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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Friday, September 9, 2005
I have been trying to keep things light here. With so damned much sadness in the world, I figured I could maybe make you smile a little every day. So, aside from the occasional snarky aside, I have been avoiding politics in TOT.
Yet here we are.
The tragedies of Katrina continue and those most to blame for exasperating them point their fingers elsewhere while decrying "the blame game" and pushing further tax cuts for the rich. After all, those who suffered most from Katrina's wrath were "underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
How fitting that it was the President's mother who gave such clear voice to his administration's nigh-complete disconnect from the world beyond their world of privilege.
Sheep-like, the apologists tell how deeply disturbed they are that this tragedy has become politicized, saying the focus should be on the rescue and caring for the victims and not on what they, in their deceitful manner, call finger-pointing or blaming or even armchair analysis. My response:
Bull! Just plain...bull!
What better time to ask the tough questions and demand answers than while this is still on the mind of the public?
If the media hadn't gotten out of the habit of asking tough questions of the powerful, we wouldn't have the crooked ineffective leadership we now have.
We can, as a nation, multi-task. We can do what needs to be done for the victims of Katrina *and* hold accountable the leaders and policies which failed to act responsibly in the past or respond swiftly in the present.
Two days from now, we will note the fourth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on United States soil. The administration will downplay its failure to bring the leader of the terrorists to justice and doubtless once again falsely link those attacks and its illegal and unnecessary war in Iraq. They won't mention that Iraq was never involved in that attack or that they have changed their rationale for invading Iraq time and time again...and they surely won't mention that their war has cost the lives of, conservatively, four times as many people as the 9-11 attacks.
The administration and its members will bow their heads for a moment and then, lickety-split, it'll be back to business as usual for all of them.
The business of passing laws that benefit the wealthy at the expense of all others.
The business of damaging the environment in the name of bigger profits for their industry partners.
The business of denying equal rights to some American citizens as a campaign tool.
The business of attacking science because logic and rational thought have no place in the world they seek.
The business of ignoring the growing poverty and despair that they have utterly failed to even check.
The business of justice for some few.
So much sadness.
******
Today's column does not mark a return to regular political and social commentary here.
I honestly do not see how I can convince supporters of this administration how wrong they are. I have rarely experienced such stubborn denial of the obvious...or such willingness to accept the administration's Orwellian rewrites of even recent history. It is a task beyond my abilities.
I share my failure with others.
The progressives don't seem be able to frame their positions in a compelling enough manner to sway the undecided. The centrists are incapable of holding the center, drifting further to the right with each pronouncement of the Neocons. And, though it has shown a bit of spine in recent days, the media must be admonished for its cowardly refusal to demand answers and accountability from those who hold office and power in our land.
Today's column does not mark a return to regular political and social commentary here. It comes from the sadness which seems to overwhelm the world, my nation, and myself.
These past few weeks have been difficult for me.
I won't get into a whole big thing about the matters that have again triggered the depression I've battled and will battle all my life...though I do ask any of you who believe you also suffer from this illness to learn all you can about it, to make yourself aware of its warning signs and effects, and to seek whatever treatment would be appropriate in your situation.
In my situation, writing today's column was my way of sticking that evil genie back in its bottle. Face the sadness, respect the sadness, and look for something brighter.
******
The victims of Katrina need your help. If you were planning to make a TIP THE TIPSTER donation to this column, I would ask that you, instead, send that money to one of the many fine organizations collecting funds on their behalf. I like the American Red Cross, but there are others.
If you still have a few bucks to spare after that, let me echo Mark Evanier's request - in his blog - that you send them to comics historian and thoroughly good guy FRED PATTEN, who suffered a brain stem stroke earlier this year and who, like many Americans, doesn't have medical insurance. For the news of Fred's condition and how you can help, go here:
www.kayshapero.net/FredPatten/fred.html
Now, should you still have some spare cash lying around after giving to Gulf Coast relief efforts and my pal Fred, then all I can say is, "Sure, Mr. Gates, I'll be happy to accept your donation to TONY'S ONLINE TIPS!"
******
This would probably be a good place to embrace the "something brighter" I mentioned earlier. Though things remain difficult for me in several areas, I'm working on each and every problem each and every day. No holding this tiger!
Thanks to the TIP THE TIPSTER donations I received last month and a nice reprint check from Marvel Comics, I was able to catch up on my utility bills for the first time this year. That was a great moment for me.
To the tippers, I promise to do my best to bring you a new TOT at least five days a week...and to make them a heck a lot more fun than today's edition.
To Marvel, I can only express my delight at their putting so much of my early work back into print and cutting me in for a share of their take without any fuss or muss. Would that all publishers were as conscientious in their dealings with comics creators, past and present.
Before we all start singing "Kumbiya," let me conclude with an equally heartfelt "thanks" to my Sainted Wife Barb, my son Eddie, my daughter Kelly, my family, my friends, and my readers. You keep me going in more ways than I can express.
Well now, that was certainly an emotional roller coaster of a column, wasn't it? Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back on Monday with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 09/08/2005 | 09/09/2005 | 09/12/2005 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
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Medina, OH 44256
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