Friday, July 08, 2005

Toon Roundup 7/8/05 and a Shuffleupagus

The toons are below, the Shuffleupagus is in progress.
Here are a few heartily welcomed friends and affiliates for the past week.





Just after completing the Ten Commandments toon below at 5 A.M. Thursday I hit FoxNews and learned of the London bombings. So, switcheroo, at least for a day or two. For all of the encouraging and some believe too-friendly cartoons I've drawn over the past year for our Northern neighbor (be nice to your web footed friends) I could spare our staunch ally across the pond a nod during their time of challenge. Monday's cartoon will follow along the same lines, and draws on photo resources the original faithmouse captured in England two decades ago.



The recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Ten Commandments is yet another case of the very foundation of our legal system being subjected to a test it can't help but fail. Anyone can argue successfully that the Ten Commandments is a religious document, as well they should. The point however should be moot, since every law passed by the Supreme Court or any court is at heart an ordinance concerning morals (the Declaration of Independence is itself a moral document, and supremely so)-the question is which set of morals do we hang our hat on. Regardless of one's religious or non-religious affiliation, all substitutes to Judeo-Christian principles of law are subjective and have therefore historically been found wanting. We have their rubble as proof.
While our interpretation of law and scripture may be debated, what is debatable about thou shalt not kill, or steal, or bear false witness? Attempts to assign to the moral code which serves as the conscience of our society a wholly subjective status enhances the power and influence of those already possessing power and influence and who perpetually wish to rewrite the rules to their favor. Is it acceptable for me to kill someone if I can legally demonstrate their life was worthless anyway? Can I steal your property if I can prove it's for the greater good of society?



Ah, the Fourth of July cartoons. I dislike them both. Neither came close to what I had in mind. The solution might be to lighten the copy of the original Declaration of Independence in the latter tune (the real McCoy) and superimpose the 'Death Warrant' script from the earlier cartoon.
Better luck next year.

What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence?

The original Fourth of July cartoon has meanwhile transformed into a decidedly Minnesotan offering, and should make it's sometime appearance later next week.



Focusing on the source; always a healthy thing to do. I considered presenting an 'Africa is corrupt' cartoon, but thank goodness a few other cartoonists beat me to it. We can afford to ignore the self-aggrandizement of a few spoiled pop culture stars when the intention of such a large effort is to help those who have nothing. That's Nothing with a really big N.
Just a word here about 'intention.' One of the great advantages of a conservative philosophy is that in the long haul it proves the shallowness of those who promote the sacredness of their intentions over the rational application of Christian principles. Is it Christian to buy that one last drink for your drunken bar friend at two A.M., or to distribute one millimeter of protection to someone who chances presenting a death sentence to someone they love (or should love)? Practical Christians can't give up this ground, but nor should they willing to cede that lofty high place of 'good intentions.' Personal sacrifice without any promise of a return earthly investment is a sign of God's grace, common or not.

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