State of the Union by Carl Moore
- May 25, 2009
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Speed Bump by Dave Coverly
Stone Soup by Jan EliotAbout State of the Union
State of the Union is the result of a self-professed "fallen liberal’s" journey from radical socialism to conversative cartooning. Combining startling caricatures with a sly sense of humor and a sharp eye for satire, this innovative new strip will be sure to tickle your funnybone while making you think.
© 2009 Creators Syndicate - All Rights Reserved.
Comments (30) Jump to Comments Form
NoFearPup
said,
6 months ago
Yep, we Americans and our fore-fathers made some mistakes, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD. But we’ve done a lot of good, too. I wonder if Libs can say anything good about America?
gbrucewilson said, 6 months ago
Is liberalism a form self-hate or a mental illness? How can anyone live off the fruits of the greatest nation in the world and hate everything about it? If liberals didn’t do so much damage to the world, I would feel sorry for them.
olfart said, 6 months ago
Mark Trail said;
Part of the problem for American Indians were that they fought amongst themselvesas much as they fought against caucasians.
That is probably true. sort of sounds like us, doesn’t it?
Lewreader
said,
6 months ago
I believe my ancestors In Ireland were suffering a greater genocide at the hands of the British at the same time. Are we to judge the actions of yesterday from the viewpoint of today? I suppose I should spend this holiday weekend in “white guilt” rather than honoring the lives of American heros.
jmworacle said, 6 months ago
Could anyone name a country that has helped other country’s during a disaster? The United States has done that for even countries who despise us. Looking back, there are some things that I shake my head at however, all nations have done things that were less than honorable.
The thing is don’t focous on the negative. Recognize it and correct it.
LibrarianInTraining said, 6 months ago
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lt. Col. John McCrae
Read, remember, and be grateful.
God Bless America. Happy Memorial Day.
CaptainColorado said, 6 months ago
farleftside:
My brother had the privelege of working alongside John Wayne on his ranch for many years. The Duke was every bit the cattleman he portrayed in his movies.
You know not of what you speak.
oldseadog said, 6 months ago
Thank you, Librarianin traing, for that reminder. Everyone should wear their paper poppies with pride today.
Ron
said,
6 months ago
Yes… Thank You LibrarianInTraining. I am a veteran and appreciate your recitation of the Flanders Fields poem very much.
God Bless You!
bubbie7 said, 6 months ago
john wayne was a good actor in war movies but wouldn’t go into the service. he stayed home and made tons of money while other major stars enlisted right away
LibrarianInTraining said, 6 months ago
God Bless you DeeBerg13. And thank you for your service!
JonD17 said, 6 months ago
all right!! Moore finally got one right.
@LibrarianIn Training; Thank you for posting such a beautiful kernel of wisdom and respect here in this Godless wasteland!
jaguarundi said, 6 months ago
satipera, just wondering what your definition of Europe is.
jaguarundi said, 6 months ago
Hello, well you could mean the EU or the geographical area of Europe. Is Russia included? And it also depends on how far back in time you want to consider. But I do hope you’re right and armed conflict continues to decline.
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Mark Trail, usually I avoid commenting on anything you say but this time I’ve got to speak up. You’re just plain wrong. The Iroquois Confederacy, you know, the five tribes who inspired Ben Franklin to suggest that the colonies band together against the British, were destroyed by the Americans in retaliation for supporting the British during the Civil War. Last of the Mohicans type of thing, you know? Once they were destroyed the next Native American threat facing American (meaning white) supremacy was Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet. Tecumseh called for all tribes to unite against the Americans. Problem was they sided with the British again and Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames during the War of 1812. During Washingtons presidency the Cherokee and a few other tribes were promised independent enclaves within the US. Many of these Indian tribes actually began to adopt white ways and became prosperous. Until Andrew Jackson decided to violate the Supreme Courts decision to allow the Cherokee to remain on ancestral lands. Trail of Tears, remember? I wonder why the Palestinians dont trust us when we say we support an autonomous Palestinian state within Isreal? Once we chased all the Native Americans out to the west of the Mississippi what were their chances of joining together to fight the US? How would they do it? Your comment that the Native Americans lost control of their lands because they wouldnt cooperate is not only wrong, it’s ridiculous. And it is insulting to every Native American who ever lived. They fought hard and well to maintain their lands and don’t deserve to be used by you in your little snit fight with Farleftside. Native American culture was doomed once the first white settler placed his foot on North America. There is no moment that anyone can point to and say, “If they’d only done this” would they have avoided destruction by the Europeans.
