Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for December 09, 2021

Three words that mean the opposite when someone says it to end a conversation:

FINE!

ok

interest…ing

Rat the diplomat.

Rat’s could be a good ambassador to China or Russia.

Stephan is quite the diplomat today; he tells us that Bald Guy just expressed a political opinion, but we don’t know what he said about whom.

How interesting (that Rat gives a darn about politics).

Well done, Rat. Keep developing your diplomatic skills.

He does not put pants on in the morning. He puts on a kilt.

The dictionary according to Rat:

Smart /smärt/: You agree with Rat.

Stupid /ˈst(y)o͞opəd/: You don’t agree.

I can definitely see the progress.

Why even talk politics in the first place.

Remember the FAR SIDE cartoon where the guy has a bedroom sign “First pants, THEN your shoes”?

When I want your opinion I’ll give it to you!

“How nice for you.”

Rat is truly the Howard Stern of diplomacy!

How about ‘I think you’re lame, but you seem to have good reasons for it’?

Actually Rat (in this strip) is a lot more diplomatic than a lot of the commentators in the main stream media nowadays.

The bald guy should have a couple more beers, his candidate’s politics would be much easier to swallow.

Me, too (not to be confused with #MeToo). Let’s Go, Brand X.

LMAO!! Must use that line.

That picture is so wrong ! Rat has a cup of coffee in his paw and not a beer like the guy he is talking to ;-)

I’m surprised that Rat doesn’t also have a beer. He must have something stronger in the cup.

The real problem here is not politics. The real problem is that Rat is drinking coffee while his antagonist is drinking beer.

I will never use political or diplomatic stuff in my projects, whatever they may be.

My favorite sarcasm masked in diplomacy is: " Thank you for sharing. " It is one I have frequently used when dealing with others’ political opinions.

The Southern version of that might be the comment: “Well, bless your heart…”

Rat for Ambassador to China!

Kudos to all of the prior commenters for not taking this opportunity to bash the other side!

I had a boss that after his usual rant would say “Understand?” and I would always reply "I hear you.’ and continue to do the job right. After sevral years, one day he said “And I don’t want you to just say I hear you.” That was the day I decided it was a good time to quit.

Many moons ago, a professor told the class that whenever someone says “That’s interesting.” but does not speak further to the topic, that person is really saying “Let’s move on, please.” That bit of advice has been in my head for 40 years now and has probably spared my friends and coworkers more than a few of my boring stories.

This is so true and hilarious at the same time! It made my day!

Rat listens to a Republican rant.

I say “how interesting” as well, while thinking the pants thing. Sometimes I switch it up with “well, huh!”

Only “slightly” too combative? It’s politics, where one cannot talk about adorable kittens without getting into a heated argument.

It seems that Rat’s tries at diplomacy never make it to the final panel. Rat and I think alike: Diplomacy and tact only encourage further moronic blather. Brutal truth—or a conk upside the head with a fungo bat—work every time. Except when they don’t, maybe.

He could have also used: Rilly?? My goodness! Rilly??

Where is Rats beer?

One leg at a time … after thong and socks.

Hey, don’t ask if you might not like the answer.

Yesterday Rat thought he was more profound, today more diplomatic, his favorable opinion of himself grows by the day. Soon he will become totally insufferable.

“Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.” – Winston Churchill

A step back from Rat moving in a good direction.

Kudos, Rat, it’s a start, and we all need to work on that. Kudos to Mr. Pastis, also, for reviving political humor that doesn’t simply flame one side or the other.

Rat’s “diplomacy” would mortify our Department of State. And that might not be a bad idea….

May you live in Interesting Times; in your Mom’s Army boots.