I have opinions. In fact, I have a lot of opinions. I began my career as a professional cartoonist drawing political cartoons for a metropolitan newspaper. There, I was a member of the “editorial board,” where I occasionally was charged with writing an “institutional” editorial. You know, that stuff along the edge of the editorial page, the stuff so beloved by newspaper editors which few others read. I did that for several years. In fact, I got tired of having opinions; I felt I had far more opinions than answers. That’s what motivated me to create Arlo & Janis, and, lo, I fell into the sweet gig of newspaper comic strips. For 35 years, I have made a living emphasizing the things we all have in common which, I have always felt, far outweigh our differences. This spring, I confess, I have let you down. I temporarily lost heart and became depressed by outside events. It became harder and harder to be cheerful, and I internalized the old dictum, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything.” I pulled a Ghandi. I told myself I’d just go off and starve until things got better. Two things happened: I got hungry, and I realized I was just being lazy. So, I grabbed a bag of chips, and here I am. I say I have let you down, because none of this is your fault! You have earned a reputation as an unimaginably civil Internet audience, and we have been doing this for years. I defy you to name another individual blog that has survived as long as this one in pure blog form. And through it all, you’ve been supportive and caring, of one another and of me. You should be proud! I know I am. Let’s do it some more.
A Pax on Both Their Houses
By Jimmy Johnson
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46 responses to “A Pax on Both Their Houses”
Ghost said thank goodness he never wears tactical military style pants with his aloha shirts. No one in this group would look scruffy like the Boogaloo do.
My little Facebook page reaches about 3500 people. I use comics and humor, a strict polite, gentle small town world where people find only kind words. Amazingly people hang out from all around America and even the Far Side of the World.
Love your strips. I am currently working my way through your back strips (reached 2006) and amazed how often things are so true today! Keep safe and sane!
I knew there was a reason I felt such affection for the Arlo & Janis. Now I understand what it was. Thank you for being such a positive part of our lives for so many years. And thank you for not giving up now.
I come to this page every day to see if Jimmy has written anything or added a new comic. Every now and then, I read the comments. I think I may have even posted twice asking about “After Dark.” I do love the community of readers on here. Very respectful. The only other blog that I find is similarly respectful would be one I’m on related to stamp collecting. People just enjoying others with similar interests. Enjoy the day!
On Facebook I changed my cover photo to that of my wife and I at a Luau and I am wearing my Hawaiian shirt. I don’t care what people “think” it means. It means that we were having a wonderful day in paradise.
I also posted a picture of a Sunrise with the American Flag in the foreground. The Sunrise appears to be in the form of a cross. Now I understand that some might feel that it is political, and it is. I believe that the Stars and Stripes represent ALL of America, especially those brave men and women who died that we might enjoy our freedom. The cross represents one of those freedoms. The bottom line is that if they are offended, they need only ask and we hopefully can have a civilized discussion and find common ground.
I have missed you so much. The bad news makes me sadder by the day. I need your joy and perspective daily. It must be hard to keep that spirit though. I’m with you.
It’s encouraging to see demonstrators shooing away looters and turning in those throwing rocks. I hope the kids that were handcuffed for breaking curfew were released with a warning.
Gandhi, Mr. Johnson, not Ghandi.
Keep the faith, and keep up the good work.