Menzies Independent Cartoons

A few Unpublished favourites from recent months on assorted topics

2009-02-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder: Please click on any cartoon if you need to make it bigger.

It's almost March and I've got some catching up to do: Here are a few of my favourites from the past few months that weren't printed in The Sun Times

2009-02-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

An assortment about the Conservative Party in general and our two local reps in particular.

Here are a few recent ones from the Oct. -Dec./08 period that went unpublished: All on a Big Business theme

2008-12-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

On the top one: The Line up for hosting a nuclear waste site forms on the left. On the right will be the line for hosting a military weapons test site. Hey... it's money! Maybe you can even "take it with you".
On the middle one: I had one published on the sad story of PPG pulling out of town.... just part of the whole global free trade/cheap labour thing that's been happening ever since Mulroney and Reagan were playing around in the sandbox. I still feel bad about the PPG thing.... which by the way ended up shutting down even sooner than they announced.... and the image in this cartoon came to mind... I think it's grimly funny. Hey, it's my job to be grim sometimes.
And the bottom one: I don't know what the hell the dispute was about... details were never released, but Disney was having a hissy fit about something. Anyway, turns out the movie that they weren't going to show in town, eventually got shown. I guessed they kissed and made up. Gee, lucky us. I wonder what it's like to kiss a rat anyway?

Cartoons on Health Care that didn't get published

2008-12-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

Health Care is really starting to suck in Canada. Sure, it's still better than some third world countries and slightly better than the U.S. still, but it's nowhere even close to what it used to be.
And it's in critical shape and deteriorating rapidly. Is there nothing we can learn from history?

three more recent ones with some political connections

2008-12-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Comments:
The top one.... I don't want you to get a pulled muscle trying to read the upside down answer, so here's what it says: "Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence."
Just keeping the self perpetuated image of Bill alive. Much to his credit, I haven't heard him use the phrase "Maverick" and I hope to God he doesn't. That's been worn out and was full of a lot of false hype, too. Just like McCain was accused of.... if you were so radical and independent, how did you vote, if you bothered, on a lot of that crap that Harris passed (forced) down our throats in health, education, welfare, environment, labour, and a whole lot of other socially sensitive areas that we're still suffering from. I don't recall you speaking out much, if at all then. And trust me, I watched a lot of the parliamentary session and read lots of papers.
The bottom one pretty much speaks for itself..... although I'll just add this one shot.... I guess the dropping price of gasoline is our one consolation prize while many of us suffer through most of the really bad stuff that's happening now. Pardon me if I don't celebrate too much.

a few miscellaneous ones from recent elections

2008-12-01T13:33:00.001-08:00

comments: the top one..... I don't know about you, but I got really sick of hearing that term "maverick". The whole word has been given a comical spin that it may never recover from. I cringe now every time I use the phrase "common sense". Thanks to the Tories for ruining that one. And I'll take bets right now that Sarah Palin will be totally gone from the national scene by the time of the next election. It is my theory that both her and McCain were dupes set up to lose by their own party. Too bad that these two intellectual light weights were apparently not in on the joke. Anyway, they were kind of fun while they lasted. I suspect the Republicans will be a whole lot more serious about winning in four, or certainly eight year's time.
The middle one..... Boy the brain trust behind the real power base of the Republicans were probably getting really nervous when it seemed like Palin might actually help old John win. I think the right wing was quite willing just to pass over the "power" temporarily after they had gotten themselves even richer than when the whole Bush fiasco started and then had screwed everything up so badly in that process. Who would want to take power now??? Well, I guess anyone who feels that anything would be better than more of the same. Anyway, if the Rep's had won, somehow, then even more of the public would have turned against them and for a much longer period of time. So, poof, as if by magic, we have a big economic crisis to turn the attention away from McCain who was pathetic on just about anything, but especially economics. Just a
coincidence?
The bottom one.... let me just say that I actually saw those two signs on one person's property.
Oh, the irony.

