Cagle.com

Editor — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From now on, far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos will have to promote his fringe conspiracies and racial controversies in Great Britain after being deported by the U.S. last month.

And early and staunch supporter of Donald Trump, Yiannopoulos was arrested by ICE just a few weeks after hurling unfound accusations at Laura Loomer, a close ally of the president.

Laura Lo0mer of sexually servicing President Trump and waged a public war with rabid conservative podcaster Benny Johnson by accusing him of being a closeted gay man who has engaged in multiple affairs and meddling in the personal affairs of Elijah Schaeffer ,another right wing influencer.

Apparently, this so enraged Loomer, Johnson and Schaeffer that each of them apparently vowed to make him pay for his antics. Loomer did seem to be quite the happy pundit last week publicly taking credit for Yiannopoulos’ deportation.

For those of you who know nothing about Milo Yiannopoulos, let me break it down for you. He was previously deported almost a decade earlier after becoming an early and prominent supporter of Mr. Trump’s initial presidential campaign. His influence was fleeting at best. In a 2017 video, he advocated adult sexual relations with boys as young as 13 and seemed to minimize pedophilia by Roman Catholic priests. At the time, such disturbing comments cost him a lucrative book deal, then his position at Breitbar.com and an invitation to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, also known as CPAC. One could argue that it is such a delicious irony that this adamantly anti-Muslim, pro-immigrant crackdown, pro-ICE, pro-deportation individual has now suddenly found himself a victim of such restrictive policies.

The better part of a decade ago, during a 2016 interview on the Joe Rogan podcast, he concluded that sexual relationships between adult men and teenage boys could be “beneficial.” He did not stop there. He said that, in some cases, such sexual relations are often “hugely positive.” He was not done yet. He opined that in many cases these older men often help younger boys “discover who they are.” Yes, you read that correctly! Understandably, condemnation from across the political spectrum was swift. In fact, many of his fellow employees at Breitbart threatened to resign if Yiannopoulos was not terminated for his remarks. He later blamed such perverse comments on “deceptive editing” in addition to his tendency to use “imprecise language.” He eventually added that he absolutely does not support pedophilia and that he had been the victim of sexual abuse as a young child.

WHEW! Well, thank goodness he believes that pedophilia is criminal and is unacceptable! Of course, if he was, in fact, the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of perverted and unscrupulous men, this was terrible, he deserves our sympathy, and the perpetrators deserve prosecution. There is no statute of limitations for pedophilia. Commentary aside, it is inconceivable to me that Yiannopoulos could have even harbored the most remote belief that sexual relationships between adults and children are healthy. They are not, period! Yiannopoulos is not the only guilty person in this sordid saga. It was widely known that he had a history of making outlandish, abrasive, and offensive comments about marginalized groups.

Yiannopoulos, a Greek-born, British-raised, half-Jewish, gay man, has had a deplorable history denouncing, denigrating, and disrespecting others. In fact, he seemed to take perverse and sadistic delight in doing so. Indeed, he has been all too eager to assist in the conservative right’s dirty work. He has routinely hurled vicious and salacious insults at immigrants; Muslims; certain Blacks (in particular Black Lives Matter); gays and lesbians (he says that he is no longer gay); transgendered people; Hispanics; feminists; women in general; people with disabilities; and all those for whom many on the political, social, and cultural right (and far right in particular) reserve an intense disdain, viewing them with a politically and socially jaundiced eye and rabidly labeling them as “the other.” In an interview he informed Tucker Carlson that “mainstreaming homosexuality in the Republican Party is the great regret of my life.”

Yiannopoulos’s own disqualifications, which many in this retrograde audience would accept, were intentionally overlooked, and he received a pass. These are the people for whom racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. are de rigueur. Yiannopoulos also kept his eye on national politics, working on the 2024 presidential campaign of Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who fell from grace after praising Adolf Hitler and making a series of anti-Semitic comments.

Yiannopoulos should have known from the outset that the “inclusion” afforded to him was temporary at best and came with strings attached. He would have to genuflect to his far-right audience and financial benefactors; he could never speak ill of true, genuine racists, homophobes, anti-Semites (if they were conservatives), xenophobes and others who revel in intolerance; and he had to hammer the left ruthlessly by increasingly ramping up his acerbic, acid-tongue rhetoric. By pleasing his benefactors, he would receive ample compensation from right-of-center business groups and conservative political organizations. His recent attacks on the Trump administration and, specifically, his alliance with certain right-wing personalities such as Kanye West, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Nick Fuentes, aroused the wrath of largely intolerant mainstream conservatives.

Modern-day conservative politics is deeply populated with numerous officials and candidates who have demonstrated fierce and unmistakable allegiance toward Donald Trump and the larger MAGA movement. They expect the commander in chief would reward such loyalty only to recognize the dispiriting and demoralizing realization that he would throw them to the wolves when they needed his support. Mike Pence, Kevin McCarthy, Reince Priebus, Mo Brooks, Ronna McDaniell, Elise Stefanik, etc. all suffered the same fate: Loyalty is something Trump expects to receive, not reciprocate. We can now add Milo Yiannopoulos to the list of the disregarded allies who learned this humiliating lesson.

No one should feel too sorry for Milo Yiannopoulos. Like many fabulists, he is likely plotting his return to the public arena. To quote P.T. Barnum, “a sucker is born every minute.” Thus, we can expect Milo to charm and weave his way successfully into the good graces of some gullible factions looking for a colorful personality, no matter how morally flawed or compromised. Milo Yiannopoulos is well suited for such a task.

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Copyright 2026 Elwood Watson, distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate

Elwood Watson is a professor of history, Black studies, and gender and sexuality studies at East Tennessee State University. He is also an author and public speaker.

Does 9/11 mean enough to you? 

Danny Tyree — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tyrades! by Danny Tyree

Not that Don McLean asked me, but I was born too late to “recall what was revealed the day the music died.”

The terrorist plane crashes of September 11, 2001, though? Those I remember. And how they revealed the paired vulnerability and tenacity of a nation.

In fact, on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, I shared personal details of that day with my readers.

And just like that, another five years’ worth of survivors, first responders and witnesses have passed away.

Since the 20th anniversary, other Americans who who were school-age or older in 2001 have had their memories and emotions buried under another half-decade of Super Bowls, overtime assignments, vacations, dental appointments and dance recitals.

Another five years’ worth of children who never coexisted with the Twin Towers have been born.
In the days following September 11, 2001, Americans felt unity and patriotism, but there was also unease.

And in 2026 I feel unease when I watch the news or encounter videos of Gen Z members being quizzed about their knowledge of 9/11.

These young adults stammer and stutter as they struggle to explain the who, what, where, when and why of 9/11. They struggle to verbalize the lessons that America (should have) learned from the ordeal.

They have neither an intellectual nor emotional connection with the event.

I keep waiting for some whippersnapper to ask, “9/11? Is that a convenience market chain?”

Our education system must shoulder part of the blame. True, there have always been students with zero interest in either history or current events, but at least we used to TRY teaching civic pride instead of victimhood and grievances.

I’m not asking teachers to harp on “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” or revisit dancing the Charleston every grading period. But there are certain key events, eras and causes that shouldn’t just go “in one ear and out the other” with tomorrow’s leaders.

It might be hard to fit it in with pep rallies, “90s Day” and other distractions; but 9/11 is one of the pivotal events that bears emphasizing.

Of course, educators aren’t miracle workers and must play the hand they’re dealt by modern families. In generations past, youngsters would listen attentively as Mom or Grandpa recounted stories of the Great Depression, D-Day or Gettysburg. In today’s world of stressed-out single parents, endless extracurricular activities and 24-7 entertainment, transmission of life lessons is out of fashion. Not only do we not bond around the dinner table, we don’t even watch the same TV.

Some of our politicians have gone below and beyond the call of duty in portraying the United States as the villain of the world.

And the general coarsening of our culture plays its part in making 9/11 “nothing special.” Life is perceived as cheap. We celebrate the deaths of political enemies. Women boast about multiple abortions. Where playing with cap pistols and shouting, “Bang bang – you’re dead” was once edgy, kids can now mow down thousands of video game characters without batting an eye.

Can we hope for a meaningful 30th or 50th commemoration of 9/11? Or is it all downhill after this month’s hoopla?

The answer lies with each of us.

Don’t sputter, “Oh, was that yesterday?” on September 12. Don’t pass up a chance to share memories of 9/11 with young people in the family, workplace or neighborhood.

Never forget our losses.

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Copyright 2026 Danny Tyree, distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his Facebook fan page “Tyree’s Tyrades.”

