stuffs

New comic I just finished up for Colin. I’m too lazy to fix the text, and I don’t really know how to use photoshop or a ruler, so this is basically what you get. I might break out the ink again on the early pages.

Mommy was an orator, Daddy was a philanthropist.

“Recent polls have shown 1/5 of Americans can’t locate the US on a world map. Why do you think this is?”

“I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so, because some people out there in our nation don’t have maps, and I believe that our education, like such as in South Africa and the Iraq, and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, our education over here, in the U.S., should help the U.S. , or should help South Africa, and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, and so we will be able to build up our future for our children.”

U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

hrfh.

“Nothing can destroy a government more quickly than its failure to observe its own laws, or worse, its disregard of the charter of its own existence.”  –Justice Cardozo, 1932

In the United States v. Verdugo-Urquidez, 494 U.S. 259, Verdugo-Urquidez, a Mexican resident, was arrested on drug charges, and was then brought to the United States to await trial.  While he was in a U.S. correctional facility, the DEA entered and seized property property from Verdugo-Urquidez’s property in Mexico without a search warrant.

The Fourth Amendment reads, “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

The Supreme Court held that Verdugo-Urquidez could not object to the DEA action on Fourth Amendment grounds, because he was not considered to be one of the people the Framers intended to protect when they drafted the clause against unreasonable search and seizure.

Clearly, it is arguable that the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution was drafted to protect the national community from  unjust and undue governmental action.  Should it be so limited to those who have a sufficient connection with the community, as to be considered a part of that community?  How weak or strong must that connection be?  Should we extend the protection of the Constitution to those who are forcibly brought to or detained in this country?  Should we allow it to those who willingly, yet illegally live here?

Should the evidence be permissible in  a court, and if so, what should the legal remedy be against the offending party who confiscated the material?

Garage Band–Gipi

From Italian artist, Gipi, comes a subtle masterpiece. The understated linework and muted watercolors lend themselves beautifully to the story, which deals with the complex composition of human interactions and emotions.

The book is separated into four canzoni, which translates to song in Italian. Each canzone works to heighten attachment to the characters, and reveals strange aspects of their person.

The characters’ paths are noticeably notched out in the beginning of the work, and we see them struggle to rise out of, or sink deeper into, their chosen venues. Each character is faced with a separate, yet intertwined struggle, as the reader experiences the corrosive and healing qualities of a group mentality.

“He’s still obsessed with death and fatal illnesses. But now he has music too…and I didn’t want him to get miserable again.”

Read sample pages at firstsecond’s site.