I want to talk about the Sue Gray report. Why? Because the findings are worse that you can imagine. Like can’t organise a piss up at a brewery, worse.
I think the official title of the report is : FINDINGS OF SECOND PERMANENT SECRETARY’S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED GATHERINGS ON GOVERNMENT PREMISES DURING COVID RESTRICTIONS
So for the people that no idea about what I’m talking about; 1.) You are very blessed, 2.) I’ll explain this clown car of a document.
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, aka Boris Johnson, is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Covering from March 2020 to December 2021, the United Kingdom entered several national lockdowns and restrictions, in response to fighting COVID-19; under Johnson’s Conservative (Tory) government.
The report is written by Sue Gray, the Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
The report details some of the alleged behaviour, of government workers in government buildings like 10 Downing St, during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
Basically, this report is about how some government officials broke the COVID-19 rules, that they actually made, while the British public followed the rules.
Sweet? Hopefully that’s clear. So….I have read the report. It’s…pretty damning, but I think it was always going to be. I’ve selected three events from the report that defy explanations, which will cover three different blogs, because…you know…I have to sleep and feed my kids.
I usually don’t talk or write about politics on my blog, but I couldn’t let this report pass, without commenting about it. In my defence, it’s the Tories.
I want to highlight just three gems of utter insanity that the Sue Gray report has revealed. This is the first one.
Part One: The Quiz
The UK second national lockdown was introduced in November 2020, with heavy restrictions concerning social distancing and Christmas parties. Basically the country was told to stay at home, with no more than two people from other households for indoor gatherings, leading up to and around Christmas.
Let’s move to 15th December 2020, because we are now boarding the hypocrisy train. I’ll let the report explain the event:
On 15 December 2020, a virtual quiz took place for No 10 staff. This was attended by No 10 staff who were present in Downing Street and 70 Whitehall and by some who joined from home. Alcohol and food was available in Downing Street and at 70 Whitehall, supplied and paid for by staff attending. The quiz and prize-giving lasted approximately three and a half hours.
On 15 December 2020, the planned quiz began at around 18.00. Approximately 120-150 staff joined, some from home and others based in rooms across No 10 Downing Street and 70 Whitehall. At least 18 members of No 10 staff joined from a large room in 70 Whitehall.
The Prime Minister joined the quiz at approximately 19.50 to read out the questions to one of the rounds. This had been agreed in principle in advance and was confirmed on the day. This is not unusual, he was frequently called upon by his office to attend staff events. He remained at the event for 12 minutes before returning to his office. There are published photographs of his participation in the event.
Food and alcohol was available during the quiz which was purchased by individuals on behalf of their teams. Some teams in the office gathered close together around laptop screens.
Some staff drank alcohol. A No 10 official sent a message on internal No 10 systems referring to drunkenness and advising staff to leave No 10 via the back exit. The No 10 official informed the investigation team that they did this in order to avoid staff being photographed by the press outside.
The quiz finished at approximately 21.30. Most of those in the office in No 10 either left or returned to work after the quiz with some remaining continuing to chat and some drank alcohol.
So while the United Kingdom was under lockdown, and the NHS (National Health Service) was hemorrhaging because of the work load, 10 Downing St had a quiz night. My questions about this ludicrous work event are as follows:
Did Jacob Rees-Mogg compete in the quiz? What was his score?
What round of questions did Boris Johnson ask? ie professional ethnics or some other make believe topic?
What were the team names? Seriously, I would love to know, because I hope they were funny.
When competing against at least 120 other Tories, what idiot(s) achieved the lowest score?
If you attended this quiz, wouldn’t that make YOU the loser?
Imagine receiving a message from a work colleague, explaining about an upcoming social event; where if you get drunk, you need to leave via the back exit. The reason is because the media would be waiting at the front door. To me, that’s a damn big red flag, telling you to stay away. Just like a man that brings his mother on a Tinder date to meet you.
I love quiz nights, so there’s no shame in losing one; except actually attending this one.
While the British public were at home, doing the right thing in the Christmas season, by social distancing; the Tories were having a quiz night at 10 Downing St. Elitism, arrogance, conceited or law breakers; the choice is yours for the best way to describe this detestable behaviour.
