This Week's Cartoons

Bad Juju Hangs at the Washington Hilton • The First Shall be Last Amendment

Again, a lunatic had the ability to arm himself to the teeth. And, while it’s true that any president is a potential target, this president has had three assassination attempts. To date, Franklin Roosevelt holds the record at five attempts. Reagan is the only sitting president who was wounded and survived. Oddly enough, that shooting in 1981 took place at the Washington Hilton, the same place this recent attempt occurred. Many of us, still call it the “Hinkley Hilton” attaching the assassin’s name to the venue. It’s a ghost that will never be exorcised. Washington Hilton is one of the largest hotels in the area and its enormous ballroom is a preferred spot for large scale events. The high profile, and popular WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER has been hosted at the Washington Hilton since 1965.

As concerns over the security breach have been raised, my warped mind with its twisted sense of satire, along with being a member of the journalist camp, I couldn’t help but see the glaring irony of the situation; namely Trump’s distain for the news media and journalists in general, labeling them “enemies of the State.” Plus, this being his first attendance at this event as president, because he couldn’t take playful ribbing from Obama the last time he attended. Had there been a tragic outcome to this shocking and unfortunate incident, this cartoon would not have been created. But, as it ended without deaths or severe injuries, such as White House Press Secretary James Brady sustained during the Reagan attack, I’m opening the gates and letting the wild horses loose.

Security was tight for attendees. Correspondents and other journalists were processed through the typical background checks and subjected to search and magnetomer scanning, explosive-sniffing machinery and dogs, to assure these enemies of the state (journalists) weren’t about to act out their nefarious intentions. Yet, a would-be assassin was able to secret himself, fully armed down the back stairs and into the area leading to the ballroom, with shots fired, before being apprehended.

Enemies of the State

Prologue: It may be worth noting that I was staying at that hotel during the week leading up to this event. I had checked out Saturday (April 24th) morning, had taken the Metro out to Dulles International, and was back home in Minnesota when I heard the news.

The Hypocrite’s Oaf

Days before the thwarted assassination attempt on April 24, comic entertainer Jimmy Kimmel made a joke. That’s what he does. An overwhelming percentage of his jokes are aimed at Donald Trump and his politics. Fair game. Because of this, Kimmel has brought the indignant ire of thin-skinned Trump’s on many occasions, along with other political entertainers, including Stephen Colbert who was fired from his CBS Late Night show. That’s what Trump does. He lashes out, bitterly and with malice at anyone who criticizes his conduct or his policies. In my 40 plus years in the political cartooning and commentary field, I have never experienced more despicable conduct by a sitting president than has been exhibited on a regular basis by this one. He dishes out. But, he does not take it.

Jimmy Kimmel’s joke was something to the effect of the First Lady showing “widow’s eyes,” addressing the age difference between her and the President. To me, it was in poor taste, but it’s nothing compared to the stream of putrescent rhetoric that Trump regularly burps out, to vilely chastise his critics and bitterly denigrate his opponents with malice. That’s what Trump does and it’s invariably in poor taste.

Trump asserted Kimmel’s comment actually incited the gunman to commit this attack. He is calling for his firing and is unabasheduly abusing his power as President to turn the screws on Disney and ABC, until they comply… all because of his personal indignation.

Trump’s criticisms aren’t inciting others to violence. Trump brings it on himself, through his speech and conduct. He has a knack for breaking pretty much everything he touches, including his own presidency.

Speaking of questionable taste, this was a video experiment I did last year. It’s part of my transparency policy to show you behind the scenes. Call it, the Good, the Bad, the Pathetic. This short subject spoofs the device used by presidents at their State of the Union addresses, having special guests in the gallery whose achievements somehow become attributed to the sitting president. Comments are welcome.

Footnote: the two dogs pictures are my actual pets.