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Satipera and Libraianintraining - I enjoy McCreas poem but prefer Herman Melville’s “On Malvern Hill”. I wouldnt call either one, especially McCrea’s poem jingoistic. McCrea was a soldier who died during WWI. He stood up for his beliefs and earned the right to say them. Perhaps some have used them as a recruting dodge but that’s not McCrea’s fault.
—
Malvern Hill
Ye elms that wave on Malvern Hill
In prime of morn and May,
Recall ye how McClellan’s men
Here stood at bay?
While deep within yon forest dim
Our rigid comrades lay–
Some with the cartridge in their mouth,
Others with fixed arms lifted South–
Invoking so
The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!
The spires of Richmond, late beheld
Through rifts in musket-haze,
Were closed from view in clouds of dust
On leaf-walled ways,
Where streamed our wagons in caravan;
And the Seven Nights and Days
Of march and fast, retreat and fight,
Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight–
Recall the haggard beards of blood?
The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed,
We followed (it never fell!)–
In silence husbanded our strength–
Received their yell;
Till on this slope we patient turned
With cannon ordered well;
Reverse we proved was not defeat;
But ah, the sod what thousands meet!–
Does Malvern Wood
Bethink itself, and muse and brood?
~Herman Melville
This poem was written by the American author Herman Melville after the Battle of Malvern Hill during the Civil War. Malvern Hill was the last if the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign. The Confederates lost over 5,000 men without gaining an inch of ground.
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Sorry, my copy/paste job messed up the last stanza.
–
We elms of Malvern Hill
Remember every thing;
But sap the twig will fill:
Wag the world how it will,
Leaves must be green in Spring.
LibrarianInTraining said, 6 months ago
Satipera, I’m glad you disagree. It means these soldiers did not die in vain. Now, go find a vet or active duty soldier and thank him for your right to freedom of speech.
God Bless!
LibrarianInTraining said, 6 months ago
Dypak, thank you for the lovely poem. it was an unusual joy, since I often considered Melville a novelist, not a poet. But then, I felt the same about Victor Hugo until I read his poem After the Battle in English Lit class in high school. I’ve included it below:
After the Battle
by: Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
MY father, hero of benignant mien,
On horseback visited the gory scene,
After the battle as the evening fell,
And took with him a trooper loved right well,
Because of bravery and presence bold.
The field was covered with the dead, all cold,
And shades of night were deepening : came a sound,
Feeble and hoarse, from something on the ground ;
It was a Spaniard of the vanquished force,
Who dragged himself with pain beside their course.
Wounded and bleeding, livid and half dead,
“Give me to drink – in pity, drink!” he said.
My father, touched, stretched to his follower now
A flask of rum that from his saddle-bow
Hung down : “The poor soul – give him drink,” said he
But while the trooper prompt, obediently
Stooped towards the other, he of Moorish race
Pointed a pistol at my father’s face,
And with a savage oath the trigger drew :
The hat flew off, a bullet passing through.
As swerved his charger in a backward stride,
“Give him to drink the same,” my father cried.
I know a lot of people out there disagree with the war. But today is not about your opinion of war in general or our current war specifically. Today is about remembering that your freedom to disagree with war was fought for and paid for with the blood of our brave brothers and sisters, mother and fathers, grandparents and great-grand parents.
Today is the day we pause to look at them with pride, honor and gratitude, and simply say, “Thank you.”
Spare the “War is wrong” speech for another day, please? You are right that war is awful, but no more awful than hurtful words spewed at Democrats, Republicans, religious groups, atheists, or anyone else. Do we really think arguing about war will make it stop? No. I think it more likely to create new “conflicts.”
Just raise your eyes to the heavens and remember those who have gone before, as well as those fighting now. And if you feel the need, say a prayer for their safe return home.
To any vets, active duty members, to anyone who has ever put on the uniform of the United States of America’s military, with all my heart:
Thank you! And God Bless!
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Librarian In Training - You’re welcome. And thanks for Victor Hugo. Like you said, it is great to see these authors are more three dimensional, so to speak, than we thought.
—
I was reading Satipera’s comments and went looking for Wilfred Owen. Satipera is right, where McCrea speaks to honor the memory of the fallen Owen focuses on the horrors that soldiers must face on the battlefield. Very strong stuff. I recommend the below site:
http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/
Once again, thank you to all you other vets out there. Try to remember their sacrifice all year, and not just on Memorial Day.
