Just some ideas from my sketchbook. I'm not sure if there is anything here I want to use or not.

In an effort to protect our children, schools around the country are banning the playing of tag. I know this is very high on the list of things I want to protect my children from. Running, chasing and laughing are far too dangerous to permit on a playground. Let's keep these violent games where they belong, in small padded rooms (to prevent injury) with teams of therapists on hand to help heal any possible emotional scars.

AP PHOTO/BEIJING PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU, HO

Meet China's latest crime fighting duo. The Beijing Public Security Bureau's internet patrol. (Read the story here)

Can there be anything creepier than having a cute little anime communist police officer pop up onto your computer screen to warn you about looking at "illegal internet content"?

Put aside the fact that these cute faces may be the last thing you see before you are dragged off for interrogation. I've always found these type of anime characters disconcerting. A little too happy, too cute like they are hiding something. The same feeling I get when I see the teletubbies.

The sad part of this is, the first thing I thought when I read this was, I wonder if American companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are helping the Chinese with efforts like this? They've helped them in the past.

I did this cartoon for tomorrow and as I was about to post it, I thought you all could have a lot of fun with this one if I took out the caption and let you have a crack at it first.

Just click on the comments below the cartoon and submit what you would have said and I'll post what I did later tonight.

Eric Devericks/The Seattle Times

Dick Cheney knows what he is talking about. This YouTube video is iron clad proof.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a Wal-Mart shopper. I love low prices. Hell, I need low prices. This cartoon idea came from a note I wrote in my sketchbook a couple days ago.

"Maybe low prices have consequences?"

The city plans to spend $500,000 to bolster police presence near Westlake Center and Pike Place Market through the end of the year.

Who knew I was so influential? Hopefully, the increased police presence will help with the problem.

My colleague, Joni Balter has a great column in today's paper ( she also has a podcast here ) about this as well.

If you have a personal experience with these problem areas post a comment. I'm curious if you think this will solve the problem?

Eric Devericks

Eric Devericks/The Seattle Times

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Here was the alternate cartoon idea that I chose not to go with. I would always prefer to simplify the cartoon if possible. This one would have been good too though.

It just keeps getting worse. Mattel issued another recall of toys that are dangerous.

I've mentioned this before but this issue continues to hit home for me. Turns out my children have more of these recalled toys. "Sarge" from Disney's "Cars" movie was painted with lead paint. My 4 year old son is a huge fan of these toy cars. Since the movie came out he has collected nearly all of them through presents from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and his mom and I. And if that isn't bad enough his baby brother, now 1 year old, also loves the cars too. But like all toddlers his age he puts everything in his mouth.

While nearly all the coverage of these recalls have focused on the problems of Chinese manufacturing, Mattel is where the blame belongs in my opinion. 9.3 million dangerous toys went out for sale and they had no idea there was a problem? They are the ones who are responsible for the safety of their products. They should have safety checks in place. They should know what they are selling to our children. Now that everyone is worked up over poor manufacturing practices in China, (big surprise there!!) as they should be, it bothers me that Mattel isn't getting more of the brunt of this criticism.

When THEIR products are shoddy and THEIR products are dangerous, THEY should know about it no matter where or who manufactured them. And they should know about it BEFORE it gets into my sons mouth!

Here's a solution. How about before each new batch of toys goes out to our children the Mattel executives could take a minute and have a taste. Not every toy of course, that's disgusting. Just randomly select one or two from each major batch and suck on them for a few minutes, maybe even give 'em a chew just like my son does with his toys. Somehow I don't think we would have to worry about a lead paint recall again?

My kids watch Dora. My kids have Dora toys. Shame on Mattel for letting these lead painted toys reach the store.

Eric Devericks/The Seattle Times