Jane Wagner | 11/19/2008 1:30 pm

Mother Earth Care-toon: Spotting Todd Palin

"She can’t possibly see Russia from where she is,
but we can see Todd on his snow machine from
where we are. Heh, heh, heh."

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Read more about: Animals, Care-toon, Illustrations, Politics, Sarah Palin, Todd Palin

152 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

LILY is amazing in all her character depictions. I feel very fortunate to have seen her on stage at the Wilturn Theatre in West Hollywood. It was so many years ago, tho’. I need a new ‘fix’ on Lily N Jane N Edith N Ernestine N… geez, the whole shabang! I love this site! I feel so proud to get to share so much with all of you. Thanks for just being here.

By Ro H on 11/22/2008 5:54 am

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Has anyone heard about the 19-year old teenager in Pembroke Pines who committed suicide on a live webstream? No one tried to intervene!! What is WRONG with people? I hope a wow staff member will write an article about this so we can discuss what happened. Maybe it will help save someone’s life.

By Serena . on 11/22/2008 1:08 pm

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I know exactly what’s wrong with people - we’ve been DESENSITIZED. Mostly by media. On Halloween, my friend witnessed a gruesome slaughter of a group of people. She was working at a bar, and it was closing time. They kicked everyone out, but out in the back parking lot there was commotion. These two men were arguing (but NOT getting physical, oddly enough) with this group of five guys. It was about some mutual FEMALE acquaintance who was not even present, of course. After they fight broke up, the two men got into their car, and the one driving just SNAPPED and RAN OVER the group of five guys. I mean he just hit them like they were bowling pins, not humans. THEN…the ******* BACKED UP OVER THOSE HE KNOCKED DOWN, two got caught directly under the car and DIED (obviously), while the other three were critically injured. Amidst all the screaming, she quietly watched as the bouncers were pulling bloody bodies and parts from under the car. And the next day she said the strangest thing to me. She said, “Everyone was freaking out and looking at me like I was crazy for remaining so calm. But…it was no different than what WE SEE ON THE NEWS…” Desensitized. 100% The viewers on that webstream probably couldn’t find it within themselves to BELIEVE the girl was actually serious; it’s easier to pretend everything is some fictitious hoax than to deal with Reality any more. Not to sound like some ominous alarmist, but the elaborate plan to distract us (from…whatever) is definitely working.

By Kryssi K on 11/22/2008 4:51 pm

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Kryssi, I don’t disagree that desensitization is a culprit. What scares me more is this prophecy: “And the love of the great body of people will grow cold, because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity.” (Matthew 24:12, Amplified Bible) As for “viewers on that webstream [who] probably couldn’t find it within themselves to BELIEVE” that this teenage boy was serious—it’s a very sad commentary about the world we live in. Anyone with half a brain knows that you NEVER doubt when someone says they are planning to take their life. No matter how many times they may have threatened. That’s exactly what happened with this young man—he threatened several times and no one believed him the one time he decided to follow through.

By Serena . on 11/23/2008 8:21 am

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Is there anything specific that you consider to be the “lawlessness” which has contributed to the desensitization and suicide issues? I think we had a brief exchange about this topic before in another thread. I made a comment about how it’s every person’s right to decide what to do with their lives, without question or judgment from others, and you mentioned these people just needing lots of help and support. I wonder - only for the sake of curiosity, possibly because I too am desensitized and have not experienced the after-effects of suicide myself (those close to me who have died were of natural causes) - do you believe once people do DEFINITELY cross that line into pure hopelessness, they are still capable of being brought back? I always figured that it’s either their choice, or it’s so ugly that it became a situation of NO OTHER OPTIONS, and either way seems to be a lost cause, somehow. In many cases, I can’t even blame them (I have occasionally envied those who are able to go through with it)…if they managed to reach that far into the darkest corners of despair, what else can be done?? Again, only curious. Suicide is one of those mysterious, inexplicably grey areas for me, in which every involved person’s opinion is automatically rendered valid. I’ve gone through a couple periods where I have seriously considered the S-word as an option (there was a time when I was staunchly against it and could not fathom why anyone would do it, I was so judgmental - I guess Karma bit me in the ass yet again with that one!) and I just can’t comprehend how, once a person is THERE, they can be brought back by other people… In a way (and forgive me if this comment upsets you), I don’t see how constantly asking for help means the person is truly serious. But that could just be because that’s not how I personally go about things - I have never known how to ask for help; I NEVER talked about my suicidal thoughts, even with my therapist. It’s too…you’re either there, or you’re not. And, from what brushes I had had with it, it seems like the only way to be brought back has to be found within YOURSELF…it’s not something you can seek from others. But who knows. I’m willing to bet you’ve had more REAL experiences with this issue, since you take it so much to heart (and admirably so). So…if you get to post your own blog about this (maybe I should have waited until then to share this all too personal response), I will be joining in on the discussion…to LEARN and UNDERSTAND, if nothing else. As a sidenote: I wonder what it says that my mind immediately presumed the victim you mentioned was female. You said “teenager” in your original post and in my response I referred to him as “the girl”. Hmmm. Is there any correlation between gender and higher suicide rates, I wonder?

By Kryssi K on 11/23/2008 5:38 pm

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Kryssi, From what I’ve learned on the subject, if someone truly wants to take their life, they normally just do it without any warning. After all, if they TRULY want to die, they don’t want anyone to stop them. However, I think those individuals who are hesitant and simply want help from the pain will give clues along the way. Sometimes all they really want is for someone to say, “I care what happens to you. You matter.”

By Serena . on 11/24/2008 12:24 pm

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Serena, You’re such a good thinker and writer, please send your thoughts to Joni and tell her I suggested that you write something, If you want. This is a subject that should be discussed, Why don’t you start it. Start it right here, if you like. And we can post it other places.

By Jane Wagner on 11/23/2008 2:55 pm

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That is very generous Jane, Thank you!

By Josie Sullivan on 11/23/2008 4:34 pm

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Josie, Yes, more than generous. Am I dreaming?

By Serena . on 11/23/2008 5:03 pm

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Serena- It is a subject that needs to be discussed! Take it and run my dear. There are too many young people…heck all people, that feel despair. This young man went as far as to take it to the internet. A cry for help and a suicide all in one cast out for all to see. This in the wake of Psych units closing across the country. My own town closed theirs in September shortly after a story of another young man hanging off the bridge were the cops tazered him which caused his fall. YES, this is a topic of concern for a few…and should be a concern for MANY! Public suicide….Public Suicide?…. Suicide?…Despair…Depression…the youth of America giving up before they ever got a chance. A Chance…we all know, not everyone gets one. And these days it’s fewer and fewer that get that chance. Is that why he ducked out early? He knew (or thought he did) that he would not be one of those chances. But for the grace of God go WE.

By Josie Sullivan on 11/23/2008 10:44 pm

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Ms. Jane, I don’t even have the words to express how much I appreciate you giving me this opportunity. I’m speechless. All I can say is “thank you!”

By Serena . on 11/23/2008 5:01 pm

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Serena- My thoughts exactly! Jane- Did you all make it to the memorial? I’ve thought about Laurence all day.

By Josie Sullivan on 11/23/2008 4:32 pm

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Jane, I must second Tee Zees comment - thanks for ALLLL the laughs! But also, thank you for all the serious, thought-provoking epiphanies…and the TEARS, too. They all serve a purpose. I’m grateful to anyone who can make me FEEL, period - be it positive or “negative”. NO feeling is technically negative in my book. The only negative feeling is indifference; sadness and anger can be used constructively. I always think it’s an unfair understatement when people call Lily a comedian (although I made that mistake in the beginning myself, assuming she did “stand-up” and all that jazz). She is a definitely a performance ARTIST. Her “comedy” is too complex to be just comedy, and I know a lot of that is you. But it says a lot that she was so drawn to your writing and sought to perfect her own material with yours, to make it more…dimensional? (Yes, that word works okay. I think. LOL) Even these ‘toons of yours - there is always an element of comedy (or, at the very least, irony)…but then there is the seriousness of what is actually going on that has inspired you to create them in the first place. You are providing sympathetic representation to those who cannot communicate (at least not in ways most humans can comprehend - I bet they communicate just fine and on much HIGHER levels, actually). I love it. I love the balance of comedy and tragedy. It keeps things…realistic. Never too cynical, never too hopeful/delusional. Oh, and if/WHEN you do write another Broadway show, that would be one of best days EVER!

By Kryssi K on 11/22/2008 5:08 pm

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Your words and warm spirit of support mean the world to me, Kryssi. Love Jane

By Jane Wagner on 11/23/2008 3:00 pm

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and to think Kryssi is not a professional actress, she is a real person, such as yourself. (Man, my friend Henry and I memorized it all, kept us going through Art School.)

By Emcye Edwards on 11/23/2008 5:38 pm