Life — April 19, 1928 — page 21: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes American interventionism, likely from the early 20th century. Uncle Sam (identified by his star-emblazoned jacket and characteristic appearance) holds a rifle and a child labeled "Nicaragua" while saying "And quit laughing, dye hear!" The title references the biblical parable about removing the beam from one's own eye before criticizing the mote in another's—suggesting American hypocrisy. Uncle Sam demands Nicaragua stop laughing while he himself commits violence against the smaller nation. The cartoon critiques U.S. military intervention in Central America, implying America lacks moral authority to police others' conduct while pursuing imperial ambitions. The contrast between Sam's aggressive posture and his indignant tone emphasizes the satirical point about selective morality.