Second Quarter! Question of the Week #1 - Rick Perry

Contrary to most people, I actually really like Rick Perry. The fact that he usually can't keep track of what he's saying is probably a major reason why he would not win. Also, many people think he is a little too much of a hard core Conservative - he has some radical ideas such as closing off the borders that most people don't agree with. 

However, ideas such as his Flat Tax (everyone pays 20% income tax - richer people pay less, poorer people pay more compared to progressive) really appeal to those on the right who want a fairer taxing system (fiscal conservatives). Also, the fact that he has lots of prior political experience is only helping him out; as the Governor of Texas he has a good record of creating new jobs - something the US needs very badly.

And It Looks Like A Handoff! - Week 1

1. Who drew the cartoon?
Pat Bagley for the Salt Lake Tribune

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents?
**The man in the red represents priests who are known to be involved in sex scandals
**The man in the Penn State jersey represents one of the coaches of the Penn State football team... Jerry Sandusky
**The child represents young boys who have been involved in abuse scandals

3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Bagley is basically making fun of both Sandusky and the priests who are known to get involved in scandals with young boys. By using the phrase "And it looks like a handoff!" he is tying it all together with football terms by showing that now the focus is shifting to football coaches like Sandusky and the guy from Syracuse.

4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
Abuse scandals - especially the most recent one involving Jerry Sandusky

5. What is the cartoon's message?
People have come to expect behavior like this

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
If someone is involved in abuse scandals they will be ridiculed, made fun of, looked down upon, and forced to account for their actions.