"Cheney's Message": Description, Analysis, and Argument
In this simple political cartoon, Mark Cohen displays a map of the state of Florida. Three hurricanes sit in the Atlantic Ocean, lined up, ready to strike the Floridian coast. At the top of the page are the words "Dick Cheney has a message for Florida residents..." The caption at the bottom continues, by saying "If you vote for John Kerry you will be hit again, and again, and again, and..."
The cartoon refers to two separate things. The first reference is to the words of Vice President Dick Cheney last week, when he asserted "It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States" (qtd. in Sanger). The second reference is to the string of hurricanes that have struck Florida's coastline and caused great damage in the state. What Cohen is trying to do is point out the absurdity of Cheney's statement. He compares preventing terror strikes with preventing hurricanes, two events that would be equally difficult to avoid for either presidential candidate. Moreover, he implies that Cheney would say whatever is necessary to win reelection, whether it is warning the country against terrorist attacks or warning Florida against hurricanes. Cohen also implies a certain irony in Cheney's words, since both the terrorist attacks and the recent wave of hurricanes have occurred while Bush and Cheney have been in office. Finally, by using the state of Florida, Cohen reminds us about the fiasco in Florida in 2000 and how it will be a vital part of this year's election. By making these implications, Cohen presents a political statement against the incumbent administration.
The effects of Cohen's cartoon are twofold; not only does it provide humor, but it also criticizes Cheney for his comment. Because it has become so widely accepted that Cheney's remarks were inappropriate, it would be difficult to argue against Cohen for the point he makes in his cartoon. I agree with Cohen and found his cartoon quite humorous. Cheney's comment was completely inappropriate and it provided a perfect setup for a slew of political cartoons. Furthermore, Cohen's cartoon was proper; it made a point without extravagantly attacking Cheney, allowing both Democrats and Republicans to enjoy it. Even the most humorless of readers can see that the Florida hurricane caption is a joke and that it is not meant to be taken seriously. Simultaneously mocking Cheney's ridiculous statement, incorporating humor, and making a political statement, Cohen's cartoon follows a formula for success.
Works Cited
Sanger, David E. and David M. Halbfinger. "Cheney Warns of Terror Risk if
Kerry Wins." The New York Times 8 Sept. 2004. 11 Sept. 2004
The cartoon refers to two separate things. The first reference is to the words of Vice President Dick Cheney last week, when he asserted "It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States" (qtd. in Sanger). The second reference is to the string of hurricanes that have struck Florida's coastline and caused great damage in the state. What Cohen is trying to do is point out the absurdity of Cheney's statement. He compares preventing terror strikes with preventing hurricanes, two events that would be equally difficult to avoid for either presidential candidate. Moreover, he implies that Cheney would say whatever is necessary to win reelection, whether it is warning the country against terrorist attacks or warning Florida against hurricanes. Cohen also implies a certain irony in Cheney's words, since both the terrorist attacks and the recent wave of hurricanes have occurred while Bush and Cheney have been in office. Finally, by using the state of Florida, Cohen reminds us about the fiasco in Florida in 2000 and how it will be a vital part of this year's election. By making these implications, Cohen presents a political statement against the incumbent administration.
The effects of Cohen's cartoon are twofold; not only does it provide humor, but it also criticizes Cheney for his comment. Because it has become so widely accepted that Cheney's remarks were inappropriate, it would be difficult to argue against Cohen for the point he makes in his cartoon. I agree with Cohen and found his cartoon quite humorous. Cheney's comment was completely inappropriate and it provided a perfect setup for a slew of political cartoons. Furthermore, Cohen's cartoon was proper; it made a point without extravagantly attacking Cheney, allowing both Democrats and Republicans to enjoy it. Even the most humorless of readers can see that the Florida hurricane caption is a joke and that it is not meant to be taken seriously. Simultaneously mocking Cheney's ridiculous statement, incorporating humor, and making a political statement, Cohen's cartoon follows a formula for success.
Works Cited
Sanger, David E. and David M. Halbfinger. "Cheney Warns of Terror Risk if
Kerry Wins." The New York Times 8 Sept. 2004. 11 Sept. 2004
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