Now that Pope Francis made the wonderful symbolic gesture of flying twelve Syrian refugees to Rome on his plane, let’s take a look at what it’s like for Muslims flying on planes in the United States.  If you’re Muslim, whether you’re a US citizen or not, it turns out you might want to allot a little extra time for being detained after getting kicked off your flight.

A UC Berkeley student trying to fly from Los Angeles to Oakland was kicked off after a passenger was worried that he was speaking Arabic.  Never mind this guy came to the United States as a refugee from Iraq after his dad was killed by the Saddam Hussein regime.  Then there is the family who was booted from a plane because they wanted a special seatbelt for their child.  Beware, those wily Muslim tots!  

“Arab” looking people are getting kicked off planes, more Muslims are being attacked across the United States and Mosques are being targeted for vandalism and arson.  Look at Pocatello, Idaho for a particularly sad example of foreign cultural exchange.  But, hey, when two of the most well-known politicians are calling for banning Muslims and/or determining police presence based on your religious preference, some supporters are bound to get a little overzealous, right?  Stay safe, and be sure to check out my Patreon page, where you can help support my work and get some great goodies in return!

Leading Republicans other that those named “Trump” or “Cruz” so want a viable alternative to the crazy town race currently under way.  Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, just crushed their dreams.  The story goes that Ryan would make a more mainstream, palatable Republican presidential candidate.

He’s not like crazy billionaire Trump and unlikeable weasel Cruz, right?  Um, riiiight.  Turns out Paul Ryan isn’t exactly a sane, establishment Republican, he just has the reputation of being one.  He’s the guy who wants to hack away at the social safety net in service of Ayn Rand, though he now cloaks that in bogus budget-speak.  Ryan is smart enough to not wade into the current GOP insurrection and can wait until the dust settles to once again play the part of the sane, level-headed savior. 

Just like it is mind-blowing that Ted Cruz has become the more acceptable “establishment” Republican, it’s equally amazing that Paul Ryan is now considered anything but a budget hack who wants to blow up as much of government as possible.  (Albeit with a more telegenic blue-eyed smile on his face.)  No telling who will be the next possible fallback, supposedly sane, alternative to Trump or Cruz.  Enjoy the cartoon and be sure to check out my Patreon page!

Now that the Panama Papers have begun to reveal the shadowy world of Mossack Fonseca’s offshore accounts, isn’t it time to look at the entire system?  Remember, Mossack Fonseca is just one of many firms specializing in setting up offshore accounts that allow people to hide their money.  (Or, more importantly, hide themselves.)  Most of these people with offshore accounts are just trying to avoid paying taxes but many of them are corrupt politicians and other criminals.

As it turns out, you don’t even have to go offshore to thoroughly hide your dough, or your connection to it.  The United States is one of the best places to stash those anonymous bucks, just ask China.  (And while you’re at it, check the real estate market in New York, Miami or San Francisco.)  Of course, the US government is already saying they’re going to change the rules so the true owner of a shell company must be revealed, but I won’t be holding my breath.

This is a profitable business, and it just so happens that loads of donors to both major US political parties kinda like it the way things are.  Don’t count on these corporate shells to become transparent anytime soon.  And as long as there are clever ways to hide your money and identity, there will be bad guys hiding their dirty money, at home and abroad.  Enjoy the cartoon and be sure to check out my behind-the-scenes Patreon page, where the finances are always fully-transparent!