In a recent column for The American Prospect, author and blogger Maud Newton writes about how America needs the "stinging insight and singular comfort" of Mark Twain's satire. Of course, she's right — what would Twain say about this current administration, filled with more liars, crooks and cheats than a jailhouse poker game? Is Bush so bad that he's beyond satire?
(Yes. He is.)
So we don't have Mark Twain to help us out anymore, but we do have Kurt Vonnegut. The legendary novelist talked to Mail Tribune writer Richard Moeschl recently, and he doesn't mince words when discussing America's worst president:
"I was once asked if I had any ideas for a really scary reality TV show. I have one reality show that would really make your hair stand on end: 'C-Students from Yale.'
"George W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography, plus not-so-closeted white supremacists, a.k.a. Christians, and plus, most frighteningly, psychopathic personalities, or PPs, the medical term for smart, personable people who have no consciences."
Vonnegut's latest book, A Man Without a Country, was recently released by Seven Stories Press, the great New York-based indie publisher. And look who he's drawing comparisons to: "Like his literary ancestor Mark Twain, his crankiness is good-humored and sharp-witted," writes AO Scott of The New York Times Book review. It's worth checking out — Vonnegut's angry, sure, but aren't you? President Bush represents the absolute worst of America: racism (remember New Orleans?), anti-Catholicism (remember Bob Jones University?), misogyny and homophobia (remember...well, take your pick). Vonnegut's funny, incisive and angry-as-hell writing might actually make you feel like you're not going crazy after all.
So we don't have Mark Twain, sure. But we have Kurt Vonnegut, and we have Maud Newton (who is, along with the brilliant literary blogger Laila Lalami, a contributor to the forthcoming Proud to be Liberal, which looks great). I'd say that's enough. Don't believe me, right-wingers? Wait until November. I'm proud to be liberal, and I'm going to be even prouder when these hateful, hypocritical crypto-Fascists go down in flames.
We're going to make you proud, Mr. Vonnegut.