Nadir of Minnesota

Ten thousand reflections of the North Star comprise the nadir of Minnesota, land of Lutefisk and Hot Dish, where come this Tuesday Ralph Nader may chip in George Bush's short put and propel him into the back nine.
Many are the reasons the President has matched par with Mr. Kerry here in the former bastion of Lutheranism, a state currently welcoming an influx of newly plaid attired Somali and Hmong refugees.
They are-
A Republican governor who has tamed a 5 billion deficit without raising taxes, mainly through government attrition.
A refusal this spring by Democratic lawmakers to allow a traditional marriage amendment on this month's ballot, which has infuriated rural voters in conservative and still very Lutheran Democratic districts.
The recent trashing by a State Judge of a popular conceal and carry gun amendment.
Burgeoning suburbs full of new homeowners.
Growth of the evangelical voting block, many living in those new homes yet unpaid for.
A poorly advised recent Kerry commercial extolling the virtues of stem cell research, a subject which has solicited the attention of evangelical suburb families living next door to Dem farmers still hopping mad about being denied a vote on a State marriage amendment.
Lastly, besides the no nonsense Minnesotan attitude on National Security, there is the impossible-to-argue-with Minnesotan resolve to stand on principle. This time around the wreath of principle falls upon the head of the Independent, hithero shut out of the debates and largely of the discussion, still well known and respected throughout the state and dodged by hysterical Democrats trying to upset his canoe wherever he tries to launch it.
The Democrats haven't played fair with public servant Ralph, a fact exacerbated by the fact that their candidate of one of rare privilege. After the still mourned Paul Wellstone and the scandal of a wake turned pep rally, voters passed over a condescending Walter Mondale and voted in Norm from New York, who by proxy had earned the vote through sheer hard work. George works hard too, and so has Ralph. John has inherited a billion dollars. He'll inherit the Loon State's hard line liberal voting base and no one else. Here in the critical second tier, we have nothing if not elses.
Republicans helped elect that giant fake action doll Jesse Ventura last time around, who realized his second fifteen minutes of fame were up when the post September 11th budget limped in. We won't help prop up the Independent this time around, but the Independents and some Democrats will, which may be enough to upset the national golf cart once again.

Of Christ and Hitler

I've received a few hearty emails in response to a post yesterday on the faithmouse cartoon site, which was itself a response to an earlier email. Here is the post in question,which begins with an email received a few days ago-



George Bush is not a Christian...
or if he is, he is still propagating evil.
You have been fooled, my friend,
You have been distracted by the "liberal vs conservative" sham...
Best regards..(moniker withheld)
PS -I read Lew Rockwell every day!
http://www.lewrockwell.com
"The premier anti-state, anti-war and pro-market site on the net!"

Thanks for the email.
When I was a young atheist attending school in Southern California one of my favorite writers was Kurt Vonnegut, who I read up until about Slapstick. I believe it was in Cat's Cradle that Vonnegut made the comparison between war and icebergs, stating correctly that they were just as hard to stop. Vonnegut, a survivor of the Dresden fire bombing, had his heart in the right place. I'm sure Mr. Rockwell, Lord Chamberlain and all other vociferously anti-war politicians harbor the same dread of war and love of peace shared by the common man. The history of war in the twentieth century is of atheistic monsters such as Hitler, Stalin and Mao who slaughtered tens of millions, their harvest hedged only by the forces of Christianity and capitalism. Saddam Hussein despite shows of Islamic piety had no deity save himself and can be included in this sorry camaraderie. Click here for an article detailing how Saddam viewed himself as the new Nebuchadnezzar. Wherever people are held in bondage you will inevitably find that a Castro or Kim Chong-il is holding the keys. It is only the blood of true empathy which can free them.

'The limit imposed upon evil is ultimately divine mercy' -from Memory and Identity by Pope John Paul II.


My emailer reminded me that there are many sincere candidates in the Presidential race who receive as much attention from the the major media as does my cartoon. Therefore I'll include as many of them as I can in a nice cartoon in a day or two, and all under a protective blessing from Reverend Rhino. -Dan

As you can read from the post, I never said Hitler was an atheist. I said he was atheistic and there is a difference. Anti-Christian bigots work overtime to relate Hitler with Pat Robertson, but history isn't with them. Consider these articles of requirement from Hitler's National Reich Church-

1. The National Reich Church of Germany categorically claims the exclusive right and the exclusive power to control all churches . . .
13. The National Church demands the immediate cessation of the publishing and dissemination of the Bible
14. The National Church declares that to it, and therefore to the German nation, it has been decided that the Führer's Mein Kampf is the greatest of all documents. It ... embodies the purest and truest ethics for the present and future life of our nation.
18. The National Church will clear away from its alters all crucifixes. Bibles, and pictures of saints.
19. On the alters there must be nothing but Mein Kampf and to the left of the alter, a sword
30. On the day of its foundation, the Christian Cross must be removed from all churches, cathedrals and chapels ... and it must be superseded by the only unconquerable symbol, the swastika.
-from the Short Reports article Was Adolph Hitler a Christian?

