Kudos to Gary Larson - The new Far Side calendar

[Kodos]

I was pleased to learn that there is once again a Far Side daily calendar this year, and then delighted to learn that it wasn't just Gary Larson looking to buy another mansion. All of the royalties are going to Conservation International (www.conservation.org/trade), a group that is trying to halt the illegal trafficking of wildlife. Nice work, sir! Both your fans and the animals thank you.

Here's a note from Larson regarding the calendar:



To whom it may concern (and I hope it's you),
I have this idea for a science fiction movie: Aliens arrive on Earth, and they are initially benevolent toward humans until a rumor starts among them that the human pancreas – when dried and processed into a cream – can help alleviate sore tentacles. It's a false rumor, of course, but we all know how rumors can take root and flourish. Anyway, it's a moot point on whether it's true or not, because the bottom line in my movie is that we're all – forgive me – getting creamed.

Okay, I admit it – my idea is rather unoriginal. All I've managed to do is come up with a little twist on something that's been happening to much of our planet's wildlife for some time, and at a quickening pace. Whatever our shortsighted or uneducated motivation may be, it's good old Homo sapiens that are inexorably pushing many species toward the eternal abyss. It's like watching a bad movie, and it doesn't even have any aliens in it.

For me, things have come somewhat full-circle on this subject. I've derived so much inspiration from wildlife around the globe, I feel a certain indebtedness to the natural world for my career. And, frankly, it's a little uncomfortable to get laughs about animals who in reality are facing desperate times. That's why I'm donating all author royalties from The Far Side® Gallery 2007 Off-the-Wall Calendar to Conservation International (CI), a not-for-profit group that helps protect wildlife habitats worldwide. Specifically, the money will support CI's efforts to halt illegal trafficking in wildlife. Tigers are poached for their bones to be used in traditional medicines. Turtles, frogs, and giant salamanders end up as gourmet dishes. Sharks are killed for fins, orang-utans taken as pets, elephants poached for ivory. The list goes on, and the demand is emptying entire ecosystems.

CI is training local law enforcement in anti-poaching and anti-smuggling and educating consumers and decision-makers. Local people are very much involved in CI projects, which help communities benefit from conservation. I believe CI's work will keep our non-human neighbors from becoming mere memories. To quote from an old Joni Mitchell song, "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone." And, folks, there ain't no greater meaning to the word "gone" than extinction. And to quote from my own movie script, "Gorak! Always squeeze the tentacle cream from the bottom of the tube!"

Most seriously, please take time to learn more about CI's work and how you can help by visiting www.conservation.org/trade.

— Gary Larson

[PackerFanatic]

I saw this when I was in Barnes and Noble the other day...I almost picked it up. I miss these calendars.

[PackerFanatic]

dola, if only they were new comics (the box said they were from 2001) But still!

[Passacaglia]

First of all, it's pretty lame to refer to yourself in the third person. Secondly, if the message is just to Gary Larson, why post it here? And finally, you spelled Kodos wrong.

[KWhit]

Originally Posted by PackerFanatic

dola, if only they were new comics (the box said they were from 2001) But still!

Yeah. When I saw the thread title, I got excited thinking that Larson had included new comics in the calendar. I used to love that stuff. Unfortunately, I've seen them all about 100 times.

[sterlingice]

So you're saying this thread is about Kudos from Kodos?

SI

[WSUCougar]

Did I ever mention that Gary Larson is a WSU grad? He was also the speaker at my graduation (no lie).