Dark Money Wave Overwhelms 2026 Voters

R.J. Matson — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:26:34 +0000

DARK MONEY WAVE OVERWHELMS 2026 VOTERS

by RJ Matson, Portland, ME

Unregulated dark money continues to pour into the 2026 election cycle, raising concerns that voters will be sidelined by massive undisclosed spending. The influx comes as candidates and outside groups prepare for midterm contests across the country. Critics argue the surge distorts democratic participation and drowns out ordinary voices. The editorial cartoon depicts this dynamic as an overwhelming wave labeled dark money bearing down on a lone voter buoy. It takes the position that such spending poses a direct threat to fair elections and calls for stronger safeguards.

Eagle Questions Canada Trade War

Joe Heller — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:13:44 +0000

EAGLE QUESTIONS CANADA TRADE WAR

by Joe Heller, Cagle.com

The United States faces potential weapons shortages linked to trade tensions with Canada, a key supplier of critical minerals, while also managing conflicts involving Iran. The situation highlights risks to military readiness from disrupted supply chains. The piece argues that initiating trade disputes with essential partners undermines defense capabilities at a critical time.

Roberts Court Leashes Trump on Shadow Docket

John Cole — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:04:15 +0000

ROBERTS COURT LEASHES TRUMP ON SHADOW DOCKET

by John Cole, Cagle.com

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts issued orders limiting former President Donald Trump's administration from advancing certain mail-in voting restrictions through the shadow docket. The rulings underscore the Court's role in checking executive actions on election procedures ahead of future contests. The cartoon portrays the Roberts Court maintaining firm oversight while depicting resistance from Trump-aligned efforts.

Trump Grinds Farmer in Midterm Scheme

John Cole — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:01:48 +0000

TRUMP GRINDS FARMER IN MIDTERM SCHEME

by John Cole, Cagle.com

President Trump pushes a midterm election scheme that grinds down farmers ahead of the 2026 vote. The move reflects ongoing tensions between administration policies and rural constituencies whose support remains critical in key states.

RFK Jr Brain Worm Endangers Child

John Cole — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:59:59 +0000

RFK JR BRAIN WORM ENDANGERS CHILD

by John Cole, Cagle.com

Robert F. Kennedy Jr faces renewed scrutiny over his past brain worm infection and longstanding anti-vaccine positions as he influences health policy. The episode highlights risks to childhood immunization rates and public trust in medical guidance. The piece argues these personal and ideological factors directly threaten child safety.

Trump Bull Tariffs Midterm Exemptions

John Cole — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:59:06 +0000

TRUMP BULL TARIFFS MIDTERM EXEMPTIONS

by John Cole, Cagle.com

Tariff policy under the Trump administration faces scrutiny as midterm elections near. Exemptions tied to political timing draw criticism for undermining consistent trade enforcement. The piece portrays the approach as inconsistent and driven by electoral concerns rather than economic principle.

Federal Reserve Explains Rate Cuts

Harley Schwadron — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:23:10 +0000

FEDERAL RESERVE EXPLAINS RATE CUTS

by Harley Schwadron, CagleCartoons.com

The Federal Reserve announced interest rate reductions in late summer 2026 to support economic conditions. Observers noted the central bank's stated goal of eventual rate increases created confusion about policy direction. The move affects borrowing costs for businesses and households nationwide. Markets reacted with mixed signals on inflation control and growth prospects. The cartoon presents the explanation as self-contradictory, underscoring public doubt about the clarity of Fed communications.

Trump War Medals Iran Skeleton

Bill Day — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:17:19 +0000

TRUMP WAR MEDALS IRAN SKELETON

by Bill Day, Cagle.com

Donald Trump publicly stated he knows more than the military on defense matters as tensions with Iran persisted into late summer 2026. The remark revived questions about civilian oversight of the armed forces and the administration's approach to potential conflict. Critics argued the comment undermined professional military advice at a sensitive time. Supporters viewed it as decisive leadership. The cartoon frames the statement as hollow by linking it to a depleted war department and Iran references, suggesting the boast lacks substance and risks escalation without real expertise.

Iran Ayatollah Praises Pete Hegseth Pentagon

Jimmy Margulies — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:10:49 +0000

IRAN AYATOLLAH PRAISES PETE HEGSETH PENTAGON

by Jimmy Margulies, Cagle.com

On September 2, 2026, an editorial cartoon shows Iran's Ayatollah endorsing Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon by claiming he weakens the US military more effectively than Iran could. The piece references Trump's prior assessment of Iran's inferior military capacity. It highlights concerns over Hegseth's qualifications and potential damage to US defense readiness under the Trump administration. The cartoon argues that Hegseth's appointment poses a greater internal threat to American military strength than external adversaries like Iran.

