During the four-hour ride, and at a dinner that took place Thursday night in Washington, New Jersey's business community was once again able to gain extraordinary access to the state's political structure, from legislators to county executives to Governor Corzine.

In a break from the past and tradition, 3 GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, Christopher Christie, Steve Lonegan and Rick Merkt, all decided to boycott the chartered 14-car Amtrak ride. Sponsored by business leaders usually friendly to Republicans, the candidates criticized the annual "Walk to Washington" as an exclusive "schmooze cruise" of insiders and lobbyists.

"I call it the tax-and-spend express," gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan told the Star-Ledger. "I went once about 10 years ago and I never went again. This is where all the party insiders, the lobbyists come together. I'm not part of that and I'm running to change it."

Chamber President Joan Verplanck criticized the candidates decision to boycott the event, and attempted to defend the elbow-rubbing session to the Star-Ledger.

"Times have changed dramatically," Verplanck said. "It's less fraternity party and more college mixer."

Working On a New Blog

2009-01-29T23:37:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone. Just wanted to update you that blogging has been intermittent due to the fact that I'm building myself a new website and blog. It should be up soon.

In the meantime, you can follow me on Facebook or on Twitter. And don't forget to check out my Comics News Blog at the Cagle Cartoons website.

And in the meantime, if you'd like to use one of my cartoons in your publication, or hire me to do a unique illustration or cartoon, feel free to contact me at robtornoe@gmail.com.

Way To Go Star-Ledger

2009-01-25T09:46:00.007-05:00

Just opened up Sunday's County News section of the Star-Ledger, and here is the breakdown of ads-to-news in the 12 page section:

Page 1: All News
Page 2: Full-page ad
Page 3: Full-page ad
Page 4: Full-page ad
Page 5: Full-page ad
Page 6: Full-page ad
Page 7: Full-page ad
Page 8: Full-page ad
Page 9: Full-page ad
Page 10: Half news, half ads
Page 11: Half news, half ads
Page 12: Full-page ad

Now I feel informed. I think there is more news in the Best Buy circular.

Corzine Wants To Keep It a Secret

2009-01-24T10:30:00.004-05:00

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and former state worker's union president Carla Katz, who dated before he became governor, have been fighting to keep the e-mails they exchanged during budget negotiations private since Tom Wilson, The Republican State Committee Chairman, and several news organizations, including The Associated Press, requested the correspondence.

A three-judge appeals panel reversed a lower court ruling that the e-mails be made public. The appeals court ruled that the release of the e-mails could have "a chilling effect the governor's ability or willingness to solicit advice, or to accept unsolicited advice in the future."

Personally, I think that since appellate court has upheld the principle that Corzine has been fighting for, he should release all the e-mails he exchanged with Katz to prove to the public that none of them influences the state worker contract negotiations last year.

Until he does, this issue will remain a cloud over his head, especially compared to the recent shifts for a more transparent government by Barack Obama.

Cartooning the Inauguration

2009-01-18T17:34:00.001-05:00

For anyone that's going to the inauguration tomorrow to watch Barack Obama be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, keep an eye out for a chubby white guy with a sketchpad roaming around the crowds.

I'll be drawing and taking pictures for various newspapers, attempting to be a modern-day Shel Silverstein while hopefully not freezing to death. I'll be posting all my cartoon on my Cagle cartoons blog on Wednesday, located here.

Long before he became a world-famous children's-book author, Silverstein went to work for fellow Chicago native and cartoonist buddy Hugh Hefner at Playboy magazine.

Silverstein did several brilliant comic travelogues published by Playboy between 1957 and 1968, These pieces took Silverstein all across the world, from Scandinavia to Africa and the Middle East, from Paris and London to Moscow. He even did a two-part epic titled "Silverstein Among the Hippies."

So we'll see what I can do. I'll be in Washington on Monday and Tuesday talking to people and covering the festivities, and I'll return to Delaware on Wednesday to assemble what I was able to produce for various publications.

I'll post what I can when I can. So just check back on Wednesday to see what I came up with, good or bad. You can also follow me on twitter, where I'll be posting brief updates throughout the day. You can follow me here.

