John Auchter
Contributor, Auchter's ArtSince 1995 John has created Michigan-based editorial cartoons for the Grand Rapids Business Journal, the Grand Rapids Press, and MLive Newspapers. His cartoons are currently featured at MichiganPublic.org and are syndicated to newspapers through the Michigan Press Association. John is an active member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. You can view an archive of his editorial work and other cartoons at Auchtoon.com.
In addition to cartoons and essays for Michigan Radio, John works as a technical communication specialist. He has worked for a variety companies, from startups to large corporations, and has operated his own business. The job basically is the same as cartooning — putting words and images together to communicate. But in this case, John knows enough not to draw funny pictures of his boss or client. (Well, now he does.)
John grew up on the east side of the state near Flint, graduated from Michigan Tech in da UP, and has lived in West Michigan since. He vacations Up North every summer and shovels lots of snow every winter. After his wife, he is the biggest Tigers fan in the family. He drinks Vernors when his tummy hurts.
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The parents of the shooter had clearly been negligent in their responsibilities to their son and their community. Jennifer Crumbley will now have to face lawful consequences for her actions (or, more accurately, inaction). It doesn't fix anything, but justice does provide a reason to be hopeful that lessons have been learned. -
It's disheartening how quickly it goes from people's real concerns to the gamification of those concerns. -
Shawn Fain has made quite a name for himself for being an authentic, often salty voice of the working class. He can be theatrical, but he also says what he means and doesn't seem to suffer fools. I've also read similar things said in praise of Donald Trump (usually by Trump himself). -
Okay, granted, winter did hit later than it usually does this year. But in the end, it is January, and this is Michigan, so it really isn't that remarkable. And yet, that doesn't stop all of us from persistently remarking, does it? -
I think on the whole, the best story was that the state of Michigan got a win. We don't get many — especially over the past couple of decades. So even though it was college football (and all the baggage that comes with that), it's gratifying to have "Michigan" and "the best" in the same headline. -
Well, I suppose that when you elect a Trump protégé to lead your state party, you shouldn't be surprised by the results. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. -
Instead of building barriers in 2024, perhaps we should focus on problem solving the source issues. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and here's to a world with less walls in the new year! -
A typical holiday season juxtaposition for editorial cartoonists: the Holy Family as poor, desperate refugees and the current treatment of poor, desperate refugees by certain folks who worship the Holy Family. It's kind of low hanging fruit, and I have to admit that's where I started. -
By my observation, Republican candidates (local, state, national) seem to be pretty good at identifying problems but lacking in actual plans and answers. It's not like Democrats are great at this either. But they do seem to come up with functional legislation every once in while. -
It's getting increasingly difficult to tell whether a politician has done a good job because of the willingness (nay, enthusiasm) there is for spinning news. That is, making news (any news) unfavorable for the other team.
