Opinion: In cartoons, the weapons depicted just get bigger and more powerful

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Massacre, shock, finger pointing, media hand-wringing, tribute to the fallen, earnest political speeches, moment of silence. For cartoonists, like all Americans, it’s a too-familiar pattern. Hugh Haynie targeted weak congressional leadership. Tony Auth absolved all parties of responsibility. And Rob Rogers tried to keep a civil tongue.

By the way, Haynie died in 1999; he drew his cartoon in 1981. Auth’s was done a decade ago, and Rogers’ was this week. If you think nothing changes, look closer -- the weapons depicted just get bigger and more powerful.

In 1981:

Editorial cartoon by Hugh Haynie / Louisville Courier-Journal

In 2001:

Editorial cartoon by Tony Auth / Philadelphia Inquirer

In 2011:

Editorial cartoon by Rob Rogers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

-- Joel Pett

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Joel Pett is the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky. His work also appears in USA Today.