God Bless You, Mr Rosewater.

Kurt Vonnegut, you're dead.

And because you are an Atheist (as I am) I know you can't read this, but I'm writing it anyway.

Humour me.

You were one of the most profound influences in my life, and probably my favourite writer of all time.

While usually clouded in your own patented brand of smokey cynicism, your belief that people are essentially good despite being easily led into misadventure is the foundation of my beliefs, and I thank you for introducing me to this philosophy, when I was as young as you were old.

And recently, you lifted my spirits when you published your scathing attack on the Bush Whitehouse, "Man Without a Country". You confirmed for me what I tend to sometimes forget; that there are still good people, intelligent enough to demand change, and compelling enough to cause it.

And that far too few have the talent to make us laugh while we do it.

Sir, you will be sorely missed.

Hi Ho.


PS, The joke is on lung-cancer; you cheated that son of a bitch, but good.