That was an unexpected comic. Very true. Here I am, with my safe, comfy, warm bed…and food to eat, my health, and living with a person I adore who also loves me. We take these things for granted, a lot of us…and don’t always think of how so many people around the world do not have these basic things. Have a good 2022, other fortunate people. I wish I could wave a magic wand and give the same things to everyone.
Considering this comic strip was published in 1993, I suspect the cab driver is referring to the overthrow of the Communist People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 1991, since the cab driver is talking about something that happened prior to 1993.
Boy, does this ever take me back. I remember being in Nashville for a shortwave radio convention about a dozen years ago and rode in cabs much of the time. One morning, I had a driver who was from Ethiopia and he told me how he came to the States and his story was similar to what John’s driver said.
I rarely made more than enough money to pay bills working in radio, but had a greater appreciation of what I DID have after that ride. After living in Asia the past two years and seeing poverty that would be unthinkable in the USA, I appreciate what I have even more.
“It’s a very good day for m……YIII! "(Taxi skids on ice into a parked car…).
“Sir,….. nevermind. Have a better day.”
.
Jokes aside, count your blessings that you do not live in one of those nations. If you do, my deepest condolences. May you find better sooner than later.
Joe Biden should read this and remember the Americans still trapped in Afghanistan. Happy new year to them – if they are still alive. He does not care.
When I think about the people in KY and CO and CA who have experienced tornadoes and fires and destruction of their lives, I don’t feel so bad about mine.
This is word-for-word from an experience I had while working on animated shows. I got a taxi to the animation studio and met this incredible young man whose outlook on life really resonated with me. Sometime later, a friend, whose life was very up and down, was going through a hard time so I wanted to give her some original art as a gift. I asked which strip she would like and she chose this one.
a very good reminder that the immigrants some want to demonize are a lot stronger, braver and tougher than many of us native born Americans. Being more grateful is nota bad way to begin a new year.
Lynn’s (Cartoonist) Comments for today’s strip: This is word-for-word from an experience I had while working on animated shows. I got a taxi to the animation studio and met this incredible young man whose outlook on life really resonated with me. Sometime later, a friend, whose life was very up and down, was going through a hard time so I wanted to give her some original art as a gift. I asked which strip she would like and she chose this one.
A little over 100 years ago, just before the end of the first World War, my Great Grandmother, who was pregnant with my grandfather, and her 2 daughters fled from Yugoslavia. Her husband was arrested for taking part in the plot to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand. They had nothing, but my “Baba” did her very best. My Deda (grandfather) had to quit school after 3rd grade so he could help earn money for the family. But neither my Baba nor my Deda ever regretted their lives. My Baba bought an A&W franchise in Florida, my Deda became a paratrooper in WW2, where he met my Oma, and my 2 Great Aunts married good men and had 7 children between them. This comic just brought back my memories of Baba and Deda and how they appreciated life and never took it for granted.
That is what America is all about – IF he came here legally. Apparantly there are those who think we have a magic wand that we can wave for the entire world to come here… and WE will pay for that ‘magic’ wand. Sorry, but that isn’t how it goes and while they have tried, I do hope 2022 is when it stops and we go back a law abiding Republic.
Cartoon very appropriate! In the first year after the Vietnam War over 150,000 Vietnamese resettled in US. By 2010, nearly 1.5 million overseas Vietnamese, now referred to as Viet Kieu, were resettled in the US. Additionally about 400,000 Hmong et al mountain people fighting with Army Special Forces in Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia resettled in the United States. We have senior NCO and officers at every rank from the exodus now serving in the US Military, many graduates of the Service Academies and in many professions. BTW, it was Veterans that made that happen, same as now, not generals and politicians who created an evacuation disaster in Afghanistan. Orders by senior military also left over 4,000 war dogs to be eaten in Vietnam. (about 800 smuggled into US with complicity by soldiers, air force and commercial airline crews, and US Customs with a middle finger salute to the Pentagon). Reportedly all US Military war dogs were evacuated with our military forces from Afghanistan after demands by Veterans. We now have over 3 million new, not Afghan, not vaccinated, “refugees” “dumped” throughout the United States with no screening, no plan, by an absolutely ignorant federal government run by fools. My apologies for the rant, I feel strongly about the subject. Arf
Reminds me of my business trips to Minneapolis. The city has a large Somali population and I’ve had quite a few wonderful conversations with my Uber drivers on the ride between the airport and the city.
My niece’s and her family’s house was one of those that burned down in the fires in Colorado. It really sucks! Right after Christmas and a bad way to start a new year. They, fortunately were warned and got out a day before.
Several years ago I read “Out of America – a Black Man Confronts Africa.” Black Washington Post reporter Keith Richburg wangled a 3 year posting to Africa after several years covering Southeast Asia. He wanted to learn why Africa and Asia, resource rich areas, went such different ways after WW2. SPOILER: in Asia leaders made potential rivals rich but not as rich as themselves; in Africa leaders sought and held power by denying resources to potential rivals. That left Asia with cash for infrastructure and making the people happy enough to obey, and left Africa with amounts of cash that could be hoarded to secure power and left rank and file people with too little money to make trouble.
