Life — September 2, 1920 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Page Analysis This page contains a political poem ("Lo, the Poor Bull Moose!") on the left and a Colt firearms advertisement on the right. The poem references the "Bull Moose" — likely Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party (symbolized by a bull moose) from around 1912. The verse satirizes the movement's initial promise as a reform force ("A symbol of the Great Unbiased"), mocking how it failed to deliver ("tamed to bear a load" / "ploughs the fields of Privilege"). The attribution to "John Strong Nursery" appears to be a satirical pen name. The advertisement is unrelated political content — a straightforward Colt Firearms pitch emphasizing quality and reliability over 80 years, targeted at those valuing craftsmanship. The juxtaposition suggests Life magazine's editorial stance: skepticism toward populist political movements alongside mainstream commercial messaging.