Berkley Breathed

I turned 18 in 2001, the age I could finally vote and buy cigarettes in Wyoming.

But it wasn't till 2004 when I could actually cast my vote for who I wanted for president. 2004 was my first election year. The first time all the political campaign ads, internet videos, SNL sketches, overheard political conversations in grocery store lines, etc... actually were funny and interesting to me. It was the same year Laura & I flew to Pennsylvania to pay a visit to our dear liberal friend, Caleb, and his politically active democrat family. The first thing I was asked when I walked in their home on Gay Street in Marrieta, PA was "Whitney, where do you stand politically?". I remember being terrified to answer, and I can't remember what I said, probably something along the lines of "I sorta like Bush". His mom was quick to reply "By the time you leave, we'll have changed that!"

Here is a picture from that trip:

Here is a blog post from that trip: CLICK HERE

During that trip they actually took me to an anti-Bush rally, where Caleb's mom painted signs "Free Bush From The White House!!" and we stood and protested outside of a school where Bush was speaking. I remember feeling embarrassed as the well-dressed republican family's passed us leaving the school. We looked and sounded insane. Thankfully, we never saw the first family, they were helicoptered in.

2008 was my second election year. It was the first time I understood the consequences of voting the wrong person into office. It was also the first time I felt that there was nothing I could do to stop the evil that ran politics. This same year I remember standing in front of the magazine rack at Kohlers and seeing Obama's face plastered over every single magazine. The world and media viewed him as a hero and a celebrity, and that was the only reason why people were voting for him, because it was cool. Everywhere I looked there was an Obama pin fastened to someone's coat or bag. There seemed to be no end to his praises. I felt scared, nervous and controlled. I remember staring at those magazines thinking "where are my people's magazines?", "there must be a group of people who feel the same way as I do, where do they get their information?", "isn't there some sorta radio program for people who don't believe everything Oprah thinks about Obama?". I felt alone.

I seriously remember not knowing where to turn. I didn't grow up in family that talked or even knew about Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Glenn Beck. But in my deepest of hearts I knew they were out there, I just had to find them. I don't know about anyone else, but trying to find radio programs is hard, especially when you don't know what they are called (I can never find general conference on my own). I would scan the radio frequently trying to find any voice of reason (especially the AM stations, that's where I thought they would be), and for some reason was even more freaked out that I couldn't find what I was searching for. I felt like I was too late, the government already controlled everything. And then... one day... thanks to some guidance from the internet (which wasn't too much help because I didn't know what to search for), I dialed in through the static... to the sweet voice of Rush Limbaugh.


2008 was the year I found talk radio. C O N S E R VA T I V E   T A L K   R A D I O

My life really hasn't been the same since.

2012 is going to be a good year. I already can't wait for 2012 talk radio. There is just something about election years. It's history in the making and it's exciting. I enjoy party bashing, I enjoy political satire, I enjoy the witty comments, the debates, and the whole nation talking about the same things. I love the jokes! I want more jokes!

There is something about the whole country being tuned that makes for great jokes. And while I'm excited for talk radio to start getting heated and exciting again, it's times like these I wish Berkeley Breathed hadn't retired his comic, Bloom County. That is the reason for this lengthy blog post today. I was just thinking about that comic strip and how genius it is, and want to cry that he isn't writing for today's current events. I would be eating them up. Why aren't there any funny comic strips out there, WHY!!?!?!

If only I had been around for 1980, 1984, 1988!!! What great years for every one who was reading!!!

Can you imagine what he would be coming up with right now? Comics about Glenn Beck, Obama, the Royal Wedding... Berkeley needs to be making fun of these!!!

I can only imagine.

Click here to see previous Bloom County posts.

See below for some good humor:

 

at least Stephen Colbert is around, he'll suffice.