A Sensitive Liberal's Guide to Life

March 1, 2010
More than a spoof of politically correct mores, this enhanced collection of satirical advice columns from the Seattle Weekly is packed with laugh-out-loud social commentary. Each themed chapter ("Diversity," "Relationships," "Doggies!") includes a number of Q&A entries submitted by readers (and a few supposedly sourced from the author's own office). The unnamed Seattleite tramps down the eggshell-lined path of standard liberal political correctness, turning cultural sensitivity on its head at every opportunity-from finding gifts for the "differently privileged" ("your office intern who is from an at-risk youth program") to dealing with people involved in a "church-based mind-control program." He also encourages animal equanimity, suggesting dog owners take on the role of "a fellow creature who just happens to have all the food," and includes plenty of brief goodies like "Jottings from my Moleskine," sensitivity exercises ("spend the day in a post-verbal realm"), and strategies for passing on his wisdom ("artfully" help out a colleague sporting a toilet paper tail by recounting an ancient myth about Mayan lesbians). The Seattleite's dry voice and zany humor make this a wickedly addictive read for anyone sick of excessive Lefty thought-policing. 20 b&w illus.