Ted Rall Quotes

Powerful Ted Rall for Daily Growth

About Ted Rall

Ted Rall is an acclaimed American political cartoonist, journalist, and author known for his provocative and controversial perspectives on contemporary politics and society. Born in New York City on September 15, 1968, Rall grew up in a Jewish family and developed an early passion for art and politics. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before embarking on his career as a cartoonist. Rall's first significant work was a political comic strip titled "Ted Rall's Attitudeville," which ran in the student newspaper at Pratt. This early success caught the attention of The Village Voice, where he became a regular contributor. In 1995, Rall's work was recognized by the National Cartoonists Society with an award for Best Newspaper Illustrator. Throughout his career, Rall has been unafraid to tackle controversial topics and challenge mainstream narratives. His works often address issues such as foreign policy, war, and the political establishment. Some of his most notable works include "The Anti-American Manifesto" (2006), in which he critiques American culture and foreign policy, and "After We Killed It: The Multicultural History of the American Dream" (1997), a graphic novel exploring the impact of immigration on American society. Rall's fearlessness has not always been met with approval, and his works have sparked heated debates and even threats. However, he remains a significant figure in the world of political cartooning and journalism, continually pushing boundaries and encouraging critical thought. As of now, Rall resides in Brooklyn, New York, where he continues to create and share his unique perspectives on the world around him.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Politics is not about solutions, it's about making sure your side gets more than its share."

This quote suggests that politics is often less about finding effective solutions to problems and more about achieving a power imbalance in favor of one's own group or ideology. It implies that the pursuit of political gain is primarily self-serving rather than focused on the greater good, with each side striving to acquire more influence, resources, or advantages over the other. This perspective can lead to gridlock and an inability to find solutions because the focus is on maintaining or expanding one's own power rather than collaborating for the common good.


"If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."

This quote by Ted Rall suggests that even though one may feel insignificant or powerless, they can still have a substantial impact, just like a mosquito when it comes to disturbing sleep. It encourages the reader to recognize their potential influence and not underestimate themselves, emphasizing that every action, no matter how small, has the capacity to create change or provoke reaction.


"The real American dream is the pursuit of self-interest."

This quote suggests that the essence of the "American Dream" lies in individual ambition and self-advancement, rather than achieving wealth or success primarily for collective welfare. The implication is that pursuing one's own self-interest, whether it be financial, professional, or personal growth, is a defining characteristic of what it means to strive toward the American Dream. However, it's essential to note that this interpretation emphasizes individualistic aspirations, which may not align with some broader definitions of the American Dream that include community involvement and shared prosperity.


"Terrorism is just war by other means, and those who wage it are as cowardly as they are evil."

The quote suggests that terrorism is essentially a form of warfare, but with key differences in methodology, scale, and targets. While traditional war involves conflicts between states or organized groups with clear objectives and adherence to certain rules of engagement, terrorism is characterized by the use of violence or threat of violence against civilians for political or ideological reasons. Ted Rall's statement underscores that those who engage in terrorism are not heroic or valiant figures but rather individuals who act from a place of cowardice and evil, as they deliberately target innocent people to advance their agenda. The intentional exploitation of fear, suffering, and death for political gain is morally reprehensible, making the cowardice of terrorists even more condemnable.


"Journalism is about telling the truth, and if you can't do that, then you don't deserve to be a journalist."

This quote by Ted Rall emphasizes the fundamental role of truth in journalism. He suggests that the purpose of journalism is to communicate facts accurately and honestly. In other words, if a journalist cannot uphold this standard, they are not fulfilling their core function as a news provider. The implication is that truth-telling is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring democracy functions effectively.


I think we're the first generation to successfully integrate American society.

- Ted Rall

Society, Generation, Think, Integrate

When you do a cartoon based on news headlines, you do it based on incomplete information.

- Ted Rall

News, Cartoon, Based, Incomplete

There was an honorable tradition of using anonymous sources that was ruined by Jayson Blair.

