I understand that deregulation, greed and mismanagement are major factors in the current economic crisis. But why are so few of the “experts” talking about a war, fought on credit, that’s already cost hundreds of billions — and that some believe will have a total economic impact of more than $3 TRILLION? It’s insane. This week’s toon, “Dollar Wise,” pokes at that question.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Dollar Wise” [Archive No. 0833]

It’s not the actual destruction that makes us fear terrorists, it’s the chaos they introduce into the system. So imagine what the rest of the world thinks of the “First-World Terrorist,” who, driven by a radical faith in greed, lays waste to financial markets and threatens prosperity everywhere. Too bad Bush and his cronies didn’t launch a preemptive strike against those bastards.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “First-World Terrorist” [Archive No. 0832]

Sarah Palin must be the final insult to poor Hillary. To be so close to breaking the ultimate glass ceiling, and to feel you were mistreated by the media, and then to see some gun-tottin’, Bible-thumpin’ hottie hockey mom, with even less experience than that punk you were supposed to have crushed, strut in using a ready-made “the media is sexist” defense … . Every time Palin evokes her name on the campaign trail, Hillary must die a thousand deaths.

When I first sketched this toon, I had Hillary saying something like “What have I begot?” But as I was looking at it on the art board, the final caption wrote itself. It’s the unspoken word that’s been in the background this entire whole campaign (and notice that it’s still unspoken). It seemed pretty obvious that’s “What Hillary Must Be Thinking.”

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “What Hillary Must Be Thinking” [Archive No. 0831]

In other news, one of my editorial cartoons, “Stimulating a War Economy,” took top honors at this year’s Homer Davenport International Cartoon Contest. The event is part of the annual Homer Davenport Days festival in Silverton, Ore. Another of my toons, “The Numbers Game” (color version), took third. It was a small competition — 13 artists competed — but I’m still pretty tickled.

I’ve reprinted the cartoons below, or you can check them out at the Homer Davenport Days Web site.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Stimulating a War Economy” [Archive No. 0817]

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Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “The Numbers Game” (color version) [Archive No. 0813b]

Man, not even a week in and the Palin family is a gift that won’t stop giving. This Alaskan crew comes with more baggage than the Clintons (but hopefully not with as much political skill!) So many scandals, so little cartoon space: I decided to go with “Having It Both Ways,” an angle on the McCain campaign and the Right’s deliberate attempt to reignite the culture wars. I’m sure there will be plenty of future chances to come back and visit the colorful (though not in skin tone) Palin clan.

Speaking of the future, I’m back at my art board and settled in to deliver weekly toons for the Election ’08 homestretch. The hand is pretty much healed; thanks for all the kind e-mails!

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Having It Both Ways” [Archive No. 0830]