March 10, 2024:
Well, I’ve diligently avoided the bug for four years, but now it’s my turn.
Feeling a bit puny on the first of the month with a raspy throat; it quickly turned to a fever and aches. Testing was negative the first few days, but by Sunday, the dreaded “T” line showed up.
The first few days were the worst; and then the uncertainty, regret and angst of (1) where I may caught it and (2) who I may have given it to (so far only my wife, who is a few days behind the continuum in it’s progression).
I am thankful, however, to the public and private entities that came up with ways to fight this disease, the medical professionals and others who risked their lives, livelihoods and personal safety to fight it, and local government entities who worked to shape public policy to mitigate the impacts. It’s still damn serious, but much more routine than four years ago.
Did it work? In some respects, no; the knucklehead incompetent mafia-boss wannabee and his underlings didn’t have a clue; his followers, instead of coalescing for the public good, threatened public health workers, public school officials and disrupted the public good – all because that maybe their kids should wear a mask and wash their hands. Do these people even wipe their ass?
It appears America has lost it’s friggin’ mind with the cult of Trump, marching him toward the GOP nomination. This will be one of the ugliest episodes America has experienced since 1968. At least the quarter of the country has fallen under the spell of a con-man, rapist, fraud, mob-boss wannabee who brings out folks’ worst with violence and hatred – including those who claim to pious evangelists. Out of the fog will come some cartoons from this.
I am honored to be the featured artist again on the AAEC website this Saturday, March 16. I’ve added a few cartoons for that event, which are included on the cartoon page.. You should visit there website and support them. www.editorialcartoonists.com
Below is some recent rolling blog history. Be well and chin up!
January 17: Three drown while crossing the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass; the Texas Department of Public Safety blocks the Border Patrol from saving them. Later, they said, “that’s ok, they were dead already anyway.” Gov. Abbott says in a right-wing talk radio show, “we’d shoot them, but we’d be charged with murder.” Duh. Problem is, the white Texas Republicans think they’re so much closer to God than darker-skinned people, they completely lose perspective of compassion, dignity and thrive on dehumanization. It’s a fundamental trait of Trumpism.
January 15: Escambia School District in Florida bans dictionaries and encyclopedias from their shelves; while they claim they are “under review” there’s no timeline for their return. How the hell do kids in Florida read and write? (Hint: maybe that’s the plan, Trump said he loves the “uneducated.” (A follow-up: while visiting Grand Turk, my wife and I met a woman and her husband who were both educators in the aforementioned school district. A homespun take is that she was from Washington State initially and had moved there. I asked about the “book bans”; she said they have straightened that issue out. I hope so, fascists, populists and conservatives (which can be used interchangeably more and more) would just as soon keep you angry as well as stupid.
January 10: Stanley Cup confusion, Taylor Swift football draw, as an attempt to add a little humor (especially since I’m cooped up due to the weather).
January 6 is the anniversary of the attack on our democracy.
I can remember walking with my wife at a park when I heard of the events unfolding.
I was unspeakably angry, ready to deck any Republican I saw – if I could only find one.
I still am angry, and will be til the end of my days. I understand anger is not healthy, but I will channel it int he best, most helpful ways I can.
This was a dress rehearsal for authoritarians who would love to enrich themselves, have poisoned our relationships with each other and say to hell with your freedom. As Liz Cheney said, “There are no bystanders in this fight.” If you want to be ruled by them, then go on about your business.
If you don’t, better get ready for a fight, because they’re not stopping until they rule, unchecked. And never forget January 6 – it’s just the rehearsal.
Thanks for tuning in.