Comments on: Stuart Carlson forced to take buyout

By: Fred Kilp

Fred Kilp — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:21:28 +0000

I have known Stuart for years and have loved his cartoons. He is the only cartoonist that I have followed religiously. His poignant and intelligent material apparently was just too much for the Urinal/Stupidal to handle. His fine character and love for the common person seem to be at odds with the managementâ€™s right wing elitism. The paperâ€™s true concern for preserving this image was evident when an editorial was written by a Urinal staff member praising President-elect Obamaâ€™s victory and a the management felt it needed to establish the fact that the views of the editorial staff are not necessarily that of paper. Was that meant to teach us dumb readers a lesson in journalism? The narrow-minded hierarchy at the paper has succeeded in moving yet further into the depths of uselessness except for covering the floor for puppy training and lighting campfires. I, like so many, get my news from the internet from sources that are in step with the times and have the understanding it takes to maintain an open-minded and clear eye for the news. The internet also allows me to keep up with my favorite editorial cartoonist. Keep drawing, Stuart. We love it!

By: KRANKY (JOE RANK)

KRANKY (JOE RANK) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:22:44 +0000

Where in Wisconsin were you, Monte?
I was near Lake Geneva. What a nightmare! Narrow minded bigots with too much inherited money. I only had marginal success with a mid-sized daily nearby, because the editorial page editor was a lesbian that could only get non-reactionary views in subversively. My cartoons were published under the aegis of “objectivity”….as if the opinions I illustrated were ‘outliers’.
In fact, more often than not, my views were of the majority of the papers readership; just not the Babbity owners/publishers.

Heller sewed up the state with his self syndication. Pretty smart for him. Made it tough for others, myself included.
Oh well, I’m living in California…and that is NOT Green Bay!

By: Monty Rohde

Monty Rohde — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:50:37 +0000

…meaning the only full time editorial cartoonist in Wisconsin is Joe Heller. So the entire state is stuck with bad nationally syndicated cartoons, and bad local issue cartoons. This is getting a little off topic but when I lived in Wisconsin I was always bothered by how Heller had managed to get himself placed in every smaller paper from Eau Claire to Beloit.

By: KRANKY (JOE RANK)

KRANKY (JOE RANK) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:21:02 +0000

Yeah, a damn shame. Stuart is a super gracious individual. He’s too good to stop…but what market is there in Wisconsin?
This leaves only Joe Heller doing state issues on a regular basis.
The Journal Sentinel has been abysmal for years, especially so after the merger. Obviously, the incestuous media conglomeration adds to the decimation. If it does not move or make noise, the easily distracted in corporate management are without a clue.

Best wishes for SC.
Maybe Bill Sanders has an opening in his band?

By: Steve Greenberg

Steve Greenberg — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:51:47 +0000

I may have spoken too soon. Daryl Cagle’s blog says Markstein was previously pushed out and now only draws for syndication.

By: Steve Greenberg

Steve Greenberg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:44:48 +0000

This is just so sad. Stuart was the survivor when the Journal and Sentinel merged, with Gary Markstein being pushed into an illustrator/artist position; ironically, it looks like that may save his job. But, it looks like yet another major city will be left without anyone to do editorial cartoons and help keep the fire at area politicians’ feet. Sad, stupid and tragic.