To the Vachss..

Part One: Pulp Pusher talks to Andrew Vachss

TONY BLACK: Burke really is dealing with some 'human puke' this time, it's a particularly unpalatable side of society he explores, isn't it?

ANDREW VACHSS: Unpalatable? Sure. But, when it comes to that "side of society," Burke's not a tourist, he lives there. He doesn't "walk the mean streets" when he goes out on some White Knight mission; his whole world is mean. Too many people confuse "vigilante" with "mercenary". True, Burke harbors a deep, pathological hatred of all those who prey on children, and his religion is revenge. But he doesn't go out looking for child abusers as a hobby. Burke is a career criminal, and he expects to be paid for his work.

TONY BLACK: Yet, his 'family' remains as important as ever -- to both Burke and the novel -- what's your take on Burke's family? Is it a clan? A pack? A 'real' family?

ANDREW VACHSS: My take? I would never put "family" in quotes. My family is the one I chose ... and the one that chose me. The only DNA Burke cares about is what might be left at a crime scene. Me, too. In my world, you are what you do. If you ever run across one of my brothers or sisters, you'll understand that. Quickly.

TONY BLACK: Terminal features a white supremacist [Claw], what prompted you to feature a character of this type? Have encountered anyone with such extreme views?

ANDREW VACHSS: Given the life I've led, it would be impossible not to encounter people with "extreme views" on a regular basis. But I don't live in a debating society, and "views" don't impact my life. I've done a lot more than "encounter" those who hold "extreme views," on a wide variety of subjects, from eliminating "age of consent" laws to eliminating entire tribes. I don't like generic labels. I thought some people might be interested to learn that not all "white supremacists" are alike ... and don't all join up for the same reasons. A recurring character in the series is a man named Silver ... it is only on his reference that Burke even agrees to meet with Claw. On the prison books, Silver's a "white supremacist". He had his reasons, and they need to be told. In "Safe House," Burke's brother Hercules has the "credentials" to penetrate a white supremacist terrorist cell ... and is the reason the shadowmen in our government were able to take it down. Bottom line: there are reasons for things, and if we don't learn them, we can't do anything but report the body counts. When the media morons blather about a "senseless crime," it just shows they don't get it: a "senseless crime" makes sense to the person who committed it.

TONY BLACK: Did you have any aim you particularly wanted to achieve with Terminal beyond writing a great novel?

ANDREW VACHSS: If I didn't have another agenda -- one I've never made a secret of -- I wouldn't write novels at all. I learned, a long time ago, that people can read a book for entertainment and come away with enlightenment, so long as the vein of truth runs throughout and doesn't detract from the narrative force. I understand there are those who believe "noir" -- or "hardboiled," or whatever term they prefer to lavish upon themselves -- writing shouldn't be cluttered up with "that other stuff". As if littérature engageé is only acceptable in "magical realism" novels translated from original Incan scrolls. All these "outlaws" who want me to live by their rigid little rules ... good luck to them. To me, there's only one "holy war" worthy of the name, and the books are merely one of the weapons I use. Had they not so demonstrably worked, had I had not seen repeated hard evidence of their value, I would have stopped long ago.

TONY BLACK: The title of the novel, Terminal, relates to the book's terminal cancer patient, who is seeking a miracle stem-cell cure abroad ... this is a controversial area of medicine, what attracted you to it?

ANDREW VACHSS: It's not controversial to me. But, then again, neither is evolution. As it is undisputed that stem cell research offers the single best opportunity for actual progress against our deadly enemies -- cancer, MS, lupus, you name it -- failure to utilize it is equivalent to throwing rocks at snipers because you have some religious objection to gunpowder. America's "health-care" system is a pathetic joke, and only the wealthy are laughing. Millions suffer, needlessly. So many have to chose between eating and filling their prescriptions that it's become a national disgrace. Apparently, there is quite a "controversy" as to how this country should meet its obligations to its own citizens.

Truth is, all these so-called "controversies" are nothing more than obsessives attempting to impose their personal religion on the rest of us. When the Taliban stone a woman to death for some "crime" against their religion, we're all quick to condemn them as foul fascists. I hate hypocrisy. If a "state religion" is wrong in other countries, what makes it right in this one?

You don't "believe in" stem cell research, then don't utilize it ... and I'd stand with you against anyone who tried to make you "take" anything against your will. That should be an individual's decision, not the government's. But when you claim the right to make such decisions for others, what does that make you? Years ago, the American right wing adored the concept of "states rights" when some states were trying to continue their system of racial segregation. But, today, when some states approve the use of medical marijuana for those in constant, intractable pain, that same right wing demands the Federal Government step in and send the "offenders" to prison.

The most unAmerican activity I can imagine is imposing a National Religion. Yet that is the very clear agenda of those who claim there is any "controversy" over this so-called "issue".

TONY BLACK: Many in the US, and beyond, feel there is a moral obligation not to explore such research -- what do you say to them?

ANDREW VACHSS: I would ask them if by a "moral obligation" they mean obedience to some religion? Truth is, I don't have anything to say to them. I don't owe them any response at all. I consider it our moral obligation to do everything we can to protect innocent people from pain and death. And I consider anyone who blocks such research to be in the same class of human who want to bar a child incest victim from getting an abortion. Amazing how people who claim to be so vitally committed to protecting the "unborn" have no interest in protecting those already alive, isn't it? And quite stunning how all their "concern" seems to come down to controlling women. Remind you of anything? What's next ... "honor rape?"

TONY BLACK: "Consumerism always trumps Christianity" is one of the lines I jