Sun cartoonist Mike Smith’s World: The ‘09 Collection

Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Mike Smith Year In Review 2009

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Mike Smith shares his favorite cartoons from 2009.

Mike Smith - 2009

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Last year we were thankful, like most Americans, that 2008 was ending, and hoping for something better in 2009. Who knew things would go the way they did? And what a way they went.

Even though the dismal economy turned into the “Great Recession,” Wall Street fat cats were still passing out obscene bonuses. In Washington, divisive partisanship marked just about everything — health care reform, policy in Afghanistan and the president’s choice of a pet. Then there were the wacky theatrics of humanity, which included some high-profile train wrecks. There was Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer and pitchman for Nike and Gatorade, having to acknowledge infidelity, tarnishing his once squeaky-clean image. And Nevada’s own Sen. John Ensign, whose family values — and rising political star — came crashing to Earth after he admitted to having an affair. It turned out to be an affair with a campaign aide — who just happened to be married to Ensign’s once-best friend and chief of staff.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Dare we mention Sarah Palin extending her 15 minutes of fame with her book, “Going Rogue,” or the scare over swine flu?

Thinking back, it’s almost too unbelievable to be true. Thankfully, we have Mike Smith, the Las Vegas Sun’s editorial cartoonist, to chronicle it all. His work is nationally syndicated and appears, among other places, in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and Newsweek. One of Mike’s cartoons from 2009 was chosen by Time.com as one of the 10 best editorial cartoons of the year. His deft touch, sharp wit and wicked sense of humor put it all in perspective — with a good chuckle. We hope you enjoy this retrospective of some of his best cartoons from the past year as much as we did.