Eagle-eyed viewers (and those with, y’know, regular eyes) may notice the presence of the main cast members of one of my other comics, The Social Life of Frank & Linh. I recently hit the 2-year mark with writing and drawing them, and thought it might be worth the extra effort to bring them over here for a strip. If you’d like to see more about them – and haven’t yet – check them out over at Ken Mueller’s blog. While you’re at it, tell him I said, “Hi”.

After word came out that the overwhelming majority of people who vote for who gets an Academy Award are male (94%), white (77%), and old (the median age is 62), it seemed obvious to me that there was one other significant demographic that they shared these characteristics with: Republican presidential candidates. The joke pretty much wrote itself from there.

Of course, the irony that Republicans regularly crititcize the “Hollywood liberal elite” makes this all the more interesting. They have met the enemy, and they are them.

…Wow. Grammatically, that really doesn’t work.

The more I listen to some of the Presidential candidates and their supporters and surrogates, the more I struggle to understand precisely what they’re saying. Not necessarily understanding the words, but understanding how they can be so demonizing to ones they disagree with. It’s not enough to say, “I disagree with the President.” No, instead they must accuse him of a radical agenda in which his ultimate purpose (whether because he’s a secret Muslim or socialist or whatever) is to destroy our very way of life. How can you say that and still claim to want to lead all of the people of our country?

Wow, OK, sorry. Didn’t mean to get all riled up, there. Lemme take a deep breath and go watch some bunnies with pancakes on their heads or cute baby otters or something.

I’m really, truly hoping all of this was a joke that turned into a massive publicity stunt that went horribly, zanily, ridiculously awry.

Of course, that’s also what I’ve been hoping in regards to a certain former Alaskan governor for far too long, as well.

Audience participation time: What do you think was the most ridiculous aspect of Trump’s un-campaign?

I don’t care if you agree with me or not. Either way, just please vote tomorrow.

And if you’re not sure if you agree with more or not, read this or alternately, watch this.

But again, regardless: please vote. Thank you.

To be fair, at least the Republicans have a duck. The Democrats have…the guys from Doonesbury? Wait, I know! A penguin: Opus from Bloom County! …Wait, that strip ended a while back didn’t it? And then it ended again. And still again just a year or two back, now.

Oh, wait. There’s Tom Tomorrow. That strip’s got…a Geordi LaForge visor-wearing…penguin. Why penguins? Is there some sort of genetic connection between penguins and donkeys?

…I really hope not. (shudder)

If you need a refresher, Cole was first seen in this strip, and this one. Finally gave him a name tonight. He should be thanking me, despite the fact that he really comes off as a jerk in tonight’s strip. Gotta give a little to get a little, Cole.

By the way, Linh’s experience is nothing like my own personal experience. My part-time job is at a church, not a grocery store. Couldn’t be more different. Ahem.

A situation similar to this happened to me this evening. I was sitting in a parking lot, enjoying a fruit smoothie with the Eponymous Neaner, when a Cadillac SUV pulled up nearby, and proceeded to spend the next 20-25 minutes… sitting there, with the engine running. It was warm outside, but I didn’t personally feel it was hot enough to need the A/C (and I am not a fan of hot weather, believe me). It just felt… well, to use the popular vernacular of my high school years, incredibly ignorant.

Oh, and for the record, some of my best friends are Republicans. But they’re getting better.