Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Obama lifeguard

Tell what you think that the cartoon is trying to convey.  What population is readers is the cartoon geared for?  Is the cartoon effective?  Explain.

20 comments:

  1. I think the cartoon istrying to say how President Obama is trying to revive the economy from an almost certain demise. In the background, others say that he isn't doing his job to the fullest.

    I believe this cartoon is geared for those that don't like how the president is handling the current situation. It is a tool they are using to gain support and criticize the current administration.

    In my opinion, the cartoon is very effective at conveying its message. It's fairly simple and gets its point across so almost anyone can understand the message.

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  2. I most definitely did a double-take on this cartoon. It's very clever, actually. In a sense, our economy is so depleted and out of reach, that even our own President is struggling to bring it "back to life", literally. The caption on the bottom especially captured my attention because Obama truly is just a person, and there is only so much he can do.

    This cartoon is geared towards people who expect Obama to in a sense, be "Superman" or in this case, a lifeguard that can fix every little problem we have.

    It's a highly effective piece of artwork I believe. You don't have to love history to understand the underlying issue here. Seems as if many are distraught and disapprove of the way the president handles certain situations.

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  3. I think that what the cartoon is trying to convey is the fact that your economy is drowning under the mass amount of debt. While Obama is fruitlessly trying to resuscitate it everyone else is just sitting around pointing out the fact the Obama doesn't really know what he is doing.

    I feel that this cartoon is geared for those who just want more to use against the president, and those who find an interest in what others have to say about the president. Also those who are curious on how he is working with or against the economy.

    The cartoon in my opinion is quite effective in the sense it shows that Obama try as he does, is having a really hard time bringing the economy back up.

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  4. This cartoon is trying to convey the message that even though Obama may not be successful in helping the economy in the least bit, at least he is trying, unlike the GOP who is standing by. It is likely inspired by the recent budget crisis where the GOP was accused of being unwilling to negotiate with Obama to come up with a budget before the deadline.

    The cartoon is geared at both sides of the isle. For Democrats, this shows a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. For Republicans, on the other hand, this shows a blunt translation of how Democrats view this situation.

    I think it's an effective cartoon. The picture is a powerful portrayal that registers strongly in one's mind. It successfully makes you want to sympathize with Obama's plight of reviving our failing economy and makes one scornful at the GOP.

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  5. Let's say you're in a pool, you've been assessed to see how long you can hold your breath under-water floating on your stomach. Mind you, you're taking your first swimming lesson, and you're supervised by a lifeguard. You've held your breath for as long as you possibly could've, and now you release your breath... what happens now? Do you stay a-float? No you don't, because when you exhaled you released the captive oxygen molecules residing in your lungs. Next thing you know you're theoretically embedded in Davy Jones locker.

    This is essentially my analogy for the Political cartoon displayed above. In my analogy the economy is represented by 'you' the individual that is taking his/her first swimming lesson. By floating on your stomach 'you' represent a stable economy. When 'you' release your breath, you as the economy are respectively deflated. When you are resuscitated, by means of CPR... inevitably you are now inflated.

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  7. The cartoon clearly depicts to me what has been going on with the economy recently: Obama attempting to revive it by the means of giving ideas to the legislature and the American public, and the GOP sitting on the sidelines as though they have no responsibility toward strengthening our economy.
    Try as he may, Obama cannot resuscitate the economy; I believe this is for one reason: While he can propose ideas to the legislature, and give speeches to the public, he cannot pass laws or write legislation. If I had drawn this comic, I would have drawn it differently, with two people in beach chairs: one representing the GOP and the other representing the Democrats. Because the two parties have refused to unite on legislation to bring the economy back to what it once was, we end up with awful disputes in the House and Senate, and nothing done to help, which makes this the legislature's fallacy, and not the President's.

    I believe the cartoonist has the true issue spot on: President Obama cannot revive the economy because he does not have any further rights to do anything more than what he has already done. Yet, the people who can do something, such as legislators and the citizens, point the finger at Obama with three back at them.

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  8. English MacDonald, Aaron
    This cartoon is saying that Obama is trying to play lifeguard and save the Economy. Even though he keeps trying and trying, he's not doing much good. While he's trying to revive the economy the GOP is just sitting back enjoying the show and scrutinizing every mistake he makes. This political cartoon is targeted towards U.S. citizens letting them know that Obama isn't the "savior" that some people thought he was. He might be trying really hard, when he's not busy planking, but it's not enough to save the economy. I feel that the cartoon is effective as far as getting it's point across. It is really easy to tell what the artist is saying. Most people in the U.S. know that Obama is doing wonders saving the economy, but this could open the eyes of some people that still thing that he's the person this country has been waiting for. It could be effective in that sense also.

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  9. Obama is trying to fix the economy while GOP is doing nothing but criticize his attempts. The cartoon is trying to help people to realize that Obama isn't going to be able to fix the economy on his own, all he can do is sign bills into law and encourage certain ideas. The economy wont get fixed because neither party is willing to work with the other party on the issue. The Republicans made it quite clear that their main goal was to prevent the Democrats (being the dominant party) from doing anything rather than work with them. I think that the smarter thing to do, rather than both parties fighting to the point that nothing ever gets done, is to try everything they can and see what works. This cartoon is for the American public, specifically those who criticize President Obama for not being able to fix the economy. I think the cartoon is very effective on getting the point across, it's short, simple and makes me feel happy.

