Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for April 20, 2012

How VERY true.

Biting my tongue VERY firmly…

Made me laugh.

Congratulations, Jan! This is funny, timely, and right on the money. A gentle reminder that we all need to be educated about civic affairs (no intent to bring up the Secret Service there), and to be willing to engage in polite discourse (a humorous approach is a very good start), is a favor to all your readers. Don’t let the naysayers crush your spirit!

I agree totally, we should only talk to people who share our POV and jokes in comic strips should never, ever relate to events in the real world. Snark.

the truth is painful

I don’t think she was choosing sides there; in one of the prior strips they complained about both parties.

lots of us need a new human heart

I love these recent strips! Way to go, Jan!

I think it’s hysterical. Absolutely love this strip. (And both sides have “back room dudes”.)

The problem with discussing politics these days is that everyone takes everything so personally. One of my parents was a Republican and the other was a Democrat. Sure, most of the time they cancelled out each other’s vote, but they could discuss politics rationally and still continue to vote as they saw fit. That would never happen now. If you are not on one side, then you are the enemy and therefore a complete idiot. Ridiculous. Both sides have good points, but everyone is so dedicated to insulting the other side that no one will consider anything that the other side is trying to say.I’m fine with these strips – it’s some of the insulting comments that I have problems with.

Jan nailed this. It is our ignorace and complacency that all of the backroom dudes are counting on. And ever since the Citizens United decision, money is even more of an influence, than it has ever been. Our government is completely bought and paid for.

LOL, I for one think this thread is really funny!

Actually politics in comics may be the only way to get people interested. I find too many people are apathetic.

That is the final straw. If I want BIASED, crude politics, I will watch NBC. I used to like Eliot’s strip. Now it is deleted from my list. I also get this in my newspaper. I will tell them to ban this to the editorial page.

You know, when I want political statements, I view the political cartoons. Please, please, please get off this political kick. I want to smile again!

Agree completely, afficionado!

Did the cartoonist say that the “backroom dudes” were on only one side of the fence, or which side it was? No, she did not.

Let’s keep broad minds all around, shall we?

Just about time to drop this"comic". If Jan Eliot wants to wax politically, there’s the editorial page!

At least this is one of those strips which isn’t afraid to admit the real world exists.

Political cartoons have been around for a long time, on the comics page. Anyone ever heard of Walt Kelly, Al Capp or Harold Gray?

Bad enough we get liberal news cast, now we get left wing comments in comics. I guess when you run out of funny ideas you turn to left wing politics – Wrote Stone Soup down on a piece of paper and drew a line through it. NO MORE!

Give Cheney a break, he served as the greatest Vice President this country ever had. Let the man have a peacefull retirement.

Man, this is one of my favorite strips. Please don’t lib out on me. I vote with my keyboard.

Wonder whether there’s some significance to the sleeping Luci?

Oh, are you one of the backroom dudes profiting from ignorance and complacency? Because shutting down dissenting voices is one of their goals.

No need to wonder about the cartoonist’s political persuasion.

When the paper asks which strips to drop, I’ll add this one to the Doonesbury. Bye!

Still running against Bush and Cheney eh? They’re NOT in power any more. How’s that hopy changy crap working out for ya??

I have really loved Stone Soup for years. Why suddenly politics?? Very disappointed. Please stay away from politics and come back to lovely family story.

Wow, a lot of sensitive boo-hooing this week. It’s amazing how some people take cartoons personally.

@ Mac61That may be the funniest thing I’ve ever read.

Just another typical media type; slightly to the left of chairman Mao, and bound and determined to force their views on the rest of us. However should any of us complain, WE are the cretins, ba$tards, etc.

Universal Health care? Oh yes, THAT’S the answer Jan. A completely incompetent goverment running our healthcare. Brilliant!Dick Chaney’s heart! Gotta love how libs want their conservative friends to die. How is YOUR heart Jan? Enough of this stupid strip for me.

Now that both sides have expressed their vies, please STFU! Let it go! If you don’t like the humor or find it offensive click to the next comic. If you find it funny continue reading it. I grow weary over this banal carping. Drop it!

Cheny as a “back room” controller gimme a break…Why doesnt the cartoonist do a little research into George Soros if she’s looking for those “dudes”

I read the comics to get away from the editorials. Because myself and 2/3 of the country don’t like a health care bill that was rammed down our throats with bribes ,we’re bad. You support the illegals with your “funny strip” Goodbye!

Mean spirited liberalism isn’t funny

Sigh.. Another otherwise good cartoon gone to hell!

Congrats. You just lost another loyal reader. I have not missed this strip in over 7 years, but I will never read it again. Your phony liberal “compassion” is once again shown to be only for those that share your views. In truth, you’ve shown yourself to be the narrow minded bigot. Goodbye.

Disgusting – when did this change from a comic to a political attack on republicans?

