Friday's "Purposeless" Cartoon

hot and overcast.

This cartoon was inspired by George Hasselback's turn at the impeachment hearings.  He gave clear and concise testimony about the ARRA contract between the CNMI government and Mike Ada and how it violated the CNMI's statutory provisions.  He was rashly accused by Daling Ogumoro of having a "personal agenda" against Ed Buckingham because George quit the AG's office when Ed pulled the plug on prosecution of a case George was handling.

The evidence George presented at the hearings was clear and included a federal review report noting the probable CNMI violations by the ARRA contract.  So I thought of a clear window--shattered by Governor Fitial's sole-source deals, in this case the Ada $400,000 waste.

I title this post "purposeless" cartoon because in today's Variety, the Governor's Press Secretary, Angel Demapan, takes a pot shot at me in his tribute to Ruth Tighe, saying Ruth earned respect of friends and foes because she didn't engage in "name-calling, childish acts like manipulating personal photos or drawing purposeless comics."  Angel chiding the governor's foes for name-calling? How ridiculous as the Governor is on record calling the people of Rota and Tinian "stupid" and calling Alan Fletcher a "liar" and does more name-calling than anyone. As for the rest, Wendy swirls and photo-shops photos, so I think that part of the comment is aimed at her.  But the cartooning dig is obviously meant for me (and possibly Mitch Westland who has also contributed an editorial cartoon recently).

But seriously, Ruth Tighe of all people, would approve of the cartoons.  She appreciated all forms of political expression.  And Ruth,  more than anyone, as a librarian and highly educated and literate person, would understand that political comment through cartooning is not purposeless.  It has been an American fixture of journalism since the Civil War.  Beloved children's book author and illustrator Theodore Geisl, bka Dr. Seuss, drew more than 400 political cartoons during WWII.   The best satirists win national and international prestigious awards. Political cartooning is hardly "purposeless."

As described here, it is

"an enduring presence in American political culture. In its telling is exemplified those salient themes dear to the collective scholarship of the medium, such as it is-- the power of the giants of the genre to fuse creative caricature, clever situational transpositions, and honest indignation to arouse the populace and alter for the better the course of human events. "

Roger A. Fischer, Them Damned Pictures: Explorations in American Cartoon Art. (North Haven CT: Archon Books) 1996.

I do not claim to be the best, or even good at political cartooning, but I do understand the need for the three considerations-creative caricature, clever transpositions of familiar situations, and honest indignation--all for the purpose to arouse the populace to a better course of action.

For more on political cartoons and lesson plans for middle and high school on the subject: see this page at cincinnati.com

In Memoriam-Ruth Tighe

I first met Ruth Tighe at a meeting of Saipan women in the mid-1980’s. The group was variously called Saipan Women’s Association, CNMI Women’s Association, and other names as well. It was a group of women who wanted to make a difference. The issue of the day was poker parlors and the group was concerned about the negative effects they would have if allowed to flourish in our community.

Ruth was a stand-out, even in that group of illustrious women who included Paz Younis, Anicia Tomokane, Chailang Palacios and others. Ruth had a clear focus and a sharp mind. She wanted to know the facts first, and then wanted to figure out what to do. She wouldn’t quit until there was a clear action plan in place.

Ruth ardently supported “good” causes—advocating for people (young, old and in-between), protecting the environment, pursuing transparency in government, insisting upon clarity and excellence in the written word, and promoting the arts. Purpose motivated Ruth. She was indomitable! Her energy was phenomenal.

And as I noted in one of my old blog posts, she played bridge.  And shared books. This is community!

Very little fazed Ruth. When she needed to quit smoking after decades of her habit, she simply opened up her reserve of will-power and did it. When her health required a constant supply of additional oxygen, she just toted it along with her.

Most importantly, Ruth was kind and compassionate to those in need. Despite her sometimes prickly manner in contentious situations, she had an infectious smile and a ready wit that she would share with the down-hearted, the fatigued, the stressed. She was generous with her time and talent and noble in all her endeavors. She had a beautiful spirit.

It has been an honor to know Ruth Tighe.

