Yeah, Dr. Seuss
Customer John sent me this earlier today and I just now found the time to check to see if it’s real. It is.
This Dr. Seuss cartoon, published in the early 1940’s.
The cartoon, which mocks an apparent blithe naiveté about the dangers posed by Nazi Germany, as well as a callousness regarding the lives of children who aren’t American citizens, makes it a striking accompaniment to modern protests, not least of which is that Trump has named one of his own official platforms “America First.” As a collection, Geisel’s war cartoons target isolationism, anti-Semitism, and racism.
Note the America First on the Momma’s blouse.
Everything old is new again.
Thanks to John for the heads up.
Whoever decided to use the slogan “America First” either has no grounding in 20th century American history or assumed that few if any of Trump’s voters do… unless they figured that those Trump voters who do know would approve, which is also, sadly, possible.
The GOP has adopted what I thought was the Libertarian slogan: “Ef you, Jack– I got mine.”
1“As a collection, Geisel’s war cartoons target isolationism, anti-Semitism, and racism.”
2Not to mention supporting environmentalism and all around being-a-good-kid-ism…
Perhaps Geisel’s cartoons will expand Ted Cruz’s reading list beyond Green Eggs & Ham.
3Until the braintrust committee meetings of the progressives resound with the lingo of evolutionary psychology and sociology, Trump will win, because his success is based on his natural ability to manipulate our algorithms.
If that makes no sense to you, you’re part of the problem.
4Ormond – I’ve been hearing more and more how effective and insidious – is it Neurolinguistics? – is.
5Do you have any resources where we laypeople could get a basic grounding in it? Thanks.
Wow, I had no idea that Geisel even did political cartoons. And pretty incisive ones, too!
Actually, in theory, America First is a pretty good concept. Making sure vital industries and resources stay domestic, keeping the country and its citizens strong and healthy with infrastructure, healthcare, and education, etc.
Unfortunately, in practice it becomes America Only, resulting in Jingoism, isolationism, and xenophobia. An ideal breeding ground for the fascistic impulses now crawling out of the ground like snakes leaving their winter dens.
6“Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill and calling for larger spurs and brighter beaks.”
-Richard Aldington
7My kids and I never were into Dr.Seuss. Gosh! What we missed by being born too late!
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