But he is a bitter, hateful, spiteful and STUPID liberal. I say that having heard dozens and dozens of PHCs. The way he talked about Gingrich and the Republicans — it's just as well I wasn't within striking distance of the man.
He has a deep hatred of Christianity, too, which he masks beneath singing all those hymns and his little (pathetic, absurd, insane) religious characters. Particularly in the area of sexuality, he found the way of Christ not to his liking. It comes out virulently in his writing, but it leaks into his folksy, homey commentary as well.
I remember him fondly telling the story, all warm and winsome, about how older folks so love Proms, because kids having sex at them make little great-grandchildren. I thought, To be that clueless, do you have to take a class, or does it come naturally to him? Just the message we need today: children having sex is a homey, heart-warming, wonderful tradition, because it's how we get grandchildren. But of course the real purpose is to assuage his own conscience.
This is the man who spoke at length about how Paula Poundstone was the most "courageous" artist he knew. I wrote him then, a couple-few years ago, asked him whatever he could mean. She is occasionally funny, says some shallow, knee-jerk liberal cliches — but "courage"?
I still enjoy listening to PCH when I can (Lives of the Cowboys, Guy Noir, the skits, the guests, and yes, the monologue). Keillor's very talented. But the man is soul-sick, and his values are contemptuous and despicable.
Dan
Interesting indeed. I would love to have a side discussion with you about this, where we wouldn't be interupting hobbit talk or distracted by trolls. I know you believe what you wrote, so I am willing to hear you out and interested in why you feel there is hatred.
I have never smelled a whiff of the hatred you speak of, especially of Christianity. And this is after years of listening, and numerous live performances I have travelled to see. I just don't see it. When he tells stories about the folks I know so well at the church garage sales, or putting up storm windows and things, he is telling stories about my very relatives, and I see them as being told with great affection, while poking fun at their very real and very funny oddities. I don't see a lot of politics in it, and when we do, my family just casts shrugging glances at each other and it is over.
I am more of a fan of his old show than the new one... I don't dig the New York stuff as much as The News from Lake Wobegon... I mostly just tolerate the rest of the show to hear that segment, when I settle into my chair for thirty minutes and let him take me back there. I have never read much of his books. We had one around the house... short stories, but I found that his writing was not as enchanting as his voice, so I lost interest and put it down.
Yes, clearly he is liberal in his beliefs, but I guess I have gotten pretty tolerant of Democrats... I don't agree with them, I try to change their minds and influence them where I can, but they surround me and are included among my friends, employers, coworkers... so I don't discount people on that basis alone. I have converted more of them slowly by earning their trust than I have by writing them off.
I may have said too much here already, but I did want to stand up for the good side I have seen of him "publicly" because I just haven't seen evidence of what you have alledged yet. Perhaps FReepmail me? - or better yet maybe we could go to the chat room sometime and talk about it? Anytime is good for me.