More Milk

It's hot and muggy today, and still overcast but with sun, causing a glare.

This cartoon was inspired by the "whistleblower" concept.  The referee (the whistleblowers like Glenn Hunter and George Hasselback, and even the House members Joe Deleon Guerrero, Ray Yumul, Tony I. Sablan, Janet Maratita, etc.) is too little and ineffective to stop the onslaught of the 'roided up thuggish football players.  The illegal contracts in the CNMI have been pouring in--the Mike Ada contract was unethical, the CHC contract that got stopped in its tracks with a newly created Boise outfit, the $190M CUC contract for an unnecessary diesel power plant with another newly created outfit run by con-man Ken Mahmood,  the latest sole source contract for around $350, 000 (I've actually forgotten the details)...they're just draining the CNMI of what little money we've got and are piling up faster than anyone can stop.

The little people in the 'toon include a cheerleader concerned that Team Fitial isn't listening to the ref's whistle and her counter-part, Daling Ogumoro, with her ridiculous comment echoing that made to Alan Fletcher, suggesting that he should have stopped the governor from signing the sole source CUC power plant deal.

Drink Milk

Overcast, with a bit of sun. A heavy atmosphere.

Alan Fletcher was called to testify before the House Impeachment committee. He gave detailed and comprehensive testimony that included his opinion that the $190 million, sole-source contract with Ken Mahmood was a bad deal for the CNMI, that it was not needed and wouldn't save consumers money. The Governor responded in the media by calling Fletcher a liar.

I originally had Fletcher saying "nanny-nanny boo boo, I can tell on you-oo" because there was something of that feeling in the reports of his testimony, but I decided that could be more a function of the reporting rather than Fletcher's actual testimony.  It took some guts and professionalism to give his testimony.

(Later Fletcher came back to the committee, said he told the truth and didn't know why the Governor was slamming him, and further testified that he refused to sign the contract when asked to do so and told the governor it needed more analysis.)

Fletcher is often seen wearing Island-print shirts. The Governor usually has his big smile in place, no matter what trash he's spewing.

Marianas Milk-Tuesday

This captures several different versions of the monument-as imagined by me.  We see so much finger-pointing by our so-called leaders, and a few even act like clowns, so the finger-pointing version just seemed a natural.  Mud-slinging happens-Governor Fitial is especially good at it, but so are others.  Those who are ambitious in politics seem to be willing to step on anyone--look at the disaster at CHC, the willingness to have utility rates sky-rocket (and have the poor live without power), the governor's opposition to federal increases in foodstamps.  The poor and sick take the biggest hits.  And then there is the money that seems to lure in even those who might start out with good intentions. 

I personally would have published this one before the final version (which the Variety published yesterday). But I'm not the paper's editor!

Monday Milk

Still raining here...we are in the monsoon season.

I have a whole series of kiosku cartoons, but this is the best, in my opinion.  The CNMI spent a lot of federal dollars in ARRA grant money for the leadership kiosku, which turned into a joke as the committee that decided what names to put on it insisted on adding all their family.  A number of people who were actually convicted of crimes were nominated, and a lot of small people who would hardly qualify as leaders have their names up there.  Meanwhile, the CNMI continues to sink further into economic, political and cultural chaos.  

Our "leaders" have their heads in the sand, at best.  Some are corrupt. Some are seemingly heartless (although it is difficult for even me to say they are in fact).  Some are blinded by loyalty to unworthy people.  Few if any think of principles, only personalities.

I borrowed some of this concept from political cartoons on the web, but added the kiosku arch (which in fact is quite pretty) and the head in the sand ostrich and man.  The little people comment on both the cost and the sorry example that such leaders give for our future generations.

Marianas Milk today

This cartoon intends to show the sacrifices of the most important in our community for the sake of restoring 80 hours of work to government employees.  Cuts in education, CHC, Medicaid, and the benefits contributions are hurting the young, the sick, and the aged.  Instead, we will pay our bloated government payroll.  Politicians make these choices because their priority is re-election, not the good of the community.

The scales are balanced, but the pool of bloody victims is not pretty.