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  10. The cartoon is trying to explain that Obama is trying to save the economy, while the GOP is sitting on the side lines criticizing everything he does wrong. The cartoon shows the GOP character sitting back with a drink, implying that he is not planning on helping anytime soon. I think this cartoon was made for people on the right who are criticizing Obama. It does a very good job of showing that they have no right to criticize, because they are doing nothing. I see this article as propaganda, a more realistic way to draw this cartoon would be to show that the GOP want to try to help, but want to do it differently than Obama. (and the Democrats) Overall, the cartoon is effective at getting their point across, although it is slightly one-sided

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  11. To my untrained and ultimately novice eye, the cartoon conveys a sense of governmental cynicism brought upon by the author. You see – government is a like a lone caterpillar crawling the likes of a single tree: each part must work in a specific and synergic way in order to properly function. The GOP, in this case, represents a single, busted leg on this body, and without its guided assistance the economy fails to support our humble country.

    There is another point the author attempts to get across. As I have learned from hours of strenuous CPR training, I have learned that resuscitating an unconscious victim is most effective with TWO people, and in spite of President Obama’s attempts to recover the lost, it can not be properly executed without the regrettably vacationing GOP. Worse yet, the GOP remains ignorant towards their collective lack of appealed help, and pointlessly discount the President and his meaningful actions.

    This cartoon is geared towards two specific demographics: political junkies such as myself, and yes -- conservatives.

    Is the cartoon effective? No. After completely analyzing it, I remained unconvinced that the President is doing everything in his power to help put life back in to our nation; however, if the incentive was to make me laugh, then I would say it was quite effective INDEED.

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  12. In this cartoon, I think that the GOP guy is saying that Obama can't resuscitate the Economy. Plus, the GOP isn't doing anything to help Obama. I believe that cartoon is geared for telling people that Obama is failing at bring the Economy back and that the GOP is just going to sit back and relax. And give Obama criticism for not really trying. This cartoon is effective because it's getting the message out about how Obama is struggling to revive the economy and no one is going to help him bring it back.

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  13. This cartoon is conveying that Obama is trying to "resuscitate" the economy while the GOP (republicans) just sit around not even willing to help him. The republicans currently are known for not wanting to compromise with him about anything, and the politics of it all is getting ridiculous. The budget deadline is coming up and they have no idea what to do about it.

    This is geared towards the democratic people more. The republican lounging on the chair is is a negative statement about what they are doing.

    I think this cartoon is effective, with the fact that it's not a total exaggeration. The republicans are more stubborn to deal with any of Obama's suggestions because they don't agree with anything; they're barely able to compromise a deal with him, or "save the economy."

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  14. I believe that this cartoon is attempting to illustrate the lack of support that the Republican party is giving Obama as he tries to reinvigorate the economy and pull the US out of this recession.

    This cartoon would be appealing to Obama's supporters as it shows the GOP inactivity in this time of crisis. Because of the constant in fighting and petty grudges being held there is little that Obama can do to turn this downward spiral around.

    While I don't think that cartoons posted in newspapers and magazines can ever be truly effective, the lack of ambiguity in this comic increases the weight of the authors opinion.

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  15. I think this cartoon is about Obama trying to save the economy. He's not doing his job very well, and the rest of America is just watching.

    This cartoon is geared towards people who think the president isn't working hard. He is trying to save the economy with all that he has, but all we are doing is sitting there watching him try. In order for the economy to come "back to life", we all need to work together. Not just rely on the president.

    I do think that this cartoon is effective. However, I don't think it will change anyone's opinions. It gets the point across, but still everyone relies on the president. After reading the cartoon, I still don't think Obama trying very hard. He need to put his money where his mouth is.

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  16. Obamas trying to get the economy going even though the GOP is just sitting in the lawn chair by the ocean just sitting there doing nothing. The economy can't be revived just from obamas help. In this picture it shows that Even thought obamas trying the best he can, its not enough to restart the economy. Not only that but the GOP is just Adding insult to injury by saying "your NOT much of a life guard". When he could help out too.

    This type of cartoon is geared for most of America. The easy to understand and to get type of pictures are the best to show the world what the authors message is.

    Yes the cartoon is effective in the way that it can show the easy way to resemble the way obamas trying and the GOP is just sitting there doing Nothing on the chair saying how much of a president obama isn't.

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  17. Obama is trying to save the economy but he can't because he's one person trying to fix years of damage and he's only been trying for about three years. While the government just sits back and lets him try his hardest but don't plan on helping him at all.

    It's geared for those who don't agree with what Obama and the government has been with this country for the years that he's been in office.

    For those who don't like Obama yes, it would be affective. We all know that one person can't fix a whole country though.

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  18. I take this cartoon to mean that Obama is trying to help the economy, but he can't get much done without everyone's help. It shows that the GOP is sitting there watching Obama, and criticizing him, but they aren't doing anything to help him or the economy.
    The intended audience is people involved in politics, or people who know some information about the current government situation.
    The cartoon seems effective and to the point. It's easy to understand what this cartoon is saying. It makes me feel a sorry for Obama, because even though everyone expects him to, he can't revive the economy on his own.

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