TOW Rewrite - Gas Prices Political Cartoon

            The rising price of gas and the nuclear development program of Iran are two of the hottest and most controversial current political issues. This political cartoon discusses these two heated topics and shows how they are problematic.  This cartoon is drawn for U.S. News by an author in San Diego.  This means that there is American bias in the cartoon and that it is from an American perspective, which would obviously be against Iran.  Currently, Iran is developing nuclear energy that is very controversial because many nations and leaders believe that their intention is to develop nuclear weapons.  These would most likely be used against Israel, which is why the Israelis are very concerned. However, Americans are interested in the situation not only because of Israel, but also because this controversy drives the gas prices up around the world. The majority of oil is exported out of the Middle East, and when there are problems in that geographic area, there gas prices become high.  The top portion of the political cartoon depicts and Israeli fighter jet that is assumed to be heading towards Iran to attack them, while on the bottom there is a regular citizen complaining about how the gas prices are rising due to tension in the Middle East.   

            The author likely drew this cartoon because they wanted to further explain, with an American point of view, the conflict with Iran and the effects it would have on Americans and on the world.  He created it for Americans and with an American eye because he didn’t focus on the potential consequences for Israel but rather shows the effect on gas prices and how Americans will struggle to keep up.  Also, it is important to note that Irani effects are not mentioned in this cartoon, showing that the cartoon is trying to portray Iran negatively.  In order to achieve his purpose, the author based his cartoon in a cause and effect format, showing how the war would hurt Americans’ wallets through the price of oil.  Also, the word choice in the Israeli speech bubble includes the phrase “pay a steep price,” which is easily converted in to a monetary context.  This clever choice of words allows for humor in the cartoon when the person in the car responds with "so am I."  The author did a good job portraying his purpose because the reader was able to take away the implications of the tension in Iran and the reader understands how America would be hit.  Also, because the author uses humor to communicate his message, it makes it easier for Americans to understand and take away from.