P.J. O'Rourke Sighting

I used to find P.J. O'Rourke hysterically funny. Heimlich Maneuver** funny. Yes, ole P.J. was one of the first to jump on Hunter Thompson's gonzo journo bandwago but that is to be admired. That took talent, guts and a strong constitution (plus a whole lotta drugs & booze).

P.J.'s seminal '70s work for National Lampoon and early '80s Rolling Stone columns are must reads for all journalism students. If nothing else, it will open their tight little minds to the endless possibilities of their chosen craft. I dropped O'Rourke like a hot brick once it became painfully clear that he was a libertarian/Republican with a decidedly "death to the left" bent. (One these days I'll sound off on how libertarians are what Republicans temporarily become when their party proves massively unpopular). This, kids, is what happens when you misuse powerful drugs and a powerful intellect. So keep your mitts off my drugs and stay outta school.

I saw P.J on Bill Maher's new show last night. Good stuff. Bill's panel featured the interminable Tony Snow, Catherine Crier and Mark Cuban. Matt Taibi chimed in about half way through. P.J. O'Rourke checked via satellite from his adopted home state of NH. He reserved his pithiest comment for a certain few Republicans:

The first Republican debate three of the Republican candidates raised their hands when asked who doesn’t believe in evolution. Then they dropped their arms and their knuckles on the floor. It wasn’t a great moment for science teachers.

Hey, just because O'Rourke's a conservative it doesn't make him any less funny. OK, it does but he still has his moments.

If I piqued your interest in P.J.'s early essays there's no better place to start than at his apogee, his chef d'oeuvre (yes, I really do know some French), 1979's How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink.

AF

**Not just a handy way to stop your friend from choking on a chicken bone, Heimlich Maneuver was also an excellent mid-late '80s Canadian power pop trio. Caught them once at McMaster University on a beer soaked Saturday nite circa 1986.

Here's the Maneuver's tasty T Rex cover The Slider