"Balto"

This was one of the very few panels I mulled over publishing for quite a while, as it was an upsetting image. Editorial cartooning is a great way to respond to contentious topic, as the old-fashioned method requires time, time to think something up, sketch it out, refine it, ink it up and color it then submit it to an editor. Not quite as quick as hitting "enter" on a comment thread. I have a minimum 24-hour delay on replying to any hot-button issue or comment in online forums. Or to clarify: every time I've ever broken that rule and not observed a cooling-off period, I've lost friends and family. Removing such toxicity was a good thing in the long run (they aren't missed), but still, it's a healthy way to retain sanity + perspective, which definitely are two things in short supply these days. Above and beyond he many problems with mushing, and controversy surrounding Balto himself, 

Anyways, dead dogs definitely are a triggering image, and even to those inured after constant inundation to such imagery and/or suffering from pandemic fatigue it would elicit a strong response. Unfortunately I sincerely believe that, were the conditions arise similar to those that necessitated the 1925 Serum Run (a legacy evoked with the more contemporary Yukon Quest and Iditarod races), alas, the dogs - and their mushers - would never have reached their destination. Given the rampant disinformation and inexcusable harassment and threats medical personnel suffered throughout this pandemic, there are those who would take matters into their own hands. living in a fantasy world and fancying themselves dispensers of frontier justice. 

Now, as of this posting, that the United States has passed the one million dead mark for the pandemic, we're supposed to believe in the sincerity of so many who are now claiming to defend the sanctity of life. These are the same who until recently wouldn't take the simplest steps and basic protections on behalf of the most vulnerable in our society. And taken in conjunction with the overarching lessons learned from the assault on institutions of democracy it comes as no surprise to see fellow former citizens display such a shocking level of ignorance and fear, abandon the rule of law, never mind basic respect and decency. Losing my confidence and trust in so many after seeing such a sad state of affairs when it comes to lack of empathy, I question the basic humanity of anyone who openly espouses such extremes. Yet in the face of all this undermining of confidence in our democratic institutions, I am proud to share the page with many journalists who represent one of the fundamental liberties under attack in these troubling times.