Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 17, 2011

Uh-oh….,

Oh no, this can’t be good…1 of 2 things can happen. Fired or promotion. I’m hoping the latter, Brad’s too awesome of a dude to have him lose his job.

Is there an opening with Dirk on the garbage detail?

Just when you think you’re sitting pretty drinking lemonade, life throws a lemon at you.

Ooh that’s kinda scary! Mordock, I may need some of that coffee….. pretty please.

@Sisyphos from yesterday — Thanks! And @Fairport…. yeah but if he said “hey Mike”, Brad wouldn’t turn around. Pretty good thinkin’ on Greg’s part to catch that in time, I think.

Oooooooops!!!!!!!!!Maybe it’s a promotion!!!!????

Ooooh. Maybe it’s a reminder that he’s supposed to work and not spend his duty hours socialising?

Ominous…

And this is why you don’t mess with the time-space continuum of a comic strip. Since it can’t handle big changes over a relatively short period of time, the snap-back is going to be brutal.

Budget problems beset all levels of government in most parts of the country. Lay-offs become unavoidable. Toni has set Brad up for bad luck by repeatedly praising him for holding a steady job while her brother Jonah does not. Irony approaches….

Brad a Captain?

It sure is a motion alright from the chief, is it de or pro?

I hope the economy didn’t catch up with Brads Firehouse. =(

The double date was Toni’s idea and Brad was not keen about it – you should know as it was only last week’s story.

Holy da**. Greg finally caught up with the recession 2 years after it started. Guess it is in cartoon’s time. My guess is he is getting laid off as he is one of the newest hires (I think) which is usually how they lay off – starting with the newest hires. At least it appears to be the case in mine and some of others I know of…My guess he would have to move back home and TJ has to find a new roommate. The question is will Brad regress to his old potato couch ways once he’s laid off? That definitely will not go well with Toni.

There IS a downtime at the firehouse. Firemen are not expected to work constantly while at firehouse. Someone gave the impression that Brad is in trouble because Toni stops by often and Brad seems to be slacking off, standing around, not looking busy. That is normal thing at firehouse. They have duties, chores, and they also sleep, relax, watch TV, socialize, Ever see their lounge? The firehouse is their second home as they have the same schedule rotation as ER physicians…3 days, on, 2 days off, or so. Toni is a fellow firefighter so she knows how things go at firehouse and knows her stopping by doesn’t cause trouble for Brad otherwise she would not do that. However, I do draw the line in bringing Shannon there…what if the fire alarm goes on, and she is in the way?

THIS does NOT bode well !!!

BTW, setting the record straight, Brad is shown at HIS Fire Station, while Toni works different hours at a DIFFERENT station, in another part of town! (Which is another reason there hasn’t been talk of wedding bells in regards to the 2 of them!)

What is the 13th Amendment? Bear in mind that I’m not an American, so this is a serious query.

I doubt if Evans will have Brad kicked off the job, only because this will send this strip even further into soap-opera territory (a la Apartment 3G, or, Dog Forbid, Funky Winkerbean). Some sort of telling off about Toni dropping in will be more likely, and in a Luannish way, (non) hilarity will ensue.

Not sure if it is due to job issues but I’ve seen way too many firemen laid off these days.It’d be more cost effective to get rid of or put on hold costly projects that have more to do with politics but… politics makes it impossible to shut down many wasteful projects and programs.

Cutbacks hitting the Luann universe? The one thing I counted on every day was that the existing laws of Physics – and all else – just don’t apply here.

…I have always liked Tony and Brad and thought this arc was alittle out of character for both of them..now,I know why..

I heard a similar line from my manager some time back, it usually goes “Excuse me, when you have a minute, can i see you in my office”? Next thing I knew the position I had held for 12 years was gone, went to india, along with 2/3 of the rest of the department.

Oh…Pittsville is in Wisconsin…

While I hope the talk with the Captain is good news, the lead-in is just too strong (and cliche) to deny. As for Brad looking like a slob, don’t forget he was swabbing the deck (mopping the floor for you landlubbers). And he may have been on an “unauthorized” break, he still managed to get the job done by having Shannon do it.

