future – mackaycartoons

Monday April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay – Monday April 28, 2025

Conclave 2025: A Crossroads of Tradition and Change

As the Catholic Church gears up for the 2025 papal conclave, the stakes are exceptionally high. This election follows the passing of Pope Francis, a pontiff renowned for his progressive stance on numerous issues and his efforts to globalize the College of Cardinals. The conclave, set to begin on May 7th in the Sistine Chapel, will see 135 cardinal electors participating from 71 countries, reflecting the international diversity championed by Pope Francis.

The conclave will determine whether to continue on the progressive path set by Pope Francis or pivot towards more conservative leadership. This decision will profoundly impact the Church’s stance on critical issues like climate change, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. With a significant number of non-European cardinals, there’s a strong possibility of electing a pope from the Global South, further emphasizing the Church’s worldwide reach and influence. The new pope will need to balance upholding traditional Catholic values with addressing modern challenges, such as declining membership in certain regions and the need for reform within the Church’s bureaucracy.

Analysis: The ‘Papabiles’: Six men who could become the next pope following the papal conclave

Among the leading candidates, Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy stands out as a seasoned diplomat and traditional choice, appealing to those seeking stability. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is known for his progressive leanings, emphasizing inclusivity and social justice, which resonates with younger, more diverse segments of the Church. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana is another strong contender, with his leadership in addressing global issues and his African heritage reflecting the Church’s commitment to diversity. Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary is recognized for his conservative theological views, appealing to those who wish to reinforce traditional Catholic doctrines.

The outcome of the conclave is unpredictable, and both media and betting markets are closely watching the proceedings. With security measures in place to ensure the conclave’s integrity, the gravity of this decision for the Church’s future cannot be understated. For further insights into the dynamics of the conclave and potential leaders who could shape the future of the Catholic Church, readers can explore detailed articles on Vatican Conclave 2025 expectations, potential candidates for the next pope, and the stakes of the 2025 papal election.

This editorial cartoon was first published March 7, 2013

Wednesday August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 7, 2024

A Defining Moment for America’s Future – Harris/Walz vs. Trump/Vance

July 23, 2024

As the 2024 presidential race takes shape, Americans face a stark and pivotal choice between two vastly different visions for the nation’s future. The Democratic ticket, led by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, offers a progressive and inclusive roadmap, while the Republican ticket, fronted by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, represents a return to controversial policies and divisive rhetoric. This election is not just a contest of personalities but a referendum on the direction in which Americans want to steer their country.

Kamala Harris, the first woman and first person of colour to serve as Vice President, brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to progressive values. Her choice of Tim Walz as a running mate underscores a strategic blend of progressive and moderate appeal. Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, has a track record of enacting forward-thinking policies while maintaining a pragmatic approach to governance. He has fortified reproductive rights in Minnesota, ensuring access to abortion and related healthcare services even as these rights are under attack in other states. The Harris-Walz ticket is committed to addressing the climate crisis, with goals such as 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. They advocate for free college tuition for low-income students, free school meals, and paid family leave, aiming to reduce economic disparity and support working families. Walz’s background as a National Guard member and his representation of a conservative district demonstrate his ability to connect with a wide range of voters, including those in rural and traditionally Republican areas.

Opinion: What Tim Walz Brings to Kamala Harris’s Campaign to Beat Donald Trump

August 1, 2024

Donald Trump’s return to the political stage brings with it a litany of controversies and divisive policies that characterized his first term. His choice of J.D. Vance as a running mate signals an attempt to blend populism with conservative traditionalism, but also risks amplifying the polarization that has marked recent American politics. Trump’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection and his ongoing legal issues, including being a convicted felon, cast a long shadow over his campaign. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked by misinformation and a lack of decisive action, remains a significant point of contention. Trump’s rollback of numerous environmental protections and his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement highlight a stark contrast with the Democrats’ climate policies. Trump’s history of inflammatory statements against various racial groups, religions, and women continues to alienate a significant portion of the electorate. Vance’s derogatory remarks, such as referring to “childless cat ladies,” and his alignment with Trump’s more extreme views could further polarize voters.

In this defining election, the choice for American voters is clear. The Harris-Walz ticket represents a future-oriented vision that seeks to build on progressive achievements while fostering unity and pragmatic governance. In contrast, the Trump-Vance ticket offers a return to a past marred by controversy, division, and regressive policies. The Democratic ticket’s focus on equity, climate action, and inclusive progress stands in stark opposition to the Republicans’ divisive rhetoric and controversial track record. As America stands at a crossroads, voters must decide whether to continue moving forward with Harris and Walz or to revert to the tumultuous era of Trump. The stakes could not be higher, and the implications for the nation’s future are profound. (AI)

Saturday May 28, 2022

May 28, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 28, 2022

Doug Ford and Ontario’s race for second

Doug Ford is heading toward a second majority at Queen’s Park — not that anyone is paying attention.

Young Doug Ford: The Series

In the unlikely scenario all the polls released in Ontario ahead of its June 2 election turn out to be wrong, or if tens of thousands of voters do indeed vote strategically to deny the premier his majority, I stand to be corrected.

Many observers, including yours truly, yearned for movement in the polling numbers — not for partisan purposes, but for the sake of storylines that might capture the attention of an electorate seemingly apathetic to the campaign: Will the Liberals get over 30 percent? Will the Ontario NDP — ONDP — go in the tank? Or will it regain second place to keep Liberals at bay? Alas, none of it was to be.