Man Shovels Money Bags into Cannon

Arcadio Esquivel — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:10:09 +0000

MAN SHOVELS MONEY BAGS INTO CANNON

by Arcadio Esquivel, Costa Rica

Business leaders continue to allocate large sums toward unproductive or destructive ends, drawing criticism for prioritizing short-term displays over sustainable practices. The pattern reflects ongoing concerns about corporate priorities where substantial resources vanish without clear returns. The piece argues that such spending represents a fundamental misallocation that harms long-term stability.

A stupid war could once again trigger a blue electoral tsunami

Dick Polman — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Republican President George W. Bush’s stupid war in Iraq (launched on false premises and bogus promises) triggered a blue tsunami in the 2006 midterms and resulted in Democratic takeovers of the House and Senate.

Today, Republican President Donald Trump’s stupid war in Iran (launched with inept planning and bogus promises) could help trigger a blue tsunami in the 2026 midterms, resulting in Democratic takeovers of the House and Senate.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but on occasion it rhymes. This may be one of those times.

Granted, the parallels are imperfect. By 2006 Bush had been waging the Iraq war for nearly four years, and Democratic candidates in the midterm races (including a Senate hopeful named Barack Obama) kept the issue front and center. By contrast, Trump’s Iran war is only six months old, but a solid majority of grassroots voters in every poll recognize his war and his inflationary economy are intertwined. Support for the war has fallen to 31 percent, a six-point slide since March.

It’s a virtually foregone conclusion the Republican House will fall to the Democrats, and now there are serious indicators the Senate may go blue as well, with Democrats potentially flipping seats in red states like Alaska, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, and perhaps even Texas. Many issues besides the war are in play - especially Trump’s tariffs, which are hurting rural midwesterners who normally vote MAGA - but the war is a perfect metaphor for everything the guy does and say wrong.

One of his slogans is “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” Remember those words as we monitor how the warlord has run his mouth.

March 2: “I always thought that (the Iran war) would be four weeks. And we’re a little ahead of schedule.”

March 9: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much.”

March 24: “This war has been won.”

April 6: “We are the winner. We won, OK?”

April 25: “We won everything, we have all the cards.”

June 12: “We ended the war with Iran today.”

June 24: “For the first time in 3000 years, we are finally going to have peace in the Middle East.”

July 8: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”

Aug. 26, in an AI image: “Mission Accomplished 2026.”

As the writer Mary McCarthy famously said of her rival Lillian Hellman, “Every word she writes is a lie including and and the.” That’s an apt summation of Trump at the six-month mark of his war. He has won no victory. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz; before his war began roughly 130 ships passed through it daily, but thanks to him the daily tally is around 12. He has seriously diminished our munitions stockpiles, to the point where we have less readiness to defend American interests elsewhere in the world. Oh, and the average domestic price of gas was $3 when his war began, but now it’s $4.10.

Lest we forget, Bush and his surrogates kept insisting they invaded Iraq because it supposedly posed “an imminent threat” to America. My favorite lie was when Bush said, in September 2002, that a “new” report by the International Atomic Energy Agency put Iraq “six months away” from building a nuke - whereupon the IAEA released this priceless statement: There’s never been a report like that issued from this agency.”

The “imminent” con may sound familiar, since it was resurrected and presented anew, just a few short months ago, by Trump’s flunkies. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt (now departed) said ballistic missiles from Iran could “pose a risk” to us “one day,” and that Trump had “a feeling” the threat was imminent. Lindsey Graham (now really departed) said that future Iranian missiles could reach us “eventually.” And Pentagon beefcake Pete Hegseth (un-departed) defined imminent in his own fashion, saying that Iran might “eventually get to a place” where they could build and protect nukes.

Richard Haas, who was director of policy planning at the State Department when Bush invaded Iraq (and who had reservations at the time), succinctly assessed Trump’s war the other day in remarks to The New York Times: “This has been a fiasco. That’s the harsh reality. He can declare ‘mission accomplished.’ He can try to sell the argument as he often tries to, almost to create reality. But it’s going to be a hard, hard sell.” Especially in a hostile election environment.

