RR Anderson  - he of Frost Park Chalk Off and Tacomic fame – is, perhaps, the most prolific and outspoken social commenter and political cartoonist Tacoma has ever known. At the very least, he’s the funniest.



This week, shortly after Tuesday’s historic election, I got in touch with Anderson to get his take on everything that went down.



Here’s what he had to say:



WEEKLY VOLCANO: Now that it's over, how truly terrified were you of Sarah Palin? Aren't you from Alaska? How do you explain that batshit crazy woman?

ANDERSON: I grew up in Juneau Alaska (southeast/pan-handle/where all the good-American parts are), which contrasted against the hulking wasteland of Anchorage and her dicknail town of Wasilla, Juneau is a shimmering liberal oasis reminiscent of the beautiful city of San Francisco.  Now some back-story: Juneau is the capitol of Alaska.  The real estate speculators of Wasilla are always trying to move the capitol to their town to cash in on all the land buy up that would transpire having to rebuild the government buildings.   Even so, the people of Alaska like Palin because she is 'against corruption’ which is important because EVERY politician in Alaska is always corrupted by the evil oil companies and their endless streams of money.  Palin hates government and gets bored easy...  and nothing gets her hotter than to ruin the political life of a corrupt politician. But like I say everybody up there is corrupt.  When Palin returns to Alaska in defeat she will have to account for lots of bills racked up on state credit cards following McCain around... so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.  Poor Ted Stevens.  My stepbrother worked for him. Says you could convict anybody in Washington of the same thing.  Stevens helped make Alaska a state.  His blood and tears are on everything up there.  What the fuck has Palin done for the people?  Nothing!  You think they're going to name an airport after her when she is gone?  Everything she touches turns to crap.   She is George W. Bush with a uterus.  



WV: Where do you think she'll be by 2012?

ANDERSON: Oh, probably in TEE VEE land somewhere.  She is a damn good mouthpiece.  Or I can see her as one of those tragic Joan of Arc characters leading a bloody revolution of 'the faithful' in Alaskan secession.  



WV: What's the future of Political Cartooning now that Obama has been elected?

ANDERSON: The future is so bright I have to wear welding goggles.  Artists will need to practice drawing ears accurately.  Most cartoonists skimp on the ears. That's not ethically sound.  Obama is 45% ears.  I'm a little let down that the Democrats didn't make a filibuster proof congress... that would have been a fun cartoon.  Still, from now on everyday is going to be Christmas.  



WV: Do you expect to see layoffs the likes of which have only usually been seen at large, corporate mainstream daily newspapers?

ANDERSON: Oh sure.  layoffs... oil shortages... war...  cannibalism.  I dunno. It's all good. The main thing is that people will always need political cartoonists.  I ride the bus. I know that people don't know how to read anymore.  And the whole digital television switch is going to alienate a huge chunk of the lower classes.  They're be starving for information and that means fame and glory for any cartoonist who hasn't been sent to a labor camp, eaten or both.



WV: Talk to me about "the Traveller's" campaign. Were you impressed?

ANDERSON: I am in awe of any Traveller enterprise.  So far in the polls he gathered more votes than every EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE candidate on the ballot.  That's true.  You can fact check it on the auditors website. 



WV: Do you have a gut feeling on where that guy is actually coming from? I now firmly believe he's totally sane - for more reasons than just his competent and well funded campaign? Agree or disagree?

ANDERSON: Is he one space ship short of a star fleet?  My sources say yes.  A hindrance to lesser freelance political activists; Mr. Hill has harnessed these powers to his advantage.  As an eccentric he can exaggerate/express in ways normal (or pink) people can't.  The sunglasses, bucket hats, shaved eyebrows, masturbation days, gold mystery coins... these aren't just things, to the Traveller these are extensions of his being.  At any rate he's the best thing on TV Tacoma. 





WV: I know you've been a big proponent of Mike Lonergan. It doesn’t look like he’s going to prevail. Does it matter?

ANDERSON: The executive excellence party has turned out to be not so executive OR excellent.  The man seemed too cheerful in his exit133 & The Melon interviews... it's making me depressed just thinking about it.  The guy was the first one to eat it.     Mike is just so tiny and adorable.   Like an ewok in horn-rimmed glasses and a spit curl.   Or the goblin-like nazi spy with the little round glasses in Raiders of the Lost Arc who got his face melted off in the end.



WV: If Shawn Bunney is elected will those in your area with careers in Political Cartooning be saved from the Great Political Cartooning Depression that may result from the Obama Presidency?

ANDERSON: Andre the Bunney?  Sadly it looks like he's losing to our fearless auditor Pat McCarthy.  Bunney has been a spanking boon to cartoonists.  Nobody has had more fun with Bunney than John Hathaway over at THE NEW TAKHOMAN. 



WV: Seriously, though - what the fuck is up with Sarah Palin? Are there lots of people from Alaska like that? Should I be as afraid of Alaska as I am of Texas?

ANDERSON: Texas is gay.  Alaska is so much bigger than Texas.



WV: What under-hyped local race or measure was you paying particular attention to?

ANDERSON: I was never a fan of removing term limits... or fucking with the charter.  The Mayor was right... that's not the way to change the charter.  The people will elect who they want to elect but the limits were put there for a reason.  What's that saying? Graveyards are filled with indispensable men?  I hope Tom Stenger comes back to city politics.  And say what you want about Lonergan at least he sticks his neck out from time to time.   I've watched countless city council meetings and for the most part the majority of council folk sit there like raisins on a peanut butter celery stick.   It's hard for the Traveller to even provoke a reaction from them these days. 



WV: Any thoughts on any of the other stuff?

ANDERSON: Citizens Forum on TV Tacoma.  At least you see some life there.  Anyhow it is past my bedtime.  I make my leave with a quote from the great book of changes: "The great prince issues commands, Founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should not be employed."   We realize you have a choice when it comes to safe and clean, results-oriented political cartooning, so why choose the average thing?  Why not choose the super thing?   RR Anderson is available for speaking engagements, political attack chalk campaigns and freelance media projects wherever pencils are involved.