Here's To You, Randi

Today's 'toon is a day late because my heart was broken yesterday. Broken real bad, and not because of the Pope.

Fuck the Pope.

The reason you're reading these words, hating these comics is because of a woman named Randi Rhodes. I've often mentioned her before as I consider her one of the funniest, smartest, most politically astute women I've ever encountered.

I stumbled across her radio show back in 2004 and was immediately smitten by her smart, reality-based take of the news, especially the Iraq war. What really caught my ear was her constant warning to not believe anything she said.

"Look it up. Check it for yourself!" she'd say.

It was Randi who inspired me to create this very comic and it has given me a sense of purpose that I have proudly carried for almost twenty years. Her show often used my cartoons as bumpers between show segments and I couldn't have been more pleased.

I have often suggested in the past that you, dear pencilnecks, take a moment to enjoy her gloriousness. I hope you took advantage of that advice because there's only one more chance.

Yesterday Randi revealed that her Wednesday show, April 23rd, would be her last due to health reasons. I don't know the details but she revealed that she's going under the knife on Thursday. She made the announcement of her coming surgery in a typically upbeat fashion and says she looks forward to a life of travel and leisure once healed.

This country will be a smaller and, sadly, a stupider place without her but she has touched the hearts and minds of so many people that the spirit of her show will last a long time after her sound board has ceased to crackle with her unique energy.

When I said "Fuck the Pope", above, it's my way of saying "There will always be another Pope and he will continue to sell the same old religious hogwash."

But there will only ever be one Randi.

So, thank you, Randi. I will always hold you dear in my heart and I thank you for what you've done to educate and enlighten. I wish you long life and happy travels.

Glorious girdles forever.

- Lefty