- Ted Rall

Using, Sources, Blair, Honorable

Trying to rebuild Afghanistan on the cheap has left the country in the hands of warlords and an impotent Northern Alliance puppet regime that runs Kabul and nothing else.

- Ted Rall

Hands, Country, Rebuild, Runs

Silk Road to Ruin has all the analysis and it's structured very well. I rely on my notes more and I use direct quotes. But there's nothing like writing about it right away.

- Ted Rall

Away, Notes, Very, Structured

When you have birds you stare at them a lot and their eyes are recessed on their head. When they look at something they tilt their head in a quizzical expression.

- Ted Rall

Birds, Expression, Them, Tilt

At this point, American workers are pretty respectful of the bosses they loathe.

- Ted Rall

Bosses, Pretty, Loathe, Respectful

But now that I'm cartooning full-time, I'm more of an observer. I'm talking to people who are experiencing these things. But it's not like being in the trenches.

- Ted Rall

More, Like, Full-Time, Cartooning

The first step to stringing the boss up from a lamppost is saying the boss is a moron.

- Ted Rall

Step, Boss, First Step, Moron

If I had to rank my skills, I have a long way to go before I can write a good graphic novel.

- Ted Rall

Go, Before, Had, Rank

Anyway, I tried liking Jimmy Corrigan but I couldn't.

- Ted Rall

Liking, Tried, I Tried, Jimmy

Money stress is what used to remind me of my Dad most.

- Ted Rall

Money, Stress, Most, Remind

The experts who managed the original Marshall Plan say Afghanistan needs a commitment of at least $5 to $10 billion over 5 to 10 years, coupled with occupation forces of 250,000 Allied soldiers to keep the peace throughout the country.

- Ted Rall

Country, Occupation, Least, Experts

It's a perfectly valid position to not like Shakespeare.

- Ted Rall

Like, Valid, Perfectly, Shakespeare

The best thing about being a cartoonist is to walk into a bar or someone's apartment and they don't know you, but they've taped one of your pieces up.

- Ted Rall

Best, About, Being, Cartoonist

I'm a better editorial cartoonist by default because so many editorial cartoonists out there are so awful.

- Ted Rall

Better, Editorial, Default, Cartoonist

I never consciously do any work directly influenced from any movie, unless I'm doing a parody.

- Ted Rall

Work, Doing, Movie, Parody

Up until 1995, I still had a day job that I hated. I was still personally involved in things in the 90s.

- Ted Rall

Still, Had, Day Job, Hated

Orrin Hatch was the keynote speaker at the last meeting of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. He sought me out because he was a fan. I was thinking he had confused me with someone else.

- Ted Rall

Last, Hatch, Editorial, Meeting

Comics are too big. You can't say any kind or genre of comics is better than another. You can say so subjectively. But to say it like it's objective is wrong. It's wrong morally, because it cuts out stuff that's good.

- Ted Rall

Big, Another, Comics, Objective

I think Dilbert is actually a radical strip.

- Ted Rall

Think, I Think, Actually, Strip

Conservative humor is frankly harder than liberal humor. You get points for just being liberal. You can get more points if you make fun of your own side sometimes.

- Ted Rall

Conservative, More, Side, Liberal

Even though I'm a leftist. I think the left eats its own.

- Ted Rall

Think, I Think, Though, Eats

On the ground, Pakistan is the most virulently anti-American state on the planet.

- Ted Rall

Planet, Most, Pakistan, Anti-American

When I put together a graphic novel, I don't think about literary prose. I think about storytelling.

- Ted Rall

Think, Storytelling, Prose, Graphic

I don't think anyone has written a great graphic novel.

- Ted Rall

Think, Anyone, Written, Graphic

I think Maus I is better than Maus II. The standard here is whether or not it's as good as a great book of prose literature and by that standard, no, it's not that great.

- Ted Rall

Here, Standard, Prose, Literature

I think jazz is good, but I don't enjoy it. It's not for me.

- Ted Rall

Me, Think, I Think, Jazz

Anyone should be able to read comics.

- Ted Rall

Able, Read, Anyone, Comics

I'm a better polemicist in prose.

- Ted Rall

Better, Prose

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