Cartoon Saturday

I keep hoping I'll wake up and discover that it's all been a bad dream, but no such luck ...

In comments made during a hearing on an affirmative action case, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia seemed to suggest some black students belong in lesser colleges ("slower-track school(s) where they do well"); billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal called Donald Trump "a disgrace not only to the GOP but to America" ... and Saudi royal billionaires ought to know a disgrace when they see one; on Friday, the day the federal government was due to run out of money, Congress did what it does best -- punted the deadline for a few more days to avoid a shutdown rather than doing its job and coming up with a rational spending plan; an Oklahoma City police officer was found guilty of raping 13 or more women he had taken into custody on various charges; and a gaudily-pained 1964 Porsche once owned by rock legend Janis Joplin sold at auction for a record $1.76 million ... which is probably what the car would have ended up costing had Joplin taken out a car title loan and paid it back with the minimum monthly payment.

Since it looks as if I may be moving into retirement somewhat earlier than planned, I am now trying to navigate the treacherous shoals of finding my own health care plan. Thus, the affordability of health care seems like a good topic for this week's cartoons ...

I think we can all relate to this one ...

Sometimes it doesn't look like an all-bad option ...

One of the most critical tests the doctor performs on you ...

For the medical community, this constitutes emergency surgery ...

You've heard of those stress tests, right ...

Nowadays, a very apropos question ...

The most important part of your medical history ...

The powers of modern medical technology ...

Remember that part earlier about the fine print? ...

And finally, the most important specialist in any hospital is ...

So there you have it - the second Cartoon Saturday for the month of December. It looks like it's going to be a gloriously un-Decembery weekend here in NoVa, with no precipitation and temperatures possibly getting as high as a balmy 70 degrees, so it's not easy to get into the dashing-through-the-snow-in-a-one-horse-open-sleigh mood, but I'll do my best. If you're one of the people to whom I usually send my annual Christmas letter, don't despair - I finally finished the last of the letters yesterday evening and will start posting them today ... cards may take a bit longer.

Before I go, don't forget that voting for Ass Clown of the Year is in full swing, with Donald Trump still enjoying a commanding lead. Don't miss out! Cast your votes early and often, and remember that balloting closes at 11:59 PM on December 31st.

Have a good day. Come back tomorrow for Poetry Sunday. More thoughts then.

Bilbo