Mike du jour Lester

Find the Racist

2012-02-16T04:12:00.000-08:00

I read this yesterday:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/14/mayweather-slams-linsanity-on-twitter-says-hype-due-to-race/

"Hype due to race". Really??? I don't expect professional athletes or entertainers to spout cultural profundities and by recent standards this doesn't even register if you listen to the inanities some of our politicians vomit forth. But twitter ain't made for the impetuously stupid pundits among us. Me included. But Mr. Mayweather's not alone.

Remember Larry Bird? When LB was becoming "Larry the Legend" and for damn good reasons? Isiah Thomas, a brilliant player in his day (just ask him) said the exact same thing about Larry Bird that Floyd Mayweather said about Jeremy Lin. That plenty of other black NBA players were as good if not better than LB and that he was only getting attention because he was a white player in a black sport.

I know how he feels.

Bonus useless sports trivia: Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson, playing on different teams in an NBA finals game actually kissed each other before tipoff. A record Larry Bird cannot claim.

Walking on Water

2012-02-10T06:47:00.000-08:00

To my recollection there have only been three people who have successfully walked on water. Jesus Christ, Barack Obama and Chance the Gardner.

While I've already done a cartoon comparing Barack Obama to Peter Sellers character, Chance the Gardner in "Being There, (from imdb.com: "His simple TV-informed utterances are mistaken for profundity.") I've never put him in a panel w/ the Big Guy. Frankly, I've not found the need to draw Jesus too often. But it's not too often we have a President who compels me to.

The Archbishop of Washington D.C. was predictably attacked on Morning Joe today w/ little to no avail. He unequivocally stated he takes not one penny of gov. money yet this administration is telling Catholics how to practice their Constitutional freedom of being Catholic. Then he asked how they would feel if the administration called up one day and told MSNBC what they were going to talk about on Tuesday's and Fridays.

Then Mika giggled. (Cut to commercial)

Here's how I see it: if tomorrow BHO announced that he wanted to hire Christo to drape the Washington Monument in a pink latex sheath to promote condom use, within 48 hrs. (actually I'll take the under) most if not all of the mainstream media would be telling us what a brilliantly visionary symbol this was for Dicks everywhere.

"We're back and now over to Mika who will amaze us with her ability to read."

Halftime in America: China 60Buzillion / US Zero

2012-02-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Super bowl: check. Mage: check. NYFootballGiantsChamps: check. Won SBParty dumb luck $150 pot: check. $3 million/30second spot commercials: check. Wait, one of them was a commercial? Gran Torino Clint walking thru Detroit (filmed in NewOrleans and LA) giving the now famous "HALFTIME IN AMERICA" speech was a commercial for Chrysler? GM? Did you know this?

CBS News notes that Chrysler was bailed out with $12.5 billion from the U.S. government in 2008, and following bankruptcy restructuring is majority owned by Fiat SpA. In 2011, Chrysler earned $183 million, compared with a loss of $652 million in 2010.

Rather than try to compete, I direct you to an incredibly clever take on the topic by my friend the good Doctor Jarlsberg. Enjoy:

http://hopenchangecartoons.blogspot.com/2012/02/halfwits-in-america.html

Babies, Breasts and Backs

2012-02-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Dicks like me don't get in to womens' plumbing for obvious reasons but last week a charity, Susan G. Koman -who is in the breast cancer cure/screening business and somehow affiliated w/ the country's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood (not my words -the WSJournal) found itself in a bitch slap-fest. (my words). The dust is slowly settling but I still don't know what breasts and dead babies have to do w/ one another. Live ones, I get. And, for the record, not only am I o.k. w/ public breast feeding I prefer watching it to watching NASCAR.

Enter the Chiropractor. (see link and be prepared to catch your dropping jaw)

So this guy who fought for his country on the basis of his (-not unheard of opinion) that the POTUS might not be legit, is denied a medical license to practice "the healing arts". WTF his opinion on BHO's birthplace has to do w/ adjusting Kansas City spines is neck crackingly confounding. Did they deny Donald Trump any construction, labor, gambling, etc. licenses when he went "birther"? Coming soon: "You must be this devoted to President Obama to ride this ride".