NoFearPup
said,
6 months ago
Choosing favorites in historical clashes seems almost a waste of time. White settlers weren’t perfect. Native Americans and others were discriminated against (no doubt, even white groups were discriminated against by other whites); which, led to their “loss” of identity. But it hardly makes for an “Aha!” moment. I’ve spoken of not using contemporary standards to judge older cultures before… What would be the alternative? Eventually somewhere some colonists would have to constitute a legal Republic on someone else’s homeland. Even now, countries exert tyrannical control of their populace and would no doubt revert to physical force to protect and enrich themselves if it wasn’t for the over-arching hand of a few super-powers. Also. consider that, even now, racism flourishes in the world. America, with all of its “racial” problems is probably the least racist nation on earth. Enjoy Memorial Day and give honor to our fallen and wounded vets! Thank you!
LibrarianInTraining said, 6 months ago
Satipera, same goes here. It’s nice to see people liking poetry! I’m a published poet myself (in anthologies, not my own book) and was declared one of the top 10 poets in my state 3 years (I was #1 one year. 2004I think.)
The Sassoon poem was chillingly beautiful. I’ve never heard of him. What else has he written? He reminds me of Poe, another of my favorite poets.
Do you have a favorite poem of all? Not necessarily about war, I mean just in general.
Shikamoo
said,
6 months ago
L.I.T.: Thank you for those reminders. Bless you too.
Ron
said,
6 months ago
Wow! Who would have thought that a Moore strip would end up with some of the best comments in months!
All Thanks to LibrarianInTraining, Dypak, and Satipera.
(And the poets, too!)
And you are very welcome LibrarianInTraining!
But I must comment once more - War should be the very, very, very last resort.
We have absolutely NO BUSINESS invading other countries and trying to do nation building!!!
3hourtour said, 6 months ago
..I always thought the indians didn’t believe they owned the land but that they just just lived off of it…if that is so….how could the white man offically have taken it from him…?
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Since we’re on the topic of war and all I’d like to ask your collective opinions. It is my belief that our nations leaders can no longer be trusted with the power to send our troops to war. It is my belief that we need a Constitutional amendment which would take this power from the Congress and the President and grant it to We the People. In the event of some situation where the US is considering a war it should be brought to a referendum of the people. We vote on it. Only those physically fit would be able to vote. If the war vote passes people are called to duty in the following manner:
1) Those who voted YES are immediately inducted.
2) Those who did not vote at all are inducted next, if needed.
3) Those who voted NO would be inducted last, but only in extreme emergencies.
I understand that this makes it impossible for a secret ballot. In a situation like this I’m willing to let everyone know how I stand. It also makes it less likely for someone like Bush to shuffle our soldiers off to a useless war that they are unwilling to fight themselves. Too often in our history rich old men have sent poor young men to their deaths to kill other young men in some forgotten garbage dump of a country.
–
In case you’re wondering I didnt come up with this idea myself. I stole it from Robert Heinlein, from his unpublished (until recently) novel “We the Living”.
Dypak
said,
6 months ago
Satipera - My son just graduated high school and is going through his ‘I want to be in a rock band’ phase. That Sasoon poem could easily be taken and made into a heavy metal hit.
Miserichord said, 6 months ago
Farleftside - Just to keep the record straight, the Duke appeared in a number of movies over a 4 year period before Fox Studios, without consulting him, decided to bill him as John Wayne for his first starring role in the movie “The Big Trail” (1930).
Bubbie7- “wouldn’t go into service” isn’t entirely accurate.
“Didn’t” is more correct.
He was threatened with being sued for breach of contract by Republic Studios if he volunteered for service.
Had he been drafted, the studio could not have sued him without being pilloried in the press.
He did nothing to prevent his being drafted, although he had every right to a deferment due to his age and family situation.
The studio secured a 2A deferment for him (along with many others) for “support of national health, safety or interest”.
sablebrush5 said, 6 months ago
Satipera,
“Armed conflict is not a sensible way to conduct foreign policy. Europe has finally learned its lesson after almost destroying itself. America will too.”
You mean the America that ended two bloody European wars that cost us hundreds of thousands of lives and billions in treasure? You mean the America that helped rebuild Europe at great cost under the Marshall Plan? You mean the America that kept 50,000 soldiers stationed in Europe for, what, going on 74 years now to protect the Europeans? (What the heck are they still doing there?) You mean the America that saved Europe from a Soviet takeover by maintaining a credible nuclear arsenal at great cost for 44 years? You mean the America that did all of this so Europe could neglect their need to spend money on military defense and use that saved money to spend on welfare states and make condescending remarks about how America will learn the lesson that the sophisticated, and oh-so-wise Europeans have learned? You mean THAT America?
NoFearPup
said,
6 months ago
Ouch! Satipera won’t respond.
Melville was a chair-shiner who never saw war, like StephenCrane, right? Although I’m not saying one has to be a vet to have an opinion. I think Crane did an excellent job representing the self-serving of cowardice and its emotion, and the Civil War era itself.