Lancaster University

Posted by neal

I was looking through the site stats and saw that someone from Lancaster University in the UK has been visiting this site. I don’t know if you know me, but I used to go to Lancaster University. Send me an e-mail! I want to talk about Lancaster and Grizedale and Shebab’s and Vince, George, Steve and Alan the porters.

What does this cartoon mean?

Posted by neal

I probably single out Jeff Koterba more than his fair share in my bitterly jealous professional criticism of other cartoonists, but I recently saw this cartoon and solicited opinions from people on what they thought it meant (because I was stumped).

In this space used to be a cartoon. On the left, there are two girls with caps and gowns on, with one saying “And what happens when we flip the tassel to the other side?” Then on the right, a bunch of graduates are (presumably deliberately) flying through the air. No explanation given.

Or you can see the cartoon here.

Here are some of the responses:
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nealo.com discussion forum

Posted by neal

I’d like to direct your attention to the new message board here at nealo.com. While it may evolve (or devolve) as time goes by, it is initially set up as a place to discuss editorial cartoons – whether they’re seen here or elsewhere – and news in the areas that my cartoons cover (Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska and San Diego).

Registration is not required to view the forums, but it is required to post. A valid e-mail address is required to register, but I promise that’s not so I can sell them or whatever. It’s just to prevent spammers.

Anyway, I hope this enhances your experience when you visit. And if you have any other ideas of ways to improve the site or things you’d like to see, feel free to e-mail me at nealo at nealo dot com.

The Fish

Posted by neal

Dwayne Booth, a.k.a. “Mr Fish,” has posted his piece on editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad, which was rejected by the LA Weekly because it was “…considered too critical of the profession and the man to run anywhere.” The essay includes digs at Ted Rall, Gary Trudeau and editorial cartooning in general, and is eloquent and iconoclastic enough to probably attract the same type of celebrity it criticizes, but it’s still worth reading for its poignant illustrations of the field

In fact, I think that [Conrad] is an absolute master at achieving the singular purpose of editorial cartooning, which is to remind people that politics are not so complicated that every Tom, Dick and Harry shouldn’t have an opinion about them. They should.

and giggle-inducers

Being proud of appearing on [President Richard Nixon’s enemies] list is not unlike being proud that your neighbor‚Äôs retarded uncle calls you a doofus turd every morning when you step outside to pick up the paper.

I’m still blown away that he’s on the Cagle syndicate. I guess the celebrity of being in the LA Weekly helps. 😉

Rejected cartoon worth sharing

Posted by neal

Initially I wasn’t going to post this cartoon here on the site, sharing some of the feelings of my editors at the Journal Star, who chose not to run it. But after reading a letter to the editor in response to the recent story on Phi Kappa Tau’s reaction to having their fraternity suspended, I thought I’d go ahead and post it.

For sensitive eyes, the cartoon is posted after the jump. But it was rejected by the Journal Star out of concern for the victim’s family, among other reasons. So to be VERY clear – this cartoon did not run in the Journal Star, so if it offends you, don’t take it out on them. But I think it expresses sentiments worth sharing.

To set the stage for the tone of the cartoon (and that letter), here are a few quotes from members and representatives of Phi Kappa Tau, which was suspended from Nebraska Wesleyan’s campus for four years after various violations and a fire claimed the life of one of their “brothers.”

“We feel betrayed by our university and by our national council. … It’s tough when they’ve just been lying in the grass, waiting to pounce…

‘I’m embarrassed for the police chief. He’s handled himself pretty poorly…

“Our expectation is that in five years, this will be just a blip.”

These people are whining and moaning about their fraternity being banned from a campus for four years when someone is dead. They both claim that they don’t haze while citing examples of hazing they engage in. They’re concerned about the PR aspect of this, when again, someone is dead.

If something needs to stay alive, make sure it’s the system!
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