And don't worry. I've already been warned about the bathroom situation. In fact, that's where I'll be headed first.

There's lots of comedic potential in millions of people fighting over port-a-potties.

New Cartoon News Blog at Cagle Cartoons

2009-01-13T18:23:00.002-05:00

It's official. You can now check out my Cartoon News Blog over at Cagle's Cartoons website, where I'll be covering all aspects of art and politics, be it illustrations, animation or political cartoons.

Check it out here.

“Working at the Daily News has been like living with an incompetent, terminally ill relative.”

2009-01-12T16:39:00.002-05:00

So says Patrick O'Connor, the former editorial cartoonist for the Los Angeles Daily News. Patrick was laid off after 8 and a half years with the Daily News along with 9 other employees.

In an interview conducted by Alan Gardner at The Daily Cartoonist, Patrick talks about being let go, severance caps, and facing the bleak future of editorial cartooning.

"Ah shoot, I've got a lot of questions."

2009-01-11T23:08:00.005-05:00

"Ah shoot. I've got a lot of questions."

And so Joe the Plumber, War Correspondent for PJTV, arrives in Israel to spout non-licensed plumber wisdom on whoever is willing to listen.

Joe says, like Israel, he was a victim of media bias and can't understand why Israel didn't strike back sooner: "I know if I were a citizen here, I'd be damned upset."

He also took time to lecture his fellow reporters about journalism in wartime, saying, "...media should be abolished to reporting."

Then what are you doing there?

Here's my cartoon for Editor & Publisher about Joe:

H/T - The E&P Pub

Chris Christie for Governzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

2009-01-10T22:03:00.003-05:00

Boy, NO ONE saw this coming!

Here's the sketch:

New cartoon for Editor & Publisher

2009-01-09T11:09:00.003-05:00

Here's my latest cartoon, and the first of a new weekly gig doing media-related cartoons for Editor & Publisher called "Tornoe's Corner."

So bookmark their E&P Pub blog, and check back every Thursday for a new cartoon.

New Japanese 'Watchmen' Trailer

2009-01-07T21:49:00.000-05:00

The Corzine Economic Recovery Plan of 2009

2009-01-07T09:13:00.004-05:00

Here's today's cartoon for PolitickerNJ.com. To comment, click here.

Cardinals Quarterback Draws From Divine Inspiration

2009-01-07T09:11:00.001-05:00

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, fresh from the playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons, sat down for a new documentary called ‘God in the Box’ to draw his version of God.

“So, I was drawing a picture of God, but it came out more like Jesus,” Warner said of his sketch. “So why don’t we stick with that being Jesus.”

If this guy becomes half as good at drawing as he is at throwing the football, artists beware.

RIP Roy Carless: 1920 - 2009

2009-01-06T11:26:00.003-05:00

Bill Richardson resigned, but what about Hillary?

2009-01-05T12:37:00.003-05:00

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from consideration as commerce secretary for President-elect Barack Obama, citing an ongoing investigation into possible pay-to-play corruption in the awarding of a state contract to a company that contributed to Richardson.

So is Hillary going to be next to resign?

After all, she's involved in her own mini-scandal involving a developer in New York donating $100,000 to former President Bill Clinton's foundation in November 2004, around the same time that Hillary helped secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for the businessman's mall project.

So much for No-drama Obama.

PolitickerNJ.com's Year in Review

2009-01-02T12:14:00.003-05:00

PolitickerNJ.com released their always excellent Year in Review of New Jersey politics, and featured several of my cartoons throughout the round-up.

If you're a fan on New Jersey politics, check it out here.

Best of 2008 - National Cartoons

2008-12-31T08:26:00.009-05:00

Everybody is releasing their "Best of 2008" lists, so I figured it was about time to post what I thought were a selection of my best national cartoons from 2008.

I'll post a separate list of my favorite New Jersey cartoons from 2008 soon.

While working for Politicker.com, I had the opportunity to "live-cartoon" election day, filing quick cartoons all day from Dixville Notch to Obama's victory speech.

You can check out the rest of the cartoons here.

I was always a fan of Tim Russert. I would love to say it was for his honesty and straight-forward earnestness, but it was his love of the Buffalo Bills and his desire for them to "squish the fish" that allowed me to first relate to him.