some fairly recent cartoons that are tied into education

2008-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

a brief word about each: the top one... I just wondered about the situation some of the kids and their parents are in. And since I did this one, the economic news has only gotten worse. I hope the government plans to take care of these people through the tough times. I doubt it. But I hope it.
The middle one.... I think it was pathetic regarding the record low turnout we had for the last federal election. If you just couldn't be bothered then maybe your opinion on other matters shouldn't count. If you were totally skeptical of any of the parties, I understand. But even if it's a case of name your own poison I, for one, would like to have that choice. Some are just a little less painful than others. So, thanks to all the people who didn't vote, we got stuck with the really painful one.
The bottom one.... just before we get too carried away with the more angelic view of youth, let's just remember that most of them are just old people passing their time until they too can turn down votes. Yes, there are good ones..... but there's a whole lot of silly ones too. And let's not forget that even though some of them will turn out just fine, while they are in the teen years, most of them have their wiring mostly screwed up.

A few more from the recent election here

2008-12-01T10:53:00.001-08:00

Please note: Double left click on any cartoon (above or below) to get a bigger, easier to read image. When I post these cartoons, a few, for some reason, appear tiny and difficult to read.

Larry's always good for a few quotes that one can have fun with. I actually took the time to go to the library and check out a whole pile of reference books to see if his statement had any merit. As far as I can tell, it doesn't...... just what I expected.
The other one seems to contain some really absurd math. But, what do you expect from the right wing? I mean, they were the ones who came up with the "trickle down" math that never added up, and they're the ones who never seem to be able to get fiscal projections correct. But I guess if you deliberately put in a false set of numbers, you're going to come up with a false answer. That's what usually seems to happen from my perspective.
P.S. How's it going, Lar. Having any more fun these days dealing with a meglomaniac like Stephen Harper. Getting a little frosty on the back benches?

recent, unpublished editorial cartoons: Our '08 federal election

2008-10-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here are five I did during our whirlwind federal election. Harper called it, they all campaigned, and it was over in about a month. The American thing has been dragging on for almost two years. The real interesting thing about ours was that Harper broke the very law he introduced and got passed by having the election before the newly mandated four year point. He thought he was going to get a majority. Fortunately most Canadians who voted weren't that stupid. Unfortunately only 58% voted. If more had voted... the people whose lives are getting screwed up by these Conservative, pseudo right wing Republican ideas.... maybe Harper wouldn't have even won a minority government. So it goes.

recent, unpublished editorial cartoons

2008-10-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple based on the recent snafu with our local MPP, Bill Murdoch. Personally, I don't give his "maverick" any more credence than I give John McCain's. When the infamous Mike Harris was in power I wonder how many times Bill voted against all those cuts to things we all hold near and now are into a long lasting state of damage control. Things like Health, Education, the Environment, Infastructure, etc. etc. (And if not voted against, I wonder how many he just didn't show up to vote on... which is the cheap way out... kinda what we call the Silent Consent.

recent unbuplished cartoons: an assortment of topics

2008-09-19T12:02:00.001-07:00

Just a variety pack of cartoons on a couple of recent issues in Owen Sound, and also a little fun with the newspaper's readers choice awards. I'm sure that one will strike a chord with a few parents. (By the way, I find the category of funeral home a tad weird. What???... are there people going around trying out different ones. I guess many of us have done visitations, unfortunately... you know what I mean.... but are we really making notes and comparing... what makes one better than the other... more comfy chairs, better coffee?? I don't mean to be offensive.... I deeply respect the services provided by funeral homes... but should this be a category for readers choice. Couldn't we have had favourite pool hall, or favourite fry wagon instead???

some recent unpublished cartoons:

2008-09-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

I like to take note of local events and activities. Summerfolk's an obvious one. But Sauble Beach is a fun destination in the summer. Too bad it was somewhat mired in this parking fee controversy this year. I'm not so sure it was something that would cause any negative impact. It certainly didn't this past Labour Day. Anyway, it's not a problem for me because I park a block away from the beachfront where it's free (for now, anyway), cause that's the kind of cheap @*%#^! I am.
I love pipes and drums.... well a few minutes of them anyway. So I am not putting them down. So before you go hiring some Scottish hit squad, I'm just saying the animal population probably doesn't share our enthusiasm.
And as far as the annual Salmon Spectacular is concerned let me say that I'm not a fishing person by any means, but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve my attention and a little shot of publicity and if I can use it to take a well deserved shot at a certain politician who has been severly abusing the postal privileges at tax payer expense lately. Don't worry, Larry, I'm not going to mention any names.... whoops.

Unpublished cartoons from July 08: Heritage Day

2008-08-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE: FOR SOME REASON THIS ONE APPEARS SMALLER THAN NORMAL AND I CAN'T SEEM TO CHANGE ITS SIZE, BUT, IF YOU LEFT CLICK ON THE IMAGE IT SHOULD APPEAR AT A MORE READABLE SIZE.
Apparently there are rules about how the flag is flown and displayed. I love a whole lot about this country, but I don't believe in blind patriotism... that's how countries get into a lot of trouble. Heard of Iran, and Iraq, etc. etc. So all I'm saying is that perhaps some of us get a little anal about symbols sometimes when we should be worrying a whole lot more about making sure that the good things the symbols represent live up to its more humane ideals.

A couple of unpublished Summer Cartoons on the topic of Education

2008-08-30T08:11:00.001-07:00

The top one was done in August, before the new school year starts. The bottom one was done in July, just after the last school year ended. Seems the school board here is determined to stop rotary education, even though that move is proving to be hugely unpopular and, seemingly just a stupid idea. It probably has something to do with money. Seems most bad things happening in Education and Health... and other things have something to do with money. Once again a hearty "Thanks for nothing" to the previous provincial Conservative government.
And here's something to ponder.... have you tuned into the fact that during the last few decades (at least) how everytime there is a Conservative government in Canada, or a Republican gov't in the U.S. of A. the defecit in each country goes WAY up? And they alway b.s. about how they're the fiscally responsible ones? One of them once leaked out that the reason they DELIBERATELY raise the deficit is to have a convenient excuse to cut social spending. Now when social spending is cut, do you think those at the top suffer much? God, I hope Obama gets elected in the U.S. and that Harper is defeated in our upcoming elections. Of course the mess that the "fiscally responsible" ones will have to be cleaned up, and it won't be easy, but at least we'll both have a fighting chance to live in a more honourable and fairer society. 'Nuff said.

Unpublished cartoons from July 08:

2008-08-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Two cartoons with animal themes. The top one I did in July, even though it was an August event. Talk about being prepared, eh? I sat and patiently waited for it to make an appearance, but it never did. Oh well, there's not room for everything, and I got my share in, so I'm not complaining... it's just too bad, though, because here was something nice, and or cute, about Meaford, and how often has that happened lately?
The second one is based on this true story about some couple living in a trailer home in Keady who have taken in something like 70+ stray cats, most of which were likely unsold at the Keady Market. Now, don't get me wrong... it's nice what they're doing for these poor cats, but I just can't imagine for a millisecond how it could be nice sharing a small space with 7o+ cats. Heck, I've got a relatively large space and we have four cats. Two were strays taken in a couple of winters ago, and one is a "gift" from a relative who got a new spouse who had low tolerance for cats. Four cats is much more than plenty... 70+??? Well that's just unimaginable.... except in nightmares.

More unpublished cartoons from July '08

2008-08-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite targets for satire is the sad, sad state of our Health Care System. Yeah, Yeah, I know it's still better than what they've got in some Third World Countries, but we're quickly losing our previousl lofty ranking in First and Second World Countries. Tommy Douglas and Lester Pearson are likely rolling over in their graves. Shame on us.

