I'm not a lot of help, but my thoughts on copyrights as far as the cartoon strip --  Get permission from the author of the strip and you should be ok.  Generaly I try not to use something like that, which will be duplicated in print or sent to numerous folks in one e-mailing, without written (even e-mail) permission from the author.  And then when you do use it, give credit to author and possibly even where you got it from (i.e.: Jane Doe, NY Times, Sat, May 15, 2001).

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member