Did this cartoon on a Monday, and on Friday I was laid-off. I'm still waiting for my career as a psychic to take off. Call me Dionne Warwick!

Happy New Year Delaware!

2008-12-30T09:37:00.002-05:00

I have to admit, I'm going to miss drawing Ruth Ann Minner.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T10:47:00.003-05:00

Here's one panel from my New Jersey "Christmas Card" now posted over at PolitickerNJ.com. Go check it out.

The rest of the week, I'll be celebrating Christmas with not one, but two families, so I won't be posting anything else until Monday.

Have a great holiday, and I'll see you when I see you.

Go Check It Out: Richard Crowson's Christmas Cards

2008-12-23T11:32:00.002-05:00

The Little Weekly Newspaper That Could

2008-12-22T12:32:00.003-05:00

The New York Times has a cool story today about the TriCityNews, a weekly newspaper out of Monmouth County, N.J. Apparently, the newspaper and it's staff of 3.5 employees are prospering because they aggressively IGNORE the Web.

Their website is very minimal, mostly a little text about the paper's mission and ad rates, but nothing more (check it out here).

Dan Jacobson, the publisher and owner of the TriCityNews, explained to the New York Times why:

"I don’t understand how putting content on the Web would do anything but help destroy our paper. Why should we give our readers any incentive whatsoever to not look at our content along with our advertisements, a large number of which are beautiful and cheap full-page ads?”

New Jersey Cartoon: The Ghost of Chris Christie's Past

2008-12-22T08:22:00.003-05:00

Chris Christie, the former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, is continuing his "let's wait and see" approach about running against Jon Corzine for Governor in 2009.

Despite having little experience as a criminal prosecutor when George W. Bush appointed him in 2002, Christie has been a political corruption buster, amassing 130 political corruption convictions without a single acquittal.

But, in the last year, he received a blemish on his record when he handed his one-time boss, former U.S. Attorney John Ashcroft, a contract worth between $27 million and $52 million to monitor a medical device company for 18 months. Democrats challenged the no-bid deal, which lead to new Justice Department guidelines on how federal monitors are selected.

Will it come back and bite him? Who knows. We'll see if Steve Lonegan puts together a commercial with money changing hands, as Ashcroft sings in the background, "Let the eagles soar..."

Go Check It Out: The Last 8 Years

2008-12-21T15:07:00.003-05:00

Artwork by David Horsey, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

H/T - Juan Melli

Oh That Evil Rex Babin

2008-12-20T08:22:00.004-05:00

Like many cartoonists after the now-famous shoe throwing incident, Sacramento Bee cartoonist Rex Babin decided to weigh in on the situation, suggesting to President Bush that he shouldn't "let the shoe hit him on the way out."

John in Carolina, who's blog title suggests that he's "a history buff who's skeptical of much that mainstream media tells us," was upset enough at the cartoon to call Rex to "learn why an American cartoonist would pen something he had to know would be popular with our country’s enemies and encourage those who seek to attack our President."

According to John, Babin responded to the criticism by saying the shoe-throwing assault on President Bush was justified because Bush has killed so many Iraqis.

“I don’t actually want Bush to take a bullet,” Babin told the caller. “[But] Bush is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. What should he expect?”

After the cartoon and Banin's comments were posted on the blog McClatchy Watch (suspiciously similar in look and tone to Jim Hopkin's Gannett Blog, right down to the blogger template), one Anonymous poster had an interesting thought:

"Rex made a mistake. he should of put Melanie Sill's (the current Sacramento Bee editor) picture in the cartoon rather than the President's. As a former Bee subscriber, I have watched the Bee self-destruct."

You're probably thinking, "Okay, interesting thought about commenting on the perceived decline of the Sacramento Bee by one if its readers."
Well, Anonymous continued:

"Conservative readers have dropped it in droves. Young liberals don't read, and thus can't pick up the slack. The new web site is not user friendly, and seems designed to keep conservative criticism at a minimum. The Bee is sinking. It's the editorial board first, women and children last."

The comments on the Sacramento Bee's website were even funnier:

Speakup, suggesting that Babin is abusing his first amendment rights by criticizing Bush, who is a Christian:

"And for Rex Babin's 1st amendment rights he can thank our very Christian, very conservative and very self sacrificing Founding Fathers."

He also had a gem about what he thought of "progressive" voters:

"Progressives are fascist Nazis."

Rmdsacto, out of all the commenters, hits the nail on the head:

"These people worship you Rex. That is your audience. Time for a reality check"

Rex Babin's cartoons for the Sacramento Bee can be viewed here.

Go Check It Out: The Stereotypical American By Daryl Cagle

2008-12-19T16:24:00.001-05:00

Interview in Editor & Publisher

2008-12-19T10:12:00.004-05:00

In the newest issue of Editor & Publisher, America's oldest journal covering the newspaper industry, they interviewed me for a story about the current plight faced by all editorial cartoonists.

How did you deal with your own layoff from Politicker?

I feel fine with it. From the start, I knew we were trying something new, and that I'd be the first and only staff cartoonist in the country to work exclusively online. Of course, I was hopeful that it would've lasted longer than it did, but the economy tanked, and they had to reduce.

Everyone at Politicker and The New York Observer have been great, and it's good to know that they value my cartoons enough to keep me on as a freelancer. It was a great opportunity, and gave me tremendous exposure, so I have no complaints.

Read the rest of the interview here.

Advice To Survive A Recession

2008-12-18T10:35:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, this is all you can do.

Zuma Sues South Africa Cartoonist

2008-12-18T09:44:00.003-05:00

A cartoon by South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro continues to cause controversy 3 months after it was first published. South Africa's ruling party leader Jacob Zuma is suing a cartoonist for $712,300 (£464,200) for damage to his reputation and damage to his dignity, the BBC reports.

The image depicts Zuma, complete with Shapiro's trademark shower-head, unbuckling his belt as he prepares to rape the figurative Lady Justice.

She is held down by Zuma allies Julius Malema, Gwede Mantashe, Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi.

Mantashe encourages Zuma, saying, “Go for it, boss!”

"Even in places where I've been found not guilty, he continues to find me guilty. He can't be right. He's totally out of order," Zuma told South Africa's Talk Radio 702.

But Mr Shapiro called up the radio station to defend himselfand his cartoon, claiming Mr Zuma was paying "lip-service to freedom of expression".

"I am a columnist, a visual columnist. I comment on what you do and what you say. And you are a public figure. You are the one with the power, not me," he said.

"And you just turn it on its head and act the victim," he said.

Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya said the newspaper had not been served with Zuma’s demands, but would defend itself and Shapiro in court.

“We believe the cartoon reflected the opinion at the time that the judiciary was under attack,” said Makhanya.

Go Check It Out: The Great Ham Caper

2008-12-17T21:18:00.001-05:00

By Mike and Stacy Lynch

The 'Sole' of Wit

2008-12-17T14:10:00.005-05:00

Many, many more here.

H/T - Matt Wuerking, Politico.com

Former Wichita Eagle Cartoonist Talks About Life After Layoff

2008-12-17T12:12:00.004-05:00

Cutbacks among editorial cartoonists this year has been dramatic (myself included). They're part of the larger wave to layoffs and reductions experienced by most major media companies due to the economic recession.

Richard Crowson, the former cartoonist for the Wichita Eagle, was let go back in September after spending 21 years at the paper. But he's not letting all the sour news keep him down.

It was announced earlier this week that Crowson will now be cartooning for the Wichita Magazine on a monthly basis. Beginning in January, he'll have free reign with the inside back page of the magazine, and plans to fill it with a satirical view of the city drawn as a prairedog town called Wichidog Town.

Richard is also busy playing his banjo, volunteering, and he's even started his own website and blog, located at http://www.richardcrowson.com.

Despite losing his job, Crowson told Alan Gardner over at The Daily Cartoonist that things seem to be very optimistic:

This layoff thing has been just the kick in the butt I needed to explore some of these possibilities that I’d wanted to get involved in for years. After some 30-odd years of editorial cartooning (some of which were very odd) I’m due for a change. The experiences I’ve had drawing for The Wichita Eagle for the last 21 years, and for The Jackson Sun (in Jackson, Tennessee) for 9 years prior to that, have been rewarding and a real blast, but now I can stretch out a little and it feels good!

