I had to work too, but it was with wholesome liberal 3rd Graders who were really excited about it. Two of them declared a desire to become president someday as well. All were SO relieved that the mean bully wouldn’t be in charge anymore, we were kicking that guy out. Super lovely in every way.
Clif
I thought their was a YouTube video of every single “Your Fired” from the Apprentice that ended with the Electoral Vote Totals and Tuba sound effects. But when I searched for it to show my wife, I couldn’t find it.
Demoted Oblivious
Try searching “You’re fired!” instead. (tongue firmly in cheek).
Actually that rings a bell to me too. It seems like maybe SNL? Colbert? Seth Meyers? Maybe one of the Jimmy’s?
It’s very indirect in a democracy, and is in theory muted by meritocratic promotion, but at the highest levels there is definitely politics involved in getting promoted. As such, when the soldiers vote in a federal election, they’re selecting the people who are likely to influence the promotion boards for their next boss. So, kinda? but very muted.
I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical…
Roborat
Hey, having a Major-General who can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a javelin is a useful thing, particularly if they know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery.
Was Leia’s election connected in any way to her rank though? Or just her title? i.e. wasn’t she elected Princess (like Amedala) but a General due to competence and leading the rebelion?
A solid example though, is Eisenhower. And man, I had to stop myself from writing Hightower. I shouldn’t have watched Police Academy again on Netflix.
BBCC
Leia was the daughter of the ruling family. She was not elected Princess.
Demoted Oblivious
See that’s what I always thought from context, but then Clif’s comment plus the thing about Amedala and I just don’t know. I should ask my star wars friend. But do you have any source for this Clif?
Jason Rivest
It’s all very confusing. Leia was adopted by Queen Breha and her husband, Viceroy Bail Organa, thus joining the royal family of Alderaan. Bail was also represented Alderaan in the Galactic Senate and groomed Leia to take his place, which she eventually did. It remains unclear if Senators are appointed or elected. It is said that both Bail Organa and Queen Breha care deeply about democracy and supported the Rebellion from its early days, which sure seems strange if they are an absolute monarchy. Maybe Alderaan is a constitutional monarchy, but it doesn’t sound like it when you read about it online. It feels like the Royal Family holds real power?
Deanatay
The government in the Star Wars universe is a very odd, traditional mix of monarchy and federal democracy. Under the Republic, each system chose its own form of government, and had its own means of electing a Senator. Many chose a monarchy, and had the monarch select a Senator. The Senate, however, democratically voted on matters concerning the central government.
So, it’s possible for Princess Leia, the daughter of a monarch, to be made a Senator by her father, and then be democratically elected by the Senate to be made General of the Republic armies.
GreyICE
Ok full nerd time. The government in the Star Wars universe is based on Dune, like much of Star Wars. It’s a feudal republic. It’s feudal in the sense there’s a single governing body overseeing a bunch of other governments. Therefore they don’t really control any system, and have to negotiate. It’s also how you can have two areas fighting within the Republic – feudal governments often have those problems.
With the empire it transferred to a feudal dictatorship, but the same issue of a lack of control was there. That’s why the emperor needed a super weapon.
thejeff
Almost none of this of course in the movies, especially the original where Leia was established as a princess, but retroactively added as desperate attempts to explain the weirdness.
I particularly like that not only is Leia a princess as the adopted daughter of a Queen, but she’s also secretly royal by birth as the daughter of the former queen of Naboo. Which I believe was actually established first before her adopted mother being a queen showed up.
BBCC
Padme was elected though, so she’s hardly ‘royal by birth’ in the traditional sense.
Some Ed
Yes. I’m glad we don’t name the children of current elected officials as if they were heirs to those elected official’s current positions at the time they’re elected.
That having been said, I think most of our elected officials generally already had all of their children by the time they’re elected, and most of the ones who do have children while in office have them via affairs that turn into career-ending scandals, which tends to preclude that sort of thinking. Queen Amedala was elected at a much younger age than most of our local government elected officials, let alone those at the country level.
thejeff
Leia was royal by birth in the sense that she was daughter of a queen – however that queen got to that position.
And from a Doylist point of view, the character Amidala was almost certainly made a queen at least partly because she was the mother of a character we already knew as a princess.
In the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, a lot of the Republican militias elected their own commanders. I quote from a random PDF I found on the subject: “Within the CNT militias especially there was no hierarchy, no saluting, no titles and no rank insignia.”
George Orwell talks about that in Homage to Catalonia, saying its not as ridiculous an idea as many people might think in the long run, but the militias didn’t have the luxury of the long run.
khn0
The right to elect officers is in the manifest of Patropavloskduring the Kronstadt “mutiny” against the bolshevik steal of the russian revolution.
I seem to recall such thing in other revolutions (1792, 1871 in France, and in Hungaria at least in two occasions).
Oh, and I forgot the EZNL.
How is it strange? Walky is objectively one of the better characters in the comic. Sure he has a few flaws but that’s what makes him interesting. He’s pretty likeable all things considered.
King Daniel
I think Sirksome might have been replaced with an alternate-universe Sirksome. Quick! Someone check through the comments to see when their first pro-Walky comment appeared!
Clif
I just want to know what they did with the real one.
milu
Someone complained that their relentless Walky-bashing was getting old, and they apologized and started systematically praising Walky, with a lot of exclamation marks, from the next day onward. I thought it was hysterical but its been at least a couple weeks so I guess they really did revise their view of Walky =)
(Sirk, do you subscribe to this version of events? I hope I am not being slanderous.)
Sirksome
Technically I believe any form of printed defamation would be libel, but to address your comment I can neither confirm or deny any theories concerning the seemingly abrupt change in tone of criticism or opinion toward the character David Walkerton. But as proof this profile hasn’t been taken over by alternate dimension Sirksome I think I should note I have slipped up a few times. Each time I have broken form has been noted by a commenter. An example being 3 strips ago when I unintentionally vented some frustration that Walky did reveal to be incredibly oblivious to Lucy feeling for him. I believe you, (milu) were the one to notice that time! My apologies. A momentary lapse that I will strive to improve in the future.
Demoted Oblivious
Your efforts at this course change or parody are commendable. We award upon you the highest honor: Your parody is indistinguishable from really liking Walky and vice versa. Bravo.
I believe a jokerclapping.gif is appropriate here. Possibly including a full viewing of the Dark Knight (if that is in fact, a reward for you, else select a movie/activity of your choice)
milu
*chef’s kiss*
segnosaur
There is a difference between what makes a character ‘interesting’ and what makes them ‘boyfriend’ material.
thejeff
Given her praise of Walky a couple days back, I don’t think that’s the issue, but rather that she’s trying to avoid any romantic entanglement as a distraction. That’s why she broke up with Walky in the first place. Self-sabotage she calls it in an early strip
Keulen
It’s weird considering how you used to post anti-Walky comments almost every time he was in a strip doing anything for several months.
Sirksome
Hrrmmm. That sure sounds like something I did. Still this comment is quite troublesome for me. I will take note of this for improvement in future comments. Thank you for the feedback.
Jennifer ‘I’m totally straight! It’s just that everyone thinks about how hot their same-gender roommates, and best friends, and sometimes RAs are, BUT ANYWAY I’m straight!’ Billingsworth.
Amber confessed to her and even after that it still took like five years with multiple instances of Sal denying it and multiple instances of Sal and Amazi-Girl seen at the same time, and even then she still had to have it pointed out to her
King Daniel
The last time Jennifer mentioned it, she was still under the belief that Sal is Amazi-Girl. Unless it happened off-screen, she likely hasn’t changed her mind.
Thag Simmons
Given the conversation they were having I think it probably did happen off-screen
208 thoughts on “Shrewd”
Ana Chronistic
That’s our General Keener
and… Butterbar Billingsworth
Ana Chronistic
I hadda WORK while Biden was gettin’ inaugurated
and not on FUN stuff either, my job’s like the worst Sudoku book
Leorale
I had to work too, but it was with wholesome liberal 3rd Graders who were really excited about it. Two of them declared a desire to become president someday as well. All were SO relieved that the mean bully wouldn’t be in charge anymore, we were kicking that guy out. Super lovely in every way.
Clif
I thought their was a YouTube video of every single “Your Fired” from the Apprentice that ended with the Electoral Vote Totals and Tuba sound effects. But when I searched for it to show my wife, I couldn’t find it.
Demoted Oblivious
Try searching “You’re fired!” instead. (tongue firmly in cheek).
Actually that rings a bell to me too. It seems like maybe SNL? Colbert? Seth Meyers? Maybe one of the Jimmy’s?
Amias
I envy your job
ValdVin
Okay, no kids for my wife and I, and spending time with kids is not my thing. (That’s why I love teachers and vote for all the school refernda.)
But that is downright cute and good to hear.
Sunny
Your job sounds awesome.
Thag Simmons
Generals generally aren’t elected.
Jenn
What?? But I thought that’s what the General Election was for! Shoot, have I been doing this wrong my whole life?
Jamie
Generals are elected by a large number of people with weapons going, “We’ll do whatever you tell us to.”
King Daniel
I don’t think the enlisted people get a say in who their general is, either. (If they try, I believe that’s called “mutiny.”)
Stanistani
Or “¡Viva la revolución!”
Demoted Oblivious
It’s very indirect in a democracy, and is in theory muted by meritocratic promotion, but at the highest levels there is definitely politics involved in getting promoted. As such, when the soldiers vote in a federal election, they’re selecting the people who are likely to influence the promotion boards for their next boss. So, kinda? but very muted.
Leorale
Generals do most everything generally.
I am Nothing
I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical…
Roborat
Hey, having a Major-General who can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a javelin is a useful thing, particularly if they know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery.
Clif
Princess Lea was elected and she was a General.
Demoted Oblivious
Was Leia’s election connected in any way to her rank though? Or just her title? i.e. wasn’t she elected Princess (like Amedala) but a General due to competence and leading the rebelion?
A solid example though, is Eisenhower. And man, I had to stop myself from writing Hightower. I shouldn’t have watched Police Academy again on Netflix.
BBCC
Leia was the daughter of the ruling family. She was not elected Princess.
Demoted Oblivious
See that’s what I always thought from context, but then Clif’s comment plus the thing about Amedala and I just don’t know. I should ask my star wars friend. But do you have any source for this Clif?
Jason Rivest
It’s all very confusing. Leia was adopted by Queen Breha and her husband, Viceroy Bail Organa, thus joining the royal family of Alderaan. Bail was also represented Alderaan in the Galactic Senate and groomed Leia to take his place, which she eventually did. It remains unclear if Senators are appointed or elected. It is said that both Bail Organa and Queen Breha care deeply about democracy and supported the Rebellion from its early days, which sure seems strange if they are an absolute monarchy. Maybe Alderaan is a constitutional monarchy, but it doesn’t sound like it when you read about it online. It feels like the Royal Family holds real power?
Deanatay
The government in the Star Wars universe is a very odd, traditional mix of monarchy and federal democracy. Under the Republic, each system chose its own form of government, and had its own means of electing a Senator. Many chose a monarchy, and had the monarch select a Senator. The Senate, however, democratically voted on matters concerning the central government.
So, it’s possible for Princess Leia, the daughter of a monarch, to be made a Senator by her father, and then be democratically elected by the Senate to be made General of the Republic armies.
GreyICE
Ok full nerd time. The government in the Star Wars universe is based on Dune, like much of Star Wars. It’s a feudal republic. It’s feudal in the sense there’s a single governing body overseeing a bunch of other governments. Therefore they don’t really control any system, and have to negotiate. It’s also how you can have two areas fighting within the Republic – feudal governments often have those problems.
With the empire it transferred to a feudal dictatorship, but the same issue of a lack of control was there. That’s why the emperor needed a super weapon.
thejeff
Almost none of this of course in the movies, especially the original where Leia was established as a princess, but retroactively added as desperate attempts to explain the weirdness.
I particularly like that not only is Leia a princess as the adopted daughter of a Queen, but she’s also secretly royal by birth as the daughter of the former queen of Naboo. Which I believe was actually established first before her adopted mother being a queen showed up.
BBCC
Padme was elected though, so she’s hardly ‘royal by birth’ in the traditional sense.
Some Ed
Yes. I’m glad we don’t name the children of current elected officials as if they were heirs to those elected official’s current positions at the time they’re elected.
That having been said, I think most of our elected officials generally already had all of their children by the time they’re elected, and most of the ones who do have children while in office have them via affairs that turn into career-ending scandals, which tends to preclude that sort of thinking. Queen Amedala was elected at a much younger age than most of our local government elected officials, let alone those at the country level.
thejeff
Leia was royal by birth in the sense that she was daughter of a queen – however that queen got to that position.
And from a Doylist point of view, the character Amidala was almost certainly made a queen at least partly because she was the mother of a character we already knew as a princess.
Needfuldoer
[Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower have entered the chat]
Demoted Oblivious
Ooh! I didn’t know about Grant. TIL’d. Thank you.
thejeff
Or Washington, for that matter.
Generals can be elected to other positions, but they’re rarely elected to be generals.
John
Also Jackson, Taylor, Hayes, Garfield, Taft, Pierce, Arthur, Andrew Johnson, and both Harrisons.
milu
In the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, a lot of the Republican militias elected their own commanders. I quote from a random PDF I found on the subject: “Within the CNT militias especially there was no hierarchy, no saluting, no titles and no rank insignia.”
George Orwell talks about that in Homage to Catalonia, saying its not as ridiculous an idea as many people might think in the long run, but the militias didn’t have the luxury of the long run.
khn0
The right to elect officers is in the manifest of Patropavloskduring the Kronstadt “mutiny” against the bolshevik steal of the russian revolution.
I seem to recall such thing in other revolutions (1792, 1871 in France, and in Hungaria at least in two occasions).
Oh, and I forgot the EZNL.
So, Sub-Commandante Dotty.
Ana Chronistic
That was a Star Wars reference, fwiw
Sirksome
I resent Walky being referred to as a “weakness” ! Shame! Shame on both of them!
Nono
You being pro-Walky sure is strange.
Sirksome
How is it strange? Walky is objectively one of the better characters in the comic. Sure he has a few flaws but that’s what makes him interesting. He’s pretty likeable all things considered.
King Daniel
I think Sirksome might have been replaced with an alternate-universe Sirksome. Quick! Someone check through the comments to see when their first pro-Walky comment appeared!
Clif
I just want to know what they did with the real one.
milu
Someone complained that their relentless Walky-bashing was getting old, and they apologized and started systematically praising Walky, with a lot of exclamation marks, from the next day onward. I thought it was hysterical but its been at least a couple weeks so I guess they really did revise their view of Walky =)
(Sirk, do you subscribe to this version of events? I hope I am not being slanderous.)
Sirksome
Technically I believe any form of printed defamation would be libel, but to address your comment I can neither confirm or deny any theories concerning the seemingly abrupt change in tone of criticism or opinion toward the character David Walkerton. But as proof this profile hasn’t been taken over by alternate dimension Sirksome I think I should note I have slipped up a few times. Each time I have broken form has been noted by a commenter. An example being 3 strips ago when I unintentionally vented some frustration that Walky did reveal to be incredibly oblivious to Lucy feeling for him. I believe you, (milu) were the one to notice that time! My apologies. A momentary lapse that I will strive to improve in the future.
Demoted Oblivious
Your efforts at this course change or parody are commendable. We award upon you the highest honor: Your parody is indistinguishable from really liking Walky and vice versa. Bravo.
I believe a jokerclapping.gif is appropriate here. Possibly including a full viewing of the Dark Knight (if that is in fact, a reward for you, else select a movie/activity of your choice)
milu
*chef’s kiss*
segnosaur
There is a difference between what makes a character ‘interesting’ and what makes them ‘boyfriend’ material.
thejeff
Given her praise of Walky a couple days back, I don’t think that’s the issue, but rather that she’s trying to avoid any romantic entanglement as a distraction. That’s why she broke up with Walky in the first place. Self-sabotage she calls it in an early strip
Keulen
It’s weird considering how you used to post anti-Walky comments almost every time he was in a strip doing anything for several months.
Sirksome
Hrrmmm. That sure sounds like something I did. Still this comment is quite troublesome for me. I will take note of this for improvement in future comments. Thank you for the feedback.
Demoted Oblivious
I don’t think they’re labelling Walky as a weakness, but rather Dorothy’s … keener preference for him.
milu
nnnnoooooooo
CC
“It’s a little Machiavellian for me” said with no irony 😛
Regalli
Jennifer ‘I’m totally straight! It’s just that everyone thinks about how hot their same-gender roommates, and best friends, and sometimes RAs are, BUT ANYWAY I’m straight!’ Billingsworth.
Delicious Taffy
Her nickname in high school was “Yeah, sure, whatever you say”.
Spencer
Jennifer doesn’t go by her nickname anymore because it starts with “Bi.”
a/snow/mous/e
Jennifer Straightllingsworth
a/snow/mous/e
Heterofer
milu
‡D
i deaded
Regalli
Beautiful. Amazing. Thank you.
Pylgrim
I’m just going to start assuming that whenever she uses that smug holier-than-thou face she’s projecting.
Jhon
Don’t dis my guy Mac. He wrote the book.
Kyrik Michalowski
Hmm, how much of what Billie says is true and how much is her projecting?
…was that the joke?
NotThatDrew
Almost certainly so
Michael Steamweed
Yes, as she is aiming her ex- at another person.
Suet
My weakness has four letters, it’s —-.
My other weakness has maybe five letters, it’s —–.
(shoulda known we’d have a raincheck on Daisy)
RassilonTDavros
Jennifer is just astoundingly oblivious, isn’t she.
Jamie
Never been otherwise!
NotThatDrew
Just remember how long it took her to realize Sal WASNT Amazi-Girl
King Daniel
She still hasn’t.
Thag Simmons
Amber confessed to her and even after that it still took like five years with multiple instances of Sal denying it and multiple instances of Sal and Amazi-Girl seen at the same time, and even then she still had to have it pointed out to her
King Daniel
The last time Jennifer mentioned it, she was still under the belief that Sal is Amazi-Girl. Unless it happened off-screen, she likely hasn’t changed her mind.
Thag Simmons
Given the conversation they were having I think it probably did happen off-screen
King Daniel
That wasn’t the first time Sal denied being Amazi-Girl in Jennifer’s presence, either.
milu
Hmm, but what about this?…
Clif
I interpreted it as us being show flashbacks rather than Billie having flashbacks.
(I say Billie because that was before they were really Mike.)