Where is Courage when we need it on Alito? Today's cartoon.

[Neil Lisst]

In 1957, then Senator John F. Kennedy published his book, PROFILES IN COURAGE. It won a Pulitzer Prize, and it inspired youngsters like Bill Clinton.

We use that as our basis for the Thursday Neil Lisst political cartoon.

I'm not happy with the Alito ascendency, and so I'm gonna talk about it in cartoon form.

Thanks for reading.

[radio4progressives]

1. this is great one.. kicked and nominated...

:kick:

[Neil Lisst]

2. Redemption!!

Thanks.

Glad you like it.

I'm really disappointed in our party going so quietly into that good night.

[wiley]

3. Tragically accurate!

[Neil Lisst]

4. your last name wouldn't happen to be "coyote" would it?

Cuz that's who I feel like, after this Alito fiasco dropped a large anvil from ACME on our heads.

[wiley]

7. Haileddog

But I am not now nor have I ever been a terrier.

[Neil Lisst]

8. That's good because terriers are known to collorate.

If you rub their tummy.

[eve_was_framed]

5. As always, right on the money. TY Neil!

[Neil Lisst]

9. Thanks, eve. Doing the Lord's work. He WAS a radical-lib, you know.

that really pisses off the fundies, to say that

[eve_was_framed]

15. especially since it is the truth!!!

[Matt Jordan]

6. Specter takes the cake

Stupidest reasoning ever:

"I think it is important for Judge Alito have supporters who favor a woman's right to choose, so that he does not feel in any way beholden to or confirmed by people who have one idea on some of these questions," said Specter, who has been criticized by abortion rights supporters for his Alito support.

Say what? So maybe some Jews should have supported Hitler so he wouldn't have felt so beholden to... ...oh, for crying out loud! Specter, you're a tool.

Matt

[Neil Lisst]

10. Specter knew that if he voted NO, it would tie the vote in committee

And he knew that he would be stripped of his committee for doing so.

[Sparkman]

14. Great quote, of a gas-ass mesmerized by the sound of his own voice.

[Neil Lisst]

18. Specter sold his soul so he could be the CHAIR.

He made a deal, let them neuter him, and made him the Senate Eunuch.

He's literally worthless.

[Sparkman]

20. 10-4

[Neil Lisst]

60. Specter is the guy who really sold out. He says he's strongly pro Roe

But he capitulated, because with a 10-8 split, he could have locked the committee up at 9-9, killing the nomination.

I've detested him since his magic bullet theory. He's a world class sell-out.

[second edition]

59. Exactly, they threatened him with the loss of it.

he doesn't care about anyone but himself.

[Neil Lisst]

61. You know he had to agree to support all Bush's nominees as the price.

He's a Judas.

[Totally Committed]

11. OUTSTANDING!!!

Thank you! Recommended.

TC

[Neil Lisst]

12. It's my answer to all the quisling's who want to roll over.

Anyone who says "but filibustering will hurt us in November" simply doesn't understand elections.

[Totally Committed]

16. I totally agree on that...

we roll over now, and we can kiss 2006 good-bye. They don't realize what kind of wake-up call even their indecision is to those of us who are tired of being represented by cowards.

Fillibuster -- use it or lose us(in heart, in mind, or whatever, but we'll be "gone" to them.)

TC

[Neil Lisst]

17. We are in the mess we are in because they caved in 2002.

There was a war of ideas going on in September of 2002, and it was about whether we should fight the real war on terror, or give Bush authority to pursue war against Iraq.

Democratic incumbents feared being labeled as not tough, and instead of standing up and fighting for the principle that we do not attack those who do not attack us, they caved in. THAT is what cost us the midterm election. You can't "me too" your way back into power.

Republicans rose to power because they developed an agenda they seemed to believe in, and they fought for it. We are not doing that. We have leadership that thinks we can back into power. We cannot.

Our leadership needs to stand up and fight for everything we stand for, and it is that kind leadership which causes voters to have confidence. Over and over, Bush rebounds because he fights for what he believes in. What have our leaders fought for?

If they can't fight for control of the Supreme Court, they need to go home and let someone with some fire in their belly take their place.

[Totally Committed]

19. Amen, Neil,

but it goes deeper than that... It's about their corporate funding; it's about our acceptance further back than 2002 of the "middle of the road" don't make waves DLC agenda and thinking... the go along to get along cumbaya bi-partisanship ship has sailed. We need to find ourselves some bold leaders who are as uncorrupted by beltway politics as possible, real firebrands with mouths AND courage, or we are done as a Party -- and as a country.

TC

[Neil Lisst]

23. I'm not laying it off on the DLC.

The DLC is given far too much credit. They do NOT influence the politics inside the beltway, so much as they act as a place where corporations can plant money for a "DEM" cause without supporting causes they don't like. Al From is sort of a PUB in sheep's clothing.

Al From wishes he were as influential as many here think he is. He's just one more bottom feeder inside the beltway who has staked out a niche. His DLC is like the a merit badge for the boy scouts of the party who want some centrist cover.

Politicians each rise and fall on their own substance. There isn't a senator in Washington who would change a vote because of anything Al From said or did. He's a nonfactor on policy. It's like church. If they go there, it's because they want to be seen there, not because they're doing what the preacher says.

But for the record, here's my take on the little fat bastard. These two cartoons must be seen together, to get the full picture.

[Neil Lisst]

24. Notice the pink and green ties, all the rage inside the beltway now.

Just start noticing and you'll see what I mean. They're THE colors for ties now.

[Sparkman]

21. Dems have fought, but it's an uphill battle, so a new heartier crop is nee

needed. Ralph Nader is an ass kicker, but he wouldn't take corporate dollars and the Dems wouldn't support him, so his message got spun, blurred and buried. The Dems are the only party that has a snow ball's chance in hell of taking power away from Neo-Fascists. The Corporation Imperial Death Star has to be disabled from it's bowels, the metaphor means taking corporate money, and cheating by pretending to favor the Fascist Rulers, and getting elected, and then turning on their lock-step march by voting for measures like impeachment, defunding the war profiteers, upgrading government oversight on polluting industries and offshore tax loopholes, and REINSTATING THE DRAFT to denut the Fascist Ruling Class that skippers the Death Star into Haiti, Iraq, Nicaragua...

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Total shame. No wonder no one wants to associate themselves

with the Democrats. One look at Goliath and they go heading to hide in mommy's skirt.

[Neil Lisst]

27. ... and then David said 'look at the size of that dude! Later, Yall!!'

Not much of a story that way, is it?

[Javaman]

22. Only one artistic change...

I would have put leaves on the tree branch in the first panel. other than that, it's great!

[Neil Lisst]

25. It's WINTER!! those details matter

In spring, those trees with have buds on them and some leaves.

[Javaman]

28. Your work, your right.

I just see it as a sign of better times with the leaves on the trees and then in the second panel with out the leaves: a sign of bad times.

Just me.

[Neil Lisst]

30. I understand your imagery, and it has a sound basis.

But seasonal cues are little things that add a flavor to a cartoon.

[Javaman]

32. Good point. n/t

[sundancekid]

29. yup, and it goes from the side of LIGHT to the DARK side too ... kudos!

[Neil Lisst]

31. Yeah, that's a pretty obvious technique.

Thank my artist partner. We do this 1500 miles apart, by email. That was his wrinkle in the cartoon.

He's Canadian, a hoser from the Great White North.

[Straight Shooter]

26. Excellent, Neil.

"Profiles in Cowardice." One could write a book, eh?

:patriot:

[Neil Lisst]

33. It would make a good book, but where to start?!

It seems that too many are anxious to avoid being "out there."

Truth is, all it takes is 5 defectors on cloture, and the filibuster is gone. Landrieu, Nelson, and Lautenberg make three.

[Straight Shooter]

38. Start with the major issues, and quote the cowards.

Their cowardice began long before Alito was in the spotlight. How many of them even stood up and defended Kerry against the swiftboat liars? What about Medicare? Roberts, the Supreme Court Justice child of the corn?

It's late, and I won't go over the laundry list of cowardly positions, because I know you're familiar with it.

Hopefully one day you'll have a book of toons, if editorial toons haven't been banned by then. :(

[Neil Lisst]

34. Afternoon run for the Alito collapse.

[Neil Lisst]

35. Last Chance for Profiles in Cowardice!

[Neil Lisst]

36. Can this topic with Alito in the title be placed in the other forum?

This is the "everything else" GD, right?

Anyone know?

[Neil Lisst]

37. WOW!! That was fast!! Thanks MODS/ADMINS!! for moving it!

I'll be letting this one drop soon, but I wanted to have it here, in case anyone wants to talk about it.

Thanks again!!

Neil

[ninkasi]

39. Outstanding, Neil

One of your best.

[Neil Lisst]

40. glad you like it, ninkasi!!

What ever happened to fighting for important issues?

The collective cowardice is appalling. And what happened to muscling party members?

[ninkasi]

41. With people like you and your partner on our side...

using your talents as you do, I have hope that we will win the fight. What you do is so important, because even people who are in a hurry and don't read entire articles tend to view the political cartoons.I hope that your toons stay in people's minds, and make them search deeper for the truth. Thank you for your valuable contributions!

[Neil Lisst]

43. Thanks for your kind words. Our objective is to help shape the debate.

Nearly 8500 read the Alito cartoon yesterday.

Thanks for reading.

[Nutmegger]

42. Thanks for this Neil, I...

always look forward to your work. Thanks.:pals::hug:

[Neil Lisst]

44. Thanks, Nutmegger!!

I always enjoy your cute smilies!

I never use them, but I enjoy seeing them.

[Neil Lisst]

45. The problem is the lack of courage and conviction.

as here

[Neil Lisst]

46. Since it's still timely, I'll kick this one again.

[WildEyedLiberal]

47. Why don't you support the Senators calling for a filibuster

And call the ones who are undecided?

Real civic action is what we need, not more snarky jokes.

[Neil Lisst]

49. Thanks for reading.

As for your comments, making an acerbic cartoon about the state of cowardice in the party and supporting filibuster are not mutually exclusive, you know. Sorry it was over your head, but I suspect many things are.

Welcome to the world of people who can hold more than one thought in their head at the same time. Hang around, and maybe you'll get there, too.

[Neil Lisst]

48. Time to run this one again. Now more than ever ...

[upi402]

50. God, I remember hope

I hate these traitors as I love America.

[Neil Lisst]

51. Yeah, I'm plenty pissed about the collaborators.

I favor not giving any of them money, and they should never be mentioned again as possible nation ticket Democrats.

[Neil Lisst]

52. I'm going to run this up for one more lap.

Today's the day we celebrate the courage of 25 and lament the cowardice of many others.

[JNelson6563]

53. Wow! What a fair representation!

"hardly a whimper"???? Shamefully dishonest. Zowie. To think I only expect such dishonest representation of the facts from the reich wingers. Stupid me.

Julie

[Neil Lisst]

54. Thanks!

Glad you enjoyed it!

25 votes against cloture is hardly the goal line stand you pretend it is.

Perhaps you should step away from the keyboard until you're rational.

[JNelson6563]

55. Ok, you just keep lyin'

I really have to wonder about ther eal political persuasion of those who are lying and those using the lies to promote themselves are especially questionable.

"Hardly a whimper", what a crock of shit. Like most of your dumbass 'toons.

Julie

[Neil Lisst]

57. Thanks again.

Get back to me when you're rational, if that ever happens.

[Totally Committed]

56. Again... OUTSTANDING!

Thanks!

TC

[Neil Lisst]

58. Glad you "get it."

It's not about the 25 who voted against cloture. It's about the 19 who didn't.