I couldn't understand how these four sentences could constitute a joke, or even a coherent series of statements, until I suddenly solved the puzzle: you're supposed to read the panels in reverse order! Check it out: 'Some opinions are but a grain of sand on the beach. However, in the grand scheme of things… I think everyone is entitled to speak their minds… and that's the way I think we should run this country!' Now all of a sudden there is a logical order of thought -- initial observation, followed by counterpoint, clarification, and conclusion/call to action. The 'joke' is that Herbert is literally experiencing life backwards, yet he has a forward-thinking perspective on the social contract.
Apartment 3-G, 12/7/04
This hasn’t been a very good year professionally for Margo: first she screwed up the PR on Blaze’s play, and now she’s about to be fired from her new job at the sweatshop. Her resume’s going to need some serious dressing up after this.
Mark Trail, 12/6/04
Here’s what they don’t tell you when you decide to marry a taxidermist: you’re going to have perky young women showing up at your door at all hours with four-foot-long dead fish. It’s a good thing Kelly has a suitcase full of pink golf shirts back on the boat, because that one’s going to be pretty pungent.
Meanwhile, while Kelly and Birdie engage in meaningless chatter, the entire seaside community is menaced by TURT-LOR, KING OF THE SEA TURTLES! RUN, GIRLS, RUN!
Curtis, 12/7/04
Boys, Curtis! He’s telling that you’re no good with girls, so you should start dating boys!
At least that’s what I’m getting out of this. Anyone who can offer another interpretation that makes any more sense, please let me know.
One thing I do like in this strip is the sign in the second panel from the left in the bottom row: “No hair cut below the neck.” When will the oppression of Hairy-Backed Americans end?