PolitiPorn™

November 11, 1922 - April 11, 2007

One year ago today, I was disturbed to learn that my lifelong hero and idol had passed away.  My chances of ever actually meeting the man were dashed, but “so it goes.”

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was part of what has been called America’s “Greatest Generation.”  He served in WWII, was taken prisoner by the Germans and witnessed the bombing of Dresden.  What he saw in those days could never be paid justice here on this humble blog.  To truly get an understanding of this scene in Vonnegut’s life, you’d have to read Vonnegut.  Start with Slaughterhouse Five.  I know you may have been forced to read it at some point in your life, but read it again with no strings attached and at your own direction.

I’ve always felt that I owed Vonnegut a debt.  This debt started accruing while I was in the Air Force.  Here I was 19 years old and I had never finished a book.  I had skimmed a book or two for my high school English courses and then made a half-assed attempt of book report afterwards.  Nonetheless, I had never truly “read” one damn book.  This all changed when my best bud handed me a copy of Breakfast Of Champions.  I devoured the book.  I loved the style of the writing, the witty jokes and the twisted observations of this experience we call “life.”

Soon, my friend and I were spending our Saturdays perusing used book stores.  He being the well read of us, he was searching out other delights.  Me, I was trying to find another book by this Vonnegut guy.  This went on for two years until I had read every Vonnegut novel and now could start reading any of contemporary works.  While I waited for Vonnegut to write again, I started to develop tastes for other writers.  Yep, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. had become my gateway drug for literature.

I can directly link all of my accomplishments to Vonnegut and that first book.  I became the first person in my family to attend and graduate college because of that first book.  After college, I soon found myself attending and graduating law school because Mr. Vonnegut’s book.  Along the way, I managed to acquire some skill as a writer because of that first book. 

To this day, I still find solace in remembering the stories spun by Vonnegut.  I miss him and I never really knew him.  I’ve felt sad and a feeling of loss at the passing of many great people.  However, it is only Vonnegut’s passing that I truly believe diminished the world in even a slight way.  To that he’d probably retort with his famous “So It Goes” line, but I have to say that “it goes begrudgingly without Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.” 

Forget thanking Mr. Rosewater, I’d like to thank you, Mr. Vonnegut.