Asharah over 2 years ago
It all depends on your perspective
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
Wise words from an Ethiopian-Canadian immigrant.
wldhrsy2luv over 2 years ago
Amen!
flagmichael over 2 years ago
Lest we forget.
shadowdwellr6352 over 2 years ago
That was an unexpected comic. Very true. Here I am, with my safe, comfy, warm bed…and food to eat, my health, and living with a person I adore who also loves me. We take these things for granted, a lot of us…and don’t always think of how so many people around the world do not have these basic things. Have a good 2022, other fortunate people. I wish I could wave a magic wand and give the same things to everyone.
amethyst52 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Count your blessings.
howtheduck over 2 years ago
Considering this comic strip was published in 1993, I suspect the cab driver is referring to the overthrow of the Communist People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 1991, since the cab driver is talking about something that happened prior to 1993.
BlitzMcD over 2 years ago
Magnificent!
Zykoic over 2 years ago
Almost word for word from my Armenian taxi driver about 45 years ago.
Odd Dog Premium Member over 2 years ago
Thank You Lynn!
Guilty Bystander over 2 years ago
Boy, does this ever take me back. I remember being in Nashville for a shortwave radio convention about a dozen years ago and rode in cabs much of the time. One morning, I had a driver who was from Ethiopia and he told me how he came to the States and his story was similar to what John’s driver said.
I rarely made more than enough money to pay bills working in radio, but had a greater appreciation of what I DID have after that ride. After living in Asia the past two years and seeing poverty that would be unthinkable in the USA, I appreciate what I have even more.
Enter.Name.Here over 2 years ago
“It’s a very good day for m……YIII! "(Taxi skids on ice into a parked car…).
“Sir,….. nevermind. Have a better day.”
.
Jokes aside, count your blessings that you do not live in one of those nations. If you do, my deepest condolences. May you find better sooner than later.
Lecherous over 2 years ago
Joe Biden should read this and remember the Americans still trapped in Afghanistan. Happy new year to them – if they are still alive. He does not care.
freewaydog over 2 years ago
I remember this particular episode when it originally aired! It’s touching.
jonvietvet over 2 years ago
I puddled up. We are so arrogant. Brought me back to my heart
codedaddy over 2 years ago
What does it say about the John character to address the driver as “Boy”?
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 2 years ago
When I think about the people in KY and CO and CA who have experienced tornadoes and fires and destruction of their lives, I don’t feel so bad about mine.
Gerard:D over 2 years ago
Lynn’s Comments:
This is word-for-word from an experience I had while working on animated shows. I got a taxi to the animation studio and met this incredible young man whose outlook on life really resonated with me. Sometime later, a friend, whose life was very up and down, was going through a hard time so I wanted to give her some original art as a gift. I asked which strip she would like and she chose this one.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Lessons can be learned in the most unexpected places. “There but for the grace of God, go I.” is more profound than one might think.
Bob Blumenfeld over 2 years ago
Ding-ding-ding-ding.
smokysilver.so Premium Member over 2 years ago
And there’s another civil war in Ethiopia.
jlsnell327 over 2 years ago
a very good reminder that the immigrants some want to demonize are a lot stronger, braver and tougher than many of us native born Americans. Being more grateful is nota bad way to begin a new year.
darcyandsimon over 2 years ago
Nice sentiment. May we continue to offer sanctuary to those who need it (no political comments, please! And I know they’re Canadian).
this is summerdog over 2 years ago
“Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama please, it’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size”….
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
I hope he earns enough to bring his wife and child over.
RIP, Betty White.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 2 years ago
Sad stories tend to garner better tips. All the ethnic cab drivers have one.
WCraft Premium Member over 2 years ago
A great immigrant story! The land of hope!
Jonathan K. and the Elusive Dream Girl over 2 years ago
The sad part is this was first published in 1993 and almost 30 years later things have not improved for people in Ethiopia and many other places.
JMG316 over 2 years ago
Perspective.
this is summerdog over 2 years ago
Why don’t these Canadians in the strips ever wear a hat in a Canadian winter?
Cincoflex over 2 years ago
There are strips like this that I truly appreciate because Lynn takes the time to point out a universal truth.
pheets over 2 years ago
I feel small for the things I whinge about.
gigagrouch over 2 years ago
Unfortunately, all these years after this was first published, Ethiopia is once again in upheaval and civil war.
BarnSour over 2 years ago
Lynn’s (Cartoonist) Comments for today’s strip: This is word-for-word from an experience I had while working on animated shows. I got a taxi to the animation studio and met this incredible young man whose outlook on life really resonated with me. Sometime later, a friend, whose life was very up and down, was going through a hard time so I wanted to give her some original art as a gift. I asked which strip she would like and she chose this one.
raybarb44 over 2 years ago
Good reminder for us all…..
myrendal over 2 years ago
A little over 100 years ago, just before the end of the first World War, my Great Grandmother, who was pregnant with my grandfather, and her 2 daughters fled from Yugoslavia. Her husband was arrested for taking part in the plot to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand. They had nothing, but my “Baba” did her very best. My Deda (grandfather) had to quit school after 3rd grade so he could help earn money for the family. But neither my Baba nor my Deda ever regretted their lives. My Baba bought an A&W franchise in Florida, my Deda became a paratrooper in WW2, where he met my Oma, and my 2 Great Aunts married good men and had 7 children between them. This comic just brought back my memories of Baba and Deda and how they appreciated life and never took it for granted.