I'm ont old enough to remember nor did I live in California when it meant certain death just to be accused of being "Red". But, God help us, we're all living thru this cartoon.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/16666365/the-doctor-willwont-see-you

Mitt-ism

2012-02-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

The left loves me when I go after the right. I know, Mitt ain't exactly Mr. Right -or as Lawrence Odoofus called him Mr. "Whiter than white" (damn that's some good stuff). But Mitt's not my first choice for a lot of reasons and while he was taken out of context, misspoke and basically loaded the firing squad rifles it's his particular stance on the issues that bother me.

I'm going to support Santorum until I can't -which could be any day but...make no mistake, on voting day and all I see is STILTON JARLSBERG's name on the ballot opposite BARACK H. OBAMA, I'm voting for the cheese...man.

http://www.gocomics.com/mike-lester/2012/02/03

Carrot Sticks

2012-02-02T05:48:00.000-08:00

Busy day. Got to make donuts but here's my humble offering du jour:

http://www.gocomics.com/mike-lester

Hi, from Mike's Wife

2012-02-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm Regan Lester (pronounced like the 40th President, go figure) and I'm guest posting on my husbands blog today. We have a small little family (dog "Nancy", cat "Charlie") and live in a little house in downtown (historic) Rome, Georgia. Life's pretty great. Now. But like many Americans we fought an addiction together. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to take a minute to clear up an episode in my life for which my husband is unfairly blamed.

I am in fact his wife (we will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary May 21) and I can attest to his innocence. Mike would never and has never laid a hand on me. There was a time in my life when I was prescribed a pretty heavy dose of anti anxiety drugs which lead to horrible and clouded decision making. Shortly afterward I entered rehab, and am proud to say I've been prescription free since January 2010. Our marriage is great, and I'm lucky to have such a devoted husband to forgive me and stand by me. Feel free to disagree with his politics, but as far as him being a "wife beater" that is simply not true.

I know all the explanations in the world will never satisfy some people but it's enough for us. It has to be. We are imperfect people who've been to a place from which few return. With the support of my husband I was able to overcome an addiction that so many people face and we're proud of that.

Every day is a gift and not promised.
Thanks for listening and God bless you.

I am,
Regan Lester

Read more: RN-T.com - Mike Lester s cartoon 06 29 11

The Tarmac Tiff

2012-01-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

The POTUS is held to no standard whatsoever. None. I would find that boring. How do you know you've succeeded if they never let you fail? You'll never convince me that Clark Kellogg didn't intentionally lose at HORSE.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Did-Clark-Kellogg-let-President-Obama-win-in-HOR?urn=ncaab,231945

So, The Tarmac Tiff was a white woman who didn't like a black man as President. At least that's what we're told. I got a better idea why this "typical white woman" (-BHO quote referring to HIS OWN Grandmother) might have chewed on one of those XL ears.

The Federal Government is suing one of the 57 states (Arizona) over their right to decide their immigration law and two of Ms. Brewers legal Arizona residents are no longer eligible for the census (dead) because somebody (Obama's Justice Dept.) thought it would be a good idea to give illegal drug cartel monkeys a bunch of guns. If I were Gov. Brewer, I'd have put a live scorpion down his pants.

But all the news pundits, race baiters, funny men and cartoonists tell us the "TIFF" happened because Mr. O is black. Not sure where you're from but seems a more logical reason that anyone rips anyone else a new one is because they f*cked w/ their sh*t. (in this case, her state and her citizens).

But affirmative action teaches us Mr. O needs the medias and our help because he's black and we should do all we can to help him because he's black, and his failings are because he's trying and black, and we should just shut up and let him "fundamentally transforming America"* because he's black.

I get it: he's black. What else you got?

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cqN4NIEtOY

Ring Card Girl

2012-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

Truth is, I've waaaaay overestimated the number of people who have any interest in, watched or could tell you the last names of "Newt" or "Mitt"...Sad but true.

Bread & Circuses

2012-01-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

As a newspaper cartoonist I figure if I'm going to get my ass beat by the internet I might as well take advantage of it. Not many readers are going to be as wonkish as I am and might not be familiar w/ the term "bread and circuses" but I had to know the context the first time I heard the phrase. It's that goofy and I dig goofy.

So, I'm pretty sure most people bothering to read me today wonder wtf I was talking about googled the line and found:

bread and circuses

pl.n.

Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.

Of course I drew it yesterday before last nights SOTU speech correctly predicting the message. Now if I could only use this gift to pick stocks...