Recently he talked with KMUW's Frank Dudgeon, which you can listen to here.

New Jersey Cartoon: Duck, Linda, duck

2008-12-17T00:00:00.007-05:00

Click the image to see the full cartoon.

It's one thing to pay tribute to a departing colleague as he goes to Washington. It's another to tell him that you really wanted him to win.

Which, according to PolitickerNJ.com, is EXACTLY what State Sen. Raymond Lesniak did:

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday on a resolution honoring Lance on his departure from the State Senate, Lesniak said: “Senator Lance knows I said to him before the election ‘I really want you to win, Senator.’ I didn’t want to lose him in this body, but he by far was not only the best candidate, but he’s earned it and he deserves it.”

The only problem is during the campaign, he endorsed four-term Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender, the SAME Linda Stender that announced yesterday that she intended to run for re-election.

Whoops.

Here's the sketch:

And by-the-way, if you haven't noticed, I'm not leaving PolitickerNJ. I'll still be doing a new cartoon every Wednesday, like always, plus whatever Wally throws my way.

The guys at Politicker.com and The New York Observer have been great, and I'm thrilled that even through tough times and economic cutbacks, they value my work enough to want to keep me around.

Go Check It Out: 3 More By Beeler

2008-12-16T23:24:00.001-05:00

How to Create a Sticky Post on Blogger

2008-12-16T21:12:00.005-05:00

Finally figured out how to create a sticky post on Blogger. I've seen this done on the Star-Ledger's website, and I wanted something to offset my latest cartoon from my normal blog posts.

For anyone interested, here's how I did it:

1. After you've logged in, click on "customize" in the upper right-hand quarter.

2. Next, click "Add Gadget" and just choose whatever function you need to use for your "sticky post." For mine, I needed to display my cartoons, so I used "Picture." But use whatever you need.

Also, you may need to play around with it. It initially creates it for the right column, which made my cartoon 200 pixels wide! One I placed it in the main column, I simply re-loaded the image and it made it the correct column width.

3. After you "Add Gadget", you need to drag it to the top of the main column and place it above "Blog Posts."

4. Click on "Preview" to make sure it appears at the top of the page. If it does, click "save."

That's all I did. I want to play around with it more, but now I have a cartoon to draw. Hope this was helpful.

At Least Homer Loves His Newspaper

2008-12-16T18:30:00.003-05:00

According to Homer, The Daily Growl is the only newspaper that "tells him the truth, even on Iraq."

H/T - E&P

New X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

2008-12-16T16:15:00.005-05:00

The new trailer for “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” debuted this weekend before showings of the Keanu Reeves science-fiction remake of “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” and here it is for your viewing pleasure.

A couple of notes:

1. Seems like they're pulling the story directly from the "Origins" miniseries, complete with Logan as a child discovering his claws.

2. We get a glimpse of Taylor Kitsch as Gambit. If you don't know, Taylor is one of the pretty-boys from "Friday Night Lights."

3. At 1:52 ... is that a young Storm?

Cartoonist Finds Out About Shoe-Throwing Game After Completing Cartoon

2008-12-16T14:40:00.007-05:00

When someone throws a pair of shoes at the President of the United States, it's bound to become the sort-of event that satirized and lampooned by editorial cartoonists.

Jimmy Margulies, the editorial cartoonist at The Record, had already finished his cartoon on the subject when he learned that someone had already posted a shoe-throwing game online, and it was quickly making it's way around the web.

Margulies' cartoon shows a man playing a video game, with a woman in the background commenting, "Ever since they released that game of throwing shoes at Bush, I can't get him off the couch..."

And because it's such a great video, here it is again:

19th Century Cartoon Showcases Differences Between Obama and Lincoln's Paths to Inauguration

2008-12-16T13:09:00.002-05:00

Although Barack Obama has announced he plans to take the same route to his inauguration as his political idol, Abraham Lincoln, a pointed 19th century political cartoon showcases how the trips will hopefully differ.

Adalbert J. Volck, a political cartoonist who was a Confederate sympathizer and onetime courier for President Jefferson Davis, captured reaction to Lincoln's journey in a famous drawing that showed Lincoln, in a nightshirt, sneaking a peek out of a freight car.

In February 1861, Lincoln's security chief, Allan Pinkerton, was convinced that someone would attempt to assassinate the president-elect in Baltimore and arranged to smuggle him under cover of darkness from one train station to another.

According to Courtney B. Wilson, executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum, passengers heading south were forced to change trains in Baltimore because service south of the city was provided by a different railroad company. Rail cars were pulled by horses less than a mile from President Street Station to Camden Station - next to the present-day baseball park - and then attached to locomotives to continue their journey.

Lincoln hid at President Street Station before "his car was pulled through Baltimore under the darkness of night," Wilson told the AP.

The maneuver was denounced in contemporary newspaper accounts as cowardly.

Delaware Cartoon: Convicted Felon? Get a Job With DNREC

2008-12-16T08:37:00.004-05:00

At the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), state environmental officials decided to hold jobs open for three employees serving prison terms, during a hiring freeze no less.

2 of the prisoners are serving terms for child molestation, while one is serving a one year sentence for second-degree vehicular homicide.

Jack Markell, the incoming Governor, blasted DNREC, calling it a "disturbingly serious breach of the public trust." Ruth Ann Minner, showing decisive leadership, decided not to second guess the head of the agency, John Hughes.

“Secretary Hughes struggled with these decisions and after an honest and thoughtful deliberation process, he made a tough call,’’ Minner said.

Cheer Yourselves Up

2008-12-15T17:57:00.002-05:00

In the season of bad news here's a little shoe toss game to cheer yourselves up....

Click on the image to play.

H/T - Matt Wuerking, Politico.com

Paterson in a Blind Rage Over SNL Skit

2008-12-15T17:02:00.008-05:00

"Governor, what do you have against New Jersey?"

"Unfortunately, a southern border."

Apparently, everyone found this skit on this week's finale of Saturday Night Live funny (including the New York Post where I stole the headline from) except, you guessed it, New York Governor David Paterson.

"I can take a joke. But only 37% of disabled people are working and I'm afraid that that kind of third-grade humor certainly adds to this atmosphere. Let's just say I don't think it helped," he told The Daily News.

Ouch.

Then again, can you blame him with lines like this?

"I'm a blind man who loves cocaine, who was suddenly appointed Governor of New York; my life is an actual plot from a Richard Pryor movie."

UPDATE: I didn't realize it, but following the Paterson skit, as Amy Poehler was saying her final good-bye, Armisen as Paterson walked onto the frame and blocked her out.

Auburn Football Cartoon Out of Date Before it Even Ran

2008-12-15T16:32:00.004-05:00

Another cartoon, this time by Birmingham News cartoonist Scott Stantis, didn't see print because of the volatility of the news cycle.

Scott explains why here.

H/T - The Daily Cartoonist

Go Check It Out: Rodd Racer Pages

2008-12-15T10:04:00.003-05:00

Art by Toby Cypress

Newspaper Industry Cartoon by Steve Greenberg

2008-12-15T09:05:00.004-05:00

I missed this earlier, but Steve Greenberg, the former editorial cartoonist for the Ventura County Star, posted this cartoon on Metaprinter.com back when he was laid off from his staff job in November.

Greenberg used to contribute cartoons to Editor & Publisher magazine, and it seems more relevant today that it might have 12 years ago when it first appeared.

Cartoonist Name Omitted from CBS News Story

2008-12-14T20:56:00.011-05:00

In a CBS News story about Barack Obama's monumental task to restore credibility to the White House, CBS points to an editorial cartoon that seems to sum up their entire story in one single image.

The problem is, they don't even bother to mention the artist.

"A cartoon from the Houston Chronicle caught the flavor," the story begins, not bothering to mention that the cartoon was penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Nick Anderson.

The story goes on to describe the cartoon in lieu of showing it or providing a link:

A man standing in front of a burning building labeled "the economy" is shouting into a phone: "My house is on fire, how soon can you get here?"