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
I’d give that guy are really big tip.
kathleenhicks62 over 2 years ago
Every day you are alive is a good day.
sousamannd over 2 years ago
That is what America is all about – IF he came here legally. Apparantly there are those who think we have a magic wand that we can wave for the entire world to come here… and WE will pay for that ‘magic’ wand. Sorry, but that isn’t how it goes and while they have tried, I do hope 2022 is when it stops and we go back a law abiding Republic.
Watchdog over 2 years ago
Cartoon very appropriate! In the first year after the Vietnam War over 150,000 Vietnamese resettled in US. By 2010, nearly 1.5 million overseas Vietnamese, now referred to as Viet Kieu, were resettled in the US. Additionally about 400,000 Hmong et al mountain people fighting with Army Special Forces in Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia resettled in the United States. We have senior NCO and officers at every rank from the exodus now serving in the US Military, many graduates of the Service Academies and in many professions. BTW, it was Veterans that made that happen, same as now, not generals and politicians who created an evacuation disaster in Afghanistan. Orders by senior military also left over 4,000 war dogs to be eaten in Vietnam. (about 800 smuggled into US with complicity by soldiers, air force and commercial airline crews, and US Customs with a middle finger salute to the Pentagon). Reportedly all US Military war dogs were evacuated with our military forces from Afghanistan after demands by Veterans. We now have over 3 million new, not Afghan, not vaccinated, “refugees” “dumped” throughout the United States with no screening, no plan, by an absolutely ignorant federal government run by fools. My apologies for the rant, I feel strongly about the subject. Arf
DawnQuinn1 over 2 years ago
Shadow? Truer words were never spoken.
Solaricious Premium Member over 2 years ago
Reminds me of my business trips to Minneapolis. The city has a large Somali population and I’ve had quite a few wonderful conversations with my Uber drivers on the ride between the airport and the city.
Seed_drill over 2 years ago
Old comic, but there’s another civil war currently underway in Ethiopia. The more things change. . .
cbgoldeneagle2 over 2 years ago
Yep so true
KenDHoward1 over 2 years ago
Depends on the P.O.V. as to what makes a day good or bad … but the point was made, and it’s a good day … :)
donut reply over 2 years ago
My niece’s and her family’s house was one of those that burned down in the fires in Colorado. It really sucks! Right after Christmas and a bad way to start a new year. They, fortunately were warned and got out a day before.
kab2rb over 2 years ago
Today’s comic really speaks truth.
GreggW Premium Member over 2 years ago
A timely rerun, since there’s another war raging in Ethiopia now.
flagmichael over 2 years ago
Several years ago I read “Out of America – a Black Man Confronts Africa.” Black Washington Post reporter Keith Richburg wangled a 3 year posting to Africa after several years covering Southeast Asia. He wanted to learn why Africa and Asia, resource rich areas, went such different ways after WW2. SPOILER: in Asia leaders made potential rivals rich but not as rich as themselves; in Africa leaders sought and held power by denying resources to potential rivals. That left Asia with cash for infrastructure and making the people happy enough to obey, and left Africa with amounts of cash that could be hoarded to secure power and left rank and file people with too little money to make trouble.
asrialfeeple over 2 years ago
And this strip is as true now as it is when it was first published. Really makes you think, doesn’t it?
Burgundy2 over 2 years ago
this one put a tear in my eye.
Scoutmaster77 over 2 years ago
I’ve been some places in the world that are pretty scary.
comicjunky Premium Member over 2 years ago
We don’t expect comics to be profound. That was profound. I hope we are paying attention
Thorby over 2 years ago
AMEN !!! We should ALL appreciate what we have.
Will_Scarlet over 2 years ago
Darn it – why do you have to ruin a perfectly good complaint by putting it in perspective?
Cynic over 2 years ago
Very true :’(
Laurie Stoker Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’ll bet John gave him an excellent tip. I know I would have done so.
Katzi428 over 2 years ago
Open mouth, insert foot, John.
turkeycreekacres Premium Member over 2 years ago
Thank God for America
Charlie Fogwhistle over 2 years ago
Perspective.
fstop8 over 2 years ago
bad start for us. All our bank accounts got hacked on Xmas eve.
Johnnyrico over 2 years ago
The millennials who have been rioting in Portland and other places all around the USA really don’t know just how good they have it in North America.
Jan C over 2 years ago
“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”
falcon_370f over 2 years ago
https://youtu.be/bjQzJAKxTrE
JD'Huntsville'AL over 2 years ago
“I have a wife I haven’t seen in 3 years and a 1 year old child I have never seen.”
calliarcale over 2 years ago
Amen to that. Count your blessings, every day.
bonnieleighton over 2 years ago
This is one of my most favorite panels of this comic. So very, very true