DRAWING on OBSERVATIONS

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Yesterday, US District Judge William Martini, sentenced former mayor of Newark Sharp James to a slap on the wrist, proving that in New Jersey, crime does pay. The corrupt pol was tried for illegally steering public land to his mistress and cronies and was convicted of fraud and conspiracy. Martini ordering Sharp to serve 27 months and pay $100,000 fine.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

I have a photo shoot in New York for a book cover illustration I’m working on, so today is another quicky.

Right or wrong, I think that tapping our domestic oil reserves is a good place for McCain to go drilling for votes, but his gas tax holiday for the summer months crusade is loosing it’s window of effectiveness. It’s almost August and congress will soon be headed home to their districts until after Labor Day. It’s beating a dead horse.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Rich (Goose) Gossage was inducted into Baseballs Hall of Fame yesterday. Goose was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1970. After five seasons with Chicago and a cup of coffee with the Pirates, the hard throwing reliever came to the Yankees in 1978. As a relief pitcher, he helped define the modern day closer, pitching the final out to clinch a Division, League or World Series title seven times. The Yankees, with the help of Goose, pioneered the set-up/closer configuration that every major league team has used since. He was … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Senator Obama’s political views may be 180 degrees from Ronald Reagan’s, but like the former president, Obama has studied the stage craft of a winner.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint 

I have two photo shoots in New York Today, so todays doodle was another quick one.

Yesterday Senator Obama visited with Shimon Peres and professed an unshakable commitment to  the security of Israel.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

I seem to be referencing Andrew Keen’s book alot lately, The Cult of the Amateur, How The Internet Is Killing Our Culture. As I’ve stated before, Mr Keen makes a lot of very interesting points about Web 2.0 and how bloggers are filling the web with unprofessional content. I have to concede, there is a lot to be said for having an editor. Take this story about a mayor of a New Jersey shore town and a blog he writes detailing his frustrations with out of town, undesirable renters. You would … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Janet’s top,.. Justin”s jaw,.. An the FCC fine.

Ho, Ho, Ho.
Janet’s top… Justin’s jaw… An the FCC fine.

Ripppp.

Name three things that were dropped.

A Federal Appeals Court through out the 550,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission against CBS for the infamous wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Before Obama left for Iraq, I was thinking it had the potential to produce another Michael Ducacus driving a tank moment, but Obama is proving to be adept at handling the world stage. Sensing that the contender-in-chief may soon be their commander-in-chief, Obama is being well recieved in Iraq.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

A while back, I wrote on this blog about an interesting book by Andrew Keen, The Cult of the Amateur, How The Internet Is Killing Our Culture. I agree with much of what Mr. Keen writes but ultimately disagree with his conclusions. Of course there are irresponsible, untalented and ill informed providers of content on the web, but if we intend to uphold our constitution and protect freedom of speech on the internet, we have to be savvy about separating the wheat from the chaff. As a blogger, my radar … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

New Jersey’s native son Raymond T. Odierno was confirmed by the US Senate last week by a 95-1 vote to rise in rank from a Three Star Lieutenant General to a Four Star General and Multi-National Force-Iraq Commander. Odierno has confidence in both McCain and Obama to carefully weigh his advice before withdrawing troops.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall and Heath Ledger, in his final performance, opens at midnight tonight.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Yesterday the two major candidates gave speeches on the war. Obama wants to move the emphasis back to Afghanistan. McCain thinks we $hould do both.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Hard to say if I captured a likeness of Stephen Payne. There wasn’t an article in my paper this morning, but the story out of the Sunday Times of London was too compelling to pass up so I sketched this from a tiny you tube video. Payne, a lobbyist and a major fund raiser for the Bush campaigns of 2000 and 2004, is caught on tape selling presidential access to someone posing as a representative of the former president of Kyrgyzstan, now in excile in Moscow, in exchange for … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

