9/02/11 - We're slowing down after this one

[Andy Metz]

You're vastly understating the effects Robert Mugabe has had on the nation. Yes, the staggering hyperinflation has decimated the country, but it is a 100% direct consequence of his rule. THAT is the problem, and any person who has even been there (or even works as a lowly paper-pusher in national security and foreign policy such as this poster) knows that. Zimbabwe's problems aren't going to go away when the inflation rate gets under control; it's about their government. The point is that no human being who has had any interaction with Zimbabwe would speak that way. You could have said "hey, it was a stupid mistake on my part, mea culpa" rather than a totally ludicrous justification or maybe just pointed out "hey, nobody in this strip has spoken in a way resembling normal human speech since mid-2009", in which case I would have to admit you're correct.

And the idea that Zimbabwe is going to be through the worst of its trouble seven years from now is, frankly, hilarious.

[Pink Freud]

You're vastly understating the effects Robert Mugabe has had on the nation. Yes, the staggering hyperinflation has decimated the country, but it is a 100% direct consequence of his rule. THAT is the problem, and any person who has even been there (or even works as a lowly paper-pusher in national security and foreign policy such as this poster) knows that. Zimbabwe's problems aren't going to go away when the inflation rate gets under control; it's about their government. The point is that no human being who has had any interaction with Zimbabwe would speak that way. You could have said "hey, it was a stupid mistake on my part, mea culpa" rather than a totally ludicrous justification or maybe just pointed out "hey, nobody in this strip has spoken in a way resembling normal human speech since mid-2009", in which case I would have to admit you're correct.

And the idea that Zimbabwe is going to be through the worst of its trouble seven years from now is, frankly, hilarious.

Can I buy some weed from you?


Also posting this from my new HP Touchpad this thing rocks.

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

And the idea that Zimbabwe is going to be through the worst of its trouble seven years from now is, frankly, hilarious.

No, the hilarious part is how seriously you're taking a strip that you've repeatedly admitted to not understanding. Fiction. "Repeat to yourself it's just a show, I should really just relax" ain't just for MST3K. Perhaps in the world of Penny & Aggie, Zimbabwe got a few lucky breaks, like ousting this dictator you're going on about, or enough of an influx of aid to get back on its' feet for a little while. Point still stands, P&A is T's little universe to play with when it comes to the setting. It actually kind of amuses me how you're expecting their Zimbabwe to be just like ours.

[Shadrach]

My advice to everyone regarding Andy Metz is just to ignore him. I know we're not supposed to use a certain word that rhymes with "poll" and is honomynous with a certain mythological creature that dwells under bridges, but...yeah, from Metz's pattern of posts that's what we're looking at here. If T's not going to ban him, which is his call alone, then depriving him of an audience is the next best measure. And that's all I will say about this matter, I promise.

[maritza]

I thought that in this universe, said dictator got killed by a cow that fell on him from the skies, and the main problems afterwards ARE the direct result of hyperinflation.

I found out first through a message on iEden. At first I thought someone was trolling me, or that it was an article from The Garlic, but then I heard of similar incidents in the past.

[snowmansam]

<3 Maritza

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

<3 Maritza

Seconded! <3

[TCampbell]

You're vastly understating the effects Robert Mugabe has had on the nation. Yes, the staggering hyperinflation has decimated the country, but it is a 100% direct consequence of his rule. THAT is the problem, and any person who has even been there (or even works as a lowly paper-pusher in national security and foreign policy such as this poster) knows that. Zimbabwe's problems aren't going to go away when the inflation rate gets under control; it's about their government. The point is that no human being who has had any interaction with Zimbabwe would speak that way. You could have said "hey, it was a stupid mistake on my part, mea culpa" rather than a totally ludicrous justification or maybe just pointed out "hey, nobody in this strip has spoken in a way resembling normal human speech since mid-2009", in which case I would have to admit you're correct.

And the idea that Zimbabwe is going to be through the worst of its trouble seven years from now is, frankly, hilarious.

Man, did I say the government wasn't responsible? The Mugabe government was totally responsible. Hyperinflation doesn't just happen. Mugabe and his cronies are the ones whose policies caused it.

Also, did the comic or I say anything, one way or the other, about whether Zimbabwe was better off after this six (not seven)-year time-jump than it is today?

Andy, I freely admit that my knowledge of Zimbabwe is probably more limited than yours if your job causes you to deal with it on a regular basis. I just researched a half-dozen articles or so, and remembered Mugabe as a notorious plutocrat from other sources, and tried to apply my general knowledge of human nature. Fair 'nuff.

But the thrust of your argument, as I understand it, is that hyperinflation is a minor symptom that no one considers one of the country's real problems. I respectfully disagree. I think economists do consider it such, and I think many Zimbabweans do.

I could be wrong, but I imagine the average Zimbabwean, let alone the average Zimbabwean seven-year-old, to have only a vague consciousness of politics, given their poverty and Zimbabwe's propaganda policies. Tyrants actually do try to give their people hope for the future: "everything will be better soon, my countrymen, as long as you do just what I say." ("Who's that, Daddy?" "That's our beloved President, son, and DON'T TALK TO ANYONE WHO SAYS DIFFERENT.")

Bananas costing twice as much as they did yesterday, though, that's something that penetrates your consciousness as soon as you learn how to count. That's a sort of quantification of hopelessness, culminating in the rejection of the national currency and therefore of the idea of long-term wealth gain. That's a reason I think the country's likely to be the focus of relief efforts in six years. Let's hope those efforts won't carry too many risks.

[sentora]

If I remember right, Jack was interested in being an Architect. He might be successful enough to manage a family.

As for Katy Ann being content with just motherhood, she did mention she'd like to return to Relief work, which I took as her being content with family for now and considering her future later. Even if she doesn't, I don't see how it's a waste. Sometimes being content in yourself and family is better than what others consider what you should be doing, which would be in Katy Ann's character.

And about starting early...well there's the possibility Little Jack was an unexpected bundle of joy. Maybe someone would like to explore that fanfic possiblity?

[weirdfish13]

Another possibility is that Katy-Ann is now a career artist and currently fitting that around her young children.

[Valerie]

First off, I am childfree and happy that way. That said, I can't pretend the following sentence didn't bother me:

I'm hoping there's more to her than just motherhood.

Just motherhood? Being a parent is the most important thing anyone can do with his/her life.

If only that Dalai Llama fellow could meet the right girl and settle down and raise some kids, he could really make a difference.

Okay, barring religious and political leaders. Who are essentially parents to large groups of people. >_>

[NobodySpecial]

Can I just say I really, really, REALLY dislike the whole 'motherhood is a trap that keeps you from being yourself!' thing?

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

Can I just say I really, really, REALLY dislike the whole 'motherhood is a trap that keeps you from being yourself!' thing?

I really have to second this sentiment, because I've known quite a few women that have said they wouldn't trade it for anything. I get that it's not for everyone*, I really do - but it's not nearly the "soul-crushing" experience that I'm hearing about here. If it's "crushing your soul" at the merest thought of it, then ah, maybe that's simply a sign that ya shouldn't, as one is already inclined to, and just leave it at that?

*in fact, it's probably never going to be for the one I'm with, and considering my genetic possibilities I'm fine with that...

[Valerie]

Can I just say I really, really, REALLY dislike the whole 'motherhood is a trap that keeps you from being yourself!' thing?

Right. Like, I'm not saying to go forth and populate the Earth, that mission has been (over-)accomplished. I'm also not saying she has to throw away everything about herself for the kids. How many moms do you guys know that give up their identity for kids? Yeah, you play Mom's part when they're around, but you're back to being Rebecca or Anna or Rachel when you're around other people or alone.

The only comparison I can make is being a big sister (three younger sisters ~10 years younger than me*). Helping to raise and shape another person, even from the sidelines, is an incredibly important task. So I play the role model around them, but I'm back to my various inappropriate behaviors as soon as I'm not around them again. I don't have that many bad behaviors, just a few that are not all that appropriate for kids.

As much as I'm totally for fewer people having kids (again, the population issue) and for women having more options than motherhood, I would never call it "just" motherhood. From what I understand of it, it's an incredibly fulfilling job, if done properly. And, as someone else pointed out, important if only for the fact that we need a few people to do it so that the species doesn't die out. (YMMV on whether that matters.)

*I also have a younger brother, but it's only a two-year difference, so the dynamic's different.

[rebochan]

Look, women cannot win. Just accept that. If they're mothers, they're abandoning their dreams, if they're not mothers, they're rejecting their one true purpose.

Shockingly, it is possible for women to not all have the same needs and desires. And I say this as a woman who's pursuing a career first and has taken some guff for not popping out kids yet. Yes, at the ripe old age of 27, I've apparently wasted my best years for motherhood.