I've been thinking a lot this summer about the interesting shift we are all seeing in American politics.

Ideas which were taboo 20 years ago are now on the table. People are paying attention. 'Bout time, right? I have come to the conclusion that the tidal wave that will wash over the entire US with a permanent LIBERAL majority was generated by a tsunami called "pop culture".

Back in the 70s, Rob Reiner brought the notable liberal character Michael Stivic into American homes. People, especially young people, understood the dichotomy between Archie Bunker and Stivic. Archie was firmly rooted in the "only white guys matter" camp. Stivic constantly bickered with Bunker on the subject. It showed clear forward thinking versus backwards racist dogma.

Since then, one television show after another has featured minority characters in their primary cast, or the entire cast *is* minority characters, and the "quirky white guy" has become a side-kick rather than the focus of the show.

Going beyond differences in race, in the glorious 90's Hollywood brought us Will and Grace much to the consternation of the far right. Ellen followed. This year, one of the most popular reality shows featured a transvestite as a primary (beauty!) contestant.

Hollywood invited these people into our homes for us. For the far right, this means they must protect their children from television, movies, music. If you deny a kid something, what is going to be their reaction? I defer to the wise words of my father James Fletcher (a prominent Republican lobbyist in Illinois). "I've figured out teenagers. Just tell them to do *exactly the opposite* of whatever it is you want them to do." Wise words.

Can anyone imagine popular culture swinging backwards? Going back to the white-bread straight guy? Maybe it's just me, but I'm not seeing that happening any time soon. Pop culture is here to stay. The GOP can't fight this because they do not understand it. Actually, I'm not sure anyone could really fight popular culture and come out ahead.

Thank you, Hollywood. Keep up the great work. (Oh, except that Zucker brother... kick him out ASAP).

Monty Python's Flying Circus got it right all those years ago. People who worship money need to be laughed at, derided. Having money just for the sake of having money is very sad. Don't these people have anything else to fill the massive hole in their lives?

Some of us are perfectly happy as long as we can survive, fulfill our interests, contribute to society though career, and generally get along with other humans. Why is that not enough?

Greed is so ugly. It's the backbone of our current financial trouble.

Enjoy the vid.

John shows us all how change works. Enjoy!

My second cartoon of the day.

Hehe I know I suck at this but it's fun!

"We've got them just where we want them"

In cartoon form.

Enjoy!