I grew up a Yankee fan, as was my dad before me, so it seems like I knew Bobby Murcer. He signed with the yanks in 1964, was called up in 65 to play shortstop, served in the military from 67-68, became a regular in 69 as an outfielder, was a five time All Star, had the second highest batting average in 1971 batting .331. a gold glove winner and fifth in MVP voting in 72. He was traded away to SF for Bobby Bonds and also played for the Cubs, … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Any resemblance that this doodle has to Don Rickles was totally unintentional. But it seems that lately, McCain, like Rickles has to rip his friends to succeed, so maybe I allowed that to subliminally enter into my morning ritual…who knows…Anyway…The latest hockey puck that McCains has to denounce, his top economic adviser, former Texas Senator Phil Gramm. Gramm said the economy would be doing fine if it weren”t for our nation of whiners talking it down. I’ll try to smile the next time I pull up to the … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint 

I have to catch a train this morning for a photo shoot in NY, so today’s sketch is another quickie.

Yesterday Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stoked anti Israeli sentiments and flexed his muscles by firing 9 test missiles, including one capable of striking Israel and US allies in the region… Iran may be testing missiles, but  they’re also testing the will of American’s to follow an unpopular president should the US decide to do anything about it.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Fords stock price was already in trouble when Allan Mulally became CEO on Sept, 5th 2006. At $8.39 a share, the company was worth less than a third of what it was six years earlier.  Last month car sales in America (led by Honda and Toyota) topped Fords F Series Trucks for the first time since 1992 with sales down by 31% for the month of May. Mulally said last week that the consumer shift to smaller vehicles is going to be permanent. With China’s growing economy stretching the world’s … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

G. Richard (Rick) Wagoner Jr. has been the CEO of General Motors since May 1, 2003 when GM stock price was 35.50 per share. This year GM isn’t performing very well, Saturn sales -19%, Buick sales -21%, Saab sales -29%, SUV sales -37%. …at yesterdays close $10.24.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

The team of rescuers, who saved the 15 hostages being held for six years in the jungles of Columbia, tricked the FARC marxist guerrillas into thinking they were helping to move the hostages. Some even posed as television journalists and filmed the dramatic moments when the hostages boarded the helicopter and were told they were free. See it here. Pretty amazing stuff.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint 

Happy 4th of July!

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

This mornings doodle may set the record for the quickest I’ve done on this blog. I’m headed out the door to the Illustration Conference in NY today.

This year of the un-republican has seen the nomination of a republican candidate that party insiders love to hate. McCain may distance himself further from republicans and an unpopular administration by choosing a running mate from another party. Joe Lieberman, conservative Democrat turned Independent, is looking like McCain’s shadow.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Youth, Beauty, and Conservative…Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin is on McCain’s short list. But the last time I checked, Alaska wasn’t in the South, and as much as I hate to admit…it always comes down to the South.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Young, Ethnic, Southern, Conservative, McCain might choose Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Personally, I think McCain might do better running to the center and courting the independents, but it could make for an interesting campaign.

Ball point pen on paper napkin

This week lets take a look at John McCain. Today, McCain on waste. He claims never to have asked for an earmark and wants to do away with them. I’m on board with that. Lets bring the pork above board. The US Dollar has tanked in recent years, in large part due to out of control spending and budget deficits by a republican administration. (BTW, Crude oil is traded in US Dollars) Can he successfully distance himself from that?

Tomorrow, running mates…I take requests.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

I have an early photo shoot in the city today, so talk amongst yourselves…here’s a topic:

Yesterday the Supreme Court struck down a 32 year DC law that banned handguns and required that rifles and shotguns kept in private homes be unloaded and either disassembled or protected by a trigger lock. Will other states with tough gun control laws have their laws declared unconstitutional?

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

New Jersey State Trooper and Army Reservist Dwayne Kelley died Tuesday in a bombing at a local government office in Baghdad. Dwayne grew up in Willingboro, is the father of two, spoke fluent Arabic and lived in South Orange for the past fifteen years. The tragic loss marks the 101st Jerseyan to have sacrificed their lives in Iraq. Dwayne was 48.

