David Baldinger - Cartoonist & Photographer

I love the films produced by the National Film Board Of Canada. My first exposure to their films was through a little show on PBS back in 1977 called “The International Festival Of Animation.” This show was a miracle for a kid like me back then. Since I was the typical weird outcast, I hated school and didn’t get along very well with others my age. I would lose myself into science fiction and fantasy novels and TV shows like The Muppet Show, Space 1999 and Lost In Space . I never could figure out why everyone was in such a big hurry to find his or her way back to Earth. I would have been so much happier anywhere else. I would have loved to be Will Robinson except for the possible midnight gropings by the questionable Dr. Smith. OK, back to animation. On Sunday evening, my local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) would show the International Festival Of Animation . I had the fortunate opportunity to become exposed to the great short animation from Zagreb, the USSR and the Nationa...

I can never decide which character I like best. After I'm done, it seems I picked the wrong one. Oh well. I will never be satisfied.

Sort an early "Happy 4th Of July" to everyone.

Tom Toles/Washington Post

Crystal Gaze Originally uploaded by davidbdr . Kupkake freaked out when I ran the sweeper. She hid behind the objects on the bedroom window sill.

Daryl Cagle asked for opinions on the cartoon by Steve Benson. Typically, most of the comments he posted were by those outraged by the cartoon. The responses say a lot about how misinformed and ignorant the American public has become. The general tack here seems to be "shit happens in war," "The soldiers have to protect themselves" or "the cartoonist is a traitor." I would like these brain-dead arm-chair patriots to please explain how executing an old man, several women and even babies--shot through the head--has anything to do with protecting soldiers or even being legitimate collateral casualties of some intense operation. The truth is that the initial report was a lie and contradicts what appears to have happened. As for the shell casings being from AK-47's, I was unable to find any information about that anywhere but on Right-Wing apologist blogs. This, I'm sure will enter the mythology of the Iraq war like Iraq's involvement with the 9-11 ...

A Terrifying Message from Al Gore

I was thrilled yesterday to receive in the mail a package of books by my cartoonist friend, Ares . It was most kind of him to send these to me. I know it must not be a simple thing to post material from Havana, Cuba to the US. Ares is a brilliant cartoonist. He was a practicing psychiatrist before turning to art. I believe that gives him a special insight to ideas. His are so interesting and unusual. I love his type of cartoons. They are the kind that make you think about the content. I guess the funniest part of this was the looks from the mailman over getting a package from Cuba. I guess he knows how dangerous cartoonists are to national security!

A cute Amigurumi by my Flickr friend Tamami of Australia. You can purchase her items from: http://www.tamagurumi.etsy.com/

ABC News: Judge Spares Life of Lewis the Cat Well, there's some good news today. About Lewis on Wikipedia

Maria 1989 Oh boy! I’ve never really been much of a celebrity gazer but over the years I’ve found myself infatuated with two. The first I went nuts over was Nastassja Kinski after I saw her in Roman Polanski’s Tess (1979). This is still one of my all-time favorite films. Unfortunately, I hear the current Sony DVD sucks. It’s been cut down and the transfer is supposedly bad. What a shame. Now back to the sad story. Wouldn’t you just know it that while I was away in England during my Air Force stint, she wound up filming a movie near my hometown. ( Maria’s Lovers ). Just my luck. Oh well. It’s not like she would have spotted me in a crowd and come rushing over, arms wide, proclaiming love at first sight! The second celebrity love of my life was and is Maria McKee . Back in the mid ‘80’s she blasted me out of my seat with her incredible voice and the band, Lone Justice. I remember listening to their two albums (on vinyl then) and staring at her adorable face on the record cove...

Official "Meow Mix House" Web Site

Yahoo News Obit "Frederick Franck, a true Renaissance man — artist, sculptor, writer, and visionary — died peacefully at home on June 5, 2006. He had recently celebrated his 97th birthday. His wife of nearly 50 years, Claske, and his son, Lukas, were with him. He was buried the next day at Pacem in Terris, the transreligious sanctuary he and Claske created around their farmhouse in Warwick, New York, with an old mill and gardens filled with Franck's sculptures and paintings. "He's here," Claske told us on the phone, and we thought, yes, he's there and everywhere else where people still enjoy his art. His creations are for the ages. Pacem in Terris will continue to operate as a garden-museum, under the guidance of Lukas Franck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pacem in Terris, 96 Covered Bridge Rd, Warwick NY, 10990-2854." — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat I doubt few artists aren't familiar with Franck's popular "Zen Of Seeing...

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So today is Father’s day. I have never paid much attention to these greeting card holidays. They’ve always seemed to me just excuses to drive the Capitalist—Consumerist need to move product.  Mother’s Day and the assault by the diamond industry makes me want to vomit. Christmas is a total mess. When I was little, my Dad was mostly un-attending—even though he was present. That didn’t help my opinion and complete lack of care about the damned day. Believe me, there was no “World’s Greatest Dad” mug or t-shirt in his personal items. I didn’t even realize that today was Father’s Day last night when I threw together my little video “Don’t Ever Have Kids” that can be seen below. I was joking, of course. My son can be a smart mouthed son-of-a-bitch and a real pig but I guess, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I know he won’t remember the label applied to today’s Hallmark bonanza without prompting so, “Happy Father’s Day to me.” Good Lord, he turned 19 yesterday!  Now I’m re...