Unpublished cartoons from June/July 08

2008-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

A variety pack of topics covered here. I liked all of these, a lot.... still do... which is more than I can say for some of my cartoons... and there was no room for any of them. Oh well, they're here now. Hope you enjoy... and feel free to leave comments.

Unpublished cartoons from June/July 08

2008-07-17T18:11:00.001-07:00

Another couple that didn't make it into the paper. As far as the reading one goes, I'm aware that the person behind this program, which on the surface sounds wonderful, didn't follow all the funding rules .... if she had her program would likely have been much less beneficial. Hopefully it will all work out... even if it does mean it will be closed temporarily.... hopefully not for good.
The second cartoon speaks for itself... You should know by now how I feel about health care in this country.... if you don't, just keep looking through more of the cartoons.

Unpublished cartoons from June/July 08

2008-07-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

The bottom of the two is the last one I did about the striking Health Clinic workers. Thankfully the strike finally ended after something like 10 weeks or more. My heart was always there for the strikers... maybe that's not only because it didn't appear they were being treated fairly, but I come from a blue collar background... my father was a factory worker. I think people need to study history a little more in order to find out what working was like, for the most part, before there were unions.
The other cartoon is another one about the pitiful state of our health care in this province and in this country. I think it's morally outrageous and disgusting, to boot, that something that we were so proud of, as a country, has slipped to the level it has. And of course, this is by design, so they can keep making the case for profit driven private health care. It's something like how the Republican Party drives up the deficit in the U.S. everytime they are in power, so they will have excuses to slash and burn social programs and spending. (And of course, we in Canada, have had our own politicians who have been taught very well by their southern idols. Pity, ain't it?

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months: the underground railroad tourist and The Shane Jolley Escapade all rolled into one cartoon

2008-06-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

There was an article about tourists who are retracing the underground railroad route which had its final destination in Owen Sound. Also, recently, there were a bunch of stories about how Shane Jolley and a bunch of others were trying to catch bicycle thieves. For those who may not know, Jolley is both the owner of a bike store and our Green Party candidate, who by the way, got the highest percentage of votes of any greener in the whole province and came close to defeating my old "friend" (at least as a cartoon topic) Bill Murdoch.

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months: The Chi-Cheemaun

2008-06-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

Callaghan got his cartoon related to the Chi-Cheemaun (that's the ferry that runs between Tobermary and Manitoulin Island) in the paper. It was good. This is the one I did on that topic.

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months: Health Care

2008-06-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

This one, and the next ones directly below in the previous posting, all deal with the sad state of our health care. I really, really liked this one and I'm kinda sad it didn't make it to the paper, so I'm putting it here so some can see it anyway.

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months: Health Care

2008-06-25T15:49:00.001-07:00

The first three are obviously variations on the same theme... I just tried to make each one a little more biting than the previous one. The bottom cartoon is based on yet another story where some doctor is leaving a town in this area... I, too, have no family doctor as mine retired (I think)... All I know is one day he was there and the next day not. Now I share the same "doctor" that all too many people have : "Waiting List". I think all Canadians should be really ashamed and embarrassed by how far our once treasured health care system has slipped. And all politicians, and business people who worked so hard to create this current mess for personal gain... well, let's just say they're on a waiting list too, just like all of us and as the saying goes "You Can't Take It With You." Anyway, they must be extremely proud of the destruction they've caused... It took a lot of trickery and a good amount of hard work... not as much hard work, mind you as it will take to build it back up. It's always, unfortunately, easier to tear down than to build up. There... I've had my rant for now on this damned topic.