In the words of long-dead French literary critic Marcel Proust, war is “a pathological condition because it admits of accidents which not even a skilled physician could have foreseen.” What voters outside the MAGA cult know well by now is that the present war, at the six-month mark, is being waged by a fraud who markets lies for a living.

The day of reckoning is near. I think.

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Copyright 2026 Dick Polman, distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

Dick Polman, a veteran national political columnist based in Philadelphia and a Writer in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania, writes the Subject to Change newsletter. Email him at dickpolman7@gmail.com

Autumn, finally: A season to calm our politics

Tom Purcell — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

September has arrived, which means autumn is here. It couldn’t come soon enough.

Politics all day long

You see, a 2026 Change Research survey finds that 30% of voters name politics as the single biggest source of stress in their lives — more than money, health or work.

Look, politics is important. An informed, engaged public is essential to our country’s continued success at the local, state and federal levels.

Not so long ago, politics knew its place.

It lived in the opinion section of the Sunday newspaper.

It was discussed for no more than 15 minutes every night on the network news.

It inspired the occasional heated debate at the VFW — during which disagreeing friends still tripped over themselves to buy the next round of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Now, politics is something we wear, drive, eat, drink, watch, buy and sometimes even lose our jobs over.

You can’t wear a red baseball cap, even if that’s what your softball team wore long before Trump became president.

You can’t display the American flag in your yard without worrying that somebody may vandalize it.

You can’t put a political sign in your front yard showing support for a specific candidate — not if you still hope to borrow a snowblower from the neighbor supporting another candidate.

Alas, autumn is here, so let’s take this opportunity to chill.

Embracing autumn

Consider: We each have little control over who becomes president — just one vote. But we have total control over how we respond to who becomes president.

A president’s policies do affect our day-to-day lives — health insurance policies, taxes and regulations do impact us some.

But what is also true is that our politicians otherwise have limited impact on most of what happens in our daily lives.

Life is largely made up of colds, bills, speeding tickets and people who sometimes grate on our nerves.

Between those experiences are mundane tasks and drudgery.

We interrupt that drudgery with delicious meals with our friends, the occasional hearty laugh, the love of a truly special person who’s supportive in times of need — and autumn, one of the most wonderful times of the year.

Spring is about new life and fresh starts. Summer is about toil, sweat and a one-week break at the beach. Autumn is about harvesting the fruits of your labor.

It’s about peacefully accepting that the warm weather will be gone soon — and that bitter-cold winds and snow are just around the corner.

Among my favorite things to do at this time of year are driving to fall festivals in small country towns, going on hayrides after dark and sipping hot apple cider — with a dash of Irish whiskey — around a roaring bonfire with my closest friends, while we laugh ourselves silly into the wee hours.

Light a bonfire

Autumn allows us to reflect on what is most valuable in our lives — our loved ones, our lifelong friends, our neighbors we know we can count on if trouble visits our doorstep.

Autumn is about spending time with each other and talking about everything and nothing at all.

It’s about taking a much-needed respite from politics — about making chili in a cast-iron Dutch oven that sits for hours on fireside coals, then feasting on that chili with your parents and siblings while thanking God that all are still healthy and together after no small number of years.

We’re tearing ourselves apart with petty politics. Autumn offers a chance to renew friendships and reprioritize our lives.

As the leaves drop from the trees, we are given the opportunity to drop politics down our list of priorities — way down to their proper place.

The leaves will be changing their colors soon — and we can do likewise.

All we need to do is light a bonfire, heat up some apple cider and focus on the truly important parts of our lives — while taking a much-needed break from our overly heated politics.

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Copyright 2026 Tom Purcell, distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

See Tom Purcell’s syndicated column, humor books and funny videos featuring his dog, Thurber, at TomPurcell.com. Email him at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

Love, politics, and Dolly Parton

Christine Flowers — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Being a good person does not mean you are universally beloved.

Look at Joan of Arc, for example. She was very good, a future saint, and yet the French for whom she sacrificed her youth and her wardrobe — battle armor is a hard look to carry off — burned her at the stake. So much for gratitude.

But in the case of Dolly Parton, there is no question the Venn diagram of goodness and adoration is, like a solar eclipse, the same indistinguishable circle.

The girl from Locust Ridge, Tenn., has gone to heaven, leaving the rest of us wiping our eyes and wondering how we will live in the diminished light.

It’s strange, because 99% of us never met Dolly, never went to one of her concerts, never had the opportunity to see that blinding smile inches from our own.

And yet, this legend who transcended music genres, evolving fashion, decades and political ideologies — more on that later —seemed to be a personal friend to everyone who heard one of her songs, saw one of her movies, or watched one of her interviews.

She was a human plate of lemon souffle, with a cherry pie mouth, eyes that would rival Betty Boop’s, and teeth that were on loan from an oyster. None of that was real. All of it was a confection for our mutual pleasure.

But Dolly was the most authentic creature that walked this Earth, sweet, unspoiled, tough as nails, and who possessed an uncanny ability to make you her eternal ally as she pummeled you. If Tammy Faye Bakker and Muhammad Ali had a child, it wouldbe Dolly.

When people die, the tendency, unless they were truly terrible stains on humanity, is to say nice things.

Some, like Bill Cosby, will elicit mixed and muted epitaphs, some focusing on his talent and the joy he brought to generations, and others seeing only the alleged crimes. And let’s not even talk about President Donald Trump, whose memorials will contain both shame and glory.

Even poor Mother Theresa had haters, the most famous of whom was Christopher Hitchens, who wrote a scathing and completely fictional hit job on the saint. I hope she set him straight, assuming he made it to heaven.

There is simply nothing ambiguous in the salutes to Dolly. She, among all the other pop culture figures who have graced us overthe many decades, is uniquely loved.

Like vanilla ice cream, spring breezes, ice-cold water on a scorching August afternoon, the gurgle of a newborn child and puppies, Dolly Parton was pure and unadulterated goodness. And writing those words, which seem as trite as the inside of a Hallmark Card, is just a feeble way of trying to capture the evanescent light that she radiated.

Through her charities and her desire to be an auntie to all, regardless of their race, sexual orientation, political views or nationality, Dolly was an international gift.

And about those political views.

We have no idea what they were, except they encompassed being compassionate. You do the math. She never embraced any president or king, never said “I pick you over him,” and never gave her name to a campaign.

That might be because, as one of my friends said, she was a savvy businesswoman. But I think it was actually because she refused to wear a label. The only thing she wore was designer clothes.

I noticed some people on social media trying to tell conservatives that Dolly hated us, and that we needed to shut up because she despised Trump and everything he stood for.

I was personally attacked when I posted a tribute to her moments after hearing the news of her death. I doubt Dolly Parton would have been down with that sort of proprietary smugness.

That’s because she really was one of us, one of all of us, a good woman with a smart and savvy head for business, capped in alemon meringue wig of frivolity and eyelashes that looked like Charlotte’s largest web.

She’s home now, with her beloved Carl, the man she shared that exceptional life with for almost 60 years.

And we will miss her, bone-deep. But like the words of her most glorious song, we will always love her.

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Copyright 2026 Christine Flowers, distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

Christine Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times, and can be reached at cflowers1961@gmail.com.

Why everyone adores Dolly Parton

Elwood Watson — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Almost a week later, the world is still mourning Dolly Parton, who sold more than 100 million records and whose songwriting power and iron-handed approach to her career transformed country music and the larger entertainment industry.

Parton's life was a female Horatio Alger story. Born into abject poverty in the East Tennessee mountains, at a time when being poor and female was a double disadvantage, she went on to conquer the entertainment industry and the larger world with her talent, charm, authenticity, generosity, and magnetic personality.

The fourth of twelve children, Parton was no stranger to adversity. All aspects of her life, from the songs she sang and her specific social activism to her unvarnished downhome wit, occasional ribald humor and fierce independence, personified her impoverished upbringing. Her music and persona connected with those suffering in silence or solitude, despite the hopeful messages such songs conveyed.

The most sustaining parts of her legacy are the emotions she deftly captured in song. Some of her most popular hits depicted pivotal situations from her life in contemporary era stories.

“Coat of Many Colors” narrates a period in her impoverished youth when her mother assembled rags to make a coat that her classmates teased her about. The sexy bank teller with “flaming locks of auburn hair” who focused her attention on her husband in “Jolene” was revelatory in its gut-wrenching drama and blatant, heart-aching confession of vulnerability and personal insecurity. The realization we have outgrown one another was the unmistakable message in “I Will Always Love You,” as she made it clear to her mentor and business manager, Porter Wagoner. The song sold more than 20 million copies when the late mega-successful singer Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film "The Bodyguard," further cementing Parton as an influential, genre-defying artist.