If you haven’t read the report for yourself, the link for it is below.
Last year I wrote a blog about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where I did my best to try and explain what was going on. After going back and looking at it again nearly one year later, there are things I realise I could have explained better, expanded more, or even things I just forgot to mention.
When I wrote it, I was concerned about the future of the region, because I thought it was a geo-political hot spot. That fear is a reality for millions of people across Ukraine, but also Russia, the neighbouring countries, and the entire world.
I try and fail, to make my blogs to be funny, entertaining, or interesting; so it could make someone smile, laugh, or at least to give them something to think about. This blog will be about the latter, because I find nothing funny or entertaining about the invasion of Ukraine. Nothing.
Before I level up and go into rant mode, please read the hundreds of articles and updates about the invasion, from various news sites around the world. Thousands of journalists and reporters are providing us with information and photos, that are changing minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day; detailing the horror and carnage of this utter madness.
So, am I angry about this insanity? Yes. Am I shocked and stunned by it? Yes. Am I afraid for Ukraine? Yes. Even though, I’m about 17,000 km away, I still give a damn. So, in my totally bias view, whom has the power to stop the war? Only the Russian government.
This brings us to the start of my rant for this Monday; I want to talk about sanctions and responses the world has given Russia, over the invasion of Ukraine. As the days have passed, I am amazed, truly amazed, about how united the world has been.
Except for Belarus, Cuba, Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Russia of course.
For all of the things wrong in our world, they are some things that are right. These things have crossed genders, races, politics, religion, social economic backgrounds, languages, cultures, countries, and even sports.
Also can I just point something out? How badly do you need to have stuffed up, to have the Pope turn up on your door step, and ask you to explain your actions? Pretty badly, I think.
Anyway, I am in awe of the sanctions and responses, the international community have given the Russian government, over the Ukrainian invasion. Now I realise these sanctions and responses may change over time, and new ones will be added; however at the time of writing this blog, these are correct.
Another thing I want to add, is that I am very aware of other conflicts on the planet; such as Palestine, Yemen, Chad, Syria and many others. These conflicts are no less important, and still deserve the world’s attention and support.
With that in mind, may I present, a small list of Russian sanctions and responses by the international community, over the invasion of Ukraine. By the way, some of these sanctions and responses include Belarus, but not all of them.
The EuroLeague have moved all games that were to be played in Russia, to other countries outside of Russia.
Football
UEFA has stripped St. Petersburg of hosting the 2022 UEFA final, scheduled for 28th May.
FIFA has suspended Russia; both men’s and women’s teams from international competitions. This means, the men’s team will not eligible to play at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Manchester United have terminated their sponsorship deal with Aeroflot, a Russian airline.
Schalke 04 have terminated their sponsorship deal with Gazprom, a Russian gas supplier.
After 19 years, the Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, is selling Chelsea FC. This is because of the mounting pressure of his association to President Putin.
Formula One
The Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, which was the 17th round of the Formula One championship was suspended.
Formula One now has terminated it’s contract with the Formula One promoter of the Russian Grand Prix.
Gymnastics
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has banned Russian and Belarusian national flags at events, and their national anthems will not be played at any FIG event.
There will no FIG events to be held in Russia or Belarus, until further notice.
Ice Hockey
Two teams from the Russian owned, Kontinental Hockey League, have withdrawn from the competition.
Martial Arts
The International Judo Federation suspended President Putin as it’s honorary president.
The European Judo Union withdrew President Putin’s status as Honorary President.
World Taekwondo has stripped President Putin of his honorary 9th dan black belt.
World Taekwondo said that no Russian or Belarusian national flags or anthems would be displayed or played at their events.
No taekwondo events would be organised in Russia or Belarus.
Paralympics
The International Paralympic Committe has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing.
Rugby Union
The full and immediate suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities, until further notice.
The full and immediate suspension of the Rugby Union of Russia from World Rugby membership, until further notice.
Skiing
The International Ski Federation (FIS) said there will no events in Russia, for the rest of the 2022 season.
Swimming
The World Junior Championship event in Russia, has now been allocated to another country.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) withdrew the FINA Order previously given to President Putin.
