State of the Union by Carl Moore

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  1. toasteroven

    toasteroven said, about 1 month ago

    I support the legalization of marijuana. I mean, I never touch the stuff myself. It’s not because of that.

    It is because potheads are among the most annoying people I have ever met, and I hope that the legalization of their drug of choice will get them to shut up and stop whining about “puritans” and “fascists”. A vain hope, perhaps, but a hope nonetheless.

  2. Jor-El

    Jor-El said, about 1 month ago

    DavidDow, are you as brusque in person as you are on the keyboard?

    How, in good manners, do you talk to people the way you do on this website?

    This whole Bush-Dick fixation reveals a disturbed psycho-sexual derangement. Maybe that is the source of your anger?

    How miserable you must be to live in such a blameworthy, regressive country.

    Oh, the United States is so very terrible. She is to blame for all of the world’s ills–poverty, illiteracy, pollution and strife.

    Would that Europe be so gracious as to forgive America’s war-time intervention.

    America is, after all, stolen property. She is illegitimate, corrupt, immoral, without any saving grace; maybe the world is better off without her.

    America is not fair.

    America is racist, bigoted, homophobic and sexist. If I don’t succeed, it’s America’s fault! If I do not prosper, America is to blame!

    Oh, who shall grieve for these lowly Americans–so cursed among the world’s progressive nations like Iran and North Korea.

    Liberals are like undisciplined, whiny, little kids always demanding this or that from their unjust parents.

    Insolence is a terrible trait to hold onto.

    Re: Today’s strip

    How progressive it is to promote human degradation via the consumption of pornography and drugs.

    I love the liberal vision of an American utopia where collectivism is valued over the dignity of the individual.

  3. sablebrush5

    sablebrush5 said, about 1 month ago

    I’m all for the legalization of marijuana… In fact, I’m for the legalization of all drugs, including heroin, cocaine, etc. By legalizing, we will destroy the value of these otherwise cheaply made drugs. Heck, weed you can grow in your backyard on in a flower pot on your balcony.

    What would the drug dealers do if pot, heroin, and cocaine were worth no more than two bucks or so a kilo? They’d go out of business, that’s what they would do.

    Would there be an explosion of drug addicts? Absolutely not. Most people are not stupid. Most people would avoid these drugs (except perhaps marijuana which is not a seriously dangerous drug) because they know that they can destroy your life. Most people want to live a healthy life, not go through life drugged up in a stupifying high.

    With total legalization there would still be some 10% who will become addicts, which is about the percentage of addicts now. But we would be rid of all the ancillary problems with the drug business - the murders, the corruption of government officials with drug money, the jails and prisons overflowing with people who don’t belong there, police and federal agents wasting their time busting drug lords and pushers who are quickly replaced in a flash… and we would put a serious dent in the Taliban and Al Qaeda’s bank accounts.

    This so-called drug war has been going on for 50 years and it’s a total failure just as Prohibition was. Drugs are just as prevalent today as they’ve ever been… maybe more so. It’s time to wise up and legalize this crud.

  4. Ronshua

    RonshuaGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    But would the Banking moguls lay down for the LOSS of their under-the-table cleaning Empire ?

    The blueprint for that scenario is most likely already in play .
    More (new) Government controls .

  5. GJ_Jehosaphat

    GJ_JehosaphatGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Great Jumping Jehosaphat - Jor-El (Superman’s Father) is back!
    Funny thing though, I’ve noticed that there are 2 Jor-El’s. One that joined today - with 1 comment & another Jor-El that’s been a member since June 16 (234 comments).

    Not that it matters - there’s no rules saying U can’t use another’s Name & Avatar….

    As for Bush-Dick being something psychosexual - that doesn’t sound like the Jor-El of the past - this is a quote from SOTU on July 3, 2009:

    “Classic “W” malapropisms:

    “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

    “I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family.”

    “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?”

    “Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren’t able to practice their love with women all across the country.”

    “You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.”

    “See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.”

    “We’ll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers.”

    “One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.”

    “People say, ‘How can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil?’ You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in’s house and say I love you.”

    “Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream.”

    “You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war president. No president wants to be a war president, but I am one.”

    “There’s a huge trust. I see it all the time when people come up to me and say, ‘I don’t want you to let me down again.’ ”

    “They misunderestimated me.”

    “There’s an old saying in Tennessee—I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can’t get fooled again.”

    “I’ll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office.”

    Ain’t that a fact.”

    http://www.gocomics.com/stateoftheunion/2009/07/03/

    The Jor-El back then had a great sense of humor - poking fun at former President Bush. I miss him.

    For those who aren’t familiar with Great Jumping Jehosaphat - it’s a line from Superman Comics…Perry White (Editor of the Daily Planet) would exclaim it just about the time Superman would appear to save the day.

    As for the war on drugs - decriminalize & get those folks into rehab drug treatment program. What a waste of jail space & the high cost to keep addicts locked up.

  6. Kees

    KeesGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Funny that the “normal & sane” Americans are for legalization and the elected government is screaming that it should be punished severely.
    Maybe we should hold a world wide poll to see if legalization is favored in more countries.
    It would indeed put an end to the drug related wars, but it will also provide a new problem. Should it be taxed, like gas and cigarettes? Who will be the retailer? The supermarket or the pharmacist? Who keeps track of the quality?

    I am all for it. Legalize!! if possible tomorrow!!

  7. DavidDow

    DavidDow said, about 1 month ago

    This is one of Carl Moore’s strips that turns around & bites him on the butt. Pornography IS every American’s right, and legalizing pot makes good sense: It would save us millions of dollars & turn marijuana from a drain on the economy to a revenue-producer.

    (By the way, Toaster, I have met some of these people, too, and I agree with you. Of course, labeling everyone “fascists” is hardly unique to pot-heads. Look at the LaRouchers who keep calling President Obama a fascist.)

    I am sorry for my brusqueness, Jor-El 2.0, but I must compromise with myself, otherwise, commenting here could become an addiction, and, let’s face it, there are many better, more worthwhile, more useful things to do. I don’t know where you read anger in my remarks, though. Our nation is on an upswing, and I am quite pleased. Most of your remark has no connection to anything I have said.

    Thanks, GJ (Great Jumping), for the quotes from Bush-Dick via Jor-El 1.0. By the way, I just read that G.W. Bush is writing a book about being president (so it’s fiction). What a wonderful age in which we live: Someone who has never read a book can write a book. Of course, Sarah Palin’s bk comes out next month, too, so if she can, then I suppose that he can.

    All right, my time is up. Good day, all.

  8. rricchhterr

    rricchhterr said, about 1 month ago

    you are cute, daviddow

  9. rricchhterr

    rricchhterr said, about 1 month ago

    cute, but stupid

  10. farren

    farrenGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    At least he’s cute. I prefer “cute but stupid” over just plain stupid any day.

  11. mytinytown

    mytinytown said, about 1 month ago

    (yesterday)
    I believe healthcare is a privilege. Honestly who in this country has no healthcare? If you do not work, you can get medicaid, if you do and have a larger family or make hardly anything, you can get medicaid. If you work and make good money, your employer will more then likely have insurance. If not, then in the RARE case you should be able to get medicaid. Of course a spend down version that is NOT free. Medicaid, in general, should not be FREE either.

    David AKA Mathew
    This is baby #3, the other 2 were C sections too. #1 was almost an emergency. You know the whole narrow birth channel thing. So at #3 in 4 years we are done. No more possible.

  12. Radical-Knight

    Radical-KnightGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Stupidity is also everyone’s right - Does that mean they have to be so?

  13. GJ_Jehosaphat

    GJ_JehosaphatGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Health care shouldn’t be left in the hands of profiteers!

  14. mroberts88

    mroberts88 said, about 1 month ago

    Good points today. Should we legalise drugs to take some power away from drug dealers? It certainly would, but there would also be the potential for more people to become drug addicts.

    Its a good idea, alot of danger, but it would do more harm to organized crime.

  15. Jor-El

    Jor-El said, about 1 month ago

    GJ_Jehosaphat, I am he. The old account was closed, but I had to return and get this off my chest. Humor was a trademark of my old posts, but some people here still have none. They just keep hitting the same sour note over and over.

  16. BirishB

    BirishB said, about 1 month ago

    First, a correction:

    Woody Harrelson supports legalization of hemp, which is an environmentally friendly crop that is used to make paper, fuel, clothing and biodegradable plastics. It is hypoallergenic, and so is suitable for clothing manufacturing. Hemp is cultivated from the cannabis genus, but it can also be grown with the marijuana producing parts. However, because of its unfortunate (unnecessary and also incorrect) association with the drug marijuana, it has been largely ignored as an alternate source (and also because of the strength of the cotton lobby, which we all assume to be “the fabric of our lives).

    Interestingly, George Washington grew vast scores of hemp. Industrial hemp could be a potential economic boon, but our government does not distinguish between hemp and marijuana. And our government is flat wrong on this account.

    I am not aware of Woody Harrelson’s activities related to pornography, other than that he made a move about Larry Flynt.

    That said, pornography is a first amendment right. You may disagree with its existence on moral grounds, but its legality and existence preserves your first amendment right. A threat to free speech anywhere is a threat to free speech anywhere.

    The first amendment, for example, is what gives us all the right and ability to make snarky comments on a comics page.

  17. striper77

    striper77 said, about 1 month ago

    Woody Harrelson defiantly fits the stereotype for the Obamanation.

  18. BirishB

    BirishB said, about 1 month ago

    tiny …

    If HC is a privilege, then who gets it? More importantly, who does not?

    How is that morally justifiable? To say that you or I have more right to health than someone who does not have insurance?

    You mentioned medicaid, but that still leaves about 6% of those living in poverty without care. That’s who doesn’t get healthcare.

    Are you suggesting that because those that are poor and don’t qualify for medicaid don’t have a right to access health? And by extension life?

    Just so you know, 80% of uninsured are employed but do not have access to HC through their job. 80% to 90% of uninsured are naturalized citizens. That’s who is not getting healthcare.

    And, OK, what if everyone who was uninsured did get medicaid. But medicaid is sub-standard medicine. Are we OK with saying that those who can afford insurance have more right to good medicine than those that do not?

    We’re not talking about access to televisions, where any old television will do the job. We’re talking about access to care that keeps us breathing and gives us life.

    I wholeheartedly and totally disagree with you. Health, life and healthcare are everyone’s rights.

  19. scottfreitas

    scottfreitasGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Try to convince the men who drafted, debated, and finalized into law our Bill of Rights the notion that pornography is a “1st Amendment right”, and all of them would have drawn straws to see who had the pleasure of firing a musket ball into the center of your depraved skull…

    Pornography does nothing good for humanity, but causes endless harm. To both men and women EQUALLY.

    The silly notion that unelected, unaccountable vampires in black robes aka Supreme Court Judges are allowed to force every perverse whim which springs into their minds onto a nation of 300+ million people is getting old. Hell, it got old nearly a century ago, during the so-called “progressive” era.

    Since by today’s weakling, sociopathic standards NOTHING the Supremely Stupid Court ever does gets argued against, or dismissed, or challenged, it will just be tough luck for your kids (well, the rare leftist who EVEN has kids, usually just the token One) when a future Supreme Court rules 5-4 that “consensual” sex between children and adults is okay; that bestiality is a constitutional right; that Jews are the cause of all our financial woes and deserve to be forcibly removed from the banking industry; or any one of an infinity of other horrors an unaccountable bunch of ivory tower pinheads can dream up while touching themselves at night..

    Not one WORD of the more than quarter-million pages of writings dated 1620-1897 or so within the Library of Congress, even HINTS at the bizarre and insane notion that pornography has any connection with “free speech.”

    You people who support this garbage are so unworthy of the Constitution you so carelessly blaspheme it truly sickens me..

  20. DavidDow

    DavidDow said, about 1 month ago

    No, TinyT., it is more cost-effective for a society to ensure health-care for all. This isn’t an issue of right vs. privilege. This is an issue of what society do you want. We can continue with a society that watches thousands of people die young because they are poor and that squanders millions on unneeded services, because people without health insurance use emergency rooms rather than seeing doctors. Alternatively, we can create a society in which all citizens are guaranteed health-care, where Big Insurance & Big Pharma do not exist simply to maximize profits on the backs of the needy, and where a citizen simply sees a doctor when necessary, pays what he/she can, and the society covers the rest.

    I know that Gracie is your third child, TinyT. You have three youngsters: all under the age of six. One is a boy & two are girls (I think). I am glad that you and your wife are done. Please make sure that these children get good educations. Find the best public schools in your area, and get them in them. Then, support the schools as much as possible. We need more rational well-informed citizens. Otherwise, they could end up voting for Sarah Palin.

  21. Contrarian

    Contrarian said, about 1 month ago

    Wyo1 and BirishB

    Re: Yesterday’s comments on the initiative and referendum process.

    I found this interesting study at the University of California’s Initiative & Referendum Institute.

    History Referendum Process

    Thomas Jefferson actually proposed this in 1775.

    It was an appealing idea to the Founders. The UC study notes that James Madison wrote of it in Federalist 49:

    As the people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived, it seems strictly consonant to the republican theory to recur to the same original authority… whenever it may be necessary to enlarge, diminish, or alter the powers of government.

  22. harleyquinn

    harleyquinnGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    If it can be grown legalize it. If it has to be proceeded regulate the H out of it.
    No advertisement of brand name period. Just black and white named cartoons, the drug ratio and a small statement of taste or what ever.
    Treat the people not the drugs. Rehab and education are better tools then border control.
    The Fair tax would tax it all at 23%. I do not agree with “sin” taxes but…maybe..to get something passed in this case?
    Oh and if you sell to my kids I have the right to knee cap you.

  23. BirishB

    BirishB said, about 1 month ago

    well, scott, there’s a good reason that none of the literature from 1620-1897 doesn’t mention pornography.

    Photography wasn’t invented until the late 19th century. Movies came later. As did magazines. Hence, so did “pornography.”

    Nevertheless, pornography is a first amendment right, because it is an expression and, to some, an art form. It is also subjective. I mean, was Cezanne a porn peddler because he painted nudes? Man Ray? Manet? What is pornography? If you ban videos and magazines, how long will it be until nudes are taken down from museum walls?

    Before you go there, I am not justifying child pornography or saying that children should have access to nude pictures. Nor am I saying that nude pictures are morally acceptable. I made no value judgment about whether pornography is “right” or “wrong.”

    What I said (and do reread what I did actually say) is that preservation of those things you find objectionable is what preserves your right to free speech. Think “hate speech” … its the same thing. Hateful speech is wrong in my mind, but it also must tolerated so that I have the right to speak out against it.

    Oh … and that “silly notion that unelected, unaccountable vampires in black robes aka Supreme Court Judges are allowed to force every perverse whim …”

    Was written into practice by the very men you so champion. You, sir, are a hypocrite.

  24. butch1942

    butch1942 said, about 1 month ago

    I bet they missed a great movie.

  25. mroberts88

    mroberts88 said, about 1 month ago

    Harley, you make a good point. One question though, what are you going to kneecap them with? Baseball bat. handgun? Or will you go IRA and use a black & decker drill?

    scott, by God your right, if the Constitution doesnt mention it, get rid of it. There goes all news on TV, interntet, and print. The 2nd ammendment doesnt make mention of automatic weapons, or even semi-automatic, should they be banned?

  26. harleyquinn

    harleyquinnGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Harley, you make a good point. One question though, what are you going to kneecap them with? Baseball bat. handgun? Or will you go IRA and use a black & decker drill?

    LOL LOL LOL Dealers chose? Left right or double or double down on both? hard question. One thing for sure it would make it a little easier to spot the stupid ones. But I guess every fast food place needs someone to wash the dishes.

  27. mroberts88

    mroberts88 said, about 1 month ago

    Harley, what I meant was what are you going to chose to kneecap them with. I wonder if people are going to notice what I’ve done.

  28. Ronshua

    RonshuaGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    A commenter of their own comments , egotistical egotist ?

  29. Wyo1

    Wyo1 said, about 1 month ago

    Thanks Contrarian,
    I read every now and then, and I don’t comment much here….I knew I had that idea from someplace else. I don’t remember much of the Federalist papers, but I do recall reading some of them, ‘way back in my youth. There are times when we the people should be able to change things, if so desired, “enlarge, diminish, or…alter” government. That being said, and know that I am a somewhat conservative (more fiscal) Republican, I am somewhat in favor of legalizing drugs. I need more argument for/against, mainly how will things be managed, but it sure would spoke the tires of the drug dealers…..and yes, I’m tired of the tirades about who controls what is legal, but that’s why we elect those folks (we don’t elect the Supreme Court, albeit indirectly), to do the job we give them. And I don’t think any of them, for the past 30 years, are doing a “good” job…..I’d fire the lot.

  30. GJ_Jehosaphat

    GJ_JehosaphatGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    Jor-El Well (Great Jumping Jehosaphat) glad to see you’re back. Your earlier comment came on pretty strong & I was concerned someone “hijacked” your Avatar. The last few days have been filled with rather caustic language - especially Striper’s tirade of sexual rants - like the not so good times last summer.

    It’s good to get things off one’s chest - have done it a few times in the past myself. Changed my Avatar to “Jaguar On Mesa”. I put ole Stinky Skunk aside since the language improved when the Auto-Censors kicked in & some of the Moore Offensive Fan Club Ranters have been kicked off.

    Glad to see your return - your comments were/are well thought out (like DavidDow’s - but with a different point of view) compared to some of the Moore Reactionaries.

    There are 20,942 current subscribers to SOTU - compared to 19,900 or so last summer when I started to pay attention to the comments (hold the Mouse Pointer over any cartoon name to get the current # of Subscribers).

    Personally I don’t think 1000 subscribers signed up for the Comic Strip - Rather suspect they signed up for the Lively Comments! As I’ve written before - I’m expressing my view(s) for the Audience with concern for any children who may be leaning more vocabulary words (like those by Stripper77) than their parents would want them be exposed to -

    OMG - Stripper77 is like one of those “Flashers” getting kicks out of being Kinky!

  31. mroberts88

    mroberts88 said, about 1 month ago

    Jehosaphat, your avatar looks more like a cougar, or mountain lion, than a jaguar.

    striper, do you want to elaborate more on that?

  32. GJ_Jehosaphat

    GJ_JehosaphatGenius_badge said, about 1 month ago

    mrob - I’ll go with a cougar (I was googling for a jaguar toon - this one looked the most dignified & watchful).

    I once heard a story from a Native American friend who said by the time U hear the voice of the Cougar - your already on the menu (so to speak).
    I was traveling to the Black Hills last summer & she gave me those words of advice. I stuck to the “tourist spots” instead of wandering alone….

  33. mroberts88

    mroberts88 said, about 1 month ago

    Now theres a bonfire (its homecoming) and food, so after this post, i’ll be out for a while.

    GJ, thats a good story. Also, if your in TX, and see a snake “rattling” its tail close to the ground, dont worry, its a bull snake, and harmless venom wise. Its the ones that rattle their tail in the air that you should be wary of.

    I do like that avatar however.

  34. DavidDow

    DavidDow said, about 1 month ago

    Mrob., the number of drug addicts might increase slightly. During Prohibition, however, the number of alcohol (or drunkards, as they were called then) did not diminish, which shows that those who want to use such a substance do not find the law a great impediment.

    Legalizing marijuana would permit police to focus on more victim-full crime, would decrease the number of people in jails & prisons, would permit the government to regulate marijuana, ensuring quality & cutting down on harmful additives, and would earn lots of money through taxation.

    Well said, Birish. We should legalize both hemp & marijuana. And well said in reply to TinyT. I appreciate someone who has the facts.

    Scott, the founding fathers considered pornography a first amendment right. Benjamin Franklin, himself, wrote pornography. Most of them enjoyed reading racy material. I suggest you start reading those 250,000 pages again—that is, between trying to get a five-year-old girl to fetch candy from your pockets.

    Thanks, Contrarian, for the article. I will try to read it soon. Okay, my ten minutes are up. Good night, all.

  35. Herbabee

    Herbabee said, about 1 month ago

    As I’m always prone to say…

    You can argue marijuana’s recreational use… but for medicinal reasons there shouldn’t even be a debate.

    EDIT: Wow, and found out the other day that an AG finally agrees!