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This column contains miscellaneous thoughts from the creator of the Letters From Us comic strip. Its odds-and-ends stuff about the strip, the site and related things. Like the other sections on this page, this column is updated sometimes, which usually means once a week.

August 16, 2010

Huli, a dear, sweet, 7-year old Golden passed of cancer since my last article. He was featured in one of Sidney’s blogs, http://www.lettersfromus.com/blogsfromus/1-politics/healthcare-ideas-from-us-part-ii/, last spring. We had regular play dates in the last few weeks of his life and, boy, was he a quick study.

I didn’t want to wear him out so I had him sit while I tossed the ball right to him. He learned the “sit” hand signal in a single try. In fact, he looked at me like, “you know, this really isn’t thinking. If you want me to think, how about letting me help with your calculus homework?” Of course, I’m decades beyond calculus, but you get the idea.

Dogs always seem a lot brighter than we want to believe. And cats, too, and just about all of the other species we welcome to share our lives. I think it’s because humans need to believe we know more than we actually do. Regardless, our non-human companions bring immeasurable joy with them. They make us laugh, are great company and can offer comfort, too.

Sure, there can be bumps like when Sidney, who’s in charge of homeland security, is certain she knows better than I do when to bark. But, even in that, she’s out protecting her home and hearth while her brother suns himself on the rug by the front door.

Huli can never be replaced and his humans will never try. But, because of the love and joy he brought to them, there will soon be another ball of fur to grace their lives. So, here’s to you, Huli. And to all others of your kind who do so much for so little.

Until next time, I’ll…

See you in the Center.

August 2, 2010

This week’s Thursday comic, “Tax Dollars”, recounts a true story and adds Sidney and Riley’s perceptions of it. It’s about completely preventable Government waste that happens on a large scale every day. And costs taxpayers billions of dollars annually. Unfortunately, the prospect for reducing this type of squandering is practically nonexistent.

Another example of Government waste is the five census employees who tried to take my one census over the past few months. I found a census form in my mailbox one day, filled it out and mailed it in. A couple of weeks later, a census taker knocked on my door to take my census. I told him that I’d already mailed it in. He apologized and said he would take care of the mix up.

In the next few months I found two more forms in my mailbox and a second census taker left his card. And the Government brags about how the unemployment situation was alleviated by the temporary census employees. With all of the added cost for incompetence, it’s close to a financial wash.

A friend of mine believes that efficient Government only has a chance in small, homogeneous countries like Sweden or Denmark. She may be right, but I don’t think creating 50 countries out of our 50 states is really the answer. It is interesting to think about, though.

If you have an example of Government waste that you’d like to read about in one of our weekly comics, just email your story. Send it to either Sidney (sidney@lettersfromus.com) or Riley (riley@lettersfromus.com). It may end up being featured, or not. Registration not required.

Until next time, I’ll…

See you in the Center.

July 26, 2010

In the last couple of blog comics, the Obama caricature has assumed a different appearance. It is his permanent look. Originally, Obama was purple, a color between red and blue, with his trademark ears. Purple was chosen because of his claim of bipartisanship. And, he usually wore the Uncle Sam hat, signifying his role as the head of Government. It was a pretty politically neutral portrayal.

Now, his head and ears are his personal icon, his body and limbs are transparent and he wears boxing gloves. The personal icon is used because of the personality cult he seems determined to build around himself. The transparency of body and limbs refers to the fact that, while his policies and procedures have not been transparent, he certainly is. The boxing gloves denote his combative nature, which is another 180 from his campaign promises.

These new symbols seem to fit what he’s turned out to be a lot better than the original concept. Why weren’t they used from the beginning? Getting to know someone in any context – social, personal, work, politics – really does take time. Back then, we didn’t know who he was or what he would turn out to be. We only knew about his lack of experience and his lofty campaign promises. But, enough time has passed now to get a much more accurate picture.

For the In The Headlights strips, Obama continues to be played by Riley, appropriately modified to look more like the President than himself. This is in keeping with that strip and the other “guests” that appear in it.

Until next time, I’ll…

See you in the Center.

Extra!
Extra!

A Sunday Talk Show comic with Sidney interviewing persons of interest on the latest topics.