A fireman who looks like Barack Obama answers, "January 20th."

This story illustrates a giant pet peeve of mine as a cartoonist. Whenever a news story uses an editorial cartoon to clarify its point, they very rarely credit the editorial cartoonist by name, choosing instead to go with the "a cartoon from x publication" instead.

Would someone ever quote something out of a Maureen Down column just by saying, "In a column that appeared today in the New York Times..."

This happened to me recently in a New York Times story about a cartoon I had drawn for PolitickerNH.com about the New Hampshire senate race:

Mrs. Shaheen’s risk-averse approach to the issues helps explain why a cartoon posted on the politickerNH.com Web site ridicules Mrs. Shaheen as the driver of a car stopped at a green light, refusing to move without knowing what the polls say.

It's too bad they couldn't give me a namecheck, or even pay me for the right to show the cartoon. But I guess it's all right.

After all, I'm only a cartoonist.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Cartoonist Calls an Audible

2008-12-14T20:44:00.007-05:00

David Horsey, the editorial cartoonist at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, has an interesting post on the perils of deadline cartooning and late-breaking news.

Illustration for the New York Observer

2008-12-13T21:21:00.003-05:00

Here's an illustration I did for the latest issue of the New York Observer, promoting their newest Politicker website, PolitickerNY.com.

In the illustration (from left to right) are New York Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Malcolm Smith and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Here's the sketch:

Zapiro: The Mandela Files

2008-12-13T10:14:00.005-05:00

The cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro (seen above with Nelson Mandela), launched his latest coffee-table collection of Mandela cartoons last night, along with an annual of his most recent work.

He spoke to Sunday Times books editor Tymon Smith about his satirical depiction of and commentary on Madiba’s life (an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan). In this audio slide show Zapiro explains the significance that this experience has had on his own career and personal growth.

Separate but Equal

2008-12-13T09:00:00.006-05:00

A 13-member Civil Union Review Commission convened by the New Jersey legislature tasked with "evaluating the implementation, operation and effectiveness" of the civil union law passed nearly two years ago released its final report on Wednesday.

They unanimously recommended that "The Legislature and Governor amend the law to allow same-sex couples to marry" and that it be "enacted expeditiously because any delay in marriage equality will harm all the people of New Jersey."

So now state legislators have a shield to hid behind so they can safely pass a gay marriage law without being stoned by their constituents.

The cartoon is based on a photograph by Elliott Erwitt that Juan Melli over at PolitickerNJ.com sent me. Erwitt is known for his black and white candid shots of ironic and absurd situations within everyday settings -- the master of the "indecisive moment".

At least according to Wikipedia.

Morland Wins British Cartooning Award

2008-12-11T15:47:00.001-05:00

Across the pond, they have political cartoonists too, and one of England's best, Morten Morland, won the Political Cartoon Society's cartoonist of the year award last night in London.

"It’s a fantastic compliment be recognized like that by a jury who’s gone through a whole year’s worth of work, and although I could probably name a handful of people that I’d rather give the award to than myself, it’s a brilliant inspiration, and a much appreciated pat on the back," Morland said on his blog.

"It's great that Morten has won this," said fellow cartoonist Andy Davey, "The judges commended his immediately recognizable style and use of unusual perspective - I'd second that. "

Morland's cartoons appear every Monday in The Times newspaper.

In addition, Steve Bell, the political cartoonist at The Guardian, picked up the 'Gillray Goblet' for the best single image of the year. Peter Shrank of The Independent on Sunday came in second to pick up the 'Tenniel Tankard.'

Christian Adams, the political cartoonist for The Daily Telegraph, commented on his blog about the awards, including some cartoonist chatter that occurred in the pub afterwards.

"The general discussion was the cluelessness of editors and backbenchers about cartoons," Adams said. "Don't they realize that the readers actually LIKE cartoons! Most newspaper people really don't 'get' what cartoons are for and about."

Today's State Cartoon - 12/11/08

2008-12-11T08:54:00.005-05:00

CALIFORNIA

Saying California is "headed toward a financial Armageddon," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to force the Legislature to do something to fix California's huge budget deficit, which has climbed to $14.8 billion. Officials said the deficit will balloon to the $40 billion neighborhood by mid-2010 unless corrective action is taken.

