November 12, 2008

Why is the golden rule so difficult for people to grasp? It's one of the most basic principles in life. Most every religion teaches it in some form or another. It's one of the first things we teach our children when getting them to play nice with each other.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

If you choose to marry someone that is your choice. You do not need to ask my permission to do so. Is it wrong that I ask for the same courtesy? The image to the right depicts LDS President Brigham Young and some of his many wives. They once fought for tolerance for their own kind of non-traditional marriage.

Recently my comic has been called "anti-Mormon". I think if anything my comic has been very kind to the LDS faith. I've taken on the lunatics who protest outside of the Salt Lake Temple and called them for what they were: bigots. I've drawn pictures of Muhammad, taken issue with Catholic priests, Jews, Westboro Baptist Church folk, cats, Republicans, Mac zealots, Evangelical Christians and polygamists. The worst the Mormons ever got was a re-written punchline about Celestial Marriage. And I re-wrote it because I did not want to take make light of the issue.

In light of the Prop 8 debacle the Mormon Church gets a little bit of my ire, too. And I dare say it's been EXTREMELY mild in the comic strip. Far milder than my treatment of pretty much everyone else in the world.

The part that REALLY bugs me about the "anti-Mormon" label is who is doing the name calling. A long-time reader who has re-written strips for fun and given whole story lines. We'll Call him "Isaac Hayes" and I call hypocrisy on him.

If you've ever watched South Park you know they've been merciless to EVERYONE. Not simple jabs. They've torn into Mormons especially hard and Isaac Hayes was a part of that. Later, when they turned their sites to Scientology Mr. Hayes got all up in arms about having to respect everyone's religion and quit the show.

The same thing has happened here. I am starting to be critical of someone's sacred cow. And now that it's HIS sacred cow the opinion has become that I write a terrible anti-Mormon comic strip.

News flash: No cow is sacred enough to be treated any differently than anyone else's. Eventually they all get sent to the slaughterhouse.

November 06, 2008

I'm about to get REAL preachy the next two days. I'm sorry. I just have a lot to say all of a sudden.

The Fed Seized My Guns and All I Got Was This Government Cheese.

Today's comic, and I feel I need to explain it here, isn't a slight against President Monson in any way shape or form. At least I hope not. Though if he is actually like this I'll be flabberghasted.

It's a good thing to have pride in your accomplishments to enjoy a good life you have worked hard for.

But then a Democrat (an extremely moderate one at that) gets elected and you're all salivating over how awesome guns are. Don't get me wrong... I think guns are fine. Whatever. Have at em. Know how to use em. Keep em away from kids who may kill themselves with them. Go hunting. Defend your life. Use them responsibly. That's really a no-brainer.

Where things get ridiculous (and I mean that in the most loving way) is with the stockpiles. And this notion people will use said stockpile to defend their home and their family from the Overlord Intruders who have come to take away their "stuff" and start sharing it with everyone else. Yeah yeah... taxes are the government stealing from you... whatever... your gun isn't going to protect you from taxes. Or is it?

And this love affair with guns. Guns are awesome! WOO! Do you really fantasize and swoon over chunks of metal? I guess I just don't get it. "Man! This gun can rip a beer-can-sized hole in a man from 400yards!" Somehow the ability to kill a person has become praise-worthy.

Do you ever stop to hear yourself talk? What if President Monson talked like this? Does he compare awesome firearms with Jesus? Does Jesus share tips on which bullets can blow bigger holes in things with the Pope? Is this what you were brought up to be like?

No one, and I mean NO ONE, here is saying you have to roll-over and be mugged, raped or killed. If you feel safer carrying a gun into a school, a church, on the street then please do. Go crazy. Carry em everywhere. But give the ability to take a life the sobering respect it deserves. Hand guns are really only good for one thing and that's killing people (and I guess threatening to kill people). At least a knife can be used to cut fruit.

Am I missing something? Please explain it to me.