I was talking with friends last night, saying how the most amazing thing about being on this earth so many years is watching the intensity, the level of insanity go  up in the heinous crime department.  Seriously, the idea of crashing passenger jets into buildings was unthinkable years ago.  Now, it seems as though each undetected whack job that decides to erupt can wander through Norway dressed as a policeman shooting kids or, as in this past week’s nightmare, start shooting innocent people in a movie theater.

In a way, I’m glad I don’t know how to process things like that.  I don’t want to get use to it.  At the same time, we all deal with things like this in our own way.  As you would expect, I have my own way.

I remember when the Space Shuttle blew up, there were “Shuttle Jokes” making the rounds the next day.  The question, “Too soon?” has become a punchline for sick jokes that people think of, based on a recent tragedy.  Maybe the idea of “Wait a little longer” is all you have to do.  The joke, “Besides that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?” has been around since high school.  A century later, it becomes OK, I guess.

I would tend to create something that would sum up how people feel, versus making fun of the tragedy.  Fortunately, I have a great outlet in the cartoonish talents of Steve Kelley.  You can find some of his previous works here, including some jokes I gave him that he converted into a cartoon.

I’ve proposed one, based on the Colorado tragedy that may be just too dark.  If he decides to push things to the edge, I’ll let you know, but even I think this one is too dark.

It’s a picture of Satan—yep, the Devil—either dressed up like Batman, or wearing a Batman t-shirt, saying “No rush, Jim.  I’ll be waiting for you.”

Yeah, it’s how I think.  Just sharing.

Tim Hunter