Monthly Archives: May 2015

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 – “We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us.”

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 – “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

“We have met the enemy and he is us” is probably the most famous Pogo quotation. (Google “Pogo”) The quote is a parody of a message sent in 1813 from U.S. Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry to Army General, William Henry Harrison after his victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. Note to uniformed and misinformed – The Battle of Lake Erie was during the War of 1812. It was the United States against Great Britain and not the invasion of New York by the United States government.

The quote has appeared in several forms and is included in The Pogo Papers. The foreword of the book in which the cartoonist Walt Kelly defends his actions reads as follows:

“Traces of nobility, gentleness and courage persist in all people do what we will to stamp out the trend.  So, too, do those characteristics which are ugly.  It is just unfortunate that in the clumsy hands of a cartoonist all traits become ridiculous, leading to a certain amount of self-conscious expostulation and the desire to join battle.  There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand.  Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blasts on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us. Forward!”

Walt Kelly, June 1953, The Pogo Papers defending his attacks on McCarthyism.

Sounds like today, doesn’t it?

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 – Happy Cinco de Mayo and the Invasion of Texas or Grito de Idiots

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 – Happy Cinco de Mayo and the Invasion of Texas or Grito de Idiots

Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexican independence.

According to History.com, the Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain on September 16th. This is the day priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared war against the Spanish government in 1810 with his call to arms that is known as the “Grito de Dolores” or “Cry of Dolores.”

Cinco de Mayo commemorates a relatively small battle.

The 5th of May is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a battle which resulted in the unlikely victory of Mexico over France in 1862, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

In 1861, Mexico defaulted on a number of foreign debts that it owed to England, Spain, and France. All three countries invaded Mexico, but England and Spain retreated by the next year. France however, stayed in hopes of creating a monarchy in Mexico led by the Archduke of Austria, Maximilian.

Now Cinco de Mayo should not be confused with the invasion of Texas by the federal government or as it is known in Bastrop County – The Obama Attack of Texas and Bastrop County. Why the residents think their country would be the choice of an attack, as opposed to other counties, such as Harris or Dallas, or even Bexar, I do not know.

It seems a federal government training exercise called Jade Helm 15 is to take place throughout the western United States, including Texas.  The Gathering of the Conspiracy Theorists has produced thoughts such as:

  1. The Federal government and/or the United Nations (maybe both) are invading Bastrop County.
  2. They are coming to seize all of the guns.
  3. They are coming to imprison dissenters.
  4. They are connected to the closing of Walmart stores where dissenters will be housed.

However, the “interesting” fact is that the Governor of Texas has called up the Texas State Guard to protect the residents.  Think about that for a moment. The state government is sending troops to protect residents from the federal troops based on fear and paranoia.

This has caused former politicians such as Lt. Governor, David Dewhurst to say “IT’S a training exercise.” and former state representative, Todd Smith to say the governor is “pandering to the idiots.” Note: both of those quotes are from Conservative Republicans.

The military exercises are scheduled to take place between July 15 and September 15.  Oh yes, Mexico celebrates its Independence from Spain on September 16.

Here’s what I’m thinking – Let’s declare September 17 – Day of the Idiots. Goobernor Abbott has the power to declare state holidays too.

I do think the republicans have begun their own self-destruction. Don’t even get me started on the cartoon convention in Garland.

Monday, May 4, 2015 – Check for Understanding

Monday, May 4, 2015 – Check for Understanding

Saint Madeline Hunter here with a check for understanding for State Representative Molly White.

Texas State Representative, Molly White, R- Belton, proposed a bill to “hold doctors and counselors criminally liable if they were found to have coerced a woman into ending a pregnancy. “ Ms. White said she was coerced by her family to have an abortion some 30 years ago.

Questions – 1. Why are you not holding the family liable? 2. Wouldn’t a curriculum topic in a school sex education class about the use of condoms and then the investment in condoms have possibility prevented the need for coercion in the first place? Just asking.

Friday, May 1, 2016 – Snark Attack

Friday, May 1, 2016 – Snark Attack

It is May Day, Pay Day and Friday. What more can one ask for?

Of course, it’s snarky Friday, so here’s what I’m thinking for Friday:

Really, Senator Cruz? You have never seen a Hispanic person panhandling? You are so in touch with the country.

Congrats to another first round NFL draft pick for the Aggies. Of course no other Aggies went in the first round. How many days until football season begins?