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The ***Official*** Singles Thread: Farewell to Pcottraux's FReeptoons
November 3, 2006 | pcottraux

Posted on 11/03/2006 5:52:55 PM PST by pcottraux

The Final FReeptoon

By Pcottraux

It is with great sadness that I, pcottraux, on this Singles thread of November 3-5, am posting my last FReeptoon. This is the end.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, I’ve drawn a series of politically-themed cartoon strips as sort of a hobby and posted them on FR for a little over a year now. And I have to say that it has been a complete blast. When I first started, I never anticipated all the warmth, well-reception, and overall fun I’ve had not to mention all the new friends I’ve made. The web can be a great place, and as far as web sites go, FR is one of the best!

The decision to end the FReeptoons was not an easy one. Mostly, it all boiled down to time constraints. I just don’t have as much time to devote to it like I used to. When I first started, I was unemployed and kind of bored, and was able to crank out 2 a week. Nowadays, I barely have time to draw one. And because of this lack of time, I’m also unable to put as much effort into each toon, ultimately leaving me unsatisfied with the results.

As a side, I also for a long time have posted an extra “bonus” cartoon, if you will. This toon is a very old series of doodles that I used to make in High School, called the “Dinkelmeyer Zone.” (I normally just call them the “Dinkelmeyers.”) This strip chronicles the adventures of a lovable loser in HS just trying to make the best of life. There are still about 40 Dinkelmeyer strips left, so for those who request it, I’ll be sending links out about once per week of several Dinks at a time. But you absolutely MUST request it in order to receive these via PM. So while this is the end of the FReeptoons, the little bonus cartoons will still last for a few more weeks.

Also, I have the full FReeptoons archives at the bottom of my home page, and they will always remain there for anyone who wants to look.

But what am I doing blabbing on? We’re here to see…

The Last FReeptoon






But that’s not all! I’d like to take some time to briefly recall the FReeptoons history, and maybe provide a little insight into them:

The FReeptoons: A Look Back

The main driving force behind the strip is a simple concept. You read political cartoons all the time, and it’s nothing new or strange to see the Democratic Party being represented by a donkey, who says something snide, or what-have-you. However, that’s usually just one panel, and you’ve got a witty remark/sledgehammer message in one shebang. My idea was to take this and make it more like a daily strip, and actually make that symbolic representation into a character, who you get to know, who has quirks and an interesting personality.

Another driving force is also pretty simple: I like to make fun of stuff. People, situations, events, you name it. I just enjoy not taking a lot of things very seriously. When you have George Clooney or some other Hollywood blowhard getting up on a podium accepting an Oscar and snootily declaring himself to be “smarter than the American people,” that kind of pretentious garbage just screams to be ridiculed.

Where exactly the idea for the FReeptoons first came is unclear, even to me. I do remember that I wanted to get back into drawing; I hadn’t done much art since college. It just sort of hit me one day: why not start drawing political cartoons and posting them on FR? Sounded like a novel concept, and I have to say that I was pretty excited by the first chance to do it. I sort of formulated some characters/situations in my mind, and then cranked something out. Cindy Sheehan was my first target, and in an attention-grabbing flash, the cartoon first burst onto the scene:


Man, does it look a lot different now!

The first thread I posted is lost, and it wouldn’t matter because the original uploaded pics have been deleted. Sadly, the toons were off to a rocky start; it was hard to get anyone interested in reading them, plus my scanner stopped working for about a month! I almost gave up, but after deciding to hang in there a liiiiittle while longer, things started to improve. I have this thread (the Singles thread) to thank for that, because it was here I first started making FRiends, who also happened to show interest in my work. Thanks, guys!

The Characters:

The Donkey

The Donkey is the main character, and a symbolic representation of the Democratic Party. I thought it would be interesting to mostly show the strip through the views of an anti-hero. The Donkey is not a likable guy; in fictional lingo, you’d call him the “Character we love to hate.” His personality is snide, slightly arrogant, and vain; he was somewhat modeled after Dan Fielding, the John Laroquette character from “Night Court.” I hint at times that he is also a womanizer. In a weird paradox, he has a donkey-like head and hooves, but a very human-like body.

However, at times (putting on my flame suit), it’s also possible to sympathize with Donkey. In this picture, we see him reminiscing about “The good old days,” when he was less pessimistic and tougher on foreign policy:

The Shark

The Shark is a fan favorite, and may be the strip’s funniest character (I think he’s my favorite as well). He is a symbolic representation of the left-wing American media. At the beginning of the strip, I tagged a “Media” sign on him so people would know that; however, I removed it pretty quickly because I trusted my readers to know/figure out who he was themselves. Like Laurel and Hardy or R2D2 and C3PO (and like the real media and Democratic Party), Shark and Donkey are practically inseparable.

The Shark is funny because of his personality. He is unabashedly biased towards the left, but has a very apathetic attitude towards it. Like the real mainstream media…and like a real shark…he has a very cold detachment from what he does, and never seems to question why he does it. He also accepts his what’s going on around him with little interest.

I like to play around with what this character is. He eats chum, has gills, and his fins are useless, but I’ve never been able to explain how he can breathe air and walk among us. He just “goes home to his aquarium” every night.

The Elephant

Needless to say, the Elephant represents the Republican Party. And, of course, he is the Donkey’s arch-nemesis. However, to be perfectly honest, he doesn’t appear nearly as much simply because the Donkey and Shark are just more interesting characters. He’s been heroic before (during the Xmas strip, he saved Santa from the ACLU), but mostly, I try to portray him as a poor schlub who’s exhausted from his job and worn down, nervous, and stressed-out from years of politicking. Much like the real Republican party, he started off with sincere intentions but seems to be losing his way.

Hillary/The Empress

The Hillary Clinton/Evil Empress duality is a gimmicky parody of the Star Wars Emperor Palpatine/Sith Lord. Mainly, the Donkey fears her and bows to her every word, while secretly wondering how this woman took over his party. The idea comes from the fact that so many liberals compare the Republicans to the Sith and Bush to the evil Emperor, when Hillary—with her goody-goody public image disguising her sinister plans—is SO much more of a legitimate comparison.

Cindy Sheehan

Starting from the beginning, Cindy Sheehan had a recurring role. Early in the strip, the Shark drops her like a bad date, and she responds by turning into a creepy stalker desperately trying to get his attention. Not sure how different that is from real life.

Howard Dean started off with a recurring role in the strip. Originally, the partnership was a trio, with the Donkey, Shark, and Dean (who is portrayed as a completely deranged, self-destructive psychopath). However, Dean himself has kind of been out of the news for a while (I think the Dems must have him gagged and bound somewhere), so the character didn’t quite work out.

A Final WordWell, that’s it for now, guys. If you want to see the rest of it, you’ll just have to click on my homepage, scroll down, and see what’s going on!

And for those of you who have been with me from the beginning, I want to say thank you for all the fun and laughs. And for the recent readers, too…I want to thank everyone for all you’ve done, and it just wouldn’t have been worth it if not for the good times I had with everyone!

And so, on that final note, I’d like to wish everyone “a warm and heart-felt goodnight.”

The End


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Humor
KEYWORDS: freeptoons; singles
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To: A knight without armor

I agree although it will only be dad and me on Christmas Day I will do the full English works of either Roast Turkey or Goose followed by Christmas Pudding with cream.

I have also baked a Christmas Cake and will decorate that during December.

I have instituted a new tradition in that I do a Thanksgiving Meal for me and dad basically so that I feel one of you all on FR.

This year I am doing roast duck with all the trimmings and for sweet/afters (dessert) pumpkin pie and cream.


141 posted on 11/05/2006 2:52:28 AM PST by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: DollyCali

142 posted on 11/05/2006 3:35:42 AM PST by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: laurenmarlowe; MoJo2001; GodBlessUSA; trussell

W - o -w

Thank you for all the great music !!!

143 posted on 11/05/2006 3:56:22 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: snugs

Oh, there's my girl! She was like glue with me last night at my side under the covers. She is 18 years old now & the "boss" in the house. The dogs get OUT OF THE WAY when she passes.

Thanks Snugs.. I love that pix of her. She was in much cuter poses on that pumpkin over the weeks it was there in the yard, but I never had my camera & in fact when I took this one she was so cute but as I approached with camera she stood up & well, planning good pet shots is never easy.

For some reason Cali picks a spot & will stay at that spot for any given length of time.. a few days, weeks, months.. & then all of a sudden she has a new spot to claim.

For a few weeks it was this pumpkin, small as it was. She often fell off it while sleeping


144 posted on 11/05/2006 4:00:26 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: SShultz460; pcottraux
We saw Borat last night also.. It was funny & you are right SS.. class is not part of this movie but it is a hoot. I know a lot of people will be offended for a lot of reasons & will think any one who considers it good/clever/cute are morally deprived.

The marriage abduction of Pamela Anderson was a hilarious

I think any movie which centers around someone OUT OF THIER environment & the resulting situations can be funny
145 posted on 11/05/2006 4:04:05 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: snugs

Movie alert number 2..did see Borat last night (comments above) but also saw The Queen over the weekend.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1163436-queen/

How has this been received in your country? I loved the scenes of England & Scotland and the "inside" look at the initial meetings of Blair/QE2 & the mixed responses after Diana's death. I was amazed at how the chosen stars resembled Cherie,Tony etc..Having the archival clips interspersed was good also. I predict this one will do very well with American Academy Awards..

