Life — May 4, 1922 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Life magazine page satirizes major American events from approximately 1920-1922. The cartoons mock: 1. **18th Amendment enforcement**: Border agents chase bootleggers and smugglers, critiquing Prohibition's ineffectiveness. 2. **Irish independence**: Questions whether negotiations will bring "lull or peace," referencing ongoing conflict. 3. **Labor strikes**: Coal miners' strike depicted as prolonged argument with minimal resolution. 4. **General crime**: Shows criminal activity continuing despite authorities' efforts. 5. **Genoa Conference**: International diplomacy attempting to address "Future Wealth of Russia," likely referencing post-Russian Revolution economic discussions. The artist (W.S. Enright) presents a cynical view: despite government intervention and negotiations, fundamental problems—Prohibition failure, labor unrest, crime, geopolitical uncertainty—persist unchanged. The title emphasizes how rapidly political situations shift without real resolution.