@Richard S. Russell – I don’t see how asking public sector unions to foot an additional percentage for their own healthcare and retirement is akin to “rolling back all the progress of the 20th century”. I guess, in your view, the taxpayers should continue shouldering that burden for you, right? Fat chance considering Wisconsin’s $137 million deficit. Levying more taxes (whether on individual taxpayers or business) won’t even come close to closing that hole. And if you don’t think businesses and people react to onerous taxes, explain how Florida gained a Congressional seat while New York lost 2? Those aren’t all retirees. And allow me to preempt your respective “collective bargaining” retort; Federal employees don’t have collective bargaining rights, especially after the Carter Administration eliminated them. And FDR (by no means a Republican) was against public sector unions, for the exact reason played out in Wisconsin and other states.

Doesn’t sound so good

Here it comes. The evil Republican town council is cutting back on the poor union thugs. Wish I had a job where I could sit and talk to my girlfriend and get paid.

ah, its layoff time and reality steps into the comics. Even the citizens of comic strips would rather see their houses burn down than pay more taxes.

Here it comes…The evil republican city council is going to cut jobs. Poor union thugs. Wish I had a job where I could talk to my girlfriend and get paid. And BTW in Wisconsin the union thugs and liars are only being asked to pay a little more into thier pensions. No unoins in Wisconsin is willing to make any cuts but are wiling to let thier “brothers” lose jobs.

Will Brad be fired or promoted? Will Shannon behave or be the devil at the zoo? Find out the answers to these questions tomorrow. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.

I’m sure if budget cuts are causing layoffs, then Brad, being of the most recently hired, is probably going to be on of the first to go. But don’t forget, Toni was probably only one class ahead of him. Her job could be a bit dicey as well.

Hello Everyone:

My take on the comic suggests the following:

1. Perhaps Brad will be laid off due to the economy. He is likely lowest in senority.

2. Perhaps the economy means there are cutbacks to be made, and perhaps that will force Brad to transfer to another station if he has enough senority…. potentially it could be the station Toni works at?

3. Although unlikely, there is a possibility Brad could be promoted.

mrr brr lrr budget cuts nrr mrr nothing to do with your performance mrr lrr nrr frr seniority drr brr mrr really sorry about this lrr nrr mrr severance pay

I think it is common for the firefighters to take it easy between fires. No problem there with Brads behavior. Cuts because of budgetary reasons are seniority based.

If Brad is laid off, will Toni have to help support him? Does TJ have a job, is he still living with Brad?

Back to Weenieworld for Brad? That would hit him hard.

Yes, it looks like he’ll be laid off due to budget cutbacks. Greg is in Calif where an unzipped movie star seems to have left with things in a mess. That Brad has saved lives will count nil. Seniority will rule, which is sad.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

that steady job suddenly looks much less steady for brad

While I agree with those saying it’s a layoff, as a firefighter, let me fill you all in on a few things: 1: On-Duty time is not like working in an office. There’s a lot of time to sit around and talk. 2: When you’re mopping the floors/cleaning rigs, you usually roll up your sleeves and take off your watch to keep them from getting soaked. 3: People FREQUENTLY stop by with kids to visit and families are often at the station. As long as you get your work done, I’ve never had a LT or a CPT that had a problem with it – and your mates will almost always cover you for family time anyway. 4: Toni’s another firefighter, she’s not going to put Brad in a situation that would jeopardize his job. He’s clearly a hard worker and has won awards and accolades.That being said – He’s also had a reprimand AND he’s likely one of the most junior folks there so when layoffs come around, he’s going to be the first one on the chopping block. And competition for paid-staff positions is FIERCE. I’ve had friends go to testing many states away just to get on a list of hundreds of candidates in the hopes that they might get an interview.Orion

What is the purpose of putting Brad on the unemployment line? We need a few more depressing comics to build up our morale.

someone somewhere else brought the point that if and when Brad gets layoff, if Toni stands by him, it will warm things between Nancy and Toni

Ok. Brad gets the ax, Brad marries Toni, Toni supports brad, Toni and Brad adopts Shannon. and then they live happly ever after. COME ON, This is the Comics. Why so omminous? Lets try to post some feel good stuff. and let Greg Pop our ballon. BTW: What happened to the Elwood diamond?

The fact that the Cpt. says “your job” in smaller letters means that he is hesitant to pass on bad news. If it were a promotion, it would be said differently.

OH NO!

We do not know how Nancy views Toni at this point. Much has happened since two Thanksgivings back. Nancy may even view Dirk a bit differently after he helped with the bookcase. She seems not too worried about Quill.

Maybe Elwood will hire Brad. == But maybe he is off in Oz or elsewhere. He was not around with a gift for Luann on Christmas, nor a New Years invitation. He no longer seems in the school, but as part of the moneyed crowd he may not believe in public schools any more. There was no evidence he graduated.