Tobow is Hot

2012-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Religion is a personal matter for me. It's so personal that I think if you personally want to take it public, you have the right. But this was just plain freaky:

Tebow's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 and in his college years wore eye patches with the scripture on them.

Sunday, Tebow threw for 316 yards vs. Steelers.

He averaged 31.6 yards per play.

The TV ratings peaked at 31.6 as the final pass was thrown to Demarius Thomas (who ironically was born on Christmas Day).

What are the odds?

Chevy Volt

2012-01-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

Don't have kids in public school? Your taxes pay for them anyway and rightly so. An electric car subsidized by taxpayers? Not so much. I do, however, hear they have excellent heating systems.

Compromise: definition.

2012-01-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

"Compromise" is a big point of contention and has been for a while. It's a loaded word that presumes a natural complicity or you're a dolt. Another word is "fairness". Since when did we decide the world is , in fact, "fair"?

Here's David Gregory last Sunday giving Rick Santorum a cavity search on "Meet the Press Who Are Busting Their Ass to Re-Elect Obama":

"Do you fault Republican leaders in Congress for not doing more to make government work better, through more compromise with the President?"

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2012/01/03/nbcs-gregory-isnt-gop-blame-not-doing-more-make-government-work-better#ixzz1iatqqS1P

Look, if you and Obama are riding in a car and he wanted to cruise for dudes and you said "Not my thing but you can go w/out me." Then got out of the car, the press would light you up for "not compromising with the president".

Obama Buzzes NY

2011-12-17T06:25:00.000-08:00

My friend Mick Williams reminded me that two planes to Hawaii probably wasn't the stupidest thing the Obama's have done w/ Air Force One...Remember April, 2009?

"in a box"

2011-12-01T05:21:00.001-08:00

Somedays I get away w/ them. Somedays I don't....

Larry Munson

2011-11-23T05:53:00.001-08:00

With the ever increasing bad news out of State College, PA. it's a bitter sweet moment to celebrate something good about college football: the life and the passing of a man who reinvented college football sportscasting, Larry Munson.

You didn't always know the down and distance but you knew you were listening to an original. God Bless Larry.

$15 Trillion

2011-11-18T06:12:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday, the federal government's total debt exceeded fifteen trillion dollars. Normally I don't illustrate my own cartoon w/ another illustration but this one pretty clearly draws a visual of what a "trillion dollars" looks like.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12754

Now just multiply by fifteen and imagine what four more years of President Mom Jeans will look like.

As Stein's law says, "If something cannot go on forever, it will stop." The question is how?

T-shirt progression

2011-11-17T06:14:00.001-08:00

As promised, Auburn t-shirt progression. Pretty down and dirty (read: simple) production job. I've done a lot of collegiate work in the past ("BUZZ" for Ga. Tech is probably my most visible) and I enjoy it. My athletic skills were never going to get me on a field but this stuff did.

Thanks to Lee Mapp @ Tiger Rags for making me look good in post production.

Ear To The Ground...

2011-11-15T05:56:00.001-08:00

When I filed this cartoon yesterday, my editor at WPWG wrote back to tell me this:

Mike, I had this experience just the other day at our Occupy-overrun CVS. It was occupied with Occupiers buying $4 redbulls.

She's in D.C and admittedly the level of "occupier" in the RICHEST COUNTY IN AMERICA (jeez, wonder why?) doesnt' blink at $4 Red Bulls. They do, however have the elements to deal w/ and very soon. This is known as "reprimitivization". Not sure where I heard that but I would add the prefix "self inflicted".

Pimp State

2011-11-11T05:10:00.001-08:00

Today's cartoon was supposed to be a response to the student riots at Penn St. Wed. night. A hard to believe mob response to a crime that continues to boggle the mind. As the day wore on, I ditched it for this one.

I live in the South and we know college football. We don't know THIS college football.

Fast Furious Dead

2011-11-10T05:52:00.000-08:00

Why does Eric Holder still have a job? Alberto Gonzalez was forced to resign over unproven accusations. And you know how NPR and PBS and the "compassionate" crowd will quickly obliterate any distinction between "illegal" and "legal" immigration? Then why haven't they reported that TWO HUNDRED MEXICANS were killed by U.S. guns that were part of some scheme to track U.S. guns by giving them to Mexican drug lords who gladly took U.S. guns?

