Pat Bagley's Dec. 18 cartoon of a National Rifle Association supporter grabbing the crotch of Congress and saying "… and keep a good grip on your weapon at all times" made me think, as most of his cartoons do.
Our community has the good fortune of having many smart and inspirational leaders. People like homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson, Sister Susan Brennan of Park City's Sisters of the Holy Cross ministry, LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks, Catholic Bishop John Wester, Brigham Young University President Cecil Samuelson, University of Utah President David Pershing and philanthropists Lisa Eccles, Spencer Eccles and Jon and Karen Huntsman, to name just a few.
Most people don't think of cartoonists as geniuses. But, however improbable, the genius of Pat Bagley consistently makes our community think, sometimes together, sometimes apart. A community that laughs together, stays together. Fortunately, Salt Lake has a 21st-century Thomas Nast.
Bagley's characterizations of our community, which are generally evenhandedly dosed out by his humorous drawings on many of the controversial topics we face, makes us a healthy community.
Keep up the pointed pen, Pat, and may peace be with us all.
Patrick A. Shea
Salt Lake City