Artists such as Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn had conquered the pop charts earlier. Lynn, largely considered as the first lady of country music, was indeed an indisputable pioneer of the genre. Nonetheless, it would be hard to deny that Dolly Parton helped take country music to a new level. With her massive crossover signature hit “9–5,” also a hit film, and her smash duet “Islands in the Stream” with co-superstar Kenny Rogers, the impact of her presence was undeniable. By the early 1980s, numerous radio stations switched their format to country music and country music artists such as Eddie Rabbit, Juice Newton, and others who were occasionally topping the pop charts. Prior to such a renaissance, the genre had dedicated yet limited appeal outside of rural areas and niche markets. Even today, contemporary artists such as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, and Chappell Roan recognize Parton’s influence.

Her public stances on social issues were initially often subtle, although one could begin to discern her position as time progressed. While she never referred to herself as a feminist, her actions demonstrated that she embraced the movement’s philosophy.

Her progressive stances were not lost on the Black community. Following Whitney Houston’s death in 2012, Parton invested the royalties she earned from Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” (an estimated $10 million) into an office complex in a Black neighborhood in Nashville, calling it “the house that Whitney built.”

The LGBTQIA+ community, another marginalized population, adored Dolly Parton, and she returned such admiration by telling people they had the right to be their true selves. She also quietly fostered change using her fortune. In 1986, she opened the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., which became the region’s major job provider.

Despite not being a parent, she was unrelenting in her fabulous efforts to help children. In 1995, she launched Dolly’s Imagination Library. Originating in her native Sevier County and then expanding throughout the nation, the program mails a book each month to children from birth to age five to encourage literacy and a love of reading. Furthering her altruistic spirit, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to help fund the development of a vaccine. My own institution was the recipient of her kindness.

A savvy and formidable entrepreneur, her imprint was evident everywhere from food and alcohol to wine, desserts, and clothing. She even opened a truck stop. A hotel bearing her name will open in Nashville later this year. During a "60 Minutes" interview in 2009, she stated, “By the time they think that I don’t know what’s going on, I’ve done got the money and gone.” As she made it clear, she was no “dumb blonde.”

The world has lost an immensely influential icon. Dolly Parton was an artist, humanitarian, philanthropist, businessperson and all-around Renaissance woman who endeared herself to people from varied walks of life as well as across the political spectrum.Her life was nothing short of extraordinary.

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Copyright 2026 Elwood Watson, distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate

Elwood Watson is a professor of history, Black studies, and gender and sexuality studies at East Tennessee State University. He is also an author and public speaker.

RIP Dolly Parton and the Best Political Cartoons of August 2026

Daryl Cagle — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The best political cartoons of August 2026 — RIP Dolly Parton, Trump’s Canada trade war, measles outbreaks, and Natalie Harp.

A brilliant Caglecast cartoon slideshow featuring 44 editorial cartoons from top syndicated cartoonists. This is a pure slideshow — no talking heads. Just the month’s strongest newspaper cartoons, one after another.

🎤 RIP DOLLY PARTON

Country music legend Dolly Parton died August 25, 2026, in Nashville at 80. Cartoonists answer with tributes built on her songs and image: Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene, 9 to 5, Dollywood, the Imagination Library, and that unmistakable blonde silhouette. The cover drawing is Taylor Jones’s Dolly caricature. Also in the mix: Bill Day’s musical-note memorial, Milt Priggee’s treble-clef tribute, Dave Granlund’s doves carrying the patchwork coat, Dave Whamond, and more.

🏒 CANADA TRADE WAR

Trump’s tariff fight with Canada dominates the month. Hockey sticks, beavers, moose, Uncle Sam, and maple-leaf blowback. Cartoons by Rick McKee, Jeff Koterba, Dave Whamond, Marian Kamensky, Graeme MacKay, and others.

💋 NATALIE HARP

Trump’s closest aide — the so-called “human printer” — takes over a run of cartoons: loyalty, proximity, Truth Social, and the rumor mill around the president’s inner circle.

🔴 MEASLES

Outbreaks and falling vaccination rates hit the drawing boards, including John Darkow’s measles virus at the school-bus stop.

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🎨 Cartoonists

Pat Bagley, Jonathan Brown, Bill Day, Michael de Adder, John Darkow, Dave Granlund, Joe Heller, Taylor Jones, Marian Kamensky, Jeff Koterba, Graeme MacKay, R.J. Matson, Rick McKee, Steve Nease, Bruce Plante, Milt Priggee, Dave Whamond, and more of the Cagle Cartoons syndicate.

