It’s a charming interlude in this little video clip tweeted out by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. There’s a penguin in a tank behind glass, and when AOC runs back and forth in front of it, the penguin swims back and forth to keep up with her.
Tiring of the back-and-forth routine, AOC stops and begins an up-and-down sequence. The penguin gamely joins her, bobbing above the water and then plunging beneath it several times in succession.
Who wouldn’t love the delightful penguin-human moment?
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
A new day, a new friend ?✨ pic.twitter.com/1PmPEHP5Yx
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 24, 2019
Apparently, enjoying that moment isn’t a priority for some. You might expect the Twitter comments to have a certain amount of sarcasm in them, about, oh, say, the congresswoman’s attention span, or the relative intelligence levels of the two species involved. And there’s plenty of that.
But the really striking thing about the comments may be how devoted many are to anticipating a meltdown from the political right.
— Cody Johnston (@drmistercody) August 24, 2019
Someone went to the trouble of creating that fake headline. Just saying.
AOC: cute penguin video
Republicans: pic.twitter.com/h00sKdtuNS
— Rick Dalton Torches Dirty F'n Hippies (@bablobiggins) August 24, 2019
The right is gonna get so mad when they see you having fun. No fun allowed after turning 12.
— Freddie (@fred_dog) August 24, 2019
I know you weren't making this to troll some right wing folk, but they really don't like seeing humans acting like humans.
— Cyber Force One (@realcyberforce1) August 24, 2019
Right wingers are like: pic.twitter.com/DxhMtplVL8
— Hablo Escobar (@p0wer2pe0ple) August 24, 2019
Etc., etc. There’s a lot of rent-free cranial occupation going on out there.
This reaction does actually prompt the imaginative observer to wonder: What would the Left do if a Republican representative posted a video of her or himself cavorting in front of a penguin swimming in a tank?
It seems unlikely the liberals would simply applaud a Republican for having fun, doesn’t it? There was at least one sample that seemed relevant:
Meanwhile Dan Crenshaw's team filmed their own version but when he couldn't resist shooting the penguin in the heart 46 times, are still debating whether posting it will be a net positive with his supporters.
— Zoe Samuel (@zoe_samuel) August 25, 2019
Meanwhile, don’t worry. If your greater concern is the inhumanity of zoos and aquariums, the comments have you covered.
I absolutely love you, but this animal belongs in the wild not in captivity. Zoos and aquariums are very sad places.
— Ari Solomon (@VeganAri) August 24, 2019
A few tweeps did essay little jokes. Feel free to hold a “caption this” contest.
Wow look! It’s the Penguin and the Joker
— Anthony Perri (@AnthonyPerri214) August 24, 2019
