And Stephan can call her a loon right back for having used the non-word, irrespective! Oh, wait! Who wrote this strip? Stephan? Since he wrote the word, I guess he’s still a loon!
Gosh ‘n’ golly, it’s almost as if the Google-Facebook duopoly that took over the internet created a business model where hate and self-righteousness based clickbait became the only viable business model for most online content creators.
Pastis has it right. I quit watching news programs last year because my wife and I are now on different sides of politics. When I do watch an occasional report I get so cynical that I can’t believe a word they are saying. Conflict equates to money because it boost ratings…….and as long as people keep watching they’ll feed you the same old crap day after day after day!
Hephaestus is the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. Hephaestus’ Roman equivalent is Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods.
No toon is comment unto itself, every toon is a piece of the media, a part of same, When jackboots come as surely they be, do not ask for whom they come, they come for thee.
My children and I span the political spectrum but manage to have civil conversations about social and political issues, and yes, I agree that news and social media is totally playing the public.
But what about trump’s lying? Politics aside, how many lies doe we tolerate?
I guess it all boils down the character. If you like lying. If you like cheating. If you like treason. Then you find yourself loving trump. If you think integrity and honesty count. Then you realize the pathetic display of malignant character overcomes policy-related concerns. Anything this administration does is fruit from a poisoned tree. Those who support it support lying and cheating and bullying and all the rest. That’s a big reason there’s no middle ground. I do not support lying and cheating, regardless of your policies.
Politics are assigned to the corner of the yard away from the horseshoe pit. You want to be in the air conditioning, you have to be making music, playing cards, or cooking. Gathering is in Tennessee. In June.
“We can find our highest potential in the realm of no Ego. Let us meet in that place.” -Kate Potter. That is the place where Stephan and Parisa are. Namaste.
I’m on one side of the political spectrum, the rest of my family (virtually all of them) are on the other side. That’s bad enough, but ALL they talk about is politics and how bad my side is ad nauseam during my annual visit, usually in conjunction with the constant blaring of a certain TV station. They’re not doing it for my benefit (I don’t think), but this is their dialog all the time and I just happen to be witness to it. I’ve learned how to bite my tongue without bleeding after all these years, but I can only do that for so long before I need time alone to vent.
Yes, the news outlets are profitable by playing to (aka manipulating) their audiences. I don’t care how biased any of them are, I just wish they wouldn’t lie. Disinformation will destroy us as a society more than anything else.
Tbh I’m a bit surprised Pastis thinks much less published that about the media. I certainly believe it. But most of his peers are all about hate the President w/o the slightest bend.
Political arguments are for sissies. At my family gatherings, the HOT topic is ACC basketball teams since so many of us went to different universities in the South. We particularly try to avoid having the Duke and North Carolina alumni sitting near each other.
Nice one Stephan. My family runs the gamut between far right and extreme left with some of us at various points in the middle. I love all my family, whether or not their politics align with mine. There are plenty of other topics to discuss but shutting out someone just because they don’t agree with you really only hurts you. My family is about 800 miles away, I think I need to drive up North to see them this month. Thanks.
The media are just taking their cues from the parties. Stirring up hatred is what they have to do to get into office or stay there and pay off their patrons with money and favors.
I read Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley” in the last year, and was surprised to read his comments about his own family of origin – his sisters were the RWNJs and he was the liberal. He also stated how divided the country was then (around 1960). Even without Fox there were serious divisions among those who followed politics.
By the way, I don’t believe it’s true that half the country is leftist and half is right-wing. The lunatic fringe of the RW is probably not more than 20% of the population. A lot of people who vote® are upper-income types who just want a tax cut. I’m sure most people are truly moderate.
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
I have to see relatives like that more often than Stephan sees his sister. I don’t talk to them.
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
And Stephan can call her a loon right back for having used the non-word, irrespective! Oh, wait! Who wrote this strip? Stephan? Since he wrote the word, I guess he’s still a loon!
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
For a Pastis worthy pun, see today’s Bizarro!
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 6 years ago
That just makes too much sense. It’s so much easier to condemn and vilify. The Talking Heads were right (Stop Making Sense.)
Robin Harwood over 6 years ago
But I haven’t got a sister.
Bilan over 6 years ago
As for the sister’s comment in the last panel,
I think we have a consensus.
blunebottle over 6 years ago
Wow! A Pastis strip that makes sense!
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member over 6 years ago
POLITICS TODAY: When I Want Your Opinion, I’ll Give It To You!
hitmouse over 6 years ago
I used to have a sister but not any more. Carpe diem!
ND Cool Z over 6 years ago
I think Stephan Pastis has another sister named Penny. I wonder if Steph will share with us some things about Penny, maybe next Sunday?
Adiraiju over 6 years ago
Gosh ‘n’ golly, it’s almost as if the Google-Facebook duopoly that took over the internet created a business model where hate and self-righteousness based clickbait became the only viable business model for most online content creators.
Aubrey Dacus over 6 years ago
We are all drowning in a sea of positive feedback.
Egrayjames over 6 years ago
Pastis has it right. I quit watching news programs last year because my wife and I are now on different sides of politics. When I do watch an occasional report I get so cynical that I can’t believe a word they are saying. Conflict equates to money because it boost ratings…….and as long as people keep watching they’ll feed you the same old crap day after day after day!
Ksandler4570 over 6 years ago
Boom! People would be so much happier if they didn’t watch so much news!
mommadillo over 6 years ago
My sister and I don’t agree on everything, but we do agree that Donald Trump is a POS.
Brass Orchid Premium Member over 6 years ago
Hephaestus is the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. Hephaestus’ Roman equivalent is Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods.
Ignatz Premium Member over 6 years ago
“(Caricatures not my strength.)”
Neither are apostrophes.
Dawn Premium Member over 6 years ago
Love this. :-)
F-Flash over 6 years ago
And now we have Loony tunes, much easier to watch & listen to.
Qiset over 6 years ago
Wise words. Thank you.
GreenIrishEyes over 6 years ago
My sisters are great — it’s my brothers that are loons.
jessie d. over 6 years ago
No toon is comment unto itself, every toon is a piece of the media, a part of same, When jackboots come as surely they be, do not ask for whom they come, they come for thee.
Radish... over 6 years ago
Turn the dial on the hype down.
tripwire45 over 6 years ago
My children and I span the political spectrum but manage to have civil conversations about social and political issues, and yes, I agree that news and social media is totally playing the public.
Lenavid over 6 years ago
Conflict, disaster, and sensationalism, rather than facts, attract viewers and readers to “news” outlets that depend on sponsors selling products.
twclix over 6 years ago
But what about trump’s lying? Politics aside, how many lies doe we tolerate?
I guess it all boils down the character. If you like lying. If you like cheating. If you like treason. Then you find yourself loving trump. If you think integrity and honesty count. Then you realize the pathetic display of malignant character overcomes policy-related concerns. Anything this administration does is fruit from a poisoned tree. Those who support it support lying and cheating and bullying and all the rest. That’s a big reason there’s no middle ground. I do not support lying and cheating, regardless of your policies.
Plods with ...™ over 6 years ago
Well put
Don Howard over 6 years ago
Newspapers aren’t making money.
Greyhame over 6 years ago
Politics are assigned to the corner of the yard away from the horseshoe pit. You want to be in the air conditioning, you have to be making music, playing cards, or cooking. Gathering is in Tennessee. In June.
Yakety Sax over 6 years ago
Nice strip Stephan. Really hit home. I haven’t spoken to or visited my sister since our mothers funeral. Thats probably not going to change.
escherme over 6 years ago
“We can find our highest potential in the realm of no Ego. Let us meet in that place.” -Kate Potter. That is the place where Stephan and Parisa are. Namaste.
DCBakerEsq over 6 years ago
Talking to relatives is overrated .
pekenpug over 6 years ago
Parisa Pastis? Cool name.
asmbeers over 6 years ago
Make too much sense, the left will hate it.
Flossie Mud Duck over 6 years ago
My present to my brother for his 50th birthday was a life-long truce. It worked! We now both try to stay away from our conflict areas.
JohnHarry Premium Member over 6 years ago
Stephan: Nicely said.
Stocky One over 6 years ago
Wow, that’s something really different from Stephan… and really good!
BeniHanna6 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Wow Mr. Pastis you really nailed it down with the last 4 panels. Thank you, thank you very much.
MeanBob Premium Member over 6 years ago
Wait, Pastis wrote something insightful? Isn’t that one of the signs of the apocalypse?
socalvillaguy Premium Member over 6 years ago
I’m on one side of the political spectrum, the rest of my family (virtually all of them) are on the other side. That’s bad enough, but ALL they talk about is politics and how bad my side is ad nauseam during my annual visit, usually in conjunction with the constant blaring of a certain TV station. They’re not doing it for my benefit (I don’t think), but this is their dialog all the time and I just happen to be witness to it. I’ve learned how to bite my tongue without bleeding after all these years, but I can only do that for so long before I need time alone to vent.
Yes, the news outlets are profitable by playing to (aka manipulating) their audiences. I don’t care how biased any of them are, I just wish they wouldn’t lie. Disinformation will destroy us as a society more than anything else.
osborndiane77 over 6 years ago
Love today’s strip. We have more in common than we realize. In the words of Marvin Gaye, “For only love can conquer hate”
Michael Snellings Premium Member over 6 years ago
Tbh I’m a bit surprised Pastis thinks much less published that about the media. I certainly believe it. But most of his peers are all about hate the President w/o the slightest bend.
Miss Demure Premium Member over 6 years ago
May I offer this suggestion: View PBS Newshour. No bias. No manipulation. No lying. It DOES require thought and focus.
marilynnbyerly over 6 years ago
Political arguments are for sissies. At my family gatherings, the HOT topic is ACC basketball teams since so many of us went to different universities in the South. We particularly try to avoid having the Duke and North Carolina alumni sitting near each other.
dja1701 over 6 years ago
Never trust a reporter who talks faster than 150 words per minute, nor one who doesn’t know the difference between a story and a report.
pchemcat over 6 years ago
Nice one Stephan. My family runs the gamut between far right and extreme left with some of us at various points in the middle. I love all my family, whether or not their politics align with mine. There are plenty of other topics to discuss but shutting out someone just because they don’t agree with you really only hurts you. My family is about 800 miles away, I think I need to drive up North to see them this month. Thanks.
prrdh over 6 years ago
The media are just taking their cues from the parties. Stirring up hatred is what they have to do to get into office or stay there and pay off their patrons with money and favors.
manuel sotomayor Premium Member over 6 years ago
Thank you for using your artistic gifts to help heal the country! Bravo!
The Moose Group over 6 years ago
Without a doubt, the most insightful and honest position of the day. THANK YOU Stephen!!!!
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
Cartoon-Boy, with the help of his sister, Cartoon-Girl, has something genuinely useful and encouraging to say today!
You never know what you’re gonna find on the comics page!
WCraft Premium Member over 6 years ago
Good job of getting people to talk, Pastis!
gbars70 over 6 years ago
Not much interest in the messaging, but the intricate artwork; WOW!
TMO1 Premium Member over 6 years ago
I read Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley” in the last year, and was surprised to read his comments about his own family of origin – his sisters were the RWNJs and he was the liberal. He also stated how divided the country was then (around 1960). Even without Fox there were serious divisions among those who followed politics.
TMO1 Premium Member over 6 years ago
By the way, I don’t believe it’s true that half the country is leftist and half is right-wing. The lunatic fringe of the RW is probably not more than 20% of the population. A lot of people who vote® are upper-income types who just want a tax cut. I’m sure most people are truly moderate.
TMO1 Premium Member over 6 years ago
That’s vote R, above, as in Republican.
PBS1! over 4 years ago
You’re going to hate me for saying this, but… that 8th panel felt a little random.
Darth Revan II almost 4 years ago
Are we sure this was Stephan?
leopardglily almost 2 years ago
Hooray! A wholesome comic!