146 posted on 11/05/2006 4:08:42 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: A knight without armor
I make big batches also . Freeze some, give away quite a bit. Cooking vegetarian chili is interesting. Most people do NOT realize it is meatless as the soy crumbles resemble the meat in look & feeling in mouth & the heavy spices cover the taste buds. I add olive oil for the fat.

I love chili.. even though my recipe is meatless, I have won 2 large chili cook offs with it. At one of the events, one of the judges wanted to take away my first prize when he heard it was meatless, but the others said NO..

lol
147 posted on 11/05/2006 4:12:38 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: WFTR
How was the reptile show? Is there a national listing? I would be interested in attending on of those here in NE Ohio if there was one not too far away.

I have done quite a bit for this election, not as much as presidential 2004 but did a lot of calling, putting up signs, some canvassing. People overall are very receptive & the last sKerry episode has really energized the locals here to vote & work hard the last few days
148 posted on 11/05/2006 4:17:22 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: alwaysconservative; .30Carbine; snugs; Jim Robinson; All

Thank you for the birthday greetings

actually my birthday is Monday(Nov 6) and Jim's, I believe, was Nov 3.

My mom went into labor Nov 3 - about 10 PM & did not deliver until Nov 6 (about 5 AM). I was a big baby also (over 8 and half #). So this was not a happy or easy time for her.

So when I said I was "late", as usual, I was VERY late as now sometimes still occurs.

149 posted on 11/05/2006 4:23:48 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: lysie; MozartLover; prairiebreeze; Iowa Granny; Jemian; tillacum; AFPhys; Two Thirds Vote Aye; ...

Have a Wonderful Lord's Day!



UPCOMING HOSTS

November 10-12 army air corps

November 17-19 wftr

THANK YOU PCOTTRAUX
FOR THIS WEEK-END's THREAD~


150 posted on 11/05/2006 4:56:08 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; All

Sunday Music...from
Kathy in Alaska at the Canteen



Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw




151 posted on 11/05/2006 5:08:49 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DollyCali

Whoops I missunderstood your comment and thought I had it wrong that your birthday was the 6th


152 posted on 11/05/2006 5:22:52 AM PST by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: snugs

you are right.. and yours is the 9th, right?

need to get my poor dogs out, been patiently staring me here at the computer for over an hour!


153 posted on 11/05/2006 5:25:34 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DollyCali

Mine is the 9th correct


154 posted on 11/05/2006 5:45:45 AM PST by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - BIG TIME))
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To: DollyCali

November 5, 2006

A Surprise Answer

Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. —1 John 3:22

When Josh McDowell’s mother died, he was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed. Was she a Christian or not? “Lord,” he prayed, “somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know.” It seemed like an impossible request.

Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean and walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an elderly woman in a lawnchair, fishing. “Where’s your home originally?” she asked. “Michigan—Union City,” Josh replied. “Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of—” “Battle Creek,” interrupted the woman. “I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?”

Stunned, Josh responded, “Yes, I’m Josh McDowell.” “I can’t believe it,” said the woman. “I’m a cousin to your mother.” “Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?” asked Josh. “Why sure—your mom and I were just girls—teenagers—when a tent revival came to town. We both went forward to accept Christ.” “Praise God!” shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fishermen.

God delights to give us what we ask when it is in His will. Never underestimate His desire to respond to our prayers. A surprise may be just around the corner. Dennis J. De Haan

That long-sought wish, oh, how I prayed,
I thought it not divinely willed,
And then the joyous, tear-stained smile
Of faith triumphant, hope fulfilled!  —Brandt

If you get definite with God, He’ll get definite with you.

Bible in One Year:   Jeremiah 34-36; Hebrews 2


155 posted on 11/05/2006 5:50:07 AM PST by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)
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To: DollyCali

I just love that peaceful picture and the admonishments to remember! Thank you very much.


156 posted on 11/05/2006 6:33:01 AM PST by .30Carbine
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To: DollyCali

LOL!


157 posted on 11/05/2006 6:34:30 AM PST by .30Carbine
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To: DollyCali
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

158 posted on 11/05/2006 6:36:48 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: .30Carbine
Hi.. isn't that a a gorgeous shot. It was from my walk with dogs the sat before yesterday. It is a dammed up portion of the Cuyahoga River, called the Gorge in Cuyahoga Falls. See how much color we still had that last week of Oct?

Well, it appears I will be again late for church. Today I didn 't have to pick up my uncle from Dialysis (which makes me about 20-30 min late) so I was pretty well on target.

But I left the door open for a few kitties to come in & eat & forgot to close it & Toby took off to destinations unknown. I had already put Josy out in van/on lead & I feed them separately at Josy will hog down her food & then go after Toby's. Toby eats like a cat.nibbles a little now & then. Well, with Josy around, that doesn't work.

so now will play the waiting game here..
159 posted on 11/05/2006 6:51:35 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DollyCali

will miss the shark!


160 posted on 11/05/2006 6:53:42 AM PST by bitt ("And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.")
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