Cartoon Contest

I just got this email from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Editorial Cartoon Contest Will Draw Attention to the Misuse and Abuse of Science
Top Cartoonists Will Judge Amateur, Professional Talent in "Science Idol"

WASHINGTON, DC - Teaming up with leading editorial and strip cartoonists, the
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced an editorial cartoon contest
to draw attention to political interference in science. Science Idol: the
Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest will bring together aspiring
cartoonists to compete to win a number of prizes, including an all-expenses paid
trip to meet the celebrity judge of their choice. A second contest for
professional cartoonists will run concurrently with Science Idol.

Contest judges include New Yorker cartoon editor Robert Mankoff; Philadelphia
Inquirer cartoonist Tony Auth and Christian Science Monitor cartoonist Clay
Bennett, both winners of the Pulitzer Prize; and Rhymes with Orange creator
Hillary Price.

"The absurdity of political interference in science is fertile ground for
satire," said Dr. Francesca Grifo, Senior Scientist and Director of the Union of
Concerned Scientists' Scientific Integrity Program. "We hope these contests
encourage amateur and professional cartoonists alike to express concern --
through humor and art -- about the impact of the abuse of science on our safety,
health and environment."

The submission deadline for both contests is 11:59 p.m. EST on July 31, 2006.

Science Idol: Amateur artists are invited to submit their work to UCS. Entries
can address the abuse of science in general or highlight one or more of the ways
in which science has been misused (the muzzling of global warming scientists or
the suppression of studies on the harmful effects of mercury on women are two of
many possible topics). The celebrity judge panel will work with UCS to narrow
the pool to twelve finalists. The public will then choose the Grand Prize winner
by voting through the contest website (www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol). The Grand
Prize winner will receive a host of prizes, including $500 and an
all-expenses-paid trip to have lunch with the celebrity judge of his or her
choice.

Scientific Integrity Professional Cartoon Contest:
Professional cartoonists are invited to submit cartoons to UCS that have been or
will be published in daily or weekly newspapers or magazines between May 1 and
July 31 (or are scheduled to be published by October 1, 2006). Their peers will
determine the best cartoon and the winning artist will receive a cash prize.

DEADLINES:
Entries are due for professionals and nonprofessionals by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 31, 2006.
Finalists for Science Idol will be posted on the contest website on September 5, 2006.

HOW TO ENTER
For entry instructions please visit the contest website at
http://www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol