Check out the Delaware Art Museum

Hey everyone! For those of you that are going to be in the Wilmington area the night of May 4, I'll be giving a tour of the Art in the ‘Toon Age exhibit currently displayed at the Delaware Art Museum at 6 p.m.

In addition, some of my work will be on display in conjunction with the exhibit in the Bank of America Education Wing from April 16-May 13.

So go check it out!

In New Jersey, there is a mass exodus of people leaving the state for lower property taxes. That exodus is now being joined by state Senators leaving office. Eleven out of the 40-member upper chamber have now said they will not seek re-election in November. This ensures the biggest turnover in the Senate since the Watergate era, when voters swept 13 Republicans from office.

In a story from the Star-Ledger by Mark Muller and Joe Donohue, they quote Rider University political science professor David Rebovich as saying, "I can't recall this ever happening in modern times. It's unprecedented that there would be so many voluntary retirements."

There are lots of possible reasons why the Senators are leaving office, which include aging lawmakers, political infighting and a chance in media scrutiny. But I think the biggest reason is the fact that the U.S. Attorney, Chris Christie, is actually holding the legislature accountable for its misdeeds.

Regardless, it should be an exciting election this November.

Here's the sketch:

Wayne Bryant FINALLY indicted

I wonder how fast news gets to Mexico.

Hy Eisman's Birthday

For all you Kubies out there, Lettering Instructor extrodnaire Hy Eisman turned 80 on March 27th! The NJ NCS chapter threw a surprise party for the old do-gooder, and has pictures and more on their blog. I still use my B-6 and Ames Guide to this day!

I'll have to post the sketch later that Irwin Hasen drew after Hy fell down the front steps of the Kubert School. Compasionate.

Tip of the hat to Mike Lynch.

Gonzales aide pleades the fifth

Monica Goodling, a Justice Department official involved in the firings of federal prosecutors, will refuse to answer questions at upcoming Senate hearings, citing Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, her lawyer said Monday.

"The potential for legal jeopardy for Ms. Goodling from even her most truthful and accurate testimony under these circumstances is very real," said the lawyer, John Dowd.

Which is interesting, because I didn't realize the 5th amendment protected an individual from the possibility of perjury! It's an interesting analysis of the 5th amendment she must have picked up at Regent University, which of course is Pat Robertson's law school.


Here's the sketch:

Sunshine Week in Delaware

I know it's a bit late, but the Delaware Press Association's newsletter only comes out quarterly, and one of their main topics is Sunshine Week and its effect (or non-effect) on open government in Delaware.

Here's the sketch:

Performing miracles in New Jersey

Chris Christie suddenly holds a lot of clout among New Jersey taxpayers, and politicians are quick to catch on to this. According to the Star-Ledger, the Assembly Budget Committee invited Christie to discuss the efforts he has undertaken with the state to stem gang violence and fight terrorism.

Of course, he could have just prosecuted one corrupt politician, and New Jersey taxpayers would have loved him (Although in recent weeks we’ve found that for U.S. Attorneys, the fewer democrats you’re able to prosecute, the weaker your job security seems to be).

Bob Ingle mentioned on his blog that the state Attorney General's Office has been MIA for most of the McGreevey era forward. As a result, it seems there is a giant queue of brazenly corrupt politicians waiting for Christie to take them up the river. Some are even attempting to retire to secure what they've already been able to steal from the taxpayers, worried about Christie continued subpoenas and investigations. All the more reason for the legislature to remove the ability of corrupt politicians to secure pensions from their position(s).

But for now, the people of New Jersey are listening. And believing.

Here's the sketch: