It seems like the time is right, after the current events in our state, I had been asked since I graduated college what I was going to do with my long running cartoon strip, Sarape’s Grill, that first saw publication in the Daily Wildcat. Well considering that they owned the rights to the material for 2 years after I graduated, I sat on it and did nothing.  When presented with opportunities to bring it back it never really felt right or I always had to risk losing ownership or control over it. I was never really quite satisfied and inspiration eventually faded. That is, until now.  The intent is to put one out every Friday or more often if time permits, so stay tuned.  Finally, without further ado I give you Sarape’s Grill.

Arnie Bermudez

“In war there are winners and losers. Marriage is a war, make sure you don’t lose.”  My uncle

After a week of hearing, seeing and talking about how my state of birth has become an embarrassment to the nation and most of humanity I was looking forward to some good news. Fortunately, that came in the red and yellow pages of Invincible Ironman #25. Ironman has always been a pleasure to read and I was hooked ever since the Extremis story line, which not only debuted Adi Granov’s amazing art, but revamped the character in a significant way. Moreover, the armor from Extremis was used as the basis for the costume design in the Robert Downey Jr. movie. So when it was announced that in issue #25 that Tony Stark was getting another upgrade I was stoked and I had to check it out. Aside form all the new twists in the story and the sick new way his armor comes on, the suit just looks awesome!!!  It took some time to get used to the look due to the fact that I was a big fan of the more mechanical look of Adi Granov’s design. This went away real quick after reading issue 25. So for the uninitiated here is what that looks like:

In other news:

Not only did SB1070 tic  lots of people off, it has also prompted one local cop to file a lawsuit against the state on the basis that this law can not be enforced with police neutrality.  The police officer involved is one Martin H. Escobar, who aside from being one bad mutha on the streets of Tucson is also one bad mutha on the mat or ring or whatever place jiu-jitsu guys fight.

Now its obvious he’s Hispanic, but before any Minutemen or Jon Justice fans start accusing him of protecting illegals lets consider the fact that not only can this guy beat you senseless, but in every picture he’s in there’s an American flag behind him, I can’t think of anyone more patriotic than him. Well, except for maybe this guy:

Arnie Bermudez

“I don’t go to church too often because I was told he is a jealous god and I don’t want to cause any problems if he’s that insecure when I’m around.” –me

The time has come again this year for Free Comic Book Day, no, its not a socialist-handout program put together by the comic book industry, and it’s the best day of the year for us comic book fans. This year promises to be a good one too. Sandwiched between two great comic book movies Kick-Ass and Iron Man 2. If you don’t know what Free Comic Book Day is allow me to to enlighten you. It is exactly what it sounds like. You just have to go this Saturday to ANY comic book store in town and ask for their free comic books and be prepared to receive some goodies. Its a great day for the family so take the kids or your little brother and sister. Basically, its like trick or treating for comic book enthusiasts and a way to promote comic book reading to the general public.  If you want more info please visit the Free Comic Book Day site or you can call your local comic book store and ask them .

Comic shops in Tucson

Charlie’s Comic Books

5445 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.heroesandvillainsonline.com

Owner: Mike Camp

R-Galaxy

2420 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 322-0422

website: http://r-galaxy.com/store/

Owner: Rick Keefe

In other news: Stephen Hawking just announced that there are aliens out there and they are gonna kill us!... or conquer us in the very least. Its a good thing he made us aware of this, it’s only to be expected. Why would an advanced society that floats through space try to help us? You ever see humanity try to help a lesser species? The closest we get is taking our pets to the vet. In fact, if aliens are anything like us, they would probably come here and enslave us and put us in farms and raise us for food, like we do with cattle. Or for a lucky few of us, we would probably end up as their pets with leashes and collars around our necks, but hey, some people are already into that. Yet not all is lost, in Arizona we are fortunate enough to have provisions in place to protect our citizens from such treachery. In case of an alien encounter, our local law enforcement can now act and ask them to prove that they are not aliens. If they fail to do so they are promptly taken care of with our concealed weapons. So not to worry Dr. Hawking, we got your back.

Recently Arizona has been making some pretty bonehead moves when it comes to law-making.  First, was the the ban on gay marriage. Why was it stupid? Well, aside from the fact that it was a total wedge issue, a violation of equal rights and heavily reliant on Judeo-Christian views of marriage; we also lost a lot of revenue and Mexico was smart enough to jump on that. So now, all those gay and lesbian couples from around the U.S. are not travelling here and spending

Just say "no," right?

their money here to get married, but instead they are going to Mexico and spending their money in that country. Awesome move Az. Ignorance has never been a big money maker, but fortunately being 49th in the country in education we don’t really care, in fact “ignorance” is very much our middle name. So making money is not a real concern, as is reflected by our budget.

Next, we allow people to have guns in bars. That’s right, guns in a place where people get intoxicated. What the heck?!?!?! Who thought this was a good idea? I know, I know, the gun toting patrons are allowed to do this so long as they

Yipee kay yay! The next round's on me.

don’t drink. Okay fine, but how many people (aside from myself and the DDs) go to bars and night clubs to not drink? More importantly we already have laws about drinking and driving and we see how many people follow those. If this type of law were effective we would have no DUI’s and no drunk driving deaths. Do we honestly think there will be no shooting under the influence? Remember, 49th in education.

The most recent offense, though, was Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 on immigration reform. Why is it a bone head move? Because it’s flipping racist. Seriously, how many Canadians do you think are going to get deported over this? Nothing against the polite Canucks, but they are the ones coming down in droves in the winter and taking not only the good jobs, but the good land. God knows Arizonans can’t afford to buy real estate in our own state, so, Canadians are.  However, police officers will be asking Hispanics, Asians, African Americans and yes, Middle Eastern folk. You know

She's definitely an "illegal". Get the Minute Men!

why? Because they all have one thing in common: They are not White. This law isn’t meant to protect Americans from foreigners it’s made to protect White people from non-Whites.  Now, this may sound paranoid and conspiratorial and I’m fine with that, but if you really want to test yourself and this law and claim its not racist do the following exercise: Close your eyes and picture an “illegal immigrant”.  Did you see a blonde haired and blue -eyed, polite Canadian? Exactly.  Also, we need illegal immigrants, yes, need. “Hogwash” you say? Okay then, you pick our lettuce and clean your house for substandard wages and no benefits. You can’t even get teenagers to do those jobs. Like it or not, illegal immigrants contribute to our way of life.

Can’t wait for the next round of bills. Yay.

On a positive note Kick Ass was an awesome film go see it if you haven’t and if you have, see it again. Furthermore, go buy the comic its just as great as the movie.

Arnie Bermudez

“I like you for who you are and if I don’t like you its probably for the same reason.” – me

   Earlier this week my buddy, Ben, posted the following story on his Facebook. Being raised EXTREMELY Catholic I just had to read it. Growing up my brother and I were altar boys, and my grandma used to go to mass early enough to see Christ, himself, clocking in. Although, my brother and I never got touched, fondled or prodded in any way shape or form by the priest, who treated us very respectfully by the way, we always heard the stories about other priests in a galaxy far, far away having there way with other kids. As I got older and started watching the news I started noticing more reports about that sort of thing happening in the Catholic Church and with other religious leaders. What? You don’t really believe this sorta thing only happens with Catholics, do you? Fact is, that there is no evidence to say Catholic religious leaders abuse kids more than any other denomination.  The intriguing part in this story though, is that the Church is objecting to a bill that would remove the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases. A letter from Connecticut’s Catholic Bishop’s stated that the proposed change in the  law would place ”all Church institutions, including your parish, at risk,” and “legislation would undermine the mission of the Catholic Church in Connecticut, threatening our parishes, our schools, and our Catholic Charities.”   Hey, I’m all for dscouraging frivolous lawsuits, but after so many years of reports of sexual misconduct shouldn’t the Church be more concerned about discouraging pedohilia? The solution is simple, it’s not about “what would Jesus do” or “turning the other cheek” or any of that stuff, religious leaders if you’re worried about being taken to court and sued out of your tax-exempt earnings, the best way to protect yourselves and your organizations is this: QUIT TOUCHING LITTLE KIDS!!!

Arnie Bermudez

“My admiration for Power Rangers lasted one episode. When I found out that I was not watching a live action episode of Voltron, it just became another crappy TV show.”- Me

I took an online quiz this week that said I was a left leaning Libertarian. I’m a registered Independent and if I had to be pigeon-holed into a party I would probably pick that one. I have never really agreed with Republicans and after meeting several Democratic politicians never really felt like I could be a Democrat, although I have an easier time agreeing with them than Republicans. I just have a hard time trusting politicians in general and don’t agree with the fact that most elections are about picking the lesser of two evils. Sometimes it  feels like picking between the cleaner of two pigs.

Vote for me!!!

     

Arnie Bermudez 

“When I was born, the doctor pulled me out and slapped himself out of sheer amazement.”  -Me

I found the following story while trolling through CNN. Apparently, $250 million dollars is being used to fund abstinence programs in school… that are not evidence based.  A resounding WTF comes to mind. We are funding programs in school that are not based on any factual or even circumstancial evidence? $250 million to tell hormone driven teens NOT to have sex? Ridiculous. That’s like telling a hungry person not to eat. I can’t believe my taxes are paying for this hogwash. No sex before marriage?!!! How about no marriage before sex? The result would be a much happier life and if the person chooses to get married a much happier marriage. 

Here’s an idea, how about we teach kids how human biology works and the risks that come with having sex, as well as, how to protect themselves and their partners from them while using the appropriate measures. Then again, this would require evidence, facts and common sense and that would probably confuse kids. Lets not fight ignorance with knowledge and education, we may actually teach our youth something. I shouldn’t be suprised though, since some states already teach another evidence lacking program called Intelligent Design.

Arnie Bermudez

“I found something on my face today… a whole lot of handsomeness!!!”- Me