The Legislature responded by asking for a refill on their Margarita.

MARYLAND

In Baltimore, Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Comptroller Joan Pratt and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake all received pay increases amid city hiring freezes and ongoing budget concerns, not to mention potential furloughs for city and state employees.

Nice work if you can get it.

NEW YORK

So was New York Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith a sucker for thinking he could make a deal with the senate dissidents knows as the 'Gang of Three' which would have secured his party's hold on the chamber majority?

Seems that way.

Yes, There is a Joe Biden Commemorative Plate

2008-12-10T20:18:00.002-05:00

Working from home, I am blessed with stupid Obama Commemorative Plate commercials every break.

Well now, Delaware's own Joe Biden has his own plate! It comes with an authentic Acela schedule, and is a fine way to commemorate the second Caucasian vice president in this century.

Laid-off Des Moines Register Cartoonist Strikes Back

2008-12-10T15:19:00.000-05:00

Brian Duffy, the former editorial cartoonist at the Des Moines Register who was escorted out along with 40 other employees as part of a nation-wide lay-off program at Gannett, has had the chance to get back at his former bosses.

After the news broke that he was laid-off from his staff cartooning job of more than 25 years, Cityview publisher Shane Goodman got in touch with Duffy and offered him a full page to publish whatever he wanted.

Duffy took him up on his offer and penned the cartoon above for the December 10 issue of the central Iowa weekly newspaper.

Goodman spoke positively of the award winning cartoonist, telling WHOtv 13 that "The Register's loss is our gain."

Blagojevich's 'golden' moment in history

2008-12-10T08:36:00.003-05:00

NEW JERSERY

Layoffs hit 'The Daily Planet' in Metropolis

2008-12-08T08:41:00.002-05:00

CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

Today's state cartoons - 12/5/08

2008-12-05T08:45:00.003-05:00

NEW HAMPSHIRE

MAINE

Today's state cartoons - 12/4/08

2008-12-04T08:11:00.003-05:00

NEW YORK

KENTUCKY

Has the lion tamer become the prey?

2008-12-03T10:57:00.002-05:00

Shouldn't Chris Matthews have to pick one?

2008-12-03T10:33:00.001-05:00

Chris Matthews can dance. After meeting last week with Pennsylvania Democratic Party officials, Matthews is trying to squash the rumors that he's attempting a run at PA's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Arlen specter.

I don't blame him. In this economy, his million dollar contract at MSNBC would be hard to give up.

Today's state cartoons - 12/2/08

2008-12-02T12:24:00.005-05:00

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

MASSACHUSETTS

The Pantsuit is coming back!

2008-12-01T09:30:00.001-05:00

To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here.

Chuck Schumer's Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T12:12:00.002-05:00

Despite all the nice things Chuck Schumer is going to say about Hillary Clinton over the next week, does anyone truly believe he isn't secretly happy to see her go?

As a New Jersey cartoonist, some of the people I'm thankful for

2008-11-26T08:30:00.001-05:00

Citigroup thanks you for paying for their marketing efforts

2008-11-25T08:45:00.003-05:00

Struggling Citibank just sealed a multi-billion-dollar emergency "backstop" deal with the U.S. government. The financial behemoth, suffering with billions in bad mortgage-related assets on its books, recently shed 53,000 workers and saw its stock price lose over half its value. Yet it's in a 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field."

Back at the drawing desk

2008-11-24T16:28:00.004-05:00

Roseau, Dominica at dusk.

I'm back from the Caribbean and all rested up, and I'll resume posting cartoons tomorrow through the Thanksgiving holiday.

On vacation

2008-11-14T11:41:00.002-05:00

I’m off through November 24 for some much needed rest and relaxation. I'll be heading down to San Juan, and then island hopping for the entire week.

Talk amongst yourselves while I'm gone. I'll give you a riddle.

Four men were in a boat on the lake. The boat turns over, and all four men sink to the bottom of the lake, yet not a single man got wet!

Submit your answers here.

Today's state cartoons - 11/14/08

2008-11-14T09:17:00.003-05:00

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW HAMPSHIRE