Buying Condoms Cartoon

Today’s cartoon on condom purchasing and the embarrassment it can cause was inspired by real life.  The other day I had a few things to pick up at the grocery store and I was waiting in line behind a 20 something woman who confidently held a box of condoms in her hand ready to purchase.  I thought to myself that I was so happy to be married so I didn’t have to deal with that anymore.

I don’t know about you but when I used to buy condoms, I tended to throw a couple more non essential items into the basket.  For a time at my local grocery store you had to ask the pharmacist to unlock a cabinet where they were located.  I guess because people would rather steal them than be embarrassed by purchasing them.

Thinking back, condom purchasing wasn’t the only thing I used to be embarrassed doing.  I once was a gopher in an office where I had to buy tampons for the five women that worked there.  Of course none of them used the same type.  So here I went lugging five boxes up to the counter.  The clerk looked at me funny and I said “This is the lowest point in my career.”

Even speaking up and ordering a drink at a crowded bar.  I tended to just hold my money in my hand hoping eventually the bartender would see me.  My wife can’t believe that I ever was shy for any reason.  How about you?  Anything you used to abhor doing that is no big deal now?

What is Your Porn Star Name?

I’ve seen some things floating around the web describing the steps for people to figure out their Blues Singer name.   We never played that game but we did ask people their Porn Star Name.   Plus when else am I going to be able to fit a caricature of Adult Film star legend Ron Jeremy into a cartoon post.  So fess up Bearmaniacs….what is yours?

Oh and someone pointed out that this might be security answers on websites and you may  so your alternative is to tell us your Middle Name and the First Car you Drove.

UPDATE:

The guys at Obscure Gentlemen webcomic actually cared what I have to say.  Go check out my interview with them.  Aidan, George and Tony better go because I give you shout outs.

Editorial Cartoon: The Generosity of Warren Buffet

Today’s editorial cartoon was inspired by a blog post from Jeff Jena that blasted Billionaire Warren Buffet for his pittance of a challenge to Republicans in Congress.   Now on one hand, I agree with Buffet that certain tax shelters need to be right sized.  CEOs who take little salary yet rake in stock options because Capital Gains are charged at a lower rate than income.    In the late 80′s and 90′s that rate was closer to 30% and now it is somewhere around 15% so there is precedent for a higher rate.  And we are familiar with the notion that Buffet paid less as a percent of income in taxes than his secretary.  Maybe Warren should start paying her in stock instead.

A Republican pushed through the Buffet Rule Act that gives individuals an option on the tax form allowing them to give more to the IRS to lower the national debt.   Buffet responded saying he would match any Congressional Republican’s donations to the debt dollar for dollar.  While it can be looked at as a “put your money where your mouth is” bet, it is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP on his part.

Based on recent data, Buffet’s net worth is somewhere around $50 billion and the entirety of Congress is around $2 Billions (well overpaid but still 25x less than Buffet).  Let’s put that in perspective you and I could understand.  It would be the same as someone earning $100,000 a year (Person A) saying he would match dollar for dollar in donations that someone earning just $4,000 (Person B) did.  Let’s say they each donate $1000.   That is only 1% of Person A’s income while it is 25% of Person B’s.  $1000 to Person A is nothing so even if all the Republican’s in Congress donated 100% of their yearly income, it wouldn’t even put the slightest dent in Warren’s pocketbook.

 

Editorial Cartoon: Welfare Drug Test

Today’s editorial cartoon is inspired by the noise coming out around some states and even the federal government trying to put laws in place that would require anyone requesting government assistance first pass a drug test. (source).   I don’t believe those who don’t pass shouldn’t get benefits but rather have 90 days to enroll in a drug treatment program and then pass the test at completion and be subject to additional screenings. Yet, people are up in arms saying it violates the Fourth Amendment against unnecessary search and seizure.  The ACLU has been successful in halting Florida’s program using this same argument.  Personally I think the war on drugs is a complete failure, however much like my cartoon implies if I wanted to be hired by the government or a business I would have to be subjected to random drug testing.  In face, just yesterday I heard about a hospital that no longer will hire anyone that smokes or has even been using a smoking cessation treatment in the last 90 days.  And they plan to do hair tests.  Why are my rights as an employee somehow less than someone seeking government assistance? In response to the judge’s ruling in Florida the ACLU put out a statement saying in part: “Last month in federal court in Orlando, the Governor’s attorneys pushed the startling proposition that some Floridians – namely poor families asking for temporary government assistance – were not protected by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. Judge Scriven rightfully tossed out that notion and the arguments made to support it. “Governor Scott is sadly confused about conservative principles.  No true conservative would defend a program that allows government to conduct intrusive, privacy-violating searches on people who are not suspected of any wrongdoing, but who are simply applicants for government services.

If  we put up TSA intrusive searches when flying in the name of safety, why aren’t we OK with someone having to pee in a cup to get some money?

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