Political Cartoon Index

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: The Hartford Courant
Date: 10/22/10
Cartoonist: Bob Englehart
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don’t ask Don’t Tell
Cartoon #1
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Like many other cartoons on the subject, this artist is playing on the familiar “Uncle Sam Wants You” posters associated with the draft. This depiction shows multiple posters, each one switching indecisively back and forth from whom the US armed forces really wants, depending on what their sexual orientation is.


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Gays are not to be drafted/accepted into the military and don’t have the right to serve their country.

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: The Arizona Star
Date: 2/9/10
Cartoonist: David Fitzsimmons
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don’t ask don’t tell
Cartoon #2
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Top officials in various branches of the armed forces are having a meeting discussing whether or not to repeal the DADT law. One calls the policy “gay” adding that he did not mean offense to anyone. Another one says he didn’t take offense, but quickly begins to deny that he is a homosexual only to be put at ease by another general whose statement may likely well mean that even if he is gay, he won’t have to hide it for long.




Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Gays should be able to serve openly in the military, and that even generals etc. could be gay. The standards of today are changing so that people are more tolerant of homosexuals even in the armed forces.

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: The Denver Post
Date: 2/5/10
Cartoonist: Mike Keefe
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Gays in the military
Cartoon #3
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Two identical machine guns are firing identical bullets with the caption asking if you can tell which was fired by a gay soldier. The second caption says to take a year to study the question.


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
You can’t distinguish the difference between a gay soldier and a straight one’s performance – they are equal. It has taken a very long time for anyone to come to that realization.

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: The Buffalo News
Date: 9/23/10
Cartoonist: Adam Zyglis
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Medal of Dishonor - Gay
Cartoon #4
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A hardened looking general is showing off his medals and displays one he received for “unfettered bigotry in the field of battle.”




Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
The military is being prejudice and unfair to homosexuals and no one seems to think there’s a problem with it.

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: Florida Today
Date: 2/25/10
Cartoonist: Jeff Parker
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Ranked out
Cartoon #5
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Civilians are admiring an soldier’s decorations and note that he must have served honorably and bravely. When asked what his rank is, the gay soldier responds “second-class citizen.”


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
No matter how valuable or recognized their service is to the country, gays are looked down upon. This cartoon uses a bit of hyperbole to put the across the point that homosexuals are labeled as lesser human beings.

Team Member Name: Tmera Bradley
Publication: The Denver Post
Date: 5/28/10
Cartoonist: Mike Keefe
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Repeal don’t ask
Cartoon #6
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
It’s supposedly the aftermath of repealing DADT and two soldiers are fighting in combat. A speech balloon from one’s mouth expresses his indifference to the other being gay since he shoots straight (note the pun).


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
One’s sexual orientation has no affect on how they serve their country and fellow soldiers know that and don’t mind working alongside gay soldiers.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: The Scranton Times-Tribune
Date: 12/23/2010
Cartoonist: John Cole
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: McCain and DADT
Cartoon# 7
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
This cartoon depicts Senator John McCain obviously in distress, and taking cover in a fox hole, while a closet labeled DADT slowly opens with an ominous creaking noise.


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
While the cartoon is mainly critical of Senator John McCain’s opposition to the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal, the cartoon does seem to portray gays in a less than favorable light. Utilizing the common phrase “coming out of the closet” and by depicting the closet as a scary, creaky door that one should avoid, the cartoon inspires hesitation and fear about the DADT repeal.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)
Date: 12/21/2010
Cartoonist: Cam Cardow
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Prancers Out (color)
Cartoon# 8
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The cartoon is based on the premise that Santa has repealed his Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy just as the U.S. military has repealed theirs. The cartoon shows Santa out and about on Christmas Eve with the reindeer pulling his sleigh. One reindeer is informing another that the well known reindeer, Prancer, has come out as gay. While the other reindeer replies, “No surprise there.”


