Obameter Part III

Last March, we checked the Obameter. Now it's that time of month again.

A quick breakdown of the current Obameter, with all the changes from March 23 in red:

• Promise Kept... 26 / + 7
  
• Compromise... 7 / +1
  
• Promise Broken... 6 / +3
  
• Stalled... 3 / +0
  
• In the Works... 60 / +16
  
• No Action... 412 / -26

For immediate reference, today is eighteen minutes into Day 89 of the Obama administration. Eleven days left in the first 100 days media coverage.

It's a little fun to contemplate whether things will change once the calendar reaches day 101.

Week in Cartoons IV

Copyright © 2009 Universal Press Syndicate

It's been awhile since the last look at cartoons. As things go, much has happened - namely, the tea parties of this last week, as well as the three bullets that put an end to the Somali pirate hijack and kidnapping.

This week's look in cartoons will focus on the former, or the Tea Party of 2009.

Cagle Cartoons

Many things were thrown around during the protests, the least of which were physical. While this cartoonist jokes that the reciprocating tea bag was ten times worse than its tinier counterparts, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart had a ball Thursday night when it recounted MSNBC's coverage.

Hint: MSNBC heavily favored the word "teabagging" as the verb to describe the national protests. Unfortunately, that particular verb has a very lewd second meaning that won't be uttered here, but was perfect for The Daily Show's nighttime television slot.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Name puns may be among the oldest tricks in the book, but a dash of commercialism is a little less known. None of these signs are accurate depictions of the tea party protests, although the possibly that at least one of these popped up somewhere in the nation shouldn't be discounted. There is always something, somewhere.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Caricatures are as old as political cartoons themselves, but another tradition that's most unfortunate is reader inability to recognize caricatures.

Though the large, cigar-touting man on the far left is clearly conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh and his immediate tea cup fellow is likely conservative talk show host Sean Hannity, the remaining bathers are a bit of a mystery. The first name to come to mind for the third man from the left is Dick Cheney, the former vice president.

And although it's not on the Tea Party 'o9 topic, here's a little bit of extra flavor from the recent pirate headlines:

Cagle Cartoons

Starving Journalist

For my new blog, started two weeks ago, go to Starving Journalist at Wordpress.

It's updated at least every-other day, and focuses on news, online and social media-related trends and phenomenon.

Obama Memorabilia

I'd completely forgotten about a certain link in my bookmark folder until computer Spring cleaning today.

This, as one can guess, is a rather convincing action figure of now-President Obama. Recreations like this are common for actions heroes such as Indiana Jones or villians such as Darth Vader.

But aside from mean-spirited parodies or tongue-in-cheek jokes, real life or influential people are a rare sight on toy shelves.

Unlike this one.

And the manufacturers seem genuine.

I find it both strange and fitting that the maker of the incredible Obama doll is foreign.

First and foremost - Obama is our president, not theirs; and second - it's almost a little comforting that he's viewed favorably enough for a toy company to put so much time and effort into crafting him.

But some of his accessories and actions poses seem a little odd, I'll admit.

I like to think of this one as Dramatic Pose Obama. Complete with wind in the hair.

A note on the detail: see the wedding ring?

Another note as well as admittance: the toy is a 2008 model, which potentially means it was manufactured long before Obama became president.

Unfortunately, there is no conclusive date, and I can't remember precisely when I found this gem and tucked it away in my bookmark tab.

Ah, the wonders of capitalism and even stranger wonders of the Internet.

For more fun, run the website through the Babel Fish translator. A note of caution: not everything displays correctly, and little to nothing makes grammatical sense. Online translators always leave a little something to be desired.

Also, earlier - didn't I mention something about Darth Vader?

All images are Copyright © Gamu Toys.

Return to the Obameter

It's been one month since we last looked at the Obameter. Surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly, it's only been one month!), not too much has changed in the presidential grading tally.

Changes are marked in the color red.

• Promise Kept... 19 / +4
  
• Compromise... 6 / +3
  
• Promise Broken... 3 / +1
  
• Stalled... 3 / +2
  
• In the Works... 44 / +24
  
• No Action... 438 / -31

The comparison comes from the previous blog post on Feb. 23, or Day 35 of the Obama administration. Today is Day 63.

But I can't help but look back at a certain cartoon from a few weeks ago and slap a hand against my forehead.

Patience, patience. Just how the old saying goes... don't make me turn this car country around.

Obama's Bushism

Copyright © Peter Brookes of Times Online

Very few people can make fun of the Special Olympics and get away with it. Unfortunately, the president is not one of those people in that category.

Someone that's been doing it somewhat successfully for years is none other than stand-up comedian and actor Robin Williams.

But very few would ever say that the presidential position matches up perfectly with being a comedian.

On the contrary - one banana peel slip, and it's a media storm downhill.

Week in Cartoons III: Presidential "Clue"

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Some say that for every year in the White House, a president ages two more. But there must be a reason why our 47-year-old president is allegedly grayer on Day 58 of his presidency.

It's time to play Clue. Remember that old mystery, whodunnit board game? Let's see what we can find in this week's snapshot into political cartoons.

I'm already going to guess: it was Mr. Plum, in the library, with the wrench.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Strenuous activity definitely makes a man grayer, but if I didn't know better, President Obama is simply taking our jeopardized economy out for some playtime.

There's nothing wrong with father-son-bonding and exercise. Let's see what else is there.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Being an unpopular guy among others certainly could make a man upset. Especially if the group that's avoiding you is seriously contemplating giving you a wedgie rather than lend a helping hand.

Still, even grumpy elephants in business suits shouldn't put a guy down. Let's look for more.

Copyright © 2009 Daryl Cagle

From one Greek Atlas to another, President Obama is still holding up something. At least this garden hose-like arrow looks a lot easier than carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

But still, our president seems to be working out quite a bit. Always good to have a president that sets a good and healthy example, despite the occasional cigarette.

Copyright © 2009 Glenn Foden

Now it's getting personal. It's already a recession, but someone still thinks it's a good idea to throw eggs at people. This kind of behavior doesn't bode well for a economy already in trouble.

Maybe the president should pass laws about wasteful produce throwing.

Still, no Mr. Plum, in the library, with the wrench. I think we've effectively been tossed off the trail. Something's going on here.

Our findings:

• Gray hairs.
• Obese people on swings.
• Obama's Atlas impression.
  
• Garden hose Do's and Don'ts.
• Rotten egg.
  

Conclusion:

President Obama has gray hair due to obesity, overdone Greek god references, do-it-yourself Home Depot and medieval mobbing techniques.

Or maybe he's really, really busy and is now 47-years-old, a typical age for grayness to seep into a man's hair.

But really, I'd rather play the real Clue boardgame any other day of the week.