Slaughterhouse Jive

Lampooning the human condition is a time honored literary device and Kurt Vonnegut is a high practioner of this form. Unfortunately, Mr. Vonnegut has become what he lampoons. It is a shame that he cannot rely on his friends for guidance.

But in discussing his views with The Weekend Australian, Vonnegut said it was "sweet and honourable" to die for what you believe in, and rejected the idea that terrorists were motivated by twisted religious beliefs. "They are dying for their own self-respect," he said. "It's a terrible thing to deprive someone of their self-respect. It's like your culture is nothing, your race is nothing, you're nothing." Asked if he thought of terrorists as soldiers, Vonnegut, a decorated World War II veteran, said: "I regard them as very brave people, yes."

Those who witnessed Vonnegut's humorless and self-destructive tendencies on the PBS program NOW with David Brancaccio can attest to the value of a wise council and Mr. Vonnegut's lack of same.