But if the writing is on the wall of this 2022 campaign, the race for official opposition could still be compelling.

The PC gained the reins of the Ontario Legislature in 2018 by winning 76 seats (out of 124) with 40.5 percent of the popular vote. The NDP climbed to official opposition with 40 seats (33.6 percent of the vote). The Liberals, after forming government for 15 straight years, collapsed to 7 seats and 19.6 percent of the vote.

In the campaign now underway, the Ontario Liberals and ONDP have attempted, repeatedly and unsuccessfully, to dent the PC armor: More money for public education and long-term care, less for new highways. Remember when Ford closed playgrounds during the pandemic? All legitimate points, but not enough to rattle his base.

April 21, 2021

Ford has been playing 1995 New Jersey Devils-style defensive trap, both soporific and highly effective. Add to the mix an electorate suffering from Covid fatigue, the long-awaited return of sunny patios, the NHL and NBA playoffs (although it went by fast in Ontario), and it is hardly surprising many voters do not feel engaged. Sometimes defense is the best offense.

As of Tuesday, the 338Canada Ontario model has the PC leading voting intentions with an average of 37 percent, a 9-point lead over the Ontario Liberal party, which is at 28 percent.

The ONDP takes third place with 23 percent.

The Green Party of Ontario, which had earned just under 5 percent in 2018, has climbed to an average of 7 percent.

With a little more than one week to go before ballots are counted, the OLP and ONDP stand in a statistical tie in terms of seats, as it appears the anti-Ford vote has yet to coalesce behind one single banner.

And that’s just fine for Doug Ford. (Politico)

Saturday February 27, 2021

March 6, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 27, 2021

Canadian farmers advised to ditch palm oil after ‘buttergate’ row

May 7, 2020

The Dairy Farmers of Canada group has formed an expert panel to examine the matter and has asked milk producers to temporarily halt the practice.

Experts note many factors, not just fat intake, determine butter consistency.

The Canadian butter controversy comes amid a rise in demand for baking goods during Covid lockdowns.

In a news release issued on Thursday, the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFA) lobbying group asked that while their investigation is ongoing, milk producers “consider alternatives to palm supplements”.

“It’s just a precautionary [measure] to ensure that consumers maintain confidence in dairy products across Canada,” DFA board member Gordon MacBeath told CBC News.

January 16, 2019

DFA communications director Lucie Boileau told the BBC the working group has not formally met yet, but individual farmers “have already reached out to their animal nutritionist to identify alternatives”.

Adding palm oil-based energy supplements to cow feed is a decades-old practice said to increase the milk output of cows and increase the milk’s fat content. Little research has been done on the true impact of palm oil in dairy.

With a 12% rise in butter demand last year amid pandemic lockdowns, according to the DFA, many farmers increased their use of palm oil supplements to boost dairy supply.

The so-called “buttergate” row took off earlier this month, when Canadian foodies took to social media to express problems with too-hard butter that would not melt at room temperature.

Agricultural experts have said that butter made from cows with palm oil has a higher melting point and may thus be harder to spread at room temperature. (BBC News)

Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been sending back glorious images of Mars after touching down last week, on Feb. 18, 2021. (CTV News)

Friday September 6, 2019

September 13, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 6, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 6, 2019

No one thought a UK Prime Minister could be worse than Theresa May. Until now

January 18, 2019

Could someone be worse than Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister widely panned as “the Maybot”?

By the end of her inglorious three-year stint in Downing Street, even her most loyal supporters admitted that the robotic May would never be regarded as one of the greatest British leaders.

By comparison, Boris Johnson’s off-the-cuff, sunny disposition made him a darling of Conservative Party members who chose him for the top job when May finally resigned, defeated by her inability to get a Brexit deal through Parliament.

July 24, 2019

On his first day as Prime Minister, Johnson promised a bold new Brexit deal, bashing the “doubters, doomsters, gloomsters” and the political class who he said had forgotten about the British people they serve. It was as if an upbeat attitude alone could be enough to overcome any adversity on the United Kingdom’s path to exiting the European Union.

For a moment, it seemed he would breathe new life and, in his words, “positive energy,” into the Brexit process. Some thought, just maybe, he could manage to do what May did not.

How quickly it all went wrong.

Johnson has lost every one of his first votes in parliament, an unprecedented record in the modern era. Undeterred, the Prime Minister purged 21 members of his parliamentary party who voted against him, blowing apart his majority.

June 22, 2016

Then, his efforts to secure a snap general election — with the goal of replacing the sacked lawmakers with a new slate of candidates more aligned with his hard-Brexit views — were scuppered when opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to play along.

Now, he is effectively trapped in Downing Street, with Corbyn holding the keys. The government plans to propose new elections again on Monday, but the opposition leader says his party will only support the move when its efforts to prevent a no-deal Brexit are locked down.

“Certainly his biggest tactical mistake so far was not to realize that it was Corbyn, as leader of the opposition, who effectively had veto power over when a general election could be held,” said Professor Tony Travers, director of the Institute of Public Affairs at the London School of Economics.

“It looks as if the Conservatives and their advisers thought that if they offered a general election to the Labour Party it would jump at the opportunity, but the way things have turned out — the coming together of the no-deal bill and the possibility that the opposition can frustrate a general election — creates the possibility of keeping the Prime Minister trapped in government, unable to fulfill his commitment to leave the EU come what may.”

Now the newly minted PM finds himself in a position that May never was — on his knees, begging the opposition for a general election.

How did it come to this? (Continued: CNN)