Perturbed Cow political cartoon

We are again reminded that suicidefoodism is such a commonplace that anyone—everyone—can press it into service, knowing that it will serve as a benchmark, a universal password, a shibboleth to open any door. Which is why we see it so often in food advertisements, of course, but also in advertisements for other consumer goods and services. Even toys.

So when a political issue requires simplification, so that its basics might be understood readily by people from all walks of life, suicidefoodism is hauled up from the cellar of cliché once again. Here, in a cartoon that ran in the Rome (Georgia) News-Tribune, some point or other is illustrated with a great, hulking cow, angry that his prospects of being eaten by the Japanese citizenry are greatly diminished because of a trade dispute.

No, it doesn't make sense. And the way it doesn't make sense is of iconic familiarity. From clothing to sports franchises, from children's books to the plight of the family farm, suicidal animals are good for safe, reliable references.

(Thanks to Dr. Desdemona for the referral.)