What is that I see out of the corner of my eye? Is that a ray of hope?
Thank you Stacey Abrams, for all of your very hard work over the last decade, to bring more fairness to voting, both in Georgia, and in the country. You bring us hope for the future. we will try to live up to your example. (Written late Tuesday, before the Wednesday debacle in DC)
But now…we are not quite rid of Mittens yet, are we?*
We shall overcome!
Panda on!
Bob T Panda
(Note: You should probably not read past here if you don’t want to get angry all over again)
*You Broke it You Bought It
I add this in the wee hours of Thursday, It has been a hell of a day in DC. Our nation’s Capitol, attacked by thugs, deliberately urged on not only at tRUmp’s hate rally this morning, but since before the election, as he told his most virulent supporters not to stand down, but to “stand back and stand by.”
This was no peaceful protest. This was a riot, instigated by the person who would demand our loyalty, allegiance, who would claim for his own all the resources of this country.
Over 350,000 people have died from a pandemic that was in his power to halt. But he chose his own interests (so he thought) over the health and safety of this country’s people. His vile minions broke into the halls of Congress, took selfies in offices that they broke into and ransacked. The defiled our institutions. This was no peaceful sit in. This was a lawless mob.
I am beyond despair, beyond anger. With each beacon of hope-this week from the election of Jon Ossoff and rReverend Raphael Warnock-comes the corresponding backlash of evil toxicity from Donald J Trump. To the Senators and House members who have chosen to follow him down this road of false narratives, I have nothing but contempt. The stain of their rejection of the oath they swore to the Constitution should follow them for the rest of their life. There should be no redemption for them.
I fear for my friends in the DC area. Please stay safe. I have to believe we will get through this, but we will be ever changed, and our country’s reputation will forever be tarnished by these events.
I don’t know if it helps you to hear this, but I thought maybe — yesterday’s events were horrifying, and heartbreaking. I went back to the cartoon you posted after the 2016 presidential election and took a screenshot of the last panel. I’ve thought about that image a lot over the last four years, with Pinky and the Meihems emerging from the smoke, fists clenched, arms at the ready, unhappy but determined, looking tough. I’ve taken a lot of encouragement from it. Yesterday I left it up on my desktop so I could have a constant reminder that we can be brave pandas who stand up for what’s right, even when things are horrible.
Thank you for bringing us smiles in the dark times, but also for never letting the pandas (or us) lose sight of what’s right.
It means so much to read these words. As I sit in my studio, scratching pen on paper, quietly chortling to my self, or weeping or raging with fury over the latest outrages, I never know how people will receive what I do here. It makes me humble and proud to know that I’ve done some ‘toons that have continued to inspire. It really does help to know that what I do helps you get through these times, whether they are ‘toons that bring a smile, or ‘toons that reflect the dark times we are in.
If I have tried to do one thing, it is to be true to what I believe, and that is not always an easy thing to do. I spent a lot of my youth trying to be invisible, and so it is not a natural thing for me to speak out. I have seen a lot of commentary on the inter webs, from other artists/writers/musicians/actors, who are told to “stay in your lane.” As if we only exist to entertain, and to not hold a mirror up to the world that we live in. All art IS political, even if it doesn’t look like it.
Like Pinky and the Meihems (Hey! That would be a great name for a band!) I am determined to stand up for what’s right.
Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to write this message.
Panda on!
It’s just shocking that this is America not some banana republic. Don’t know what this means going forward.
I don’t know either. I only hope we can get our collective sh*t together.
Panda on.
I just signed Common Cause’s petition to get Trump out of office legally. Impeachment, invoke the 25th Amendment, resignation (dream on,)come to mind.
I am beyond anger. I am stone cold angry. Who in the hell does he think he is?
We are not interested in insurrection (read treason, high crimes and misdemeanors, etc.) This is the seat of our government, disrespected by a bunch of people who should know better. I know they feel disenfranchised, have lost jobs, feel that they are being manipulated by some fantasy Deep State(read ignorance, Qanon, etc.)or whatever conspiracy that has a name. But, can you read? Can you stand to hear another side? Are you reasonable?
Stone cold angry.
I am fine. We have good leaders in this DC area. Muriel Bowser, mayor of DC, great Governors of Virginia, Maryland, etc. Good decisions by people concerning defense of the Capitol FINALLY! The people who stormed the Capitol are terrorists, home grown.
I have been glued to the TV!
I have peeked at Bikkie! Those little leggies are stronger every day, and he is good at rock climbing! (With Mommee’s help.) I am amazed how strong he is! Such a pleasure!
Now I am calling the President’s office to urge him to resign. Enough is enough.
Stay safe. Be of good cheer.
It was the most heartbreaking day of my lifetime, I think, and I have had plenty. I think he does need to be removed from office. He has clearly shown to have no respect for life, or the law. He is responsible for every injury, every death, every defiled paper and and office.
I am glad you have such good local leadership. But without consequences, both for the actual rioters as well as Trump, and if he is allowed to stay in office, we have not seen the last of the damage.
Thank goodness for Bikkie therapy!!!
Cane you post the tune Kodachrome was texting about?
Thank God for pandas and dogs and cats. I can’t take much more.
Yes.
I can’t take much more either. I’m almost afraid to go to sleep.
Done!