“But fortunately I have the key to escape reality,And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile.It don’t cost very much, but it lasts a long while.Won’t you please tell the man I didn’t kill anyone?No, I’m just trying to have me some fun.”

I get enough of the bleeding heart liberal crap from broadcast news. Read the comics for relief from that. So enough already Ms Jan.

While I disagree with the sentiment, it is Jan’s right to express it. What is distressing is that she seems to actually believe that people she disagrees with (the “Right”) are not merely wrong — from her point of view — but of evil intent. And she’s not alone, unfortunately.

IMO “Stone Soup” is a fine strip, but I agree that the liberal politics here is jolting, unnecessary, and most importantly, not funny. It would be too bad if enough people bailed from the strip to shut it down before Jan learns her lesson.

Enough of what, calling out those who deserve it?

Mac61: “Cheney served as the greatest Vice President this country ever had.” Now THAT is hilarious.

Time to put this on the editorial page along with Doonesbury.

@realist666 —ever heard of power laws or the 80/20 rule?

If you can’t say something nice about somebody don’t say anything at all.

That’s it. I’m hitting the ‘delete’ button on this strip. I’ve had it up to my ears with cartoonists who editorialize in what are supposed to be amusing strips. Also, what the @#!$ makes Jan think I care what her opinions are? If I want an editorial cartoon I’ll go to the editorials page. Feh!Also, p.s., it is beyond the pale to wish harm to someone just because you don’t like his politics. I’m outta here.

I would just like to thank you because I’ve been following your comics since the beginning and was enjoying them very much so thank you for that and if you hadn’t gone on these political rants I never would have looked for a new comic but you have and so I have and I found a great new one were the cartoonist has enough creative to not like the stresses of everyday life get in the way of their Job! making others laugh and forget about stress…so thanks I love my new comic “Luann”

Comics were invented as political/social commentary. Later when they drew more attention from kids, some were toned down to be “family friendly.”

I know that if I can’t take the opposing view then I really don’t understand them. If you don’t understand the other side then you really can’t argue with them.

Yea, just keep it up Jan. It won’t be long before you’ll be thrown in prison for expressing your opinion and you’re too stupid to realize it.

I must say the people who make the rules on what cartoonists can and can’t say in their own strips are in fine voice today!

since when is Stone Soup a political cartoon…..please get back to family matter. politics doesn’t suit you.

I do not agree with your political views, and wish you would have left politics out of your strip. I loved it until then. I don’t think it is appropriate unless that is now where your strip is going. If so, I won’t read it.

Agreed!!!

I think Cheney made a deal with someone for a new heart. Said his name was Jarvik. And yes, this political arc has ignited very volatile talk here.

I’m really liking your observations/comments about our political landscape. They are right on target.Thank you,Gary

STICK TO HUMOR AND LEAVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL POLITICAL VIEWS. LOVE THE STRIP, HATE THE POLITICAL AGENDA.

You hit the jackpot today Jan. You made a lot of people think and/or laugh. Good cartooning!

I believe I’m going to stop reading this strip until Jan Eliot gets over this “I want to be Garry Trudeau” kick.

Is Cheny a modern day Tin Man-with a new heart?

:D

Wait - Cheney had a heart before? I thought he hid in his coffin and only came out after dark.But politics shouldn’t be in the funnies. Politics aren’t funny. Of course, there were the finally over 2012 Republican Primaries, those were pretty funny and then there were immortal mangled words of our 43rd presydunt. They were hysterical (and really embarassing too) :-)

Great screening job, Jan! LOL

Okay, I’m done. I signed up so I could tell you why I won’t be back. I like Dick Cheney, I also am a conservative woman who liked your strip because it reminded me so much of my own life with my girls. I feel attacked on every front and now I even get it from my favorite comic….why did you have to go there?

You need this kind of politics, you don’t need me.

Jan: If you don’t stop with the politics, I’ll stop with your comic.

I took a lot of trouble to sign up here, to tell you that if you think making jokes about a politician who has had a heart transplant is okay, as long as he is popularly reviled by your crowd, you obviously don’t get it – art is not doing what is popular. Pull out of this dive you are in before you completely turn into a hack. It takes skill and creativity to create humor out of everyday life, but it takes no skill at all to parrot what we are all forced to read and hear and watch every bloody day from liberals in the media. Have you never noticed the irony in how so many liberals… aren’t?

Love all the “I don’t agree with this so I want it suppressed” comments. Nice way to defend the first amendment.

Cheney’s heart hasn’t abandoned him Yet?

That’s two shots at Republicans this weak and none at Democrats except in the context of criticizing both parties. There’s enough left-wing bias in the “news” section; I don’t need it in comics. If this continues, I’ll stop reading the strip. I think Ms. Eliot should stay clear of politics, especially the trite lines about Dick Cheney and his heart troubles. Why is someone’s bad health fodder for jokes?