Letter to the Editor: Columnist missed the mark with Parody
Dear Editor,
What brilliant journalism! What witty social sarcasm! I am, of course referring to the inspired writing of Chrissy Johnson, “Save a cowboy this season, ride a Chevy”. In one single opinion, Chrissy parodies and lampoons several aspects of American life. In case anybody missed it – I’ve spelled them out below:
1. Our national consumption of oil! Screw Hybrids! Of course, we should all be doing what we can do to conserve oil – although only until the Iraq war is over.
2. Our stupid, romanticized notion of the American West! We’re all cowboys! Er… Cowpersons. Of course, this is utter nonsense – the American west is not a frontier. What ranchers are left are largely corporations subsisting on cattle welfare.
3. Our egocentric view of ourselves! We’re special – I need a big truck! This must be because it only snows in the west. People in the East and Midwest get by fine with cars in snowstorms – but not in the west! We’re special!
4. Our winter driving habits! With 4-wheel drive, I’m invincible! People with 4x4s often forget that 4-wheel drive doesn’t help you stop, and hence drive at 45 mph down mainstreet – oops! I just slammed into a car! Blame it on the snow, not on stupid driving…
5. Our silly fascination with ripping up the desert in ATVs! Woo Woo! Like a scene out of Guys Gone Wild! Really, why don’t people just go to DisneyWorld?
Congrats again on a great piece! And watch out for Al-Qaida at your local Smith’s!
Eric Dinger