Entertainment
Movies
Film studios like Disney, Sony, and Warner Bros, have stopped the release of their films in Russian cinemas. These include major films like Turning Red, Morbius, and The Batman, respectfully.
Music
The New York Metropolitan Opera is cutting ties with musicians connected with President Putin.
Russia has been banned from the 2022 Eurovision competition.
Green Day, Eric Clapton, Imagine Dragons, Iggy Pop, Louis Tomlinson, the Killers, and Franz Ferdinand; along with others, have cancelled upcoming shows in Russia.
Spotify has removed content from Kremlin backed outlets; RT and Sputnik, but also has closed their office in Russia.
Finance
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the Bank of China, are limiting finances to purchase Russian raw materials, which limits Russian access to foreign money.
Russia has been cut off from SWIFT, the global messaging network for international payments.
Western countries have placed sanctions on the Russian Central Bank. This is to stop it from liquidating assets to counter balance the impact of sanctions.
The World Bank has stopped all activities in Russia and Belarus.
Singapore became the first Southeast Asian nation to impose sanctions on Russia. This was done by restricting banks and transactions linked to Russia.
Switzerland has frozen a number of Russian assets and joined EU sanctions; which has been described as unprecedented. (You know it’s bad, when the Swiss are pissed off!)
American Express, Visa, and Mastercard have blocked international credit card transactions made in Russia.
Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay have announced that their systems will no longer work in Russia.
Trafigura, a commodities trading company has frozen all of its Russian investments, which includes its share in Rosneft led project, Vostok Oil.
Personal sanctions on President Putin and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. This means the men’s collective assets in United States of America, European Union, United Kingdom and Canada, have been frozen.
Sanctions in other areas
Education
Research
Science
Energy
Electronic games
Food
Beverages
Furniture
Cars
Clothes
Technology
Services
Tourism
Aviation
There are many comprehensive lists of Russian sanctions out there, if you are curious. Over the coming weeks and months, this list will continue to grow, forcing the Russian government to the negotiating table. Sadly, only time will tell about how long this will be.
In the meantime, if you would like to donate money to support and protect Ukraine, there are many different agencies you can go through. The following list was complied by Vox.
I want to talk about war, in particular, some of the ongoing conflicts that are raging across this planet. Why? The Temptations and Edwin Starr had similar feelings towards it, as I do.
The thing is, I’ve been rattling this blog around in my antique head for awhile now, trying to decide whether I should write it or not. It’s not like I’m trying to glorify war, or celebrate it. It’s quite the opposite.
Because of this, I feel it’s important to highlight seven of the longest ongoing wars, currently being fought. Maybe you have never heard of them, or maybe you have. However, I think it’s extremely relevant to know about these things, because to quote Scarlet Johansson’s character in Lucy, “Ignorance brings chaos, not knowledge.” Being informed about something, equips you to make better choices.
This can certainly relate to nations or factions waging war against each other, whether you’re directly or indirectly supporting them. I’ve chosen one war from each continent, just to demonstrate that war is not trade marked; because as Billy Joel said, “It was always burning, since the world’s been turning.”
I’d like to point out, there are many wars currently being fought across the world, that have become humanitarian disasters, like the Yemeni crisis; the Tigray war; Chad; Syria; and Ethiopia. The only reason these conflicts are not on the list, is because they are quite recent, compared to the others. Sadly, these conflicts will be on a future blog.
The former nation known as Burma, Myanmar has been at war with itself since 1948. The whole situation is quite difficult to unravel, but there have been many different players and events in this debacle, ranging from the Empire of Japan; the British Empire; the Communist Party of Burma; Karen National Union; the Panglong Agreement; Aung San; the Chin, Kachin and Sha people; Military juntas; Burma Socialist Programme Party; Aung San Suu Kyi; the Rohingya people; the Tatmadaw; the People’s Defence Force; genocide; and one or two Coup d’états; among others.
The brutality of this conflict, has cost an estimated 150,000 lives from 1948-2011, with millions of people being dispossessed. This does not even include the Rohingya genocide, or the current military junta’s killings. Myanmar has a rich and proud history, but in the eyes of the world, the civil war is a problem that nobody quite knows how to solve or permanently end.
