The Right-Cheek Ass Clown for May, 2019

Yes, it's that time again - time to recognize excellence* in ass-clownery as we do every other week.

Every time we do this, I moan about how difficult it is to separate the chaff from the chaff in this effort, and I'm sure that you're tired of hearing me complain about it. Nevertheless, it's true - there are just so many "worthy" ass clowns that the process of selecting the largest turd in the punchbowl is getting harder all the time. But it has to be done, and so I'll take a deep breath, close my eyes, and - for once - just skim the surface of the churning cesspool to announce

The Right-Cheek Ass Clown for May, 2019

and the award goes to

The Entire United States Government

The Executive Branch is run by a bombastic, ignorant man untutored in basic civility, government, and ethics and staffed with lickspittle sycophants unwilling to tell the emperor he has no clothes.

The Legislative Branch is filled with single-minded partisans, many of whom owe their seats to gerrymanders that protect parties at the expense of the nation and to whom party purity and the search for campaign donations and support - even from Russia - is more important than the best interests of the American people.

The Judicial Branch is increasingly filled with deeply conservative judges appointed by a president interested only in placating his base and protected by a Republican Senate that supports "legislation from the bench" as long as it has a conservative bent.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Readers, I could go on, but it's too depressing. The Right-Cheek Ass Clown Award for the first half of May is presented to the Entire US Government. God help us.

Have a good day, and come back tomorrow for our Mothers' Day edition of Cartoon Saturday. More thoughts then.

Bilbo