I was a fan of Mad Magazine in my teenage days. While appealing to the warped sense of humor of teenage boys, Mad sure had a lot of great social commentary, some of that permanently etched in my brain.

One piece was "This is the Land that SAM (USA) Built." The piece starts with a rat biting a toddler. The toddler becomes distracted at school, grows up alienated, and indirectly contributes to the capitalist structure which then induces more rats to bite more children. The piece connects about 20 causes-and-effects to complete the circle.

Not much has changed in the USA since Mad put that piece together 50 years ago. That is the sad part.

Alas, I cannot find find that piece. Maybe it is time to write to publisher to reprint it.

The Japanese police station was very thoughtful.