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Because the cartoon depicts a serious issue in a non-serious way, indeed in the childish and almost comical image of Santa Claus, the viewer is struck by the notion that the whole debate over the DADT repeal is unnecessary and slightly ridiculous. Especially when one consider what the reindeer are saying. They didn’t need a new law to inform them of someone else’s sexual orientation, and judging by their joking and ambivalent manner, they don’t really care.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: The Washington Examiner
Date: 12/21/2010
Cartoonist: Nat Beeler
U.S./ International (bold)
Title of cartoon: End of Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell
Cartoon# 9
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
An army officer covers his eyes and turns away with regret as he prepares to shoot an army jeep that has the words Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell printed on it.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This political cartoon frames reality concerning the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal as something regrettable and as something that should be prevented.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: The Rome News-Tribune
Date: 12/20/2010
Cartoonist: Mike Lester
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell Recruitment (color)
Cartoon# 10
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A military official views a newspaper with the headline reading, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal. Meanwhile, above him he envisions what military recruitment posters will look like now that gays are allowed to be open about their sexual orientation while in the service.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This cartoon frames the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a very negative and light. It shows today’s military leaders being against the repeal and it also illustrates very unlikely and exaggerated images about what the repeal will do to the military. The depictions of gays in this cartoon are in a word, stereotypical.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: Cagle Cartoons
Date: 12/1/2010
Cartoonist: Randall Enos
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Repeal Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell (color)
Cartoon# 11
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The military troops are asked if Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should be repealed and the vast majority respond with a hearty “Hell Yes!” But instead of listening to that, the senate lends an ear to the one voice that opposes the repeal.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This cartoon is framed to show the Senate’s own agenda regarding the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This cartoon illustrates the belief that the majority of servicemen approve of the repeal, however, the senators and law makers only hear what they want to.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: The Denver Post
Date: 11/11/2010
Cartoonist: Mike Keefe
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Heroes (color)
Cartoon# 12
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A man and a women are gazing up at a statue depicting the iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima. The man remarks to the woman that, “Statistically speaking, there’s an even chance one of those heroes was gay.”


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
The “reality” shown here is that a soldier’s sexual orientation does not affect his or her ability to be an excellent soldier, or even a hero.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: Political Cartoons.com
Date: 12/21/2010
Cartoonist: Dave Granlund
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell Repealed
Cartoon# 13
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A soldier is shown abiding by the rules of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law, and then he is shown embracing the repeal as he lifts up his sleeve to reveal the name Bob tattooed inside of a heart.


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This cartoon portrays the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a somewhat negative and derogatory light. The cartoon seems to imply that since gays are now allowed to be open about their sexual orientation while in the service they will flaunt it in an overly obnoxious and inappropriate manner.

Team Member Name: Tara Alvey
Publication: Salt Lake Tribune
Date: 9/22/2010
Cartoonist: Pat Bagley
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Unknown
Cartoon# 14
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A military officer is speaking to congress and questioning the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He appears frenzied and on his head are numerous contraptions that bear the title “Gay-Dar.”

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
This cartoon is framed in such a manner that it casts all who oppose Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal as homophobes. It exaggerates the opposition in order to better illustrate the silliness and absurdity of the situation.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={761E465C-8422-4E0A-88E0-5B150CB0D57D}

Team Member Name: Tim Hammond
Publication: Salt Lake Tribune                                                            Date: 21 Dec 2010
Cartoonist: Pat Bagley                                                                                    U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”                                                Cartoon# 15
Tone of the cartoon:

1) Positive framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of rights for sexual minorities.

What action is taking place in the cartoon?  What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

This cartoon contrasts the mindset of the military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy to its mindset since the repeal.  The cartoon suggests that the repeal more justly aligns the military's practices with American values.  The Uncle Sam poster was used to recruit military in World Wars I and II.  Bagley suggests that "I want YOU" rings truer now that gays can serve openly in the military.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={7C891BF2-20D9-4302-B901-3D38F366A8D9}

Team Member Name: Tim Hammond
Publication: Florida Today                                                                        Date: 21 Dec 2010
Cartoonist: Jeff Parker                                                                        U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “No DADT Label”                                                            Cartoon# 16

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of rights for sexual minorities.

