On October 26th we had the pleasure of hearing and learning from Investor's Business Daily Pulitzer Prize Winner editorial cartoonist, Michael Ramirez. A two time Pulitzer winner for editorial cartoons, describes his job of being an editorial cartoonist as the opportunity to get people to really think about the important issues we face. Right from the beginning, and strangely enough, Mr. Ramirez announced that he does not like to draw! He does, however, enjoy being judge and jury by going through the drawing process.
And the process itself is demanding: He explained that in order to be in this line of work, one has to read many newspapers from both sides of the political landscape. One then has to gather the information, process it and only then begin drawing. This is essential, according to Mr. Ramirez, as the mainstream media, so he claims, is doing a very poor job reporting on the current financial situation and vetting our presidential candidates. Mr. Ramirez simply fills a void – as "an equal opportunity offender." His editorial cartoons are essentially drawings that make a political statement. He equated this to advertising – coming up with a precise image in order to "sell" a specific idea.
Describing himself as a member of the "Anti-Stupid" party, he has beamed a spotlight on such notables and ideas as Barak Obama, John McCain, George Bush, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Global Warming, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Oil and Drilling, War on Terror, Immigration, Social Security and Health Care.
Mr. Ramirez is the Editorial Cartoonist and a Senior Editor for Investor's Business Daily. Ramirez is a Lincoln Fellow and has won several awards during his career, including the 2008 and 1994 Pulitzer Prize, the UCI Medal from the University of California, Irvine and the Sigma Delta Chi Awards in 1995 and 1997.
Ramirez was named "Best Editorial Cartoonist 2006" by the National Cartoonists Society, and won the prestigious 2008 John Fischetti Editorial Cartoon Competition.
Mike showed cartoons from his new book "Everyone Has The Right To My Opinion" available from Amazon.com. Mike will sign copies of the book for club members. Simply purchase the book(s) and give them to Stella Cardoza who will take them to Mike for signature.