Europe: The Georgian conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia (33 years: 1989-Present)
Since 10th November 1989, Georgia was been fighting on two fronts: to the west against Abkhazia; and the other to the centre, against South Ossetia. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are both former autonomous regions of Georgia.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the region has been rocked with various ethnic conflicts. This has led to various factions to declare independence, which has divided not just countries, by also ethnic boundaries; the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Georgia in 2014 and 2008, are perfect examples of this.
Over the years, Georgia’s conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, have killed over 30,000 people, with tensions still running high between the neighbouring nations.
Africa: Lord’s Resistance Army Insugency (35 years: 1987-Present)
This is a brutal one to discuss. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a terrorist army that mainly operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Northern Uganda.
Some of their crimes include abduction, murder, war crimes, child-sex slavery, mutilation, and recruitment of child soldiers. Their fight against the Ugandan government has spilled over to neighbouring countries, which in turn has brought in the United States military, the United Nations, and other international watchdog organisations.
Because of the actions of the LRA, over 100,000 people have been killed, over 20,000 children had been abducted, and over 1.5 million people have been displaced. The LRA have been reduced in size over the years, however their leader Joseph Kony, is still evading capture.
North America: Mexican Drug War (15 years: 2006-Present)
This entry is not a traditional war between two nations, over religious, political or ethnic issues. It’s about the flow of drugs; namely cocaine, through Mexico, via the drug cartels.
On one side, you have the Mexican drug cartels, which covers all of Mexico. They control a huge amount of illegal drugs for drug trafficking, and they are heavily resourced and organised.
And on the other side of the conflict, you can find the Mexican government; which consists of the Mexican Armed Forces, The National Guard, and Federal Police, and other police forces. They also an ally/ enemy in the Popular Revolutionary Army, whom hate the government, just as much as the drug cartels.
The United States government, and the Australian and Colombian Police, also provide training and support against the drug cartels. All of these groups are trying to stop the flow of the illegal drugs.
Since 2006, this unorthodox war has claimed between 40,000-400,000 lives, depending if you are counting homicides from organised crime or not. In 2018, the Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, stated that the war was over, but boots on the ground tell a different story.
South America: Colombian conflict (57 years: 1964-Present)
Just like the Myanmar Civil War, the Colombian conflict is complicated, because there have been several factions and groups involved over the years. The major players are the Colombian government, army and police, right-wing paramilitary groups, drug cartels, crime syndicates, and left-wing guerrilla groups.
These groups have changed and evolved over the years, but the constant theme is that they are still fighting each other. Each group has their own reason for fighting, with each one believing they are justified in waging war.
The problem is that Colombia is still suffering because of this. 220,000 men, women and children have been killed during the conflict, with 7 million people have been displaced, because of the fighting. An estimated 16.9% of the Colombian population has been identified as a victim of the war.
When will it stop? You tell me.
Oceania: Papua conflict (59 years: 1962-Present)
Even my beautiful continent of Oceania,1 has not been spared. The Papua conflict is about the island, Western New Guinea, also known as Papua; which belongs to Indonesia, and shares a border with the nation of Papua New Guinea. The disputed region is a province called Papua, because the Free Papua Movement, which is a group, trying to gain independence from Indonesia.
Indonesia has branded the Free Papua Movement, a terrorist organisation; because of its use of guerrilla warfare, against Indonesian civilians, police, and military. However the Free Papua Movement has accused the Indonesian government of conducting a campaign of genocide, against the people of Papua.
Overall, an estimated death toll is between 100,000-500,000 victims. And just like many of the entries on this list, there seems no end in sight for the violence.
Antarctica: Aquatic Mammal War (Orcas vs Leopard Seals)
The origins of this conflict has been lost to the mists of time. This is because either nobody knows how or when it started, or all human evidence has been removed or destroyed by special agents.
The Antarctica Aquatic Mammal War, or as I call it, AAMW; has been waged between two of the top predators in Antarctica; orcas and leopard seals. To my understanding, the Cold War between the USA and the USSR, was modelled and named after this conflict.
From what humans can understand, orcas and leopard seals have been known to engage in some minor fighting, but it’s really a war of attrition. Hunting in each other’s territories, tagging logos on ice sheets, and recruiting proxy allies, like dolphins and seals; have made this conflict very dangerous.
Each side is not above insulting each other. The orcas call the leopard seals, “otters,” while the leopard seals, insult the orcas, by calling them “sharks.” All it takes, is one drunk orca, or a cocky young leopard seal, to start insulting the other group at a sit down, and all hell breaks loose.
The orca’s current leader is called Dolores P. Switchblade, and the leopard seals are led by ‘Arry “the Janitor” McClane, because he always takes out the trash. Not even the world’s greatest natural science communicator, Sir David Attenborough, knows how to solve this problem.
Well that’s it. Hopefully there’s something in this rambles of a blog, that you might have discovered. Thanks again for reading, it’s appreciated as much as quarks appreciate the strong nuclear force.2
1 Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia; except that time it had always been at war with Eastasia.
I want to talk about Afghanistan. Why? Because currently, I have great fears for that country.
You’ve properly seen some of the footage or photographs coming out of Afghanistan, but especially the capital city, Kabul. Thousands of people fleeing their country, in fear of the Taliban and the prosecutions and injustices that travel with them.
Following the fall of Kabul, people have been flooding airports and roads, trying to get out as fast as possible. Some people were so desperate, that they were holding onto the landing gear of an US military aircraft, as it took off; which has resulted in fatalities. One of these people was Zaki Anwari, a nineteen year old football player, who played for Afghanistan’s national youth team.
The scenes are heartbreaking and it will probably get worse over the coming days, weeks and months. It’s fast becoming a huge humanitarian crisis, that needs the world’s attention.
Afghanistan is a proud nation with a rich and diverse history. The problem is that the progress and change the country has made over the last 20 years, could be on the verge over being wiped away, from the former rulers of Afghanistan, the fundamentalism and militant group known as the Taliban.
Now, I don’t know about you, but watching these terrible scenes has reminded me of different crises like Syria, South Sudan, Iraq, Myanmar, Kosovo, Crimea, the Yugoslav wars; and the list could go on. Again, I don’t know about you, but I felt powerless and helpless, when witnessing those scenes.
These feelings have come back to me again, while watching the chaotic exodus that has been unfolding in Afghanistan. You may have the same feelings after watching the footage or reading about it. This may have led you to the conclusion that there is nothing you can do to help.
In reality, you can actually help and make a difference. Seriously you can. I can think of three different ways, you can actually help the people of Afghanistan.
The first way is to educate people. Whether it’s your parents, siblings, children, friends, work colleagues, team mates, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or that obnoxious person at your bus stop. You know the one.
When someone starts complaining about allowing Afghan refugees into your country, or why your country should help these foreigners in the first place; you need to explain the reality of the situation to them.
It’s up to you whether you do it politely or get angry at them; as long as you say something to defend them. Islamophobia, ignorance and xenophobia are not helpful and never will be.
The second way is to donate, it’s really that simple. Right now, NGOs (Non Government Organisations) and various charities and agencies across the world, are already on the ground in Afghanistan, trying to support and help people.
You can help them by donating. Whatever the amount of money you can spare, it will make a huge difference to the people of Afghanistan. Your donation can provide medical supplies, food, clothing, shelter; but also help with immigration and refugee protection.
Some NGOs and charities that are working with Afghanistan currently are:
There are also many more worthwhile charities out there, so please research them and select one that fits with you, so you can donate.
The third way is quite possibly the most difficult and humorous at the same time: you can start campaigning. By this I mean, to start advocating for Afghan refugees and aid, by contacting your local member of parliament or representative. You can do this by sending emails or letters; calling them; or arranging an appointment to talk to them. Ask them what are they doing to help with the refugee crisis, but also ask them about what foreign aid is being sent.
If that doesn’t work, start contacting your government; beginning with the Immigration Minister (or closest equivalent), then moving up to your national leader.
I believe Afghanistan is standing on the abyss and it totally depends if the international community can bring it back or not. I’m not smart enough to know what could happen to Afghanistan, but I do know that if you can help in any way, you’re be able to make a positive difference.
I want to talk about comics and politics. Why? Because I heard about something recently, that as a comic book fan, made me think “Have you only just realised this?” as I quietly raged.
If you have already heard about this ‘drama”, then that’s excellent; though if you haven’t, then buckle up. Marvel released the first issue of a new Captain America mini-series, titled The United States of Captain America very recently.
In the first issue, Captain America is explaining that the problem of the American Dream, is that it’s a dream that not everybody can achieve or the way I understand it, is that if a dream can not be shared, then it’s a lie.
Upon hearing this, some people have be upset at Marvel and Captain America for being “too woke” or “unpatriotic” or “anti-America” or “too political”. It seems and I could be wrong here, that people are really angry at the fact that comics have now become political. In 2021, people have just come to the realisation that politics exist in comic books and they’re protesting about this.
When I’m talking about politics, I mean not just conservative/right wing, centre or liberal/left wing views, but also issues on poverty, LGBTQ+, healthcare, war, drugs, sexism, education, climate change, racism and the list could go on and on.
Before I address this topic, I need to quickly talk about two things. Firstly, the way Dr. Jason Johnson reported this subject on MSNBC was amazing and 100% correct. The things I’m going to talk about are based on what he said…again, because he was right. I don’t want to take away from anything that he said, I just want to build on it.
Secondly, the fictional characters we love in comics, movies, television shows and books, don’t actually exist in the real world. Actors have scripts to follow; authors control what characters do in a book; while the creative team of the writer and artist can determine what a comic book character will say and do.
With that being said, let us dismantle the idea of comics suddenly being too woke and too political. Seriously, this is just nonsense. Comics have ALWAYS been political is some way or another. They really have.
Claiming Captain America is too political is madness. Johnson mentioned three key things for me about Steve Rogers. The first is that in Captain America Comics #1 in 1941, Captain America is smacking Adolf Hitler in the face on the cover.
It’s also interesting to point out that Captain America Comics #1 was cover dated as March 1941, but went on sale in December 1940; a full year before America entered the Second World War. Democracy vs Fascism, right there on the cover of the first issue. America is not even in the war and want to take a shot at Hitler and Nazi Germany. Is that not political?!
The second is that Captain America has always stood up to bullies; if you know anything about his history and the character, then you would know that when any character that stands up to a company, organisation, government or country, it’s extremely political.
The third point is that if Captain America was a real person, then yes, he would have taken down the people that stormed the US Captiol Building on 6th January 2021; and also handed out voter registration cards. I’m not an American, but yes, after reading Captain America for years, that’s exactly what would have happened.
Another point about Steve Rogers, was that his parents were poor Irish immigrants, and grew up during the Great Depression in New York City.
Captain America has been proudly waving his political flag throughout his years, during Civil War1, he went against the wishes of the US government; went undercover to investigate prison abuse and reform2; fighting Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan3; declines to be a US presidential candidate4; confronts drug addiction5; unmasked Number One, the leader of the Secret Empire, believed to be President Nixon6; quits as Captain America because of the US government’s corruption7; discovering the truth about Isaiah Bradley and the super solider serum8; and The Falcon, an African American superhero, officially becomes Captain America’s crime fighting partner and co-star of this title9, along with many other stories.
Captain America is not the only Marvel character, that has been political. When they were created, the X-Men were an example of African American civil rights within the country at the time, with Xavier’s role of Martin Luther King and Magneto’s role of Malcolm X.
As the reader of Marvel comics, you are drawn into Daredevil’s world, where the protagonist is blind; Black Widow is an ex-Soviet spy; Wolverine is not an American, he’s Canadian; Hulk was created from the real world fear of nuclear testing and radiation; Silver Sable was a Nazi hunter; the Punisher walks round executing criminals; Doctor Doom is a supervillain, but also the ruling monarch of Latveria; and the most wealthiest and advanced nation in the Marvel universe, is Wakanda, an African country.
Here is a small sample of political Marvel storylines:
Peter Parker’s best friend Harry Osborn, develops a drug addiction (Amazing Spider-Man #96-98, Vol 1, 1971).
Hulk learns one of his oldest friends is dying of AIDS (Incredible Hulk #420, Vol 1, 1994).
Mar-Vell dies of cancer (The Death of Captain Marvel, 1982).
Sue Storm suffers a miscarriage (Fantastic Four #266-268, Vol 1, 1984).
Kamala Khan, a teenage Pakistani American girl, becomes a superhero (Ms. Marvel, Vol 3, 2014).
Miles Morales, a teenage African American/Latino boy, becomes Spider-Man on Earth-1610 (Ultimate Fallout #4, Vol 1, 2011).
Northstar, a gay mutant, married Kyle Jinadu in the first same-sex superhero wedding (Astonishing X-Men #51, Vol 3, 2012).
Tony Stark battles alcoholism (The Invincible Iron Man #120-128, Vol 1, 1979).
Details Magneto’s origin as Max Eisenhardt, as he lived at Auschwitz (X-Men: Magneto Testament #1-5, 2008-2009).
Mutants and Humans swap roles, where Mutants are praised and Humans are prosecuted (House of M #1-8, Vol 1, 2005.)
Marvel are not the only company that have been political. Take DC for an example and in particular, Superman. He has been political just as much as the Sentinel of Liberty over the years.
Superman has campaigned to end world famine10; helped train US troops in war exercises11; destroyed slum tenement buildings, to force the government to build better ones12; dealt with the murder of his friend’s son13; fought the Ku Klux Klan14; renounced his U.S citizenship, in protest of the government15; married Lois Lane16; dealt with Lex Luthor becoming US president17; and talked to a young woman on the verge of suicide18; to name but a few.
DC has a collection of political characters as well. Animal Man is the avatar and defender of the Red, a force that connects all animal life and micro-organisms; Swamp Thing is the avatar and defender of the Green, a force that connects all plant life; Wonder Woman has become an international feminist icon; Green Lantern Hal Jordan reflected America’s involvement in the space race; Sinestro ruled Korugar as an authoritarian; Harley Quinn is bisexual; Black Lightning fought street level crime in Suicide Slum; and Lobo smokes cigars.
Here is a small sample of political DC storylines:
Supergirl was introduced as Superman’s cousin, along with all of her superhuman powers (Action Comics #252, Vol 1, 1959).
A mini series that reexamines and highlights some traditionally disenfranchised groups in the superhero community (The Other History of the DC Universe #1-5, Vol 1, 2021).
Batman creates the Brother Eye and OMAC network to spy on superheroes, which has disastrous consequences (Infinite Crisis #1-7, Vol 1, 2005-2006).
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons create Watchmen. (Watchmen #1-12, Vol 1, 1986-1987).
Kal-El lands in the Soviet Union and becomes a world leader (Superman: Red Son #1-3, Vol 1, 2003).
Green Lantern Kyle Rayner’s girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt, is murdered and stuffed into a refrigerator (Green Lantern #54, Vol 3, 1994).
Superman is an illegal immigrant, having arrived in the United States without the proper legal documents (Action Comics #1, Vol 1, 1938).
Reintroduction of Batwoman into DC continuity as a lesbian (52 #7 & #11, Vol, 2006).
Green Arrow discovers his sidekick, Speedy, is addicted to heroin (Green Lantern #85-86, Vol 1, 1971).
John Stewart, a black man, was appointed to be Green Lantern Hal Jordan’s replacement ((Green Lantern #87, Vol 1, 1971).
The Justice League fight against white supremacists and the government (JLA #80-83, Vol 1, 2003).
Politics in Western comics is not limited to the big two companies. Over the decades, many different publishers have brought social issues to the reader, such as:
Mark Grayson is raped by a female Viltrumite (Invincible #110, Vol 1, 2014).
Judge Dredd lives in the futurist Mega-City One, where unemployment is over 90% (2000AD, 1977-present).
An ex-superhero is the mayor of New York City (Ex Machina #1-50, Vol 1, 2004-2010).
Illegal dumping of toxic waste triggers mutations in four turtles (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1984-present).
Autobiographical series on Marjane Satrapi’s childhood during the Islamic Revolution and as a young adult (Persepolis The Story of a Childhood, 2000; Persepolis The Story of a Return, 2004).
A survivors tale of the Holocaust, told through the lens of Jews as mice and Nazis as cats (Maus, 1980-1991).
Seduction of the Innocent was published in 1954, detailing the damage comic books were having on the youth.
The creation of the Comics Code Authority in 1954, in an effort to regulate comics and their themes.
I could go on with this list, but I simply just can’t. I’m very sorry to any and all creators that I’ve not included on the above list; it’s because of the lack of time in writing this blog, so please forgive me.
To me, comics have always been political, because that’s the point. Yes, there is a story to tell, but it’s deeper than that. Comic book creators try to expose readers to new and different ideas, topics and issues, that readers may not have ever heard or thought about before.
I simply can’t tell you how many new and different social or political ideas, topics or issues I have discovered over the years, through reading comic books. Because of this, it gave me reasons to view the world differently; or at least to try understand the issues by researching myself.
Some of my first impressions of the larger world and the diversity of people, were through reading social and political issues in comic books. Comic books in all of its forms, are visual stories that are being passed onto the next generation. Of course there would be political themes in them, humans have created them; because we are a political species.
Before I leave you, I want to present you with two of the best and greatest examples of politics in comics, I can possibly think of. The first is Stan Lee’s literary work in the Soap Box. Within the pages of early Marvel comics, existed the news and information page, known as the Bullpen Bulletins; and within this, Lee had a monthly column called Stan’s Soapbox or Stan Lee’s Soapbox.
In the Soapbox, Lee would discuss Marvel, contests and the comics industry; along with heavy social issues. To me, I think Lee saw this as an opportunity to talk directly to readers, as a means of not just showcasing and promoting comics, but also to promote a better understanding about the world, as well as ourselves and how we can fit in it. Stan Lee was “woke”, before being woke was an actually term.
The second example is actually quite simple and so basic, that you probably already know it, but have dismissed it. We have to go all the way back to 1939 for this example and no, it’s not the start of World War II.
Are you ready for it? Here it is: Bruce Wayne is a victim of gun violence. That’s right, Bruce Wayne’s parents were shot in front of him, when he was a boy. And what did he do with that anger and grief? What every child would do; to make an oath to rid their city of evil and declare war on crime.
This is displayed in the beautiful Batman: War on Crime, where Batman discovers a boy named Marcus, had witnessed his own parents’ murder in a robbery. Batman can’t help to make comparisons to Marcus and himself, so by the end of the story, both Marcus and Bruce must confront the pain of gun violence and having survivors guilt. Gun violence and gun reform are still issues facing society, even in 2021.
In a nutshell, I think the people protesting against the involvement of politics in comics, may have honestly lacked the imagination or sense of wonder, to have never read a comic book. To pick up one up and be transported to worlds, where the problems people face there, are the same ones we face here is invaluable to our youth and the old.
We are supposed to read and learn new things, so we can change. You are not supposed to stay the same person throughout your life, you are built to learn, grow and explore new things and be open minded. Having political issues in comic books is an extremely good and positive thing, so don’t let anybody tell anything different.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week.
1 Civil War #1-7 (2006-2007)
2 Captain America #260 (Vol 1, 1981) & Captain America #23 (Vol 3, 1999)
3 Captain America #264 (Vol 1, 1981)
4 Captain America # 250 (Vol 1, 1980)
5 Captain America #372-378 (Vol 1, 1990)
6 Captain America and the Falcon #175 (Vol 1, 1974)
7 Captain America and the Falcon #176 (Vol 1, 1974)
8 Truth: Red, White & Black #1-7 (Vol 1, 2003)
9 Captain America and the Falcon #134 (Vol 1, 1971)
10Superman: Peace on Earth ( Vol 1, 1999)
11Superman #23 (Vol 1, 1943)
12 Action Comics #8 (Vol 1, 1939)
13 Superman #84 (Vol 2, 1993)
14 Superman Smashes the Ku Klux Klan #1-3 (Vol 1, 2019-2020)
SOME GEEK TOLD ME 
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