Ghost of a flea

Back when I was still writing a TV column, I said something flattering (but a touch sarcastic, nonetheless) about Ellison. A few days later I got a very angry e-mail from his assistant, basically transcribing Ellison ranting about me. It was one of the greatest highlights of my time in that gig, in a sort of "He Hit Me And It Felt Like A Kiss" sort of way.

I couldn't help but notice a complete failure on Ellison's part to hold teachers or the education system accountable for the vast sea of ignorance he's so contemptible of. Perhaps that comes later in the talk, but the immediate run to the Usual Suspects of TV and McDonald’s “Toadburgers” gives me little hope for that. It’s funny how the finger of blame is never, EVER pointed that way.

Rick: I would give rubies to be trashed by Harlon Ellison.

Enas: I am just guessing here but I expect Mr. Ellison could spare some bile for the teaching profession.

"I am just guessing here but I expect Mr. Ellison could spare some bile for the teaching profession."

Without a doubt. He has bile to spare for virtually everyone, whether deserved or not. I sometimes wonder if he was born angry. It's sad in a way. An enfant terrible can have a certain charm, but when, after many decades he becomes an agé terrible you start wishing for more sober analysis. I suppose you could say that Harlan has a Manichean view of the world. This would normally be a bad thing, but he's a liberal so that makes it okay.

"McDonald’s Toadburgers"

FYI, that expression dates back to an old hoax alleging that McDonald's used toad meat in their burgers. Harlan despises McDonald's not for being unhealthy (he eats lots of hot dogs, bacon, etc) but for being ordinary. A capital sin in some circles. (David, did you recently write about that sort of snobbery? Last Friday James Lileks gave artisinal snow cones as an example of this phenomenon.)

I wish he’d get off his butt and finish the next books of “The War Against the Chtorr” series.

I wish he’d get off his butt and finish the next books of “The War Against the Chtorr” series.