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months: Nathaniels

2008-06-25T15:37:00.001-07:00

This whole story of the waitress who participated in the "Cops for Cancer" Hair cutting shocked and disappointed a lot of people.... myself included. And from everything that came out over several days of media coverage is that the owners made a bad decision and then to make matters worse, issued one of the lamest apologies I've heard over such a grave issue. This is where satire belongs... to point the finger at social injustice and hold it up for ridicule. If nothing else comes out of this event, hopefully no boss will ever fire "or send a worker off for a long, unpaid "vacation" in Owen Sound, or anywhere for that matter, when that worker has done something as noble and personally sacrificing as participating in Cops for Cancer to help combat cancer. Period.

unpublished cartoons from the past couple of months

2008-06-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here's four that I don't have much to add about.

unpublished cartoons: Apr. 2008: New "Copper Clad" Health Unit

2008-05-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

Wow, did the Sun Times ever get blasted by some readers... and of course the executives of the new Health Centre, for daring to raise some questions and concerns about how it was built, where it was built, and how much it costs. Of course, some people praised the Paper for raising these concerns as well. Seems to me that the news media... in a democracy, anyway, has the job of watchdog and alerting folks about possible problems. Whether the paper went too far this time or if they were as discreet as they might have been is a question that each individual will have to answer. Seems sometimes the old guard dog at home might bark too loudly at a possible intruder who turns out to be a well meaning neighbour... and then we get frustrated with the dog. Hey, he's just doing his job. Why not give him a cookie and say "good boy" and "we'll take it from here, so you can just go back to restful alert status."

unpublished cartoons: Apr. 2008: Turn off the Screens Week

2008-05-04T14:31:00.001-07:00

Did anyone much even know it was "Turn off the Screens"? Did anyone much care? I guess the real issue here, as in most everything, is reasonable moderation. Too much sitting on your behind and watching anything is not good for your body, or likely your mind and soul either. But total elimination???? Even for a few days???? I don't think too many are going to take that seriously. Anyway, these cartoons deal with the "What if some did take it seriously?"

unpublished cartoons: Apr. 2008: Meaford Budget

2008-05-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

I did these two on Meaford having to deal with a budget in these particularly tough times following all the problems with the previous governing body and the last couple of budgets. Good luck wishes, as always, to Meaford.

unpublished cartoons: Apr. 2008: Elizabeth Witmer... Conservative Health Critic

2008-05-04T14:20:00.001-07:00

It makes me laugh... in a painful way.... anytime a Conservative, and especially one who was an integral part of Mike Harris' Slash and Burn policies towards social issues... gets up and spouts such self righteous stuff as Witmer spewed forth in the first frame of this cartoon which was pretty much a quote from her. I added the rest.

unpublished cartoons: Mar. 2008: Meaford... Earth Hour

2008-04-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

The bottom one is the one I did first... but then the Mayor suddenly resigned shortly after I drew that cartoon... so I thought... why kick someone when they're down, so I changed the wording but still wanted to keep the same overall theme of both Earth Hour which was when we were all supposed to turn off our lights... and the general state of confusion in Meaford that's been going on. See... I do have a heart!

unpublished cartoons: Mar. 2008: Meaford... nice things

2008-04-10T06:18:00.001-07:00

Sure, we dump on Meaford quite a bit... and for good reason, considering what's been going on. But it is a lovely community in many ways and whenever it gets its local government mess straightened out, it will be even better. I was really hoping this one would get published just to show that there are other opinions about Meaford other than it's whacked out.

unpublished cartoons: Mar. 2008: South Br. Pen. council secret meetings

2008-04-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

I guess sometimes it is wise for town council's to discuss some things privately. But for the most part I think most pro-democracy supporters favour an open, transparent government.

unpublished cartoons: Mar. 2008: Quarry Math

2008-04-10T06:02:00.001-07:00

I'm not saying what's going on is deceitful, or just plain crooked.... I'm just saying it doesn't add up to me. I just don't see how you can take som much out of a DEPLETED quarry and why you would need a new one. It didn't say " a soon-to-be-depleted" quarry. Is it? Anyway, the number of applications currently going on to add new or expanded quarries in Grey-Bruce is a bit disconcerting, environmentally... but I know... it's all about the almighty buck... even if it means the end of the world.

unpublished cartoons: Mar. 2008: The (il)logic of do-it -yourself garbage disposal

2008-04-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

This actually happened to me, and if anyone can explain the logic of this system, please e-mail me or leave a comment.

April 1st cartoon: This is how it would look if you folded it yourself

2008-04-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

I was hoping people's first reaction to this cartoon would be, "What??? This is a stupid bylaw!"
Then I hoped they would notice the instructions in bottom left corner and follow them.

Ones that didn't get published (March '08)

2008-03-26T07:57:00.001-07:00

Perhaps this one was too dark, but I think it's kinda cute. Maybe that's just me. Anyway, I'm neither for hunting or against it... so I guess that makes me "for it", but surely we can have one day off from it during huntin' season, for people who might want to enjoy the countryside on Sunday.

Ones that didn't get published (March '08)

2008-03-26T07:54:00.001-07:00

Ethically speaking, I think minimum wages should go up... even more, probably. But I also think there are a lot of skilled, essential workers who are not getting their due. We keep this up at our own peril.

Ones that didn't get published (March '08)

2008-03-26T07:53:00.001-07:00

Ones that didn't get published (March '08)

2008-03-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

I think the average kid would want even more days off. Human nature, I guess. When I was young we didn't get this many days off due to holidays and weather. Sucked then, still sucks now.

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

This one and the one below are about how they've concluded that marijuana may be beneficial to sick people. Kills the pain or something. Anyhow, it got me thinking about old people.

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T08:07:00.001-07:00

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Politicians are very good at promising things that sound good, until you read the fine print that suggests they will actually do what they say they will do, gradually over a billion years, or sometime down the road.... if they are re-elected. Sometimes they later forget their promises. Funny, isn't it? This was from the "good" old Mike Harris grip on Ontario.

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago there seemed to be a problem getting doctors (and other skilled professionals) into Ontario. I believe that's still, sadly, the case. On the other hand, we bend over backwards to cater to entertainers and athletes. Stupid, eh?

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

The States will send us lots of crap. They'll quite happily take a lot of our good stuff. One thing they won't take is hemp... not the drug, but the commercial grade hemp that you can make a lot of superior strength clothing, paper and a ton of other stuff with. They are certainly one up-tight, hypocritical country.

From the cartoon vault

2008-03-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Several years ago there was something in the news about the U.S. bringing plutonium across the border at Sault Ste. Marie. This was my response. I used to live east of the Soo in Desbarats and then in Bruce Mines. If you've ever driven out west on Highway 17, you've passed through those two lovely locations.

Ones that didn't get published: Feb./08: regional economic devel. strategy

2008-03-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ones that didn't get published: Feb./08: Valentine's Day

2008-03-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

Ones that didn't get published: Feb./08: stray cat problem

2008-03-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ones that didn't get published: Feb./08: Media Surveys

2008-03-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

Ones that didn't get published: Feb./08: Wiarton Willie

2008-03-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe that people could get fined up to $5,000 for taking someone's empty beer can from a recycling bin. How unbelievably stupid and anal. If you're a person who's called the cops because some poor person was looking through your recycling GARBAGE, then you need to get a life. Now if people who are picking through your recycling GARBAGE are making a mess, you've got a legitimate concern. But that's littering, folks, not theft. And if your a recycling hunter, then be tidy. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.... even if they don't really want to feed you in the first place.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

I really like this one, if I do say so myself. It's just a touch of absurdity. The phrase "checkoff fees" got my imagination running, because it made me think of the famous playwright Anton Checkov. I guess this is what you get for taking too many literature courses. (On the other hand, can you ever have too many literature courses?). If there ever is an annual meeting where they decide to do some theatre, let me know. It could be a gas!

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-26T16:27:00.000-08:00

I feel sorry for Meaford. I really do. It seems like such a nice place and it's a shame they're going thru so many hassels lately. I'm sure there are people who are getting dragged through the muck who don't deserve to be. Time will tell, hopefully, who are the honourable ones and who are the fools.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-26T16:23:00.001-08:00

I really wish there was a show like this. Of course, the kinds of people who try to keep messing with the public are likely too shrewd to go on a show like this. But it would be fun, wouldn't it?

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-26T16:17:00.001-08:00

How many ways can we find to keep screwing up the lives of our natives? Oh, I guess there are plenty of ways. Multiple Choice Quiz: The European Settlers to this Country have passed on a rich heritage of: A. Stupidity B. Greed C. Deceit D. Broken Promises E. Apathy

Ones that didn't get published: Stephen H. & Day Care pt. 1

2008-02-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is the one I did first. The one that will be right below this one is the 2nd one I did. I wasn't totally satisfied with this 1st one. I think the 2nd one works a bit better.

Ones that didn't get published: Stephen Harper & Day Care

2008-02-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is the 2nd one I did that day on this topic. This is the one I like better. Other than very rich people, are there any people out there who wake up each day saying, "Thank God there's a progressive conservative party ruining, er, I meant to say, "running" this country"????

From the cartoon vault: The next few are about Wiarton Willie

2008-02-18T05:28:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure this one got published several years ago.

From the cartoon vault: Wiarton Willie Auditions

2008-02-18T05:09:00.000-08:00

I can't remember if they actually had two or not, or whether I just wondered "What if?". Anyway here's how it might go if they had one who was just not right for the role, competing against one who was just right.

From the cartoon vault: Wee Willie (a new Wiarton Willie)

2008-02-18T05:02:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, one of the fairly long standing Willie's met an untimely demise and they had to get a new one, who was dubbed "Wee Willie". I just played around with the idea of "big shoes to fill", only it seemed more appropriate to make it "big shadow".

From the cartoon vault: Wiarton Willie

2008-02-18T04:54:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while they have to get a new Willie. Every year I imagine he (or she) faces the same pressure.

From the cartoon vault: The next few are in the topic area of Science

2008-02-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

I came across this one done around a decade ago. Even bigger telescope projects have just been in the news... again... this past week. It seems some crazy ideas will never die.

From the cartoon vault

2008-02-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Ah, science.... you gotta love it! It seems that no sooner does one scientific body come up with one finding then another group comes up with something just the opposite. Anti bacterial soaps may be more good than bad.... I don't honestly know. But I do know this: I was a child in the 1950's and that's when the whole notion of things just can't be damn clean enough in your household really took off. Of course there were influential advocates of change who were at the head of this movement .... Mr. Clean, Mr. Proctor and Mr. Gamble, Mr. Spic and Mrs. Span, etc. etc. ... and I think they got very rich convincing a whole generation or two that the more chemicals you dumped on things, the safer everything would be.
I think in the last several years, some have begun to question this notion. Many of these people are called environmentalists.

From the cartoon vault: Here's a couple I did on gnetically altered food

2008-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Several years ago this was a hot, controversial topic. Nowadays I assume it's fairly routine. Although in the great ying/yang of life, the hot topic today in food is organically grown food. Of course one's cheap and the other is expensive. Seems the big corporations continue to thrive at the expense of the poor, while the rich not only get wealthier, but also healthier.

From the cartoon vault

2008-02-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

It seems like it's very wrong for athletes to tamper with their bodies using chemicals, but it seems that the powers that be have said it's o.k. to alter food.... and that we can all put that into our bodies. I'm not saying it's good or bad, I'm just saying it's kind of an interesting paradox.

