Smokey and the Bandits

Well, we're getting ready for the big solar eclipse tomorrow. (You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find sacrificial virgins 'round these parts.)

So, in the interests of full disclosure, we've spiffed up and added a whole plethora of NEW illustrations to a classic blog posting, our first cartoon investigative report, the secret and untold story of what REALLY happened to Smokey Bear. (Not, as explained, "Smokey THE Bear.") It's a classic blog on a classic piece of Americana, and contains stunning revelations that have not been reported -- to our knowledge -- anywhere else. A MUST read.

... But I grew up in a Forest Service family, and have always known that the cartoon mascot that the War Ad Council dreamed up was called "Smokey Bear." Indeed, from 1960 onward, we -- my brother and I -- probably owned every kind of Smokey swag that the government put out: comics, book covers, pencils, books, pocket protectors, etc. etc. Instead of a teddy bear, I had a Smokey Bear, whose hat mysteriously disappeared years before the plush pseudo-animal ended up at a garage sale....

Consider it a bonus for those who got through all 4,000 words of yesterday's post. For those who didn't, well, keep plugging.

If The Daily Show can do reruns, so can we.

Click. Here. Now: http://www.hartwilliams.com/sb.htm

1:40 AM PDT: WARNING, you will probably have to hold your hand over Bill O'Reilly's face to read the portion in question. You might try using a sheet of paper folded in half.

Courage.