The Media Alternative

To A Declining Industry

        The ongoing and seemingly endless presidential campaign in the United States is pointing out that most Americans are fed up with biased, incompetent, and commercially obsessed news coverage from both the print and electronic media. But there are exceptions and there is an alternative. Editorial Cartoons are still staples of most U. S. newspapers and magazines. A pen in the skilled hand and insightful mind of a great Editorial Cartoonist, such as John Branch, is now the best bet for Americans seeking precise and incisive news. As proof, check out Branchtoon.com. Mr. Branch's gems originate with the San Antonio Express-News and then are spread far and wide by King Features/North American Syndicate.

           Jeb Bush was expected to ride the economic and political power of the Bush dynasty into an easy victory in the Republican presidential sweepstakes. It hasn't turned out that way, as this gem tells us.

        In fact, Jeb Bush and the other politicians -- including Senator Ted Cruz from Texas -- are lagging behind non-politicians Donald Trump and Ben Carson. In this Ted Cruz gem, John Branch explains why American voters, even Republicans, seem to be wising up to established, bought-and-paid-for politicians.

            One thing that has soured American voters, even Republicans, on the political process is the influence of highly questionable behind-the-scenes, money-grubbing puppet-masters such as the obnoxious Karl Rove. Again, John Branch best illustrates that pertinent fact while the mainstream media use Rove-types as "political commentators" when they actually are "extremely biased carnival barkers."

           No one expected flamboyant billionaire businessman Donald Trump to dominate the polls for the past five months in the Republican presidential race. The doubters included John Branch, as he illustrated with the above masterpiece. Even Trump supporters understand this Editorial Cartoonish critique.

      But rest assured that, in the world of great Editorial Cartoonists, there are both Republican and Democratic as well as conservative and liberal bashers. This one, for example, excoriates President Obama for his overtures to Cuba, claiming he is a socialist giving away too much to Cuba's Fidel Castro.

       Jon Meacham has a best-selling biography of 91-year-old George H. W. Bush. Most of the reaction has centered around Bush Sr.'s sharp criticism of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, whom Bush Sr. blames for many of the gigantic mistakes made during the two presidential terms of his son George W. Bush.

           But once again, the most incisive review of Jon Meacham's bio of Bush Sr. was this Editorial Cartoon by the great John Deering {who consistently proves a great political cartoon is worth a million words}.

      Although I am a lifelong conservative Republican, I believe the two-term presidency of Democrat Barack Obama has been badly needed to stem at least some of the crass excesses of a money-crazed, two-party political system. Yet, like the Editorial Cartoonists whom I admire, I also am an equal opportunity basher. I applaud President Obama for such things as his very brave and sane attempts to normalize relations with Cuba while confronting a Republican-dominated Congress that caters too much to right-wingers. At the same time, I believe President Obama should do more, like using his Executive Authority to keep his campaign promise to close the Bush-era prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and even expand his positive overtures to Cuba by doing all he can to return Guantanamo Bay to its rightful owner, Cuba. Also, I believe as Commander-in-Chief Mr. Obama could do more to combat the dire threat of international terrorism. That's why, as an equal opportunity basher, I conclude this essay with the above anti-Obama graphic {courtesy of www.joesherlock.com} that criticizes a President and a man that I very deeply admire.

And:

 **********************