From the cartoon vault

2008-02-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

At one time I think there was talk of famous space pioneer John Glenn going back up into space. I don't know if he ever did it or not, nor do I care. But at the time it seemed kind of funny to me.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-16T06:08:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one reason this didn't get published is because of the name I gave the dog. At the same time there was some tragic, local story about some dog named "Fi", I believe. At the time I drew and submitted this, I wasn't aware of that story. The "Fi" was not a poodle, as far as I know. When I drew this, I just randomly decided to make the cartoon dog a poodle and it seemed like a good french poodle name is "Fifi". End of story.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

There's an ongoing war going on between these two groups and it's been going from one appeal to another as the decision on this keeps flip flopping. So I just tried to imagine some absurd situation where the two parties are playing a game of scrabble and they both hit on seven letters, including a key blank tile, that will spell out appeals. If you play Scrabble you'll know that seven letter words get you a big bonus score.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

I was actually disappointed that this one didn't make it. But hey, that's show biz.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-16T05:48:00.001-08:00

Sure, it's important to study things. Right, students? But do we really need to spend so much time and money on things that are fairly obvious? I think sometimes, studies are just ways of postponing doing anything.

Ones that didn't get published

2008-02-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Actually, I doubt very much that Bill has made this resolution. And even if he was to say he was, I'm not sure it would be sincere.... like a lot of resolutions we all make. Anyway I just wanted to play around with the whole idea. If you know your ancient folklore you'll hopefully get the reference to "The Trojan Horse" story.

from the vault: 199?

2008-02-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

Several years ago some people were actually annoyed at people who used debit cards under the delusion that it took up too much of their precious time. For a while some grocery stores actually instituted a cash only line to pacify those fools. As a dedicated debit card user, have you ever been in a line where someone who is paying takes minutes shuffling through his or her pockets or purse looking for the exact change? Maybe they should have included an asterik.... "Cash Only* ...*if you
just fork over some money quickly and accept change back.

from the vault: 199?

2008-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

The dust bunny is named "Harvey" and if you have ever seen the classic Jimmy Stewart movie titled "Harvey" about the guy who thinks he sees a giant bunny named Harvey then you know where that's coming from.

from the vault

2008-02-10T18:56:00.000-08:00

Several years ago these laser light pens were new novelties. The most distressing thing about them was they were relatively cheap and they were being sold just about everywhere AS TOYS!!!! Needless to say, a bunch of dumb-ass teens thought it would be great fun to buy them and shine them in people's eyes (which could cause damage) or shine them on the more personal parts of other people's bodies. Even some dumber-ass parents even bought them for their kids. I had one shone in my eyes once, from down a hall, and let me tell you it was no fun for several hours.

from the vault: 1998??? One more Clinton one for now.

2008-02-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

Every once-in-a-while I like to get a little more artistic. I'm quite happy with this one which is based on the famous American painting "American Gothic" by an artist named, I think, Grant Wood.

from the vault: 1998???

2008-02-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

The Monica is Monica Lewinsky. If you lived during that time, you probably know what I'm talking about. If you don't, then you'll have to check out Bill Clinton's history. By the way... it'll be interesting to see how history text books, in the future, cover this aspect of the Clinton saga.

from the vault: 1998???

2008-02-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

I sometimes signed my name using the symbols you see in the bottom right corner. It uses the symbol for man with the circle and arrow, and below that I put a row of Z's (zeees, if you use the Amer. pronunciation. (I'm not American, by the way, ... which is something my spell checker keeps pointing out as it underlines in red every time I use a Canadian spelling.) Plural of man is men... add some Zees and you get Menzies. Clever, if I do say so myself. Anyway, I used to argue with myself on whether I should use a pen name or not. Now, I just use my own name. No ducking, no hiding.

from the vault: 1998???

2008-02-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

If you saw the movie "Something About Mary", you'll probably get this joke. If not then you might be scratching your head. After you've scratched enough, you should rent the movie. It's one of the funnier ones of recent years!
P.S. ... In the past, for a time, I signed some cartoons as "Mingus" which is a Scottish variation of the name "Menzies". Actually, I have a way less Scottish blood in me than my name might suggest, but that's another story.

from the vault: 1998

2008-02-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T16:31:00.001-08:00

2008-02-10T16:27:00.000-08:00