The Black Republican

When I'm not pretending to be the reincarnation of a dead president, I'm known by an older (and far stranger) moniker that's a portmanteau of two names, together referencing my favorite cartoon character - not to mention the entity who first introduced me to conservatism.

Some people unfairly label the cartoonist Berkeley Breathed as "liberal" (I think it's his first name that cements the idea). But his work - if not exactly "fair" to some Republicans over the years - has certainly taken aim at the extremes and sacred cows of both parties and all ideologies. Though an ardent opponent of labels, he has said he's closest to a libertarian.

Today, Breathed's work is earning a stamp of disapproval many cartoonists take pride in - he's hit a target too close to the mark, and some of the newspapers that carry him have refused to publish it. Ironically, I find the content of the strip to be rather mild, but it's no surprise that it's generated furor since it relates to the media's favorite taboo-that-shall-not-be-attacked these days... ISLAM.

Since the interests of the First Amendment, my own politics, and the fate of the Republic are all in alignment, I'm proud to offer this taste of revolt against today's liberal intelligentsia. For the full strip, please take a trip over to Salon, where (give credit where credit is due) modern liberalism apparently still contains some measure of liberality.

(Incidentally, that's my alter-ego on the left.)