Michael Ramierz
http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=a476faa4a9768d9f72ede7657eeebd68
Interesting use of the Great Seal of the United States vis-à-vis the Defense Budget.
—Guy
I like it!
Guy Power;68441 wrote:
Interesting use of the Great Seal of the United States vis-à-vis the Defense Budget.
Just to quibble, the surrounding stars make it look like it is the presidential seal that is depicted.
Sorta on topic. Someone sent me this slideshow about the great seal.
http://www.wssb.wa.gov/content/offcampus/content/VideoClips/FoldingMoney/WSSB-VC1.ppt
In this cartoon, the oak branch has only 11 berries (whereas the seal has 13). Also, there is only one arrow rather than 13 being clutched in the eagle’s claw. I believe in both cases, the berries and the arrows, that the 13 original colonies are symbolized?
JBGarrison;68445 wrote:
In this cartoon, the oak branch has only 11 berries (whereas the seal has 13). Also, there is only one arrow rather than 13 being clutched in the eagle’s claw. I believe in both cases, the berries and the arrows, that the 13 original colonies are symbolized?
It is not an oak branch but an olive branch. The number of arrows is specified in the blazon, but (as Joe McMillan’s article elsewhere on the website points out) neither the number of leaves or the number of olives (or of the eagle’s tail feathers) is specified.
From what I see of the cartoon, I assume the point is the reduced number of arrows, which could indicate either a reduced military capability or reduced reliance upon military solutions. (The political issues are of course outside the scope of this forum.)
ROFLMAO. oh man. what a clever use of cartooning and heraldry. being a fan of, and practishioner of, both art-forms i LOVE it! lol. check out his eye & beak as well…it looks like the…"Oh S**t!" expression! lol. very good, clever cartooning work.
:lol::lol::lol: I love it!!! The look on the eagle’s face says it all. Genius. *has to laugh some more, but can only post 4 smilies…*
it
RE: the comment that the ring of stars appeared to be more like the Presidential seal than the Great Seal—that may also have been part of the dig…
...but of course (he intoned sanctimoniously & smugly) such questions of political commentary are far, far beneath me…
Jay Bohn;68447 wrote:
...I assume the point is the reduced number of arrows, which could indicate either a reduced military capability….
Title: "The White House Defense Budget" .... as indicated by the reduced number of arrows in our "defense quiver."
Give the man a cigar!
http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-21316454.jpg?size=67&uid={1cee50f4-1732-4d72-82c4-6118ee5dc6ad}
The cartoon is certainly opinionated.
Has the US defense budget been reduced by any significant amount? I mean in (real) terms comapred to what is actually needed. I know that the F-22 order was cut because the Russian plane that the F-22 was designed to counter is no longer a threat. These things were about $ billion apiece as I recall.
I do know that we don’t give nearly enough pay to our enlisted personnel.
I suggest we let Greg have the last word on the politics of this subject. We shouldn’t really have gone down the path of political commentary, but since one side was presented, it’s only fair that the other side be heard as well. Now that that’s happened, may I recommend that the moderators lock the thread?
(Personal disclaimer: The above should not be read as implying substantive agreement with either Guy or Greg or anyone else.)
Yah, it’s kinda difficult posting an heraldic political cartoon and trying to strip away the political statement. I agree with Greg that it makes a one-sided comment, but, that’s the nature of the political cartoon beastie.
I only posted the cartoon because of the inventive use of the Seal in making a comment; not because I agree or disagree with its statement.
Cheers!
—Guy
I think we’re all adult enough to appreciate the use of heraldry in a culturally relevant context without feeling as though one ideology is being advocated over the other.
Jonathan R. Baker;68470 wrote:
I think we’re all adult enough to appreciate the use of heraldry in a culturally relevant context without feeling as though one ideology is being advocated over the other.
Oh sure, we are. I think it’s rather typical of a cartoon to use the seal, it’s been done plenty of times before. But, now that we’re talking about it: has other US insignia been used in this type of political cartoon before? I can’t think of any. And does altering the seal for instance, or any government insignia classify as a violation of protected copyright? Or is this protected under political expression?
Greg;68472 wrote:
...has other US insignia been used in this type of political cartoon before? I can’t think of any…
I did a google search and found these:
http://sameritech.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/newlogo.jpg
http://jxymxu7sn5ho9d.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/caric_obama_seal_sf.jpg
http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/floppingaces-296x300.jpg
http://www.footnotetv.com/picftvsnl31-19outtake.jpg
As to your question, I’m sure these renditions are authorized as being satires/political commentary.
Regards,
—Guy
