Politically Incoherent

From Beach Pollution to Toxic Waste—Wilbur Takes a Stand

In this biting piece of social satire titled “Politically Incoherent,” Bob Penuelas tackles the very real frustrations of coastal pollution through the eyes of Wilbur Kookmeyer. The strip begins with Wilbur’s outrage at a “Raw Sewage” warning sign and a beach littered with trash. What follows is a relentless, 15-panel barrage of Wilbur protesting everything from oil slicks to smog. While his slogans like “Sewage Stinks!” and “Toxic Waste is Lame!” lack political nuance, they perfectly capture the raw, desperate desire of every surfer to protect their playground from environmental decay.

“Save the Surf!” — Wilbur’s exhaustive list of demands for a cleaner planet.

## A Surfer’s Guide to Beach Conservation: Don’t Be a Kook

In the comic, Wilbur’s protest signs like “Sewage Stinks!” and “Oil Slicks are Lame” get straight to the point. As surfers, we are the “canaries in the coal mine” for ocean health. Here is how you can move beyond the picket sign and protect your local break:

### 1. Respect the “Raw Sewage” Signs

Wilbur starts his crusade after seeing a “Danger: Contaminated” sign.

  • The Rule: Always wait 72 hours after a heavy rain before entering the water.
  • The Reason: Urban runoff carries bacteria, chemicals, and “stinky messes” (as Wilbur puts it) directly into the lineup.

### 2. Pack It In, Pack It Out

One panel shows Wilbur telling a kid to “Pick up that candy wrapper!”.

  • The Rule: Leave the beach cleaner than you found it.
  • The Action: Spend three minutes after every session picking up plastic. Every piece of trash you grab is one less “toxic waste” item in the sea.

### 3. Be Politically Coherent

Wilbur might be “politically incoherent,” but you don’t have to be.

  • The Action: Support organizations like the Surfrider Foundation or Save The Waves.
  • The Impact: These groups turn Wilbur’s slogans—like “Give us clean water!”—into actual policy and protected surf gear.

### 4. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Smog and air pollution affect our coastal air quality.

  • The Action: Whenever possible, carpool to the break or bike down with a rack. As Wilbur’s sign says, “Smog Sucks!”.

Wilbur Kookmeyer comic strip by Bob Penuelas showing Wilbur performing various surf maneuvers with captions like "He Rips," "He Tears," and "He Shralps."