If your job is to be TOP COP and enforce the law, then refusing to prosecute Black Panthers because they are "my people" should have been a deal breaker. Two hundred Mexicans and Agent Terry might still be around.

V is for "Vendetta". It's also for "Very Possible"

2011-11-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

Slick Politician? Not so much.

2011-11-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Herman is completely unqualified: he has proven that he can't lie nearly as well as Bubba Clinton, arguably the most popular man in the Democratic Party.

Muslim Football

2011-10-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

The 2011 version of The World's Largest Cocktail Party kicks off again Saturday. In case you don't know, this is the Univ. of Georgia vs. the swamp people (Florida). Tim Tebow was / is swamp people and we hate swamp people. It's actually a law here.

But what's happened to this kid since entering the NFL is astounding. If you don't know, he's a practicing Christian and we all know Christians were responsible for 9-11 and the sub-priime mess. He takes mission trips to prisons and third world countries and to my knowledge, he's never electrocuted a dog. This is what qualifies you for a level of vitriol reserved for Bernie Madoff.

'Daily Show' comedian John Oliver declared: ''I dislike Robert Mugabe. I hate Tim Tebow.''

John Oliver? A Brit? Why does he care about an American football player? I'll answer that: because liberals seek out Christians. I don't know why other than they are closet Christians themselves. But according to the left, Christians are modern day nazi's. And they eat babies. No, wait, that's the left or Planned Parenthood which is redundant.

And Mr. Oliver's not alone.

If he were a practicing Muslim, they'd be remodeling the locker room to put in foot baths, the cheerleaders would be wearing hijab's and he'd get to throw all his passes toward Mecca. I still hate Florida but I am now a Bronco's fan.

So Long Herman

2011-10-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have to be honest: when my wife and I saw the commercial of Herman's campaign manager taking a drag Mon. morning, we both looked at each other and said the same thing: "pull the sign". So, I walked out in the front yard and pulled my CAIN 2012 $15.00 yard sign out of the ground.

I don't have a problem w/ the man smoking but, c'mon. You're running the campaign for the biggest job in the world. In today's culture, people who smoke are equal to pedophiles. Maybe lower. Point is, if you make this bad decision, what more can I expect. And since I said I'd be honest, I love Herman for what Emerson called "straight talk and plain dealing" but the foreign policy curve seems a bit high. Just ask the imbecile we got now.

Hardhat Heck

2011-10-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Number Two in a series of three. No, it's not a finished cover, only a sketch. But you get the idea.

Boomerang Bob the Cat That Comes Back

2011-10-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the cover mock-ups (not finished art yet) for one of the three books in the "Boomerang Bob" series. I've had Bob bouncing around in my head for longer than I care to admit but he's out now and we'll see where he goes. I can't post the stories yet for obvious reasons but the other two are, "Shampoo Boo Boo" and "Hardhat Heck". You get the idea.

You'll also notice that, given my infamous reputation, my agent and I decided it might be wise to publish under a nom de plume. Nobody wants conservatives writing stories for their kids. I might say something like, "God exists". It's sort of like witness protection for the artsy set.

2011-10-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

No sane person would have occasion to read Glen Beck's site theblaze.com so I've linked to it here. Evidently, editorial cartooning has come further than I thought. But in fairness, most of these were drawn BEFORE the Titanic sunk.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/wall-street-historic-political-cartoons/

Killing Spiders

2011-10-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

That he doesn't have a self conscious bone in his body isn't new. That he accepts and takes credit for success that isn't his might be the height of conceit. The POTUS is as responsible for killing 'Gaddaffy' as a fart for launching a rocket.

Once upon a Joe

2011-10-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

As a big time cartoonist, nobody tells me what to do. Except my wife, my cat & dog and Amy Lago. (List in no particular order.)

Amy seemed to think rape and kids in the same cartoon might spook some of my new newspaper clients. So I compromised and substituted a couple in bed. That I live in a world where it is entirely plausible for the Vice President to be in your bedroom reading you a bed time story is one of the few perks of being...a big time cartoonist.

Lost at Sea?

2011-10-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Yea, I know, simplification of a complex issue always gets me in trouble but, for crying out loud. Literally. I'm as pissed at the bailouts as anybody and I got the cartoons to prove it but as the saying goes, "80% of the people dont' care about your problems and the other twenty are glad."

We would do well to start rowing.

