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Welcome to You Write the Caption, the Charlotte Observer cartoon caption contest, an opportunity to test your wit and win a prize. Each Monday, Observer editorial cartoonist Kevin Siers will post a political cartoon that needs a caption and invite readers to write one.
New! New! New!
Submit your caption here online! Just click the "Comments" link below this post and type your caption. Posters must leave an e-mail address, so we can contact the finalists (your e-mail address is not displayed on your post). Feel free to stop by again and keep up with the action, checking to see what your fellow caption writers have come up with. After all, why should we judges get all the fun? Enter as many times as you wish -- all submissions must be posted by noon, Thursday, Feb. 14.
For a discussion about last week's winners, please see the "Comments" section below the previous post.
Good luck, and have fun!
"I think it's time to send him back to the island of misfit toys!!!"
"It doesn't have any popup controls!!!"
Posted by: Laura Thompson | February 11, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Can I trade this toy for the Big Al with Bozo hair model?
You can't keep a good man down...
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I'm holding this in contempt.
I think this one is out of commission.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 09:20 AM
We're not bonding...
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 09:24 AM
But Dad it's not my fault it's broken, every time I stuffed him back down, he'd just pop back out again. Can you fix it?
Posted by: Michael Wyche | February 11, 2008 at 09:29 AM
He really is a weasel!
Kenneth Crawley
4810 Ticino Lane
Charlotte, NC 28227
(704)545-7934
Posted by: Kenneth Crawley | February 11, 2008 at 09:47 AM
It's tough to keep a lid on this clown.
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Mackey Boy...
Posted by: D.Cox | February 11, 2008 at 09:53 AM
What's wrong with our party's elected officials making the final decision? It worked just fine in Charlotte.
Posted by: Richard Hough | February 11, 2008 at 09:55 AM
This is why he hardly spoke to anyone, he's got no leg to stand on!
Posted by: R. Hough | February 11, 2008 at 10:03 AM
"I think it's broken. No matter how many times I spin it, Chipp Bailey doesn't come out on top"
Posted by: M. Loper | February 11, 2008 at 11:11 AM
"Why change the tune? These things all play "Pop Goes The Weasel"
Posted by: Bob Childrez | February 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
If you crank it too much, justice will go blind.
Made in Burlington.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I think his spring has sprung for good!
Posted by: Gary Turner | February 11, 2008 at 11:49 AM
MLK had a dream; this toy is a nightmare!
It sounded good at first; then some scary things came out.
It's a frightening political machine!
Can we return this party favor?
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Shall I close the top?
Posted by: Craig Hoffman | February 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Shall I close the top?
Posted by: Craig Hoffman | February 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
"It doesn't have a 'passed inspection' sticker!"
Posted by: Laura Thompson | February 11, 2008 at 01:48 PM
"An Ace in the hole? Looks more like a joke in the box to me."
Posted by: Robert McKenzie | February 11, 2008 at 02:53 PM
What you mean I can't control him
Posted by: Peggy Edmunds | February 11, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I swear Dad, I don't know why it shows up on the neighbor's credit card bill.
Posted by: w. williams | February 11, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Can you check the mail, he's expecting some new clothes. He keeps saying a suit is coming.
Posted by: w.williams | February 11, 2008 at 06:04 PM
So you're saying that we shouldn't have toyed with the rules?
Posted by: Bill Shuping | February 11, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Things were going great in our party until this little guy popped up.
Posted by: Bill Shuping | February 11, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Hey Reverend Sharpton, don't you want to play with it any more?
Posted by: w.williams | February 11, 2008 at 09:39 PM
"Excuse me sir? Could you spare some change to buy another...this one isn't working for me anymore..."
Posted by: A Yeh | February 11, 2008 at 10:07 PM
"Whazzup!"
"Were you expecting Al?"
"And you thought Al Sharpton was a real joker!"
Posted by: Frank E. | February 11, 2008 at 10:24 PM
If you can play pin the tail on the donkey, why can't we pin the star on this a*%!
Elephants never forget, donkeys don't recall.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 10:30 PM
"He keeps playing the same old tune and popping out of nowhere!"
Posted by: suzanne & co. | February 11, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Little known, little content, little character.
I think this came from St. Nickeless...
This would have been recalled.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM
You think this is a surprise - wait until you see what else the weasel does.
Posted by: Don Clewley | February 12, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Let me wind it up again, and next time it will be different.
Posted by: B. Barger | February 12, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Since the clowns all work for the Observer, we settled for the bald black guy.
Harley Gamble
1219 Jamestowne Drive
Monroe, NC 28110-8308
704.564.8778
Posted by: Harley Gamble | February 12, 2008 at 07:45 AM
"This is the quality of gift to expect when the net gets lowered!"
"It must have been made in China since it went over like a lead balloon!"
Posted by: Laura Thompson | February 12, 2008 at 07:46 AM
"Next week we'll be selling antenna balls."
"There's a name for my pain, and it's Nick Mackey."
"I tried to keep him in the dark, but he keeps popping up!"
Posted by: Frank E. | February 12, 2008 at 09:49 AM
"He's all wound up and no place to go!"
"When you wind him up he just repeats himself over and over again!"
Posted by: suzanne & co. | February 12, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I would put him back in, but he has a restraining order against his box.
Posted by: Steve Slater | February 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM
What did you expect? I got it at WalMart.
Posted by: Steve Slater | February 12, 2008 at 10:11 AM
It's plays a sad song and exhibits a lack of restraint.
This toy is too cold!-5 degrees above a zero.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 12, 2008 at 10:31 AM
"But Mr Helms, we bought it for you."
Posted by: Newton Hoey | February 12, 2008 at 11:38 AM
All around the dais they drew.
Erdman at his easel.
How would it end? Everyone knew.
Out goes the weasel!!!
suzanne-you are a bright spot on this mostly cloudy day!
Posted by: Laura Thompson | February 12, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Really, the thrill is gone.
Posted by: Tim Saam | February 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
It won't work unless his lawyer turns the handle.
Posted by: w. williams | February 12, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Meal or no meal?
Posted by: frieda | February 12, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I like this simple old model better than the new one that has a Chipp in it.
Posted by: Carolyn Hudson | February 12, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Guess I thought that naming a new Sheriff would be child's play!
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 12, 2008 at 03:35 PM
If you lock him up, we'll just spring him!
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 12, 2008 at 03:49 PM
"Dude"
Posted by: Frank E. | February 12, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Now he wants to play musical "Chairs"
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM
It takes a real jackass to crank out a mess like this!
Posted by: Rodney Robinson | February 12, 2008 at 06:20 PM
"What do you expect, we don't have any super delegates here"
Posted by: Dan Burger | February 12, 2008 at 06:26 PM
"It's no fun anymore, since we all know what everyone is thinking for a caption!!!"
Posted by: macktheknife | February 12, 2008 at 06:43 PM
He gets a little cranky when I try to take his badge.
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 12, 2008 at 07:36 PM
It surely is a totally different way of looking at the cartoon now that you can read others thoughts! Too bad you couldn't put music notes by your caption LT that was great!!!
Posted by: suzanne & co. | February 12, 2008 at 08:00 PM
By combining this set of enormous legs with this tiny torso I will create the ultimate crimefighter!!!
Posted by: Jason M | February 12, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Is it possible for me to make a bigger "ASS" of myself?
Posted by: Joe Sherrill | February 13, 2008 at 05:44 AM
“I had a Hilary in a box, but she got so wound up in herself, she wouldn’t bounce back.”
Posted by: Daniel Burleson | February 13, 2008 at 08:02 AM
"Sorry Mack, Bailey's Back!"
I turned the crank and he popped out, but all I wanted was his star to play Mayberry!"
Posted by: suzanne & co. | February 13, 2008 at 08:51 AM
"It was reasonable to ass u me the election was on the up and up!!!"
"Let's hope he doesn't have a 'big mac' attack!!!"
I'm exhausted. Happy Valentymes Everybuddy!
Posted by: Laura Thompson | February 13, 2008 at 08:54 AM
But the county snuck behind my back to elect this puppet leader!
Posted by: Ross Levin | February 13, 2008 at 08:58 AM
It used to play "Pop Goes The Weasel," but now it sings "Hit the Road, Mack"!
****
Next time, can I have a marionette?
Posted by: Bill Carroll | February 13, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Why would a lawyer/MBA want a $115,000 county sheriff's job? I don't know...
Representing criminal justice.
He keeps doing the "I Don't Know" gang sign.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I don't think he's dumb-he just leaves everyone speechless.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 09:59 AM
He's requesting we create a "Low Sheriff"
EEOC position.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 10:04 AM
It's tailor-made, but unsuitable.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Come on Dad, one more trip to the nursing home and I'll have enough money to get the Erdman the Nerdman doll too.
Posted by: j. williams | February 13, 2008 at 10:25 AM
The spin doctors say this is incurable.
Crime fighting agent Double O-Zero! Bond. What bond?
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM
The umpire said "After review, the election was out of bounds and Mackey will be charged and placed in time-out."
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
"Can we just forget about this toy and get me a 'Tickle Me Obama'?"
Posted by: Carolyn Hudson | February 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM
See, Now you see him, now you don't!
Posted by: Tyrone Drawdy | February 13, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I said "Take me to Jack in the Box!"
Can I trade this for a "Chipp" on my shoulder?
It's OK, look, Now you see him, now you don't!
Posted by: Tyrone Drawdy | February 13, 2008 at 12:11 PM
It plays, "Stop goes the Commissioners."
You should have seen him pop out, he scared the County Commissioners good!
If he doesn't win, he'll open a burger joint.
"Don't know Mack about you? Stop hanging around."
Posted by: William Owens | February 13, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Excuse me Sir? Would you like to see my magic trick....don't look to closely?
Thank you Sir! May I have another?
Never mind how it works, just accept it.
Attention to details, who needs details???
Posted by: Michael R Overkamp | February 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I know we've got a warehouse full of them, but Valerie Woodard is the only person that bought one.
Posted by: w williams | February 13, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Jerry Meek! Did you get bigger or did we get smaller?
Posted by: w williams | February 13, 2008 at 02:02 PM
HGTV & CNN are doing a joint venture-Mission Precinct Organization-Mackey's hosting.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 02:32 PM
It's an accredited teaching tool for Barber Scotia College.
Who said this thing had no downside?
I just can't recall!
I don't know Jack!
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Underneath it all, it says "Manufactured by Reyes & Erdman"
How do you expect us lawyers to follow all these legalities?
Posted by: D. Cox | February 13, 2008 at 03:26 PM
So now I'm grounded because he's not?
It's not working. Do you still have the receipt?
Maybe we could get a store credit at FAO Sharpton.
Is there a provision in the statutes for a do over?
Posted by: Brent Sheppard | February 13, 2008 at 03:54 PM
"He just keeps popping up, whether I want him to or not."
Posted by: John Bradey | February 13, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Since this is no good, I'd like a Monopoly game.
Posted by: Carolyn Hudson | February 13, 2008 at 05:07 PM
"It are future president!"
Posted by: Derrick Clark | February 13, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I knew he was gonna wind up causing us trouble.
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 13, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Badges??? We don't need no stinking badges!
Posted by: w williams | February 13, 2008 at 09:55 PM
It's broke, I want my money back.
Does this thing have instructions to make it work?
I'd like to trade this in for a David Erdman Bobblehead Doll.
Posted by: William Owens | February 14, 2008 at 12:12 AM
It says we won by this much!
Posted by: Ross Levin | February 14, 2008 at 08:26 AM
But , But , But Revrend Sharpton helped crank the handle !
Posted by: Jackie Hubbard | February 14, 2008 at 08:49 AM
What do you mean??? ...we won, thats all that matters. This is so unfair!
Posted by: Michael Overkamp | February 14, 2008 at 09:22 AM
"Seriously I tried, I just can't get Mack
back in the box."
"Honestly, I didn't think it was broken."
"What? It was working perfectly before."
"Bill James broke it not me !"
"Really Uncle Parks, I don't think raising
taxes will fix this."
"What would Hannah Montanna do in a spot
like this."
"Oh great, everything else around here is
broken, but this they notice."
"Can't we do what we always do and just
blame the Republicans."
Posted by: Jessie McCulloh | February 14, 2008 at 09:36 AM
"It was the hottest item around before Christmas! Now I can't even sell it on Ebay!"
Posted by: hotsaucebill | February 14, 2008 at 09:53 AM
What goes round, comes round.
He's not going to take it anymore!
We're running late for an appointment!
He's willing to be flexible and rises to the occasion.
He's not our huckleberry.
He can't toe the party line.
Spring hopes eternal.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
"I DON'T MAKE THE BOXES! I JUST TURN THE HANDLE!"
Posted by: CHARLES RANDALL | February 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Charlotte hasn't seen this much scandel since the Shinns left town!
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 14, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Charlotte hasn't seen this much scandal since the Shinns left town!
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
BBC News-Charlotte sheriff election gets Nicked!
This whole ordeal makes all of us look like an ass.
Mission Impossible: This party may disintegrate in five seconds.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 14, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Now he just wants a Chair, guess he's tired of "lying".
Posted by: Ken Irving | February 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM
He's changed his tune to "Theme from Shaft"
The star is a little tarnished.
I'm not a crank addict.
We could let him do warrants-but that might be self-serving.
Posted by: D. Cox | February 14, 2008 at 11:16 AM
"Look, mister, I'm standing here waiting for you to make up your mind."
(Nick to Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life)
It's an entropic model...NM over CMSO = disorder.
Do they make Least Wanted posters?
Can I trade it for one that plays."Won't you come home, Chipp Bailey?"
When you close the lid you hear-"I'm coming up, so you better this party started.!
Posted by: D. Cox | February 14, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Caption:
"I am really a donkey, but Mackey is making me look like a jackass!"
Kevin,
I like the new format that let's us share all the other entries. It is a bit humbling, however.
JB
Posted by: John Bailey | February 14, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I didn't even know he was in the toy box.
Would it help if I used my Eddie Murphy voice?
We could play with my Lynx toy train instead.
He reorganized the toy box but I don't think he did it right.
Posted by: Brent Sheppard | February 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
His out of the box thinking made us all look like jack asses.
Posted by: clayton watkins | February 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM