This was a great 8 minute piece, featuring our wonderful Ms. Telnaes (and Michael Ramirez) and a look at the history of American editorial cartoons since the 1600's. Ann, you were terrific😍 Especially speaking the truth at the end about how if they condemn & cancel cartoonists, how long before they come after plain citizens expressing "the wrong" opinions😳 Well done🥹
Agreed! Wonderful show and lots of my friends in Canada , who don’t see your work, were really impressed and are now looking at Substack! You continue to amaze! ❤️❤️
Great report on you, Ann. Ramirez I could have done without. What is he calling "too progressive?" Tolerance to let others do what they like, as long as it's legal? Liberty and freedom for all, not just the religious nuts who rarely practice what they preach? Letting women be first class citizens and making their own decisions? I could go on and on, but everyone knows what I'm talking about.
Whereas I agree, I also appreciate the movement among some thoughtful Democrats to examine what can be perceived as the impulse on our part to require ideological purity of everyone, the absence of which gets them labeled as bigots, numbskulls, or both. We have alienated a large portion of the electorate by clinging inflexibly to perspectives which are, in many cases, worthy of vigorous and open debate
Yes indeed. Wonderful piece. I was surprised to learn that there are only about thirty political cartoonists remaining in the U.S. You are on the front line, the tip of the spear, speaking truth to power at a time in our fragile democracy when such speech is terrifyingly dangerous. Having coffee with friends and making a joke about the current occupant or remarking on a political cartoon should not be risky.
Still, I know we are rapidly approaching the tipping point: we are forced to self-censor lest we offend someone on the other side, yet we offend them by just being who we are. We are "led" by a malignant narcissist with no functioning brain, demented, yet surrounded by nothing but sycophants who praise every turd dropping from his lips.
All we can do, Anne, is support you and even Michael (with whom I almost always disagree).
Wonderful work that must not waver or cease to be just because the need for it never goes away, or stops. That is exactly why the work must not ever waver or cease to be! There must be witnesses to "right forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne"!
I had to research, Jim, what this meant "Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne" from James Russell Lowell's "The Present Crisis" suggests that truth, while often persecuted and even punished, will eventually triumph over injustice and those in positions of power who perpetuate it." I trust that will be!
I, too, trust that will be! And, it doesn't matter if it ever is. We have to work at being the truth as only we, individually, can be the truth here, now, wherever, whenever, however we are, because we re not in it for the outcome! We are in it for the honor and privilege of serving/doing what is called for, here, now, no matter what, forever. It is our calling to be who we are, when, where, how we are in service to the old Taoists' understanding of the Tao: Doing what is right and needs to be done, when, where and how it needs to be done, and standing aside, letting nature take its course. All. Our. Life. Long. As long as life shall last!
He doesn't share my views most of the time but he is a very good political cartoonist and has strong artistic skill. His is a viewpoint that is worth it for me to see.
It is always hard to admit that the opposition is right, at least part of the time. Thus grew the Mighty MAGA Minion Army who will probably suffer the most from the DOGE decisions.
Perfect timing. My sister just sent me the link trying to get me fired up with my humble cartoons...not knowing I subscribe to your substack and I have wondered at your process. Of course, she also sent me a link to BOT Flies (I got a few in Belize once) so I tend to skim her texting. I was even glad to see Mr. Rameris featured as I often object to his content but really appreciate his work. Also the glimpses of Thomas Nast's Tammy Hall cartoons is always an inspiration.
Your example is an inspiration to us, closeted and silent illustrators. Thank you.
Thank you for sending this link to Jeffrey Brown’s segment on PBS. Ann I am from New England and satire is our go to sense of humor in life and art. Your humor and brilliant political cartoons transcend words to more readers than you may imagine. I forward your cartoons to a friend of mine in the media and to another friend who would otherwise never have access to your work. I am glad to know that you are extending a proud and treasured historical art form
Great news report on political cartoons. I have always admired the satire of political cartoons. Yes there were a few times I said ouch in response to one of my beliefs. But it made me re- examine my positions. And you are right- if the art is excellent, the better the message. I have always thought your artwork was outstanding. I am glad the report showed your cartoon of President Trump as the conductor of the Kennedy Center. That is one of my all time favorites.
When I moved to Texas a decade ago, I make a point to visit LBJ and Geo W H Bush Presidential Libraries. The latter was better. GWHB was more human. At the time it had a temporary 3-month exhibit of famous political cartoonists: "Lines with Power and Purpose: Editorial Cartoons; October 2019 to January 2020." Most notable was its HerBlock exhibit.
This was a great 8 minute piece, featuring our wonderful Ms. Telnaes (and Michael Ramirez) and a look at the history of American editorial cartoons since the 1600's. Ann, you were terrific😍 Especially speaking the truth at the end about how if they condemn & cancel cartoonists, how long before they come after plain citizens expressing "the wrong" opinions😳 Well done🥹
Agreed! Wonderful show and lots of my friends in Canada , who don’t see your work, were really impressed and are now looking at Substack! You continue to amaze! ❤️❤️
Hi Sue! Everyone, Sue is a fabulous editorial cartoonist from Canada. Love this one:
https://torontosun.com/opinion/cartoons/sue-dewar-cartoon-jan-28-2025
Wonderful!
Thanks so much, Mara and Hayne
Ann… you are too kind… thank you! I wish you were around the corner for a coffee! Keep up the fight!! 🥰
Hey, Mr. Beaver, gnaw away!
Will do! Thanks Katie!
Loved it! Well worth a look, everyone!
Thanks very much, Nadine!
Brilliant!
Great report on you, Ann. Ramirez I could have done without. What is he calling "too progressive?" Tolerance to let others do what they like, as long as it's legal? Liberty and freedom for all, not just the religious nuts who rarely practice what they preach? Letting women be first class citizens and making their own decisions? I could go on and on, but everyone knows what I'm talking about.
Whereas I agree, I also appreciate the movement among some thoughtful Democrats to examine what can be perceived as the impulse on our part to require ideological purity of everyone, the absence of which gets them labeled as bigots, numbskulls, or both. We have alienated a large portion of the electorate by clinging inflexibly to perspectives which are, in many cases, worthy of vigorous and open debate
A “constitutionalist conservative” ignoring the unconstitutional actions of a felon and his henchmen. Tariffs, that’s all that bothers you, Ramirez?
Thank you Ann Telnaes for posting this from PBS. It is so relevant to what is actually happening today.
Again thank you
Insightful revelations from within the resistance wing of the Fourth Estate. Thank you, Ann.
loved this interview
Yes indeed. Wonderful piece. I was surprised to learn that there are only about thirty political cartoonists remaining in the U.S. You are on the front line, the tip of the spear, speaking truth to power at a time in our fragile democracy when such speech is terrifyingly dangerous. Having coffee with friends and making a joke about the current occupant or remarking on a political cartoon should not be risky.
Still, I know we are rapidly approaching the tipping point: we are forced to self-censor lest we offend someone on the other side, yet we offend them by just being who we are. We are "led" by a malignant narcissist with no functioning brain, demented, yet surrounded by nothing but sycophants who praise every turd dropping from his lips.
All we can do, Anne, is support you and even Michael (with whom I almost always disagree).
You need to do a cartoon on this one euphemism: “… navigating a changing media landscape.” Set it in, say, Germany in 1934.
Wonderful work that must not waver or cease to be just because the need for it never goes away, or stops. That is exactly why the work must not ever waver or cease to be! There must be witnesses to "right forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne"!
I had to research, Jim, what this meant "Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne" from James Russell Lowell's "The Present Crisis" suggests that truth, while often persecuted and even punished, will eventually triumph over injustice and those in positions of power who perpetuate it." I trust that will be!
Thanks for that background!
I, too, trust that will be! And, it doesn't matter if it ever is. We have to work at being the truth as only we, individually, can be the truth here, now, wherever, whenever, however we are, because we re not in it for the outcome! We are in it for the honor and privilege of serving/doing what is called for, here, now, no matter what, forever. It is our calling to be who we are, when, where, how we are in service to the old Taoists' understanding of the Tao: Doing what is right and needs to be done, when, where and how it needs to be done, and standing aside, letting nature take its course. All. Our. Life. Long. As long as life shall last!
Michael Ramirez is not the same caliber as Ann Telnaes.
He's actually quite good, I just don't often agree with his politics.
Often is not good enough. And his politics are pretty far right.
He doesn't share my views most of the time but he is a very good political cartoonist and has strong artistic skill. His is a viewpoint that is worth it for me to see.
It is always hard to admit that the opposition is right, at least part of the time. Thus grew the Mighty MAGA Minion Army who will probably suffer the most from the DOGE decisions.
Perfect timing. My sister just sent me the link trying to get me fired up with my humble cartoons...not knowing I subscribe to your substack and I have wondered at your process. Of course, she also sent me a link to BOT Flies (I got a few in Belize once) so I tend to skim her texting. I was even glad to see Mr. Rameris featured as I often object to his content but really appreciate his work. Also the glimpses of Thomas Nast's Tammy Hall cartoons is always an inspiration.
Your example is an inspiration to us, closeted and silent illustrators. Thank you.
As a paperboy for the now defunct Washington Star and for years an avid and
A great and IMPORTANT piece.
Thank you for sending this link to Jeffrey Brown’s segment on PBS. Ann I am from New England and satire is our go to sense of humor in life and art. Your humor and brilliant political cartoons transcend words to more readers than you may imagine. I forward your cartoons to a friend of mine in the media and to another friend who would otherwise never have access to your work. I am glad to know that you are extending a proud and treasured historical art form
Great news report on political cartoons. I have always admired the satire of political cartoons. Yes there were a few times I said ouch in response to one of my beliefs. But it made me re- examine my positions. And you are right- if the art is excellent, the better the message. I have always thought your artwork was outstanding. I am glad the report showed your cartoon of President Trump as the conductor of the Kennedy Center. That is one of my all time favorites.
Great PBS story.
When I moved to Texas a decade ago, I make a point to visit LBJ and Geo W H Bush Presidential Libraries. The latter was better. GWHB was more human. At the time it had a temporary 3-month exhibit of famous political cartoonists: "Lines with Power and Purpose: Editorial Cartoons; October 2019 to January 2020." Most notable was its HerBlock exhibit.
Shame on you Bezos.
Thank you, Ann, so very much for sharing this.