Today I did a second sketch in a newsprint pad free of any text.

Ball point pen on clear newsprint paper

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

In State after State the GOP brand is suffering. NY State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno plagued by scandal announces he won’t run for reelection.

Ball point pen on our home town paper

There is no bigger news item than our daughter Alyssa Graduating from South Plainfield High School tonight. A member of the National Honor Society, National Arts Honor Society, National Scholastic Society and Girl Scout Silver Award recipient, Alyssa will be a freshman this fall at Rutgers University, New Brunswick majoring in Journalism.

Congratulations Alyssa!

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

George Carlin was a rare comedian that made his audience think as well as laugh. His seven words you can never say routine, put him in the center of a legal battle that went all the way to the supreme court. Although the ruling went against Carlin, he never abandoned the material and would be arrested a number of times for performing the controversial routine. Funny how one person can be perceived as dangerous, hip, and finally, affable by succeeding generations. My kids will remember him as the genial narrator … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Our daughter is graduating from High School next week. The Army, Navy and Marines, armed with a list of graduates, have been calling our house over the past few months asking to speak to her about the great opportunities a life in the armed forces can afford. We’re very proud of her as we are of our son, who graduated two years ago. Both worked hard throughout their academic careers and had many opportunities open to them upon graduation. She will be a freshman in September at Rutgers University majoring Journalism … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Four dollar a gallon gasoline is going to spark another nimby debate. Many believe a combination of building nuclear power plants and tapping the oil reserves in Alaska and off the coast of Florida will decrease our dependancy on foreign oil and lower the cost of energy. It may be true, but the Not-In-My-Back-Yard debate will make it an uphill fight.

Yesterday I had two reference photo shoots for book covers I’m working on. That means a train ride to the city. Here’s a medley of ball point pen on newsprint doodles I did along the way.

In The Heights wins the Tony Award for Best Musical

Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, accepts sweetheart loan from Countrywide.

Gore backs Obama.

Governor of NY to tap Richie Kessel to run NY Power Authority.

CIA Director Hayden likens Iraq to Vietnam.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

I always route for the underdog. In this years US Open, the choice was obvious… Rocco Mediate only hits the ball about as far as your average Sunday golfer, and at age 45, he would have been the oldest golfer to win his first major. But Tiger Woods showed once again why he’s perhaps the greatest professional athlete in a generation. Six weeks after knee surgery and against his doctors advice, Tiger won his 14th major in a dramatic sudden death overtime.

Last year 2.2 million Americans filed for foreclosure. Predator lenders were making risky loans at a level never before seen. Wall Street was packaging said loans into securities and spreading the risk across the entire economy. The CEO of Counrtywide, the nations largest mortgage lender, sold 138 million dollars of Countrywide stock in an eight month period right before the price of the stock tanked by 80%. Were our leaders looking the other way? Last week the story of how Jim Johnson, as CEO of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae for short) … Continue Reading

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

If it’s Sunday, it’s Meet The Press… Never has a slogan been more apt, for my household and for millions of Americans, it was simply a part of our routine. Tim Russert had no equal. His was the only can’t-miss-show on television and his absence will be missed by everyone who cared to be informed. He was 58.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Senator Obama might decide to sure up the mid-west, the moderates, the women and those inclined to vote for someone with gray hair by picking Kathleen Sebelius as a running mate. A two term Governor of Kansas, she also brings executive experience.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

It was Jim Johnson’s job to vet possible vice presidential candidates for Barack Obama, but no one vetted the vetter and he has now resigned from the campaign.

While skyrocketing interest rates on sub-prime loans are causing many Americans to loose their homes, it’s been reported that Jim Johnson, as CEO of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae for short) accepted millions of dollars in sweetheart loans from Countrywide Mortgage at below market interest rates.