Newspapers are causing their own demise. When you no longer work for your readers you might as well close up shop. I’m so sorry to hear this, Michael. You are one of the best. I hope another paper scoops you up pronto! All the best.
When the newspaper drops the best political cartoonist out there, you know they’ve just tossed the baby out and left the bath water. Sorry you’re going through this right now. Better days lie ahead for you, I’m sure.
I'm so sorry to hear your news. Your talent for the pithy remark and the artistic skill is immense. While your former colleagues may not miss you - they're likely looking at each other wondering when the hammer falls on them - your readers will. Your take on the news of the day is linguistically the most efficient and you even have pictures that tell the story. I hope there's an organization of freelancers or the like that you can join and create your own syndicate. Best wishes to you and your family.
You are brilliant--a steadfast chronicler of the times we live in, with a wicked sense of humor and an uncanny eye for the heart of the matter. No matter what you decide to do in the future, I hope you stay HERE on this platform (for as long as it lasts) and continue to share your creative spirit and insights. Journalism is going through something (growing pains? changing pains? corruption? disintegration?), to be sure. As the goalie, you can stand apart. Just keep standing, please. Thank you!
Would love for you to write about why you think you were let go. Was there censorship due to an ideology? I felt driven out of a news outlet where I wrote for 6 years, and I'll bet my bottom dollar that the ideology behind you being censored, and the ideology behind me being censored, would be seen to be on opposite "sides" of the political spectrum. It's something I've been writing about on my own Substack since January of 2022. Censorship, and the suppression of information, (through firing, cancel culture, blacklisting, shadow banning, vilifying, etc) should never be considered legitimate, because once you abandon the principle of free speech/ expression, you open up the flood gates and no one is safe from being the target. Sadly, the "left" supported the erosion of these principles during the Trump years, and then during COVID... and as the pendulum swings, the "left" will become the targets. It's the way it goes. That's why standing by the principles is so important. Neil Postman once wrote, that Orwell was correct in insisting that it “makes little difference if our wardens are inspired by right- or left-wing ideologies. The gates of the prison are equally impenetrable, surveillance equally rigorous, icon-worship equally pervasive.” Great to see you on Substack, but so sorry about the very shitty circumstances that brought you here.
Michael you are brilliant. The Chronically Horrid only had you keeping it afloat. Now it’ll sink into the harbour. Your fans love you and those that don’t, fuck ‘em.
I remember fighting over the Sunday funnies in my family of eight after Dad had finished reading the paper. Sundays were special because there were more comic strips to read, and they were in color. Keep up your great work on Substack where many can appreciate it.
WHAT!!!??? is there a phone or email where we can voice our - pardon the word - outrage? Have you talked with Rob Rogers, fired from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his righteous cartoons about orange shitstorm?
newsroom@herald.ca and it will be passed along to the appropriate person Herald newsroom managers are Chris Shannon and Brian Ward, but it wouldn’t have been their decision, it would have come from Postmedia Chris.Shannon@saltwire.com and bward@herald.ca
You’re welcome. It may not help Mike but it may help someone else. I was the web editor there and got laid off at the end of August , along with a bunch of other people. Despite how Postmedia tries to spin it, they don’t care about keeping local journalism alive in Atlantic Canada.
I had hoped that Post Media's acquisition of the Herald was going to be relatively painless to we readers (knowing staff would not fare as well), but this is a hit that has ruined it already.
I hope your success only grows through the existing and new channels to come, and that you can thumb your nose to Post Media (or use whatever digit you prefer)!
I mourn the loss not only of your job but also that of a local paper.
However, I could never imagine working for Postmedia.
I believe the combo of courage, talent and genius always troubled media owners who worried about offending advertisers. It's just that some publishers had bigger balls than others. But, in these times, when ad revenue has all but disappeared and people comment with an accusatory, how-dare-you "Paywalled" on a post on Facebook, I think some folks just don't get it that actual journalism costs money.
I’m sorry to hear this. You are absolutely correct on all counts. Nonetheless, no consolation I’m sure. Your material and commentary, especially these last few crazy years, all so on the mark. IMHO would be great to have them altogether in a book. Thanks!
Newspapers are causing their own demise. When you no longer work for your readers you might as well close up shop. I’m so sorry to hear this, Michael. You are one of the best. I hope another paper scoops you up pronto! All the best.
When the newspaper drops the best political cartoonist out there, you know they’ve just tossed the baby out and left the bath water. Sorry you’re going through this right now. Better days lie ahead for you, I’m sure.
Litteraly the best
That sucks! Sorry to hear that. You are master of the art and we all root for you and appreciate your skewering of all things evil and corrupt!
I'm so sorry to hear your news. Your talent for the pithy remark and the artistic skill is immense. While your former colleagues may not miss you - they're likely looking at each other wondering when the hammer falls on them - your readers will. Your take on the news of the day is linguistically the most efficient and you even have pictures that tell the story. I hope there's an organization of freelancers or the like that you can join and create your own syndicate. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you.
I for one, and many others are proud to subscribe to your work.
You are brilliant--a steadfast chronicler of the times we live in, with a wicked sense of humor and an uncanny eye for the heart of the matter. No matter what you decide to do in the future, I hope you stay HERE on this platform (for as long as it lasts) and continue to share your creative spirit and insights. Journalism is going through something (growing pains? changing pains? corruption? disintegration?), to be sure. As the goalie, you can stand apart. Just keep standing, please. Thank you!
Would love for you to write about why you think you were let go. Was there censorship due to an ideology? I felt driven out of a news outlet where I wrote for 6 years, and I'll bet my bottom dollar that the ideology behind you being censored, and the ideology behind me being censored, would be seen to be on opposite "sides" of the political spectrum. It's something I've been writing about on my own Substack since January of 2022. Censorship, and the suppression of information, (through firing, cancel culture, blacklisting, shadow banning, vilifying, etc) should never be considered legitimate, because once you abandon the principle of free speech/ expression, you open up the flood gates and no one is safe from being the target. Sadly, the "left" supported the erosion of these principles during the Trump years, and then during COVID... and as the pendulum swings, the "left" will become the targets. It's the way it goes. That's why standing by the principles is so important. Neil Postman once wrote, that Orwell was correct in insisting that it “makes little difference if our wardens are inspired by right- or left-wing ideologies. The gates of the prison are equally impenetrable, surveillance equally rigorous, icon-worship equally pervasive.” Great to see you on Substack, but so sorry about the very shitty circumstances that brought you here.
I will.
I am so sorry. Your cartoons are amazing and so necessary. I hope your work is recognized and valued for its truth!
Truth is the key word. Many aren't interested in truth, hench the messed up society we live in.
Michael you are brilliant. The Chronically Horrid only had you keeping it afloat. Now it’ll sink into the harbour. Your fans love you and those that don’t, fuck ‘em.
I’ve enjoyed political cartoons most of my life. A picture is worth a thousand words is not hyperbole.
I remember fighting over the Sunday funnies in my family of eight after Dad had finished reading the paper. Sundays were special because there were more comic strips to read, and they were in color. Keep up your great work on Substack where many can appreciate it.
WHAT!!!??? is there a phone or email where we can voice our - pardon the word - outrage? Have you talked with Rob Rogers, fired from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his righteous cartoons about orange shitstorm?
newsroom@herald.ca and it will be passed along to the appropriate person Herald newsroom managers are Chris Shannon and Brian Ward, but it wouldn’t have been their decision, it would have come from Postmedia Chris.Shannon@saltwire.com and bward@herald.ca
Or go right to the top and email Postmedia CEO Andrew MacLeod amacleod@postmedia.com
thank you!
You’re welcome. It may not help Mike but it may help someone else. I was the web editor there and got laid off at the end of August , along with a bunch of other people. Despite how Postmedia tries to spin it, they don’t care about keeping local journalism alive in Atlantic Canada.
I had hoped that Post Media's acquisition of the Herald was going to be relatively painless to we readers (knowing staff would not fare as well), but this is a hit that has ruined it already.
I hope your success only grows through the existing and new channels to come, and that you can thumb your nose to Post Media (or use whatever digit you prefer)!
I mourn the loss not only of your job but also that of a local paper.
However, I could never imagine working for Postmedia.
I believe the combo of courage, talent and genius always troubled media owners who worried about offending advertisers. It's just that some publishers had bigger balls than others. But, in these times, when ad revenue has all but disappeared and people comment with an accusatory, how-dare-you "Paywalled" on a post on Facebook, I think some folks just don't get it that actual journalism costs money.
I bet you get calls from the WP.
He’s already in the Post! :-)
I’m sorry to hear this. You are absolutely correct on all counts. Nonetheless, no consolation I’m sure. Your material and commentary, especially these last few crazy years, all so on the mark. IMHO would be great to have them altogether in a book. Thanks!
Sooner than later I trust, as a coworker who liked to mangle known quotes would say: "...the Pendletons will swing back again..."
Is the East Coast aware of Pendletons?
only Austin, & I think his acting chops are overrated.
Possibly not.
https://www.pendleton-usa.com/home-blankets/blankets-bedding/blankets/