🎶 Music

“City Sunshine” by Kevin McCloud
From https://freepd.com
Public Domain, License: CC0

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Leaf it to government

Alexandra Paskhaver — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I did not think it was possible for people to have more spare time than I do, but I was proven wrong by the existence of the West Windsor Shade Tree Commission.

For those of you who don’t know, West Windsor is a township with one of the highest per-capita incomes in the entire state of New Jersey.

Therefore, have the administrators of West Windsor chosen to use their many and various funds to repave potholed roads, fix broken bridges, or improve public institutions?

Ha! And dare I add, ahahaha!

No, West Windsor township, in its infinite wisdom, has established a government commission for shady trees.

Other types of trees, no doubt, have their own municipal representatives.

The Shade Tree Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in room B of the municipal complex.

How much is there to discuss every month? Trees, as far as I am aware, are not exactly the sorts of things that do anything rapidly. Or, for that matter, do anything.

Despite this, the commission advises the mayor and staff on “policy for shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in any public right-of-way, park and all other property owned by the Township” as well as desirable agricultural and horticultural practices.

I was not aware there were policies for shade. What are they going to do, sue the trees if their shade is not of a desirable temperature?

Out of interest, I called the township and inquired what, if anything, the commission actually does.

I received an answer along the lines that they inspect parking lots to make sure they are not bordered by very leafy trees (as opposed to, say, mildly leafy trees).

If the leaves fall in the parking lots, they might make it difficult for cars to navigate the lots, quoth the liaison.

This was the first time I heard that 2,000-pound automobiles could struggle with leaves.

I heard it the second time when I asked the liaison to repeat her statement, just to be sure.

One person should, no doubt, be able to ascertain the township’s needs when it comes to trees.

The Shade Tree Commission has four members. And one vacancy.

Plus an advisor. Because we need advice on how to deal with shady trees.

Worse, the problem, like tree canopies in the summer, is spreading.

The Municipality of Princeton—also in New Jersey, home of Princeton University—one of the most educated municipalities in the state, also has a Shade Tree Commission.

This one has eight members. Eight!

It also accepts donations.

Now, I don’t mean to imply that municipal institutions are useless. Some of my best friends are municipal institutions.

But a Shade Tree Commission is probably not what our statesmen had in mind when they were considering how best to establish and maintain good governments.

In fairness, perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps there does need to be legislation and a commission that ensures trees are not cut down willy-nilly on public lands, be they ever so shady.

Alternatively, we could have a far simpler municipal code:

Cut down a public tree for no good reason? Straight to jail. Plant something horrendously smelly or ugly? Jail. Desecrate public grounds or your neighbors’ gardens? Also jail, right away.

We’ll have some of the best trees in the world because of jail.

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Copyright 2026 Alexandra Paskhaver, distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

Alexandra Paskhaver is a software engineer and writer. Both jobs require knowing where to stick semicolons, but she’s never quite; figured; it; out. Feel free to contact her at alexandra.paskhaver@gmail.com

Unaffordable everything: Top ten cartoons of the week

Daryl Cagle — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Just checking in, and yup... everything is still way too expensive.

Rent, gas, food, clothing, streaming services, backscratchers. If it has a price tag, the cost keeps going up and up, unlike most people's stagnant wages.

Our most-reprinted cartoon of the week, drawn by Christopher Weyant, shows the costpocalypse from a child's perspective. Another popular toon by Gary McCoy shows a father trying to pass on the costs to his son, just like businesses pass it along to us.

This week also brought sad news – the death of beloved entertainer Dolly Parton. Plenty of our cartoonists weighed in on her passing, but Rick McKee's simple and touching tribute seems to have struck a chord with editors and readers alike.

Here are our top ten most reprinted cartoons of the week:

#1. Christopher Weyant

#2. Dave Granlund

#3. Gary McCoy

#4. Rick McKee

#5. John Darkow

#6. Gary McCoy

#7. Harley Schwadron

#8. Margolis & Cox

#9. Rick McKee

#10. Harley Schwadron

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Daryl Cagle is the publisher of Cagle.com and owner of CagleCartoons.com, a syndicate that distributes editorial cartoons and columns to over 500 subscribing newspapers. See Daryl’s blog at DarylCagle.com and watch his video podcast about editorial cartoons at Caglecast.com