Larry Roibal

Last night the Democratic party kicked off its four day convention to nominate Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden to lead the party in this falls election and become the next president and vice president of our nation. The delegates were treated to a speech by Caroline Kennedy; a Ken Burns tribute film to the Lion of the Senate, Ted Kennedy; a speech by the 76 year old senator, who recently suffered from a malignant brain tumor but made the journey to Denver to endorse Barack Obama; what I thought was a great speech by Michelle Obama; and capped off by Michelle and Barack’s adorable girls teleconferencing with their daddy from Kansas City….. but I couldn’t help notice that there was a subtext to the proceedings… especially if you were watching CNN….Get over it already!

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Growing up, I had a Great Uncle Nick who would captivate us with the tales of how he and his family escaped from Russia as a boy; Alexander Solzhenitsyn wasn’t as fortunate. Having survived eight years in a Russian gulag, his Nobel Prize winning books chronicle the horrors of Stalin’s slave labor camps. Solzhenitsyn died yesterday. He was 89.

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Some bloggers, armed with strong hit counts, have an over inflated view of their contribution to the public discourse and have developed an adversarial relationship with traditional media. I’m not in that camp. I’m a full time illustrator. I don’t have the time, nor the budget to track down a story. I have never filed a freedom of information request. I rely on traditional media to stay informed, not just as a blogger, but as a responsible citizen. Some may have noticed the Star-Ledger’s bylines peaking out … Continue Reading

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The VP watch is the only game in town. Lets take a look at some of those on the short list. Up first, former Virginia Governor, Mark Warner. Obama would like to sure up the South and those Appalachian voters who aren’t getting the Obama vibe. Warner is a moderate Democrat who might help Obama appeal more to centrist voters.

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As a Yankee fan I remember Ken Griffey Sr. when he played outfield for the Yankee’s between 1982-86. Back then, the precocious little junior would run and play in the tunnels under the stadium. Years later he would return with the Seattle Mariners as a super star center fielder and prolific home run hitter. In 1995 he lead the Mariners back from a 0-2 deficit to end the Yankees season by winning three in a row, taking the short five game series, while contibuting five homers. He was the youngest player … Continue Reading

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No, It’s not Matthew Broderick…todays doodle is of David Plouffe (pronounced Pluff), the campaign manager for presidential candidate Barack Obama. Plouffe is credited with the strategy that won Iowa and prolonged the primary season past Super Tuesday. The idea was to esablish an early presence in states where their opponent (believing the race would be over) had no organization. That strategy yielded twelve consecutive wins after super Tuesday and produced the margin of victory that would never be relinquished.

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I will continue on Monday profiling the team behind Barack Obama.

Today I wanted to take a moment to remember Robert F. Kennedy. On June 5th 1968 he was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning California’s Primary election that day. He died the following day-forthy years ago today.

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Leading off, Political consultant, David Axelrod.

Axelrod is credited with implementing a strategy that encouraged grassroots participation, involving the people and giving them a stake in the campaign. Encouraging bloggers and using the internet to build an army of donors contributing a hundred dollars or less, Obama’s grass roots fund raising soon dwarfed the small number of deep pocketed contributors in other campaigns .