Cartoonist Sean Delonas has been accused of blatant racism for this cartoon which was printed this past Wednesday in the New York Post.

Liberals everywhere and even Republicans are wetting their pants calling this the most racist thing since Looney Toons, but is this really a racist piece. Surely, there is legitimate concern that this piece might accuse President Barack Obama of being Ape-like which would bring about a long history of racism towards black people, but does this cartoon really do that?

From a cartoonists point of view there is no indication that the ape is meant to represent Obama in any way. If it were, there would certainly be an attempt at resemblence on an indication through some symbol. But no, the cartoonist chose to draw and ape clearly. Even the dialogue doesn’t connect to Obama as he didn’t WRITE the stimulus bill, he signed it. What’s more is that this incident, in which a woman was recently attacked by a wild ape draws a clear parody attempt between the bill and the attack.

Funny, when people called Bush an ape it was hilarious and acute, but the slight suggestion that Obama’s policy is that of a crazied ape is racist. Sure, I understand the concern, and it’s great to see people stand out against racism, but this cartoonist doesn’t think such was the case.

Tonight the High Council of the Four Eyes (HCFE) were joined by CLAW CADET member-in-training STANLEY SHAW (pictued to right).  Mr. Shaw is a phenominal cartooning talent and we are excited to knight him with a sacred CLAW fez.  The remainder of topics covered in this meeting will be presented in unordered list form below.

• THE COUNCIL  has voted on a overall theme sketch design for our group wayzgoose letterpress event poster project. All were satisfied.
• THE COUNCIL has voted on a name for our newsletter/mini-comic zine publication which from now will be known as–Klaatu Barada Nikto–or some clever variant thereof.  Electric Elliot offered the only dissenting opinion  saying: “I really hate that name… it makes no sense. You’re so wrong on this one.”
• THE COUNCIL has encourgaged our membership to email more header graphics and or logos designed by each individual member for the website cartoonistsleague.org
• Councilman Mark Monlux expressed praise to RR Anderson for his enlightening tutorial posts on the cartoonistsleague.org blog and encouraged all members to post on the website.
• Councilman RR Anderson encoraged Councilman Mark Monlux to talk about his ultra-unique (read weird) cartooning freelance job  on the website.  Councilman Monlux declared his job is top secret and assured all members he would NEVER do such a thing. 
• Couniclman STOWE was forced to wear the FEZ OF SHAME (pictured to left) because he forgot to bring his FEZ.
• During SHOW AND TELL Councilman STOWE presented a series of cutom valentines cards he’s been working on for his children (for school). 

Greetings true believers, special warm thanks to all the new people who showed up tonight at the first CLAW open meeting of transparency!  We got to meet JEFF HAWLEY CREATOR OF LOGJAM! (World’s only comicstrip devoted to sentient trees).  With special guest appearances by ANDREA TRENBEATH LOWEN of UNSTABLE ART, ERIK BJORNSON  aka THE TACOMA URBANIST and Tacoma’s foremost divorce attorney, AMANDA RAYMOND of NEWSPAPER ILLUSTRATION FAME. Last but certainly not least a very special surprise appearance by cosmic talent STAN SHAW of DRAW STANLEY recent cartoonist for CITY ARTS.

We all swapped photoshop secrets, gave folks a small taste of the PRO-FEZ LIFESTYLE and periphery semi-sacred CLAW rituals.  Sadly one of our founding members ELECTRIC ELLIOT had to leave early to attend to his ULTIMATE FRISBEE commitments.

Many of us were able to sketch.  Below is a small sketch of  what my life was like before I joined CLAW.

And now here is a sketch of what my life is like now that I am part of a team.  I certainly know who my true friends are.