Don't Ever Have Kids! on Vimeo

I was looking through my Amazon wish list today. It has grown quite huge! I appear much more materialistic than I thought. Well, not really since my list is filled with books, music and DVDs. That’s all I really care about. You can add art and photo supplies but I would never buy from anyone at Amazon. The prices are no bargain. I generally buy art supplies from Dick Blick . Their prices are good and they ship quick. My wish list there isn’t as large. Anyone looking at my rather eclectic collection of wants would probably scratch their head in confusion. How does a person go from wanting DVDs of Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure to 400 Blows or The Battle Of Algiers . The only thing that I can say is that my tastes are as fleeting as my moods. Sometimes I need really stupid comedy or cheesy cult horror movies. At other times, I need stunning artistic films. My reading has nearly stopped lately. My focus is for crap. The slightest noise distracts me. I actually feel p...

Eight more security updates for Windows XP. I seriously doubt that I will ever buy another Microsoft OS. Windows is ridiculously over priced. I get to fork out all that cash for the privilege of constant critical updates and security flaws. Come on, Microsoft. Can’t you do better than this? From the reports about the new “Vista” that I’ve read, it is more Microsoft bloatware that requires a lot of RAM for a lot of neato effects. Once again, those of us who aren’t in the position to buy a new computer every year are left in a cloud of dust kicked up in the pursuit of more profit. Why do we Americans put up with such extreme designed obsolescence? It will be a little more difficult changing over to Linux since I use many graphic and video programs that aren’t available with the sophistication those for Windows have. I’m sure I could adapt though. The last time is played with Linux, I had a rough time getting my Epson scanner to work. I finally managed but have completely forgotten h...

Following are some cartoons by my cartoonist friend in Havana, Cuba. He goes by the name of "Tomy." He was one of the founders of the Cuban humor supplement, dedeté . "Bomb Man" This cartoon refers to the Cuban ex-patriot international terrorist Luis Posada Carriles. Harboring this CIA operative and butcher is contrary to Bush's claim of opposing terrorism in all forms. I guess being a terrorist for the USA makes a person not a terrorist. He is also one person from south of the border that the Bush Administration has no problem with sneaking in illegally. "We have raised the prohibition to hunt on the border" "Freedom" "My God! With prices like those, I wonder what will be the price of a liter of freedom?" As far as I am able to translate this--I think I am close. If anyone knows exactly, let me know. I don't know Spanish and have to rely on machine translation. I try to make sense out of it from there. "Beautiful" ...

I made this for fun on Flickr. As usual, when I have more important things to be doing, I find pointless diversions.

Magik is such a little sweetie. She is very tiny and delicate.

This looks easy enough to make and it would be a lot cheaper than the $40+ Woodruff For Pets wants. The cat is always up there anyway and contantly sliding off.

I miss Suggie. She was a great cat. She acted like a watchdog, stayed by my side always and even played fetch. Five years ago my family and I had to move from our house into an apartment so I had to give her up. I was severely depressed over this for a long time. I think I was shattered more because of losing her than having to leave my house. It was a falling down wreck anyway. I hope, if Sug is still around, that she is doing well and is happy. I miss ya' Sug. I'm sorry I had to let you go. I hope you forgave me. A couple of old Polaroid photos from 2000.

Haditha Cartoons I am not surprised that the collection of mainstream political cartoons were all particularly lame when it came to making a statement about the Haditha, Iraq civilian massacre. I hope mine were a little more serious. I could not bring myself to draw something using goofy caricatures and one-liners to portray this disgusting episode. I know my opinion matters little to the illustrious members of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Cagle himself mentioned that he had never heard of me in one of his newsletters. I wear that as a badge of honor. The last thing I want is to be lumped in with the artistically spectacular but ultimately pointless editorial cartoonists of the American press. I was particularly appalled by one by Eric Allie of Chicago's Pioneer Press. I will include it regardless of his copyright concerns. A cartoon this ridiculous needs to be seen. I encourage any one on the progressive left to write Allie and gives him an earful. Being anti...

A more graphic type cartoon about the Haditha Iraq massacre

An Inconvenient Truth - Trailer

Headache , originally uploaded by davidbdr . First let me explain my situation. My spine has been degenerating badly over the last few years. I can't stand or sit for very long without becoming really miserable. I fought Social Security for a couple of years to get disability. Finally, last year I got it. I get a whopping $778 a month but at least I have much needed medical coverage. In 2005, I has surgery three times. I now have a nerve stimulator stuck up my spine. When the pain becomes too great, I turn it on and electrically block the pain. I can't say that it works all that well. I was finally able to get a better apartment in september 2005. We were living in HUD housing previously. The apartments were really nice but the people around us were mostly the dregs of the Earth. In November of 2005, Social Security cut our payments back because a married couple can only have a combined income of like $800 a month or so. Once we pay the rent and utilities, there is usuall...

So many excuses are being tossed around about the civilian massacres going on in Iraq. The excuse that the troops are stressed out and suffering from battle fatigue can not explain away shooting children in the head at point blank range. Does Bush really think the Iraqi people are going to watch their family members be murdered and not take up arms against US forces? You would think Cheney and Rumsfeld would know better since they were in Washington during Viet Nam. Bush, has an excuse. He can't remember where he was during the war.