'Scuse Me While I Whip This Out: Reflections on Country Singers, Presidents, and Other Troublemakers [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

More than twenty years ago, a college professor friend introduced me to a talented country western musician with the remarkable name of Kinky Friedman. His band wore the unlikely moniker Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. Thus began a journey through the diverse worlds of music, literature, politics, and down to earth, gut-busting humor. Friedman was not content to rest on his ability as a singer-songwriter. He has authored numerous mystery novels and now writes a monthly political column for Texas Monthly. He is truly a multi-talented man of great humor and ability, hilarious and irreverent as any of America's greatest talents.

'SCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT is a collection of some of Friedman's previous published pieces, as well as some never before released material. His writing covers subjects from country music to politics to life in general. Like a great Texas barbeque, there is a little something on the plate for everyone to enjoy.

In this era of fierce political partisanship, perhaps the most redeeming endorsement one can make for the man affectionately known as the "Kinkster" is the fact that he has been an invited guest at the White House of both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Friedman writes of his first visit to Washington in "Hail to the Kinkster." After personally autographing a book for President Clinton and receiving a note that read, "I have now read all of your books --- more please --- I really need the laughs," the President and Kinky began a three-year pen-pal relationship. Finally, in 1997, Friedman was invited to a White House dinner. Sitting next to the President, Friedman offered him a Cuban cigar, telling him, "Mr. President, don't think of it as supporting their economy, think of it as burning their fields."

In 2001, fellow Texan George W. Bush invited Friedman for a return visit to the White House. The dinner is described in "The Houseguest." While Bush and Clinton share little common ground politically, apparently they do share a love of cigars. Friedman describes smoking a cigar with President Bush on the Truman Balcony. They discussed baseball and the President's visit to the World Series to throw out the first pitch, and while nervous, President Bush explained that he simply followed the advice of Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter: "Whatever you do, don't bounce the ball on the way to the plate. They don't care who you are --- they'll boo you."

There are other wonderful pieces in this collection. Friedman describes his admiration for and meeting with Joseph Heller. We learn of his musical experiences with the Texas Jewboys. Each chapter provides the reader with fascinating glimpses of a truly original American character and, in addition, loads of laughs. The only criticism of this collection of essays is that there are not enough of them. Introduce yourself to Kinky Friedman through this book and then check out his other books. He is a true piece of Americana and a great writer to boot.

--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman

Another one by Kinky,they keep getting better all the time.Most of Kinky's previous books were mystery novels ,and they were in a class all by themselves,loaded with great characters and unmatchable conservation with one-liners that could blow you away.Although I was never particularly fond of mysteries,I found Kinky's style of writing so much fun ,he kept me hooked right to the end.He is able to prove the old adage "Getting there is half the fun".That is how I found his yarns.It is all the experiences,along the way,rather than the solution,that is great.

However,'nuff said.This book departs from the mysteries and is a book full of Kinky's thoughts,comments,opinions,descriptions,explanations on just about everything that one has to deal with ,just getting through life,one day,or nite,at a time.The one thing you can learn from Kinky is that the world is full of people,things ans systems that try to control you and take the fun out of life and it is up to nobody but yourself not to let it happen.Just remember,you never gave them control over your life,and if you bow to them,it's your problem.

This book is full of great thoughts and one-liners.Just for a taste,let me quote a few of my favorites:

"The last time everything was all right was Aug 14,1945.That was the day Japan surrendered."

"Smoking cigars is a secular way of religion.A way of life for men (and women) who are not afraid to die."

"Did guys like Yeats and Shelley,who,by the way all belonged in a mental hospital,ever get to the point?"

"Money can buy a fine dog,but only love can make it wag its tail."

"Like Napoleon,Hitler and Alexander did not get to have much fun in life."

"His outrageous brand of humor tends to sail close to the truth."

"Ruby had done what every god-fearing red-blooded American would do and he was one of our boys."

"I've known two and a half Governors and they didn't seem to be working too hard."

"Rednecks were coming out of the mobile homes,women were coming out of the kitchen and the homosexuals and Jews were coming out of the closets."

"I got so high I started to get lonley."

"A Gypsy's definition of a millionaire is not a man who has a million dollars,but a man who has spent a million dollars."

No narrative, quirky or not. Just "And then I wrote..." anecdotes from real life (if you can call his life "real") presented in Kinky's usual irreverent, bawdy, often hysterically funny lack of style. An unguided missile that will tickle the grossest parts of your sense of humor, Good fun.