These days with all the ceremony marking the death of the 39th President of the United States I'm struck as a Canadian witnessing it all by the stark contrast between Jimmy Carter's lasting legacy and the upcoming so called “golden age” of Donald Trump. My latest cartoon, running on Thursday, January 9th—the date of Carter's funeral— I hope captures this divide.

Reflecting on the Canadian Caper, when Carter and Americans celebrated Canada's daring rescue of six hostages from Iran, we see a poignant moment of cooperation between our countries. This event stands out as a high point in our shared history, reminiscent of our united stands against tyranny in WWII and Afghanistan, and our decades-long trade partnership.

Today, however, we face a different reality. Trump's presidency has introduced a more contentious era, straining the ties that have bonded Canada and the USA for so long. This marks a sad chapter in our relationship, prompting reflection on the values we cherish in our international partnerships and leadership.

Jimmy Carter was the first President I became aware of. Actually, no, I recall the morning after the 1976 Presidential election when a peanut farmer with big teeth and funny lips beat the boring guy named Gerald Ford, and it became the talk of the playground among 7 year olds. I recently reflected on this in a recent edition of Young Doug Ford.

Back in 1980, as an 11-year-old Canadian, I captured the spirit of the times in my first political cartoon, "Ayatollah Cola." It was a hit among my classmates and set me on my path as a cartoonist. Decades later, I was amazed to see a photo of Jimmy Carter wearing a face mask I designed, showcasing his iconic grin—a symbol of his enduring commitment to public service and humanity.

Carter’s post-presidential life stands in stark contrast to today's political climate. He dedicated himself to service and humanitarian causes, setting an example that remains relevant. My Jimmy Carter smile masks—available on my online store—are a small tribute to his legacy, with proceeds supporting Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.

As we reflect on these contrasting presidential eras, I hope my cartoons and reflections offer a space to ponder the future of American democracy and the enduring values of cooperation and respect.

Enjoy the January 9, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday or Saturday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons.