Steve Brodner doesn’t decorate the news. He indicts it. “Liberty and Justins” does in a title what most op-eds can’t do in a thousand words — it replaces the promise of the Pledge with the names of the men dismantling it. That’s not a pun. That’s a primary source.
His instinct on the redistricting sprint is the one I keep coming back to: the Republican party is so drunk on the Alito permission slip that it hasn’t done the math. Eight days to crack Memphis into thirds. Six states lining up behind Tennessee. They are moving fast because they know the window is short — and Brodner is right that the speed of the grab will become the evidence for the reversal.
Here’s what I believe: political cartooning at its best is accountability journalism with a pen instead of a byline. Brodner operates in the tradition of Nast and Daumier — artists who understood that exaggeration isn’t distortion, it’s precision. When the line is loose and the face is monstrous, it’s because the subject earned it. The cartoon that makes you laugh and then makes you sick is doing exactly what the moment requires.
Don’t get hysterical. Get organized. Get on record. And if you want to understand what’s actually happening to democracy in real time — read Brodner. The image that cannot be walked back is sometimes the truest thing in the room.
And please don't forget Gloria Johnson who stood with Justin and Justin - when they were expelled - as one of the Tennessee Three. And is standing up today.
'They are such liars': TN Democrat slams Republicans for redrawn map that she calls 'racist' | Regional/National Headlines | local3news.com
Though what is happening out there is heart wrenching and cruel, the power of voices coming from the Justins is precisely what's needed in this moment.
I can still hear echoes from Kamala's speeches--"We're not going back!"
This is so much bigger than redistricting, but this redistricting only affects House races. No small thing, but not what it is being played up as. And not a guaranteed white supremacist GOP win. The backlash state wide and nationwide cannot yet be quantified. Many Americans do not feel any point in voting. Many Americans' give priority to their antiDemocratic feelings. Maybe this - the fact that racist right wing extremist Republicans get to procedurally run the table because people voted Republican , and the example of these Democrats standing up - will convince enough Americans to step up and Vote Blue No Matter Who.
It would help if establishment Democrats and 'centrist' heritage media would recognize that Democrats such as Justin and Justin - and AOC, Zohran, Jasmine, Cori, and Graham - are not a threat, they are the future.
It is now apparent beyond any attempted rebuttal or rationalization — MAGA and GOP are the same and they are racist to the core. If you are MAGA or GOP and consider yourself not to be racist, now is the time to remove yourself from that sphere of influence. Only openly declaring yourself to be OUT will suffice.
Steve Brodner doesn’t decorate the news. He indicts it. “Liberty and Justins” does in a title what most op-eds can’t do in a thousand words — it replaces the promise of the Pledge with the names of the men dismantling it. That’s not a pun. That’s a primary source.
His instinct on the redistricting sprint is the one I keep coming back to: the Republican party is so drunk on the Alito permission slip that it hasn’t done the math. Eight days to crack Memphis into thirds. Six states lining up behind Tennessee. They are moving fast because they know the window is short — and Brodner is right that the speed of the grab will become the evidence for the reversal.
Here’s what I believe: political cartooning at its best is accountability journalism with a pen instead of a byline. Brodner operates in the tradition of Nast and Daumier — artists who understood that exaggeration isn’t distortion, it’s precision. When the line is loose and the face is monstrous, it’s because the subject earned it. The cartoon that makes you laugh and then makes you sick is doing exactly what the moment requires.
Don’t get hysterical. Get organized. Get on record. And if you want to understand what’s actually happening to democracy in real time — read Brodner. The image that cannot be walked back is sometimes the truest thing in the room.
"Brodner operates in the tradition of Nast and Daumier ..."
And Herb Block.
Cartoon Drawings: Herblock Collection - About this Collection - Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (Library of Congress)
.https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hlb/.
Thank you Steve! Justin Pearson is an amazing legislator and advocate. Please check out these two links from Common Power, a group that has been in his corner all along. The first is an invite to a Webinar this Thursday at 1pm ET https://www.eventbrite.com/e/why-we-fight-why-and-how-we-will-win-justin-pearson-on-leadership-now-tickets-1989095703795?aff=oddtdtcreator. The second is a recording made by Common Power director Charles Douglas, talking about why the group is going to do whatever they can to help Pearson get to Congress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qT8NyD_Sk8
And please don't forget Gloria Johnson who stood with Justin and Justin - when they were expelled - as one of the Tennessee Three. And is standing up today.
'They are such liars': TN Democrat slams Republicans for redrawn map that she calls 'racist' | Regional/National Headlines | local3news.com
.https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/07/politics/video/they-are-such-liars-tn-democrat-slams-republicans-for-redrawn-map-that-she-calls-racist-lcl.
2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions - Wikipedia
.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_expulsions.
Love the clever title and your amazing drawings!
Though what is happening out there is heart wrenching and cruel, the power of voices coming from the Justins is precisely what's needed in this moment.
I can still hear echoes from Kamala's speeches--"We're not going back!"
This is so much bigger than redistricting, but this redistricting only affects House races. No small thing, but not what it is being played up as. And not a guaranteed white supremacist GOP win. The backlash state wide and nationwide cannot yet be quantified. Many Americans do not feel any point in voting. Many Americans' give priority to their antiDemocratic feelings. Maybe this - the fact that racist right wing extremist Republicans get to procedurally run the table because people voted Republican , and the example of these Democrats standing up - will convince enough Americans to step up and Vote Blue No Matter Who.
It would help if establishment Democrats and 'centrist' heritage media would recognize that Democrats such as Justin and Justin - and AOC, Zohran, Jasmine, Cori, and Graham - are not a threat, they are the future.
It is now apparent beyond any attempted rebuttal or rationalization — MAGA and GOP are the same and they are racist to the core. If you are MAGA or GOP and consider yourself not to be racist, now is the time to remove yourself from that sphere of influence. Only openly declaring yourself to be OUT will suffice.
Agreed!! May racism be the end of the racists!!