Hitler's terrifying and genocidal Reich, purged of the Bible and it's Christ and with the Führer installed in His place as God, had no claim to the Christian message to word or in deed. Hitler's references to God in Mein Kampf or his claims to historical guidance and preeminence through the will of divinity are as valid again as the 'faith' of Saddam Hussein. The facts of history damn the ersatz invention of a Christian Hitler. These include the attempted assassination of Judaism and the 800 Christian pastors sent to concentration camps for bravely defying the Nietzschian God-Führer. None of these actions dovetail with the New Testament definition of true Christian character, which is secured firmly upon a foundation of love and charity. Even if failed artist Adolf was a closet Christian, he did a darn good job of keeping it to himself.

In Germany the physically handicapped, mentally ill, and others with so-called "worthless lives" are rounded up and sent to designated hospitals, where they are killed. Referred to by the Nazis as mercy killing and planned by Hitler's office and the Reich Interior Ministry, the "euthanasia" program will claim up to 275,000 lives when it goes into full swing.
-from Adolf Hitler's Killer File

History doesn't record every person who claims to be Jesus as Christ himself, but the revisionists try to extend this courtesy to Hitler ergo his claim to be 'Catholic' and despite his many anti-Christian statements including "(the) organized lie (of Christianity) must be smashed" so that the state would "remain the absolute master." Indeed, Hitler's actual statements and actions are much closer to the philosophy of our current crop of propagandizing atheists and their revered alters of absolute state secularism, than any nonexistent ideology of maniacal Rexism.

As for my 'stepping in the gap' statement, consider the millions saved from starvation by the completely altruistic Marshall Plan, John Kennedy's heroic Berlin air lift and face down of Communist Cuba, the prevention of the suffocation of what has remained free South Korea by the cult of the north, and the limited though positive influence capitalism has wrought upon the perpetrators of the Tiananmen Square massacre. When the Soviet Union finally fell so did it's institutionalized atheism and persecution of Christianity. These benefits are courtesy the Judeo Christian tradition and it's philosophical allies. Longer than ever the line of expatriates extends to these nations and not from them. The atheist nation-behemoths have crumbled, leaving despots and terror cells in their shadows.

Christians who believe the scripture we have been paid for with a price consider it a reference from which to gauge the fair market value of freedom. True freedom can only come from entering into a personal relationship with it's author. Such a relationship will inevitably place one into conflict with those who claim water is best drawn from an empty cistern.


Related post- Of Christ and Hitler Redux

Related by babysitting to Garrison Keillor

For those who aren't already aware, Garrison Keillor's nephew's wife babysits my nephew. My only other connection to Garrison Keillor (other than residing in the same state) is his presence in a dream I had last Friday night. As I was drawing a cartoon on the hood of a 1970 Chevy Impala, Garrison Keillor frumpishly passed by and refused to look at my work. I realized it wasn't the first time he had given me the cold shoulder. Before exiting my dream he conceded politely that although he understood I was a 'hate' artist, he would give my site a look the next time he was roving through the internet, which I had the distinct impression would be never. Perhaps my dream Garrison will change his mind and drop by one day for a visit.
President Bush has a good chance of adding Minnesota to his electoral college tally early next month, a probability which isn't being celebrated by homegrown liberal celebs such as Al Franken or Jessica Lange or Garrison Keillor. I know for a fact Garrison Keillor won't be celebrating because I witnessed his non-defense of his deceptively subtitled Homegrown Democrat: A Few Plain Thoughts From the Heart of America during an interview with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News Channel last month, and I've read his previous 'plain thoughts' on President Bush and Norm Coleman, the latter of whom he has referred to with exceptionally bitter anger, including calling down the wrath of God upon our Republican Senator for his 'sins.' For this last bit of business I admire Garrison's initiative if not his aim. Norm Coleman for all his faults has far outshone his do-nothing Democratic Senate counterpart who evacuated his Washington offices last week and is currently conducting business in a location the terrorists hopefully won't Target. I understand that we are paying Mr. Keillor against our will for his long running radio program, but at least we are receiving product for monies paid.
Much has been said about Mr. Keillor's latest musings in conservative circles, and much more has been said by Garrison to provoke the criticism. The nation has recoiled from the brink of socialism like a drunk avoiding that last muddy fall into the gutter. Many like myself are thankful that we have so far avoided the greatest mistakes of past civilizations and therefore disaster, but the rest see us tumbling blindly over the precipice and remain in a perpetual state of panic. We live with the government Ollie and Lena voted for, but no matter. God is great, and He has afforded us the light of humor by which we can discern the truth. As a former evangelical and a gifted humorist, Mr. Keillor deserves better than the bitter legacy he seems so intent to carve for himself out of a great career.

Kerry Wins Debate

That's right, the most excellently named Hairy Kerry Spice Mouse clearly wins the interactive Humor Debate on SpiceMice.com (no relation.) Bushy-Tail mouse has some decent lines, such as 'The cat from Iraq is in my sack, and he's not going back, Jack!' but Hairy condescendingly delivers the much funnier soundbites, including a great one liner regarding WMD's.

Hairy Kerry's profile also includes this statement-
Kerry already has lots of cheese for himself, more cheese than any one mouse could ever eat, so he believes he should be elected so he can give cheese to poor mice who could use a good snack.

Great sentiments these, and overlooking the fact that this is the philosophical posture of a small stuffed toy, it's a statement worthy of the respect of any Christian regardless of denomination, political affiliation or animate status.
Under closer inspection please note that Hairy's success at either election or obscurity should in no way affect his stated goal 'to give cheese to poor mice who could use a good snack.' He is free to do this at anytime, regardless of political success. So, what does the Mr. Kerry doll want? For what noble cause does he suffer starched whiskers and incessant mousing? For the opportunity to give your cheese away, of course.
Which is why I suspect he is losing the non scientific poll paws down.

Self Portrait

In his surprising autobiography, Bob Dylan reveals that his favorite politician is Barry Goldwater, the man credited with herding the Republican Party to open territory and away from the east coast elitism which had compromised it's values during the 1950's.
This and other revelations largely explains Mr. Dylan's aloofness and avoidance of interviewers over the decades. In an unguarded moment, much of his career could come slipping out of his mouth. The media could learn to excuse Mr. Dylan's Christianity as an interesting but unfortunate artistic quirk, equal to his falling off of a motorcycle and disappearing for a year, but self proclaimed conservatism remains to this day a revelation safe only for those who have already scaled the mount of fame. As long as Mr. Zimmerman looked appropriately dour and scruffy while rasping his songs of freedom, he was free to daydream about a house with a white picket fence and other vestiges of the American dream.
The original faithmouse offers the wry observation that even she avoids discussing politics at work.

Faithmouse and the Adventure of the Tintin Mousepad

I'm a basemented Tintin fan, so I was thrilled to find some Tintin items at a Turtle Pond Toy Store in Niagara Falls, Ontario Ca. One of these is a mousepad featuring an image from Tintin and the Adventure of The Blue Lotus.


Pictured are Tintin (in the black cap) the twin detectives Dupont and Dupond, Tintin's friend Zhang (featured in two adventures decades apart), and Tintin's canine companion Milou. English speaking audiences know these characters as Tintin, Thompson and Thompson, Chang, and Snowy.

Herge has been unfairly criticized both for continuing to produce work in his native Belgium while it was under Nazi occupation, and for the various controversial political and sociological themes of the adventures. Beyond the charges of Rexism, Racism, Imperialism or anti-Imperialism, the Tintin books are finely researched and illustrated travelogues which accurately capture various exotic locals from the 1930's through the 70's. On a technical level, Herge's ambitious works are exhibitions of control of character fully integrated with complexity of plot. Herge's political ideas may have changed during his lifelong series, but what stayed constant in his cartoons was a complete lack of moral relativism, all expressed in stylish drawing ulitizing one standard line thickness.
Perhaps fellow New York natives such as myself can remember the translated animated series shown briefly on U.S. television.
I would be much flattered in anyone might find a little of the heroic and selfless person of Tintin in the character of Faithmouse.

Tintin ala Wikipedia

Official Tintin site

A stage musical based upon Tintin and the Temple of the Sun

Stubborn Warrior

The faithmouse cartoon site currently receives 500 or so visitors a day, a number dwarfed by the vast and roiling crests of the cybersea, but we're proud of our valiant and loyal pajamahadeen. If you have a Christian and/or conservative friendly site I would be happy to trade DNA between your enterprise and both the faithmouse site and blog. Perfection of soul or patience isn't required, just sincerity of purpose. Let's cross pollinate!

And while we're discussing blogs, hats off to the following braveheart-

Joshua Olinger deleted his excellent MichaelSavageListener blog after discouraging intercourse with a hyperatheist. After some prodding he's returned with refreshed initiative and pretty much the same informative blog at a new address-

Into the Blog

After arm wrestling with Mambo Open Source for a few months ( which steadfastly refused to act like a proper HTML program) I've deferred my efforts to launch the long promised faithmouse blog to Blogger itself, which holds hands nicely throughout the entire process and doesn't care to challenge me with learning curves. Thank you, Blogger.

Chris and I returned from Niagara Falls in time to catch the first presidential debate. With the sparing now a few days in the rear view, the exchange of empathy regarding My Two Daughters plays foremost to memory. The Dad exchange was an island of non-confrontational calm during an hour and a half dominated by twirling Iraqi sabers. The President chose to rely largely upon sincerity and the power of personality to make point. His diction and delivery followed form and he exhibited rarely a verbal misstep. Senator Kerry, nervous at first, grew confident after the first half hour as he realized he had barely run dry of 'what ifs' and 'what might have beens.' His second guessing was relentless, and the President grew visibly bored of challenging his every thrust (a technique which doesn't fly well with those scoring debates.) The President played fair and did not attempt to circumvent Mr. Lehrer's biased line of questioning, which spared Mr. Kerry of questions regarding his Vietnam service and lengthy anti-defense voting record. The President seemed intent upon affecting the broadest impression on undecideds, and rarely challenged the Senator on more than a few of his faulty points of rhetoric.

So, first round Kerry seems to be the media mantra, although I doubt the impact will be lasting. Thirty days is the current definition of eternity.