Porch sitters

I've been involved in news, politics and government for a decade or two now, and I don't understand what's going on in politics nowadays either!
 

Sketchbook: In, not of

Before my mission, I was a news junkie. I wanted to know everything that was going on. But after being out for a few months, I noticed that somehow the world kept rolling along — and so did I. 
 

Sketchbook: Gone to the dogs

One of the best things about having a pet is that they don't care a whit about politics!

With everything that's going on right now, it's nice to get that respite someplace.

Sketchbook: A little political sidenote

It's been all over the news: Black Lives Matter. It stirs up a lot of emotions and uncomfortable conversations.

One metaphor that I liked was this one: a lifeguard's job is to make sure everyone at the swimming pool is safe. If someone is in trouble, that's where the attention goes.

Right now, a lot of blacks feel like not only are they in trouble in the pool, the lifeguard is helping to hold them under water.

This ought not to be.

For me, one of my goals is that people can see themselves in my cartoons. I make a conscious effort to include different ethnicities, different hair colors and different skin tones in my characters (like Sunday included black, white and green!). I promise to do a better job of that. It's not a huge thing, but it's something I can do. Another thing that we can all do is listen — and act on what we hear.

There are lots of experiences I could share that have brought home the importance of this to me. And yes, everyone matters. But right now we have a group of our spiritual siblings who are asking for help. We can't ignore them.

My bottom line: I believe that we're all children of our Heavenly Father, and we'd all be better off if we treated each other like it!

Sketchbook: Turkey in disguise

I found this hidden in my sketchbook from last November. Although it's a little more political than I usually get in my cartoons, it seems quite topical today.

Sketchbook: Let's talk

This was an actual quote from a sacrament meeting I was in. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Let's be reasonable!

Thank heaven we have the playoffs and the World Series in October — way better programming than the election coverage!

A modest proposal

Ever feel this way?

Behind the curtain

Social media sure has changed the complexion of political campaigns. There's little to no screening for truth in messaging (even more so than in the past), it seems like anyone can say almost anything they want and get away with it, and rumors become fact before the end of the news cycle!

If you believe everything you read, apparently this year the folks from Down Below aren't just running the campaigns — they're the actual candidates!

A little reframing

Now if they could only apply that same technology to Facebook...

Choose the... which one is right?

After another stellar weekend in American politics, does this remind you of what you're seeing in your Facebook feed?

Afternath

As I post this, I have visions of hanging chads and legions of lawyers hanging around ballot boxes. I hope it doesn't come to that!

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UPDATE: Glad to see the candidates are (finally) handling the results with some class. Perhaps their supporters can follow their lead... :)

I heard the news today, oh boy

This is sort of a rerun from four years ago, but it's so appropriate for the day. I have friends and family from both sides of the aisle who will be very disappointed whatever the outcome of the election may be.

But, doggone it, I'm gonna miss those campaign ads!

On a technical note, this has been colorized from an old scan, so the artwork is a little lacking in quality. I tried to update the look of the TV a little bit, too -- but how many of us these days actually push a button on the TV to turn it off?

Companion inventory

I've kind of gone back and forth on using this cartoon. I'm running out of days that it will be relevant, so here it is for what it's worth. Remember to vote, early and often!

It's debatable

Tonight's the second round of the U.S. presidential debates. Should be interesting.

Just in time for the debates

Actually, the debates aren't the annoying thing. Those are usually quite interesting. It's the commentary afterward.

Should you feel inclined to censor

Almost done with the Good Heavens commentary on the elections.

Special Sunday doubleheader

Yesterday was the annual meeting of the women's organization of the LDS Church, the General Relief Society Meeting. To commemorate the event, I published a special cartoon over on Zarahemla Times, and I thought I'd also share it here.

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We now return to our regularly scheduled cartoon, a continuation of the story of why Jack in Good Heavens is so attached to his TV despite all the negative political programming.

Thank you for your indulgence.

A modest proposal

If the alternatives were 70s love songs or political invective, I might choose the 70s music...if I could have veto power over the playlist!

Here's mud in your eye

The other day, Bill Clinton said something nice about Mitt Romney as he introduced him for a speech. I think that's as close as we're going to get.