Brad will be placed on temporary leave, and get a temporary job at a bakery; Jonah will then see Brad more “flaky” than he is!

Rut-roh.

Well, let’s not forget Brad has EMT training as part of being a firefighter. Maybe if he gets laid off from the fire force, he can get a job with the EMT squad.

Sorry, I’m a doofus, I forgot Brad and Toni work on different squads.

I Think Brad is being transfered or given a promotion. This could be a set up for Brad and Toni getting married.

I’m not sure why I love this strip so much, but I do.

Ouch. Bummer.

Might also be a performance evaluation….and a stern warning about slacking

Reality would lead us to believe that a stationis being closed and a realignment is in the works. No station would under staff itself. That could have an effect on Toni too. They might have to double up to ,ake ends meet. They’ll get unemployment and possibly job search help.

Chance of layoff, 100%.

Brad has never been a slacker and I’m surprised that some people continue to see what a person is wearing as an indication of how hard a worker he or she might be.

I thought Dirk left town. I hope so.

He’s getting laid off. The much maligned stimulus package kept fire fighters and police on the job for two years of the worst economic times in my life. (But I’m only 58!) Now without it, expect 45 kids to a classroom, very little police or fire protection…The states are far more broke than the Federal government. But republicans hold the purse strings now, so what else would you expect? Put out your own fires people…

The worst part is Brad has no idea what is about to happen. I’ve been unemployed so many times that I know the drill by heart. Usually talk around the station house would have made the next 5 minutes expectable. It’s always when you have become the most comfortable at your job when – BAM!! I guess Pittsville is not in Arizona. Brad can always go into the family business – sit around the house and drink coffee.

Brad is now about to learn the true purpose of unions. The worst, least qualified worker who had been on the payroll longer than the most qualified, best worker is the one that gets to keep his job. That, kiddies, is what the NJEA and other unions say is what makes America great.

@ProfessorChaos, ever been around a firehouse? At least some of the time is spent hanging around. If all the duties on the daily list are done, not really much to do. The fact that he’s gone a bit casual is probably acceptable as long as there aren’t any guests at the firehouse. Now, entertaining his girlfriend at the firehouse, even though she’s an off duty firefighter herself, is probably not a good idea.

Wow! Closing in on 100 posts today, and the rumor was some others were removed before I even checked in today. I guess the subject of Brad’s probable job loss touches the national nerve, especially when it relates to income vs. expenses. Sounds like a lot of people think that we should continue to run deficits instead of trying to be fiscally responsible. Seems like we could find some other way to provide work for people than to have them idle their time away and collect unemployment. Didn’t we learn anything from the 30s?

That’s it Russell, drag politics into a happy little comic strip.Since you brought it up, I will say this.You liberal, rob the public treasury and people’s pockets, idiots are going to keep on going until the USA collapses like Greece is in the process of doing at this moment.That will make these days seem like a walk in the park.

One Frame … Two words … And now we have the highest response rate of the new forum. imbaldeagle was right. This did hit a nerve. A lot of us know the pain. Personal experience is recent. I’m surprised that Greg did this. The world he created was previously protected from the hardships we face in the real world. No gang violence, crime or terrorism. Greg tried to stay off politics. This is the first time I’ve seen Pittsville as part of the real USA.

Chuck, (about two hours ago.) if you have been at a job longer, and have more knowledge and experience than a new kid, why wouldn’t a company keep you?

I think too much is being read into Brad’s rolled up sleeves, loose tie, lack of watch etc. Let’s remember folks he was MOPPING the floor when Toni and Shannon came in. You tend to loosen things up a bit when engaging in manual labor, esp. if it’s a little messy. That said, this could be good or bad news – I mean I could believe him getting pulled up for socializing on-duty but that was like what, a 15 minute conversation max?

Ron, I’d respond to you, but going for a walk in the park across the road, funded by public money, seems more appropriate…..so that’s what I’m gonna do….

Take a look at http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/05/ghostbusters_fi.php It lists some firestations closing, including the “Ghostbusters” firehouse. I hope Brad doesn’t get fired. Maybe he has to take a forced vacation for a few months.

. ., good point…..

Well, I’m putting my bet on a promotion…! Brad is too good a guy to be fired.

Well, I can vouch for the fact that nobody’s getting rich while risking their lives to protect kids in Children’s Protective Services. And the last time I checked most of the public employees were losing benefits and salary.

He gets fired dyhhh

police now

duhh

Ellie