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Science and Technology
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Science and Technology
Source : (remove) : WYSO
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Daily Cartoon 2: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Daily Cartoon: A Satirical Take on Wyoming's Energy Woes and Political Shenanigans

In the latest installment of Cowboy State Daily's beloved "Daily Cartoon" series, published on July 12, 2025, for the Sunday edition dated July 13, cartoonist Jasper "Buck" Harlan delivers yet another sharp-witted visual commentary that captures the essence of Wyoming's rugged spirit, blended with a healthy dose of national absurdity. Titled "Windmills and Wishful Thinking," this single-panel cartoon is a masterclass in political satire, poking fun at the ongoing tensions between traditional fossil fuel industries and the push for renewable energy in the Equality State. Harlan, known for his exaggerated caricatures and clever wordplay, doesn't hold back in illustrating the frustrations of everyday Wyomingites caught in the crossfire of policy debates and economic shifts.

At the center of the cartoon stands a grizzled cowboy, archetype of the Wyoming rancher, complete with a weathered Stetson hat, a lasso slung over his shoulder, and boots caked in what appears to be a mix of prairie dust and oil sludge. His face is a study in exasperation—bushy eyebrows furrowed, mustache twitching in disbelief—as he stares up at a massive wind turbine looming over his modest ranch. The turbine's blades are stylized to resemble giant dollar signs, spinning wildly in a gusty wind that's kicking up clouds of dollar bills, which flutter away into the distance like tumbleweeds. But here's the punch: attached to the base of the turbine is a comically oversized plug, dangling unconnected, with a label reading "Federal Subsidies – Out of Juice." The cowboy's speech bubble quips, "Well, shoot, if this thing runs on hot air from Washington, we're all set for eternity!"

This imagery is Harlan's not-so-subtle jab at the Biden-Harris administration's lingering legacy on energy policy, even as we approach the midpoint of 2025. With the 2024 elections still fresh in memory—where energy independence was a hot-button issue in red states like Wyoming—the cartoon reflects the state's ongoing battle with federal mandates promoting wind and solar power. Wyoming, after all, remains a powerhouse in coal, oil, and natural gas production, contributing significantly to the nation's energy supply. Yet, the push for green alternatives has led to a proliferation of wind farms across the windswept plains, often subsidized by federal dollars that critics argue are unreliable and insufficient. Harlan amplifies this by showing the cowboy's ranch in the background, dotted with idle oil rigs that look like forgotten relics, while a herd of cattle mills about, one cow even wearing a tiny protest sign saying "Moo-ve Over, Renewables!"

Delving deeper into the cartoon's layers, Harlan incorporates subtle nods to local Wyoming lore. The cowboy's name tag reads "Joe Sixpack," a playful reference to the average working-class voter, but with a Wyoming twist—perhaps evoking the state's famous six-pack of beers enjoyed after a long day on the range. In the far horizon, barely visible but unmistakable to keen-eyed readers, is a silhouette of Devils Tower, symbolizing the enduring natural wonders of the state that are now entangled in debates over land use for energy projects. The wind turbine's shadow casts a long, ominous shape over the ranch, morphing into a question mark, hinting at the uncertainty facing Wyoming's economy. Is renewable energy a boon or a bust? Harlan leaves it open-ended, but his bias toward skepticism is clear.

Contextually, this cartoon arrives amid a flurry of real-world developments in July 2025. Just last week, the Wyoming Public Service Commission approved a massive new wind farm project in Carbon County, sparking protests from local ranchers who fear it will disrupt grazing lands and wildlife migration patterns. Meanwhile, coal production in the Powder River Basin has seen a slight uptick due to international demand, but domestic regulations continue to squeeze the industry. Nationally, with the 2026 midterms on the horizon, politicians from both sides are ramping up rhetoric on energy. Republicans decry "green tyranny," while Democrats tout job creation in renewables. Harlan, a Wyoming native with a background in editorial cartooning for regional papers, often draws from these headlines, infusing his work with a libertarian flair that resonates with the state's independent streak.

What makes this cartoon particularly resonant is its humor's universality. Beyond Wyoming's borders, it speaks to broader American anxieties about energy transitions. Imagine a farmer in Iowa or a roughneck in Texas nodding in agreement—the feeling that government promises on clean energy are as fleeting as those spinning dollar-sign blades. Harlan's style, reminiscent of classic cartoonists like Gary Larson or even political heavyweights like Thomas Nast, uses exaggeration to highlight absurdities. The unplugged turbine isn't just a visual gag; it's a metaphor for policies that sound good on paper but falter in execution, leaving states like Wyoming to foot the bill.

Expanding on the themes, one can't ignore the environmental undertones. Wyoming's vast landscapes are a battleground for conservationists and developers alike. The cartoon subtly critiques the irony of wind power: while it's marketed as eco-friendly, the infrastructure requires rare earth minerals often mined abroad under questionable conditions, and the turbines themselves can be eyesores or hazards to birds like the sage grouse, a species emblematic of Wyoming's wild heritage. Harlan doesn't explicitly moralize, but the cowboy's weary expression invites viewers to ponder: Who benefits from this shift? Is it the locals, or distant bureaucrats and corporations?

Social media reactions to the cartoon have been swift, as is typical for Cowboy State Daily's features. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, Wyoming residents are sharing it with captions like "Nailed it, Buck!" and "This is why I love living here—truth in ink." Critics from greener persuasions argue it's overly dismissive of climate change imperatives, but that's the beauty of satire: it sparks dialogue. Harlan himself, in a brief artist's note accompanying the cartoon (a staple of the series), writes, "In Wyoming, we've got plenty of wind, but not always the power to harness it without strings attached. Here's to hoping for clearer skies ahead."

Historically, the "Daily Cartoon" series has been a fixture on Cowboy State Daily since its inception, providing levity amid hard-hitting news on topics from politics to wildlife. Past entries have lampooned everything from gubernatorial races to bear encounters in Yellowstone. This one fits squarely in that tradition, blending local flavor with national relevance. For newcomers to the series, it's worth noting Harlan's recurring motifs: the everyman cowboy, symbolic wildlife, and a healthy distrust of "big city" interference.

In terms of artistic technique, Harlan employs bold lines and vibrant colors— the turbine's metallic sheen contrasts sharply with the earthy tones of the ranch, emphasizing the clash between old and new. The composition draws the eye from the cowboy's face upward to the turbine, mirroring the upward gaze of progress, or perhaps folly. It's a deceptively simple panel that packs a punch, much like Wyoming's own understated power.

Ultimately, "Windmills and Wishful Thinking" isn't just a laugh; it's a mirror held up to the state's soul. As Wyoming navigates the choppy waters of 2025— with energy prices fluctuating, federal funding in flux, and climate concerns mounting—Harlan's cartoon reminds us that humor can be a tool for resilience. Whether you're a coal miner in Gillette, a wind tech in Cheyenne, or just a reader sipping coffee on a Sunday morning, this piece invites reflection on where we're headed. And in true Wyoming fashion, it does so with grit, wit, and a touch of irreverence.

For those interested in more, Cowboy State Daily archives past cartoons, offering a visual history of the state's evolving narrative. This edition, like its predecessors, underscores why editorial cartoons remain vital: they distill complex issues into digestible, memorable bites. As we look ahead to the rest of 2025, one thing's certain—Harlan will keep drawing, and Wyoming will keep inspiring. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full Cowboy State Daily Article at:
[ https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/07/12/daily-cartoon-2-sunday-july-13-2025/ ]