Almost feel sorry for the poor Pachyderm.  With just a couple of kind words for disenfranchised immigrants, or a nod of appreciation for those who (rightly or wrongly) rescued the American Auto industry, or just a quick glance around the room to make sure no one outside the club is listening in when sharing a few thoughts with the entitled "haves" about the undeserving "Have Nots"--and the game could have gone the other way. But then I remember the Dog on the roof of the car, and all sympathy vanishes.

Above illustration by Thomas Nast (1840-1902) --who employed his considerable artistic skills and sharp satirical wit  to wage a life-long battle against The Tammany Hall Machine and all forms of political hacks and quacks--and was the creator of the Elephant character to symbolize the GOP, and gave us the modern incarnation of Santa Claus, Uncle Sam, and Columbia (the female personification of American Values).  So on this day after the day in which we all can at least share in celebrating the spirit of democracy, I share with you a celebration of Thomas Nast--The " Father of the American Cartoon".

Lots more including explanatory notes for many of the below and fascinating connection between Nast and Van Gogh and Degas at: http://www.thomasnast.com/

These two below are side by side panels.  The first shows members of the Confederacy after the War petitioning 'Columbia" for pardoning, the second is her response.

PARDON.
Columbia "Shall I Trust These Men,

FRANCHISE
"And not this Man?"

The modern Santa is born...




What goes around comes around...



This one gives me chills.

Caption reads:  The American River Ganges
The Priests and the Children.

M is for
maledicent	One who is addicted to abusive speech
mammothrept	A child who is raised and spoiled by their grandmother
maritodespotism	Tyrranical rulership of a woman by her husband
matronolagnia	An attraction to older women, especially ones who have children
misocapnist	One who hates the smell of tobacco smoke
misodoctakleidist:	Someone who hates practicing the piano