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I used to not like Doonesbury at all when I was much younger. It's social commentary, uniform panel structure, and rather realistic situations didn't seem to have a place in the comics page where most strips were bizarrely funny, had colorful characters, and seemed more interesting visually. As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate what Gary Trudeau does everyday in his strip. He helps us realize that reality can be bizarrely funny and contain colorful characters at the same time. He's introduced us to the iconography of our presidents, easily boiled down into something as simple as a cowboy hat, or a waffle. Always relevant, and always sharp as a tack, Doonesbury reminds us of the varying social, political, and personal climates we occupy during the decades. From the opulence and conservatism of the '80's to the vague media sensationalism of the '90's and to the current uncertainties of the new millenium, one can always count on Mr. Trudeau to have something to say about the current headlines.