Portraits by Mr. Media

2011-10-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ran across this site: http://the53.tumblr.com/

I really don't have much to add other than the cartoon it inspired. Real reason is that it's Monday and I'm busier than a pair of jumper cables at a PHISH concert.

Occupation du Jour...

2011-10-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

If the "CRAP ON A COP CAR CAMPERS" can stretch this out over days, so can I. At least that's my excuse for doing another cartoon on the "Occupation Wall Street"* crowd. (* that's what Al Tawana Sharpton called it. One is a noun the other a verb but to Al it's all racism to point it out)

Anyway, I'm hearing how non violent these peaceful protesters are and that doesn't seem to be working. So, Bill Mahr suggests they throw a brick thru Fox news, some nobody says Gandhi was a "turd" and I can make the argument that dropping a "Gandhi" in the bushes of a public park is pretty damn violent. Pay my mortgage, Pig.

2011-10-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

I'm often accused of making stuff up just to support my position. Quickest way I know to irrelevance. But when you're presented a little bon mot like the attached video, the trick then becomes to NOT just copy the situation verbatim. The hardest thing in the world to do is caricature a caricature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrPGoPFRUdc&feature=player_embedded

du jour...

2011-10-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

So Chris Christie and Sarah Palin are out. Now it's Romney and the rest according to today's newspapers (remember those?) And I tend to agree owing to the Wm. F. Buckley Rule: “Nominate the most conservative candidate who is electable.” But me thinks the media sees ANY GOP candidate as what used to be called a "Tomato Can". It's a term much older than I am but I'm also trying to resurrect "solid" as a common term for approval of something.

"Tomato Can" is also an opponent designed to inflate the record of what is considered a more formidable opponent. Sort of like when Alabama plays Kent State. Not to pick on Alabama because all big time football programs do it. But in this case, the media thinks that with their help, the fix is in and President Mom Jeans can beat "The Fighting Mormon".

2011-10-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Forgive my sporadic posts. Three animations, three books almost complete, editorial cartoons and twelve step nudist recovery make for a busy schedule. I'll try to better...

Blog du jour...

2011-09-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I see cartoons on NPR's "Double Take", they come to the same conclusion or share the same message. They got these two right:

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/03/140142938/double-take-toons-nose-out-of-joint-session

2011-09-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

My friend and White House pool reporter, Keith Koffler -who after years covering the WH suggests that something else is at play regarding the musical chairs speech vs. date kerfuffle and it starts w/ a "Rick" and ends w/ a "Perry".

As he expertly points out, this scheduled NBC Chuck Todd Republican field debate will be the first time America gets a look at the leading contender for the GOP nomination. And while that may or may not be THE reason the POTUS decided to speak the same night, it sure as hell looks like it...

And if you've not read Shelby Steele's WSJ column from yesterday, it's probably than my cartoon. Takes longer to read but worth it.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15296308/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--9-2-11?instance=cartoons

Mr. Math

2011-09-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'm no math guy. My friends don't even let me keep the scorecard when we play golf so when I tell you that if you took everybody making a million dollars or more and taxed them at 50%, you'd put a 1/3 of 1% dent in the federal deficit, I read it in THE WEEK. Blame them if I'm wrong.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15281868/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--9-1-11?instance=cartoons

Karma and Irony

2011-08-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Not sure about where you live but copper theft is rampant here. I'm not sure how much is inside your typical ac unit but there must be enough to make picking the whole damn thing up off it's slab a viable endeavor. And because churches aren't 24/7 operations for the most part they are particularly susceptible and common targets meaning you not only run the risk of electrocution but a special place in H - E - double hockey sticks.

Now THAT, my friend is irony.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15219024/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-26-11?instance=cartoons

Memorial to...

2011-08-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

So, let me see if I've got this right: the sculptor is Chinese (not a Chinese-American but an honest to God communist China person). The granite is from China because American doesn't have any granite quarries -yet another victim of manmade global warming, I guess. And the kicker is we borrowed the money to pay the artist and buy the granite and ship it here making it -not a memorial to one of our greatest Americans but a memorial to...Irony.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15203944/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-25-11?instance=cartoons

Sit. Stay.

2011-08-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

He'll be RIGHT back...

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15154304/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-21-11?instance=cartoons

What's that Margaret Thatcher quote?

2011-08-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmmmmm....tasty, tasty rich.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15141918/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-19-11?instance=cartoons

Clueless Rate

2011-08-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

This is the second cartoon I've done on the black unemployment rate. I'm not fond of delineating between Americans but, it would appear we'll be segregated by our own government whether we like it or not. Maxine Watters and the Congressional Black Caucus yesterday decided to ask their constituents for permission to stop praying to THE ONE long enough to hold HIM accountable. So it seemed a good time to remind America (not black, not white -but American) that (-in the words of House of Pain), "sh*t gettin' hectic real quick".

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/15127412/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-18-11?instance=cartoons

2011-08-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Tim Geithner is really a piece of...work.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14999322/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-10-11?instance=cartoons

2011-08-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

du jour...

Not everyday I get to draw Prince (insert symbol here) and the thought bubble over the hobos (both black and white I'd like to point out) is an old cartoon saw used by everybody from Bugs Bunny to Yogi but it gets the message across.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14994684/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--8-9-11?instance=cartoons

Mr. and Mrs. Jones

2011-08-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not an economist. Far from it but this is the kind of thinking that passes for logic in Washington. Simplistic overview of a complex situation? Absolutely. I'm a cartoonist.

Playing ketchup

2011-08-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

I might have misspelled that but I'm trying to keep up to date on this blog. -Or as I like to call it, "blech". I drew this the day before the big debt vote when Ohio Orange-Boy told his membership to "get your ass in line" -which of course refers to donkeys (ass) and not elephants (also asses just bigger) but they got the message if not the metaphor.

And since cig taxes go to education, please smoke responsibly, often and ignore the social pariah looks.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14874447/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--07-29-11?instance=top_right_cartoon

Hotter that a 4 balled tomcat

2011-08-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

I know, it's a crude expression but it's damn accurate and we sort of cut to the chase in the South. Too hot to do otherwise.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14860146/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--07-28-11?instance=top_right_cartoon

Tiger's Caddie

2011-07-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

In the margins of the news last week I saw where Tiger's caddie was fired and in departing had some parting shots. At the time I drew this, I had no inside info but it appears I was prescient. Not really a stretch but I do like being right...

I'm back

2011-07-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days. I'm oh so close to being COMPLETELY finished w/ a book and needed the time. But here's yesterday's cartoon.

Supposedly the last murderer put to death in the great state of Georgia seemed to complain of some discomfort after the needle was placed in his arm so there were adjustments made and just to make sure, they videotaped it. (1993 multiple stabbed Mother, Father and Sister were unavailable for comment)

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14788090/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--07-24-11?instance=cartoons

I love Newscasters

2011-07-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

Seems about right...the comparison that is.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14691613/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--07-14-11?instance=cartoons

Heart Breaking

2011-07-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

The first line spoken by the little girl is something I heard in an interview from the Mother of one of the children. I provided Super. Hall's line. A sad day in the city of my birth.

NYTIMES

2011-07-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Old Gray Lady leans a little left for me -actually, they're left of left for me but they're still Oprah when it comes to book reviews. In 2000 my book "A is for Salad" made their Children's book top ten and they seem to like the latest as well. I'm honored and flattered. Now if they'd just rename Krugman's column "Krugman's Kommie Korner", they'll at least be accurate.

file:///Users/mlester101/Desktop/'Scritch-Scratch%20a%20Perfect%20Match'%20-%20NYTimes.com.webarchive

Mark Halperin calls Obama a "dick", ergo...

2011-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

There's a beaucoup of talking heads everyday but Mark Halperin is no slouch. Halperin is Time magazine's editor at large, its leading political journalist and a regular commentator on MSNBC. -not that anybody is as geeked on politics in the morning as me but on Thursday's edition of the "Morning Joe" show, he was prodded by the show's co-hosts, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, to offer his impression of Obama's performance at his (one day earlier) Wednesday news conference. After asking whether the show's seven-second delay switch - which allows for the editing of inappropriate remarks - was on, Halperin smirked and said, "I thought he was kind of a dick yesterday."

This is why I'm fond of saying, some times cartoons draw themselves...

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14577718/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--07-06-11?instance=cartoons

6 year old reviews my book

2011-07-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Wow. And not once did she use the words, "indulgent", "sophomoric" or "chicken scratching", all of which I've read before.

http://patzietlowmiller.com/2011/07/03/kid-review-dharma-discovers-the-butt-book/

Fry the Chicks

2011-06-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not really looking for an American History prof for President. A little basic leadership, economic prowess and work ethic will do nicely.

http://rn-t.com/view/full_story_cartoon/14515537/article-Mike-Lester-s-cartoon--06-30-11?instance=cartoons

Simple Question

2011-06-29T05:22:00.001-07:00

95 Year Old

2011-06-28T11:46:00.001-07:00

No Partying

2011-06-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

A little 'in the weeds' today: Scanning and color adjusting 32 images for the kids book, "REALLY ROTTEN PRINCESS". Taking forever and I'll post a few samples later but I heard we're quitting one of the 4 wars in which we are currently involved. What could go wrong?

Van

2011-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

A two year old died this week. Jazmin Green was her name and we'll never know what she might have accomplished in her life. Humanity goes backward when children die. It's common sense that they have more potential to invent, discover and cure if for no other reason than time combined with energy and curiosity. Even if murder was legal, that's a pretty good argument against abortion as well.

This cartoon might be a bit harsh. But as a parent who has lost a child due to someone's neglect, I'm at least qualified to say it.

Black Unemployment

2011-06-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Forget the obvious message of today's cartoon. Unemployment. Yawn. Let's talk about the President's golf swing. Ever seen it?

Now, I've played AT golf since I was a kid hitting golf balls at the Jim Davies driving range in College Park w/ my Dad. I've been a single digit handicap most of my life and worked on and in golf courses as a young man.

A common mistake is thinking that to get the ball airborne one must lift or sweep the ball. Admittedly counter intuitive, the exact opposite is true: hit down, ball goes up. Look at the shape of the club and you can better get the physics. The President hasn't grasped this concept. Among others but that's another topic. And btw: a Blackberry on the belt is a dead give away you can't play.

This is the swing of a man who can NOT BREAK 100.

But Lord knows he's trying...

Happy Fathers Day

2011-06-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is my Dad, John Robert "Bob" Lester. Notice the resemblance? Me neither. He never finished high school, loved cars, turned wrenches, had hands like first baseman's mitt and adopted me when I was two. In the automotive industry his entire career, he was promoted within the Hennessy Automobile chain until he couldn't go any higher or he'd have to change his name to Hennessy. That the Hennessy sons knew and loved and relied on my Dad will always be a source of pride for me and my Mother and sister.

Every boy needs that unattainable goal of being just like his Dad. Here's mine.
Happy Father's Day.

8 Track

2011-06-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

When there is little mention in the media of a sitting President (note the capital "P" -I am nothing if not respectful of the office) going full "LUDDITE" in an interview w/ a correspondent who can't keep her heart beat steady, I have to write -in quotes, what he said.

Maybe Sarah Palin got lucky, maybe she was wrong on all things Revere and credited him w/ writing "I'm Not Your'e Stepping Stone" but if she'd uttered such nonsense it would have it's own show on MSNBC.

Our President just blamed the current economic cluster f*ck on, (wait for it)...AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES and airport kiosks.

But humor him. Let's do away w/ ATM's (introduced in 1967) and airport kiosks and while we're at it, bulldozers. That would at least require a passel load more shovel wielding digging Americans. He may be on to something: China under Mao comes to mind.

The ATM Industry Association not amused:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/06/atm-industry-not-happy-about-obama-comments

Happy Fathers Day weekend. Call your Dad. I wish I could.

-ML

John Edwards to prison

2011-06-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

John Edwards...what can you say about the guy? Has therebeen a less sympathetic figure in recent memory? Remember, this guy broke around the same time as Michael Vick shocking dogs. That's a tough act to beat but having a love child w/ your videographer while your wife battles cancer puts you in the Bernie Madoff wing.

Dear potential follower......

2011-06-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Potential Disciple:

I've already got 3 followers and like Jesus, I'm capping this thing at 12. So get in while you can...

mikelester.com

Stand Back

2011-06-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Double Take Toons

2011-06-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

We're on NPR DOUBLE TAKES today. It's a new feature on their site that supposedly pitt two cartoons of opposing views. I've been on it fairly often and surprisingly get little support. But I'm trying.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/13/137149706/double-take-toons-a-decade-of-bush-tax-cuts

Welcome

2011-06-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

Late to the party but here nonetheless. I'll update about as often as I can w/ new old stuff and hopefully some big news in the coming weeks. I'm really bad at secrets...

Socialism Illustrated

2011-06-09T07:48:00.000-07:00