"Ode to Gordon Liddy" ends the essays with an affectionate tribute to the infamous Watergate burglar. Mr. Karems short stories employ his humor to comment on the state of todays society. "Tight Shoes" is a satirical look at suburban life, the epitome of American idealism. "Spin Control" and "Another Reason Not to Eat Spaghetti" feature James Carville, Mary Matalin, and Rodney King to contrast views on the role humanity plays in the here and now and the hereafter. "Free Flight" and "The Hummer" offer sublime examples on the need for independent thought and the questioning of absurd authorities and their consequences when we fail to do so.
There is no topic Brian J. Karem will not comment on. On Journalism: "The media today are awash in venal, vile, and horribly inept reporters and editors." On Politics: " . . . the derision and disgust we have and teach our children to have for politicians will ensure that future generations have nothing but the worst of the lot holding public office." On Religion: "If God is a Republican he needs to switch parties." On the Meaning of Life "All you can eat [Prime Rib], all night, every night for just $6.95." On James Carville and Mary Matalin: "For those who continue to flirt with the navet of idealism, neither James nor [Mary] will let you down." The views Mr. Karem presents are sometimes quite humorous but their subject matter is hardly so. With brutal honesty Mr. Karem shines a spotlight on our lack of ability to think for ourselves and to settle for media half-truths and misrepresentations. We may not want to hear what Mr. Karem has to say, but we need to. Much in the same way Norman Lear presented us with Archie Bunker, we find ourselves laughing out loud until we realize that what we are laughing at is ourselves. We need to ask ourselves, "Why?"
