mackaycartoons

Graeme MacKay's Editorial Cartoon Archive

  • Archives
  • DOWNLOADS
  • Kings & Queens
  • MacKaycartoons Inc.
  • Prime Ministers
  • Special Features
  • The Boutique
  • Who?
  • Young Doug Ford
  • Presidents

Dead

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013 by Graeme MacKay

Tuesday, April 9, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Thatcher had profound effect on popular culture

Margaret Thatcher was not just a political titan, she was a cultural icon skewered by comedians, transformed into a puppet and played to Oscar-winning perfection by Meryl Streep.

With her uncompromising politics, ironclad certainty, bouffant hairstyle and ever-present handbag, the late British leader was grist for comedians, playwrights, novelists and songwriters whether they loved her or as was more often the case hated her. To the satirical puppeteers of popular 1980s TV series “Spitting Image,” Thatcher was a cigar-smoking bully, a butcher with a bloody cleaver, a domineering leader ruling over her docile Cabinet.

Pop was political in Thatcher’s day, as the bitter social divisions of the 1980s sparked an angry musical outpouring.

“I see no joy, I see only sorrow, I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow,” sang The Beat, urging Thatcher to resign in “Stand Down Margaret.”

In “Tramp the Dirt Down,” Elvis Costello imagined the day of Thatcher’s death: “When they finally put you in the ground, I’ll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down.”

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey went even further, lyrically fantasizing about “Margaret on the Guillotine.”

Musicians including Paul Weller and Billy Bragg formed the Red Wedge movement to campaign against Thatcher and for the Labour Party in the 1987 election. But for some later musicians, Thatcher was a more positive figure.

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell who sported a Union Jack mini-dress as part of the 1990s’ girl group tweeted Monday: “Thinking of our 1st Lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer’s daughter who taught me anything is possible.” (Source: CTV News)

Posted in: International Tagged: Billy Bragg, Britain, Dead, Editorial Cartoon, elvis Costello, England, Great, Iron Lady, Joe Jackson, Margaret Thatcher, Meryl Streep, Morrissey, Obit, Paul weller, rock, star, Thatcher, UK

Friday February 8, 2008

February 8, 2008 by Graeme MacKay

February 8, 2008

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday February 8, 2008

McCain rallies Republican die-hards

Senator John McCain on Thursday fought for the backing of his foes in the Republican Party’s conservative base, hours after rival Mitt Romney quit the race, clearing his path to the White House.

Addressing the annual gathering of fervent Republican activists, McCain sought to shore up his conservative credentials and allay fears over his stand on some key issues, as he seeks the party’s presidential nomination.

“It is my sincere hope that even if you believe I have occasionally erred in my reasoning as a fellow conservative, you will still allow that I have, in many ways important to all of us, maintained the record of a conservative.”

With former Massachusetts governor Romney dropping out of the race on Thursday after a slew of poor Super Tuesday showings, McCain’s path to the Republican ticket is suddenly a lot clearer.

But recognizing the crucial support he needs from the party’s conservative base to win the nomination for the November elections, the Vietnam war veteran called for its backing in defeating the Democrats.

“I am acutely aware that I cannot succeed in that endeavor, nor can our party prevail over the challenge we will face … without the support of dedicated conservatives.” (Source: Sydney Morning Post) 

 

Posted in: USA Tagged: Dead, Elephant, GOP, GOP elephant, John McCain, leadership, Presidential, Republican, Republican elephant, Senator, throne, USA

Thursday April 3, 2003

April 3, 2003 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 3, 2003

No Tears Shed for Air Canada

Graeme’s Gallery 2003

No tears were shed by travel agents when Air Canada flew into bankruptcy protection yesterday. 

Despite a vast monopoly, Air Canada could not overcome its own bad management and bad customer relations, they said. 

“It’s their own doing,” said travel agent Marius Enthoven of Travel Headquarters in Vancouver. “I don’t think they’ve listened to the traveller.” 

Enthoven blamed the airline’s complex pricing of tickets, gouging of the business traveller and overpriced one-way fares. 

“You phone Air Canada and you get nothing but bureaucracy,” he said of its customer service. “They are unpleasant. They love to quote rules at you and they are not willing to do anything for you. 

“They have forgotten that the customer who travels in that seat, and who makes a phone call, may be a nuisance, may ask stupid questions, but they pay their salaries.” (CP)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: Air Canada, airline, Canada, circling, Dead, death, vultures, Westjet

Please note…

This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

  • The Hamilton Spectator
  • The Toronto Star
  • The Globe & Mail
  • The National Post
  • Graeme on T̶w̶i̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶(̶X̶)̶
  • Graeme on F̶a̶c̶e̶b̶o̶o̶k̶
  • Graeme on T̶h̶r̶e̶a̶d̶s̶
  • Graeme on Instagram
  • Graeme on Substack
  • Graeme on Bluesky
  • Graeme on Pinterest
  • Graeme on YouTube
New and updated for 2025
  • HOME
  • MacKaycartoons Inc.
  • The Boutique
  • The Hamilton Spectator
  • The Association of Canadian Cartoonists
  • The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists
  • You Might be From Hamilton if…
  • Young Doug Ford
  • MacKay’s Most Viral Cartoon
  • Intellectual Property Thief Donkeys
  • Wes Tyrell
  • Martin Rowson
  • Guy Bado’s Blog
  • National Newswatch
...Check it out and please subscribe!

Your one-stop-MacKay-shop…

T-shirts, hoodies, clocks, duvet covers, mugs, stickers, notebooks, smart phone cases and scarfs

2023 Coronation Design

Brand New Designs!

Follow Graeme's board My Own Cartoon Favourites on Pinterest.

MacKay’s Virtual Gallery

Archives

Copyright © 2016 mackaycartoons.net

Powered by Wordpess and Alpha.

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial
 

Loading Comments...