© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Auchter's Art: Tough to be a Michigander

John Auchter
/
www.auchtoon.com

CARTOONIST POV:

How much do I like beer? Well, I can tell you this: My wife and I recently traded a large and well-maintained trampoline for a single 12 ounce bottle of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Those who know me would likely say that was out of character. (Not the trading things for alcohol — that actually is in my wheelhouse.) No, I'm talking about the deep appreciation for something like Founders KBS — a high-end, critically praised consumable. I'm really more of a eat-because-I'm-hungry, water-from-the-faucet, breakfast-cereal-for-dinner kind of guy.

But something has happened to me with beer. I've become discriminating, an aficionado (a snob). Living in Michigan, it's hard not to be. There is just so much good stuff around. West Michigan in particular. When I moved here it was Bland Rapids. Now it's Beer City USA. Founders Brewing alone now takes up a whole city block! It's really quite amazing.

The subtext here is that things aren't so bad. Don't despair, even though it seems to be the popular thing to do. Despair can lead to questionable decision-making (like, say, the Republican candidate for president).

If we can go from the blah mediocrity of Goebels and Black Label and (dare I say it) Strohs to the paradise of choices we produce today, there is hope. We can do extraordinary and successful things here in Michigan. And if we can get our roads, schools, and infrastructure on the path to real recovery, we will have plenty of fantastic options to toast our success.

John Auchter is an editorial cartoonist. Views expressed in his cartoons are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Radio, its management or the station licensee, The University of Michigan.

Editor's note: We're experimenting with a weekly editorial cartoon on our website on Fridays. Let us know what you think. Send praise or criticism to vduffy@umich.edu