What action is taking place in the cartoon?  What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

In Parker's cartoon, a military officer is "coming out" as an American soldier.  The cartoon suggests that being gay has little or nothing to do with a soldier's identity; that his courage and desire to serve his country define him more than does his sexual orientation.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={228F951E-F058-45B6-83DB-1EEF75D41C9A}

Team Member Name: Tim Hammond
Publication: The Scranton Times-Tribune                                                Date: 3 Dec 2010
Cartoonist: John Cole                                                                               U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Marines”                                    Cartoon# 17

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of sexual minorities (but in a sarcastic way).
2) Framing is neutral of rights for sexual minorities.  The cartoon speaks more about the military’s reaction to the repeal than it does about the repeal itself.

What action is taking place in the cartoon?  What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

This cartoon points out the irony that military personnel can fearlessly face the horrors of warfare but still be homophobic.  It also points out the military's hesitancy in repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={D13A9D53-9336-4231-AAAE-F7143286DE73}

Team Member Name: Tim Hammond
Publication: The St. Louis Post Dispatch                                                Date: 30 Nov 2010
Cartoonist: RJ Matson                                                                               U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell John McCain”                        Cartoon# 18

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of rights for sexual minorities.

What action is taking place in the cartoon?  What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

Senator John McCain has been accused of changing his position concerning Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and his reaction to its repeal has been the butt of many jokes.  In this cartoon, Matson suggests that McCain has made a fool of himself over the DADT repeal.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={B5209E89-5B0D-419B-ABD2-E13BE782E4CC}

Team Member Name: Tim Hammond
Publication: The St. Louis Post Dispatch                                                Date: 27 Sep 2010
Cartoonist: RJ Matson                                                                               U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Don’t Dream Act”            Cartoon# 19

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of sexual minorities.
2) Framing is supportive of rights for sexual minorities.

What action is taking place in the cartoon?  What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

In this cartoon, Matson compares the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy to other laws, specifically immigration, to point out that to allow people to act contrary to the law as long as they're quiet about it seems strange.



Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: St. Louis Post Dispatch
Date: 02/04/2010
Cartoonist: RJ Matson
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Boot camp for homophobes
Cartoon #20
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A sergeant is yelling at a homophobic soldier, the sergeant is telling him not to be afraid of gays while holding don't ask, don't tell in his hand.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
That other soldiers are afraid of the gay soldiers, and that gay soldiers take a mental toll on straight soldiers and they cannot get along as a whole.



Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: The Scranton Times
Date: 02/04/2010
Cartoonist: John Cole
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: McCain and Don't ask Don't Tell
Cartoon #21
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
McCain is flying the Don't ask don't tell jet and he ejects from the aircraft with the 2010 primary challenger in his hand.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
That the don't ask don't tell policy isn't working and that we need to eject from the idea just like McCain who was one of the strongest for the policy is doing.

Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: The Record of Hackensack
Date: 02/03/2010
Cartoonist: Jimmy Margulies
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don't ask, Don't Tell
Cartoon #22
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Two soldiers are walking, one is carrying an 80 pound backpack and the other is carrying a huge don't ask don't tell ball and chain.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
Gay soldiers have to live everyday with this giant weight attached to them, and it is always getting in the way and slowing them down.




Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: The Buffalo Times
Date: 02/03/2010
Cartoonist: Adam Zyglis
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Gays in the military
Cartoon #23
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Two gay soldiers are locked in the pentagon closet, and one of them heard talk of an exit strategy.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

Even if the soldiers have heard talk of an exit strategy it looks impossible to get out, and they will never be able to be open about their sexuality in the military.





Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: Toledo Blade
Date: 02/04/2010
Cartoonist: Kirk Walters
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don't ask don't tell
Cartoon #24
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
An officer is telling two gay men interested in joining the military that they can fight and die for a country that won't let them get married.


Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
That gay men and women can join the military but cannot get married, and have little rights as an American citizen.





Team Member Name: Jake Major
Publication: The Rome Times
Date: 02/02/2010
Cartoonist: Mike Lester
U.S./International (bold)
Title of cartoon: Don't ask don't tell team
Cartoon #25
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A football player is talking about how personal goals are second to the teams goal of winning, and the man who is gay says the same thing but opposite.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of sexual minorities (bold answer)
2) framing is supportive or opposed to rights for sexual minorities (bold answer)
What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?
It's not about what your sexuality in the military, it's about winning the war, who cares if your gay or not if you want to fight for your country do it.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/28/dont-ask-dont-tell-dont-spin/

Team Member Name: Lauren Gould

Publication: Politics Daily      Date: November 2011

Cartoonist: Robert and Donna Trussel    U.S. political cartoon

Title of cartoon: An American Solider     Cartoon#26_

What action is taking place in the cartoon? Shows the inside workings of an American soldiers brain and how they would prefer gays not be allowed in the military. They want Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act repealed.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) Negative framing of sexual minorities

2) Framing is opposed to rights for sexual minorities

What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights? That gays don’t have a right to be in the military and the soldiers already enlisted do not wish to have them serve with them. The other soldiers would be more comfortable with Don’t ask Don’t tell act repealed. In the back of a soldiers mind they are always thinking about whether they are surrounded by a gay soldier.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/McCain-vs--Don-t-Ask-Don-t-Tell-.htm

Team Member Name: Lauren Gould

Publication: About.com Politial Humor      Date: December 12, 2010

Cartoonist: Star tribune Sack                                U.S.

Title of cartoon: McCain vs. ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ Cartoon#27

What action is taking place in the cartoon? It shows McCain claiming that if a gay came out of the closet and was in the military it would harm the military progress.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) Negative framing of sexual minorities

2) Framing is opposed to rights for sexual minorities

What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights? They don’t deserve the same rights as other soldiers they should stay behind the scenes because being openly gay would not help the military missions.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/New--Don-t-Ask-Don-t-Tell--Policy.htm

Team Member Name: Lauren Gould

Publication: About.com Political Humor  Date: October 17, 2010

Cartoonist: Nast Handelsman Newsday        U.S.

Title of cartoon: New ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy’   Cartoon#28

What action is taking place in the cartoon? That the military does not want to know if you are gay.  They are also intolerant to gays rights and do not wish to serve with homosexuals.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) Negative framing of sexual minorities

2) Framing is opposed to rights for sexual minorities

What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights? That people are prejudice and they do not want anything to do with gays and don’t want to know if they are gay. They will not listen to you or take you seriously for military service if you are gay.

http://blog.cagle.com/2010/12/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-4/

Team Member Name: Lauren Gould

Publication: Daryl Cagle’s The Cagle Post Cartoons and Commentary

Date: December 19, 2010

Cartoonist: Daryl Cagle                             U.S.

Title of cartoon: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal   Cartoon#29

What action is taking place in the cartoon? It Shows an officer in the army showing off all his awards and then points to a heart pin given to him by his boyfriend showing people he is a gay soldier.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) Positive framing but at the same time poking a little fun of sexual minorities

2) Framing is supportive to rights for sexual minorities

What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights? That anyone who is gay can be highly ranked in the army and be a good soldier fighting hard for the country. They are just as successful and equal to other military soldiers even though they may be homosexual.

http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/eb560786-5260-4bd3-8d82-cac722ce5033.html

Team Member Name: Lauren Gould

Publication: The Hartford Courant     Date: September 23, 2010

Cartoonist: Bob Englehart                                                U.S.

Title of cartoon: Dont Ask Dont Tell     Cartoon#30

What action is taking place in the cartoon? A Donkey is reading about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell being repealed and thinks it is very insensitive to gays. However the elephant is in support of the act being repealed.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) Positive framing of sexual minorities

2) Framing is opposed to rights for sexual minorities

What “reality” is constructed/framed about sexual minorities and their rights?

Homosexuals are not as important as other American citizens. The voters will be in favor of voting for something that opposes gay rights, which is not always the truth.