Political Cartoon 1 (3/2/11)

1. In this select cartoon there are no captions or titles, however most cartoons will use captions to describe what is going on or convey certain feelings or emotions that the artist has.

2. In this cartoon the Office of the President is represented (via Barack Obama) and a ghostly figure of Abraham Lincoln. Both Presidents are holding documents, Obama holding an executive order titled "discrimination against gays unconstitutional" and Lincoln holding the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order made by Lincoln in 1863. To me, the artist is trying to draw a parallel between two "radical" pieces of legislation, although in Lincolns time the Emancipation Proclamation was much more radical, as gay rights are becoming evermore expected in our changing country.

3. The cartoon shows Barack Obama singing into effect the new executive order outlawing discrimination against gays while Abraham Lincoln is alongside clapping, implying that the author thinks that Lincoln  approves of Obama's decision.

4. The main idea conveyed in the cartoon is that ultimately former President Abraham Lincoln approves of the newest executive order proposed by President Obama outlawing the discrimination against gays. The cartoonist also portrays the newest executive order as parallel to the Emancipation Proclamation passed by Lincoln in 1863. This cartoon represents a to me a liberal ideology that would rank as a solid left on the ideology spectrum.

5. This cartoon relates to the recent "Don't ask Don't tell" repeal act passed by President Obama which allows openly gay men and women to serve in the United States Armed Forces. It relates directly to our class discussions because gay rights is one of the most important and controversial topics in todays politics.

6. This cartoon doesn't have much in the way of satire and irony, it more so aims for the parallel between the Emancipation Proclamation and the new executive order, deeming that Lincoln generally supports Obama's decision concerning the newest executive order.

Source: New York Times: http://www.uclick.com/client/nyt/ta/
Artist- Tony Auth