Editing 1435: Presidential Alert

{{comic
| number    = 1435
| date      = October 17, 2014
| title     = Presidential Alert
| image     = presidential_alert.png
| titletext = When putting his kids to bed, after saying 'Goodnight', Obama has to stop himself from saying 'God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.'
}}
[[File:Eas_new.svg|thumb|150px|Current EAS logo]]
==Explanation==
The {{w|Emergency Alert System}} allows the U.S. President to address the country in the event of a national emergency, by broadcasting a message over all television and radio channels. Despite systems like this having existed for over 60 years, no president has ever used it, even during major incidents like the {{w|September 11 attacks}}.

In this comic, the US President accidentally activates the system by pressing a button, apparently located on the {{w|Resolute Desk|''Resolute'' Desk}} in the {{w|Oval Office}}. Surprised by being on television, he tries to think of something important to say on the spot, but cannot think of anything other than a piece of generic dental-hygiene advice – a rather non-urgent{{citation needed}} message.

The concept of the President mistakenly hitting an important button has long been a source for jokes, often somewhat morbidly involving the {{w|nuclear football}}.

The title text references the typical conclusion to presidential speeches: "Goodnight, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America," or some variation thereof. As "goodnight" is the typical conclusion to a day, the title text jokes that {{w|Barack Obama|President Obama}}, out of habit, has a hard time stopping at goodnight when saying that to his children. It might also be implying that the president that sent the message might actually be Barack Obama.

It also eludes to Barack Obama's notorious lack of composure when speaking without a teleprompter.

==Transcript==
:[Television beeping.]
:Screen reads: "E.A.S Incoming Presidential Alert"

:[President of the United States of America in his office is on the television.]
:My fellow Americans. I, uhhh. Wow.

:Frankly, I didn't realize what this button did. I was just... I mean... I appear before you tonight to, um.

:Look, uhh...
:Remember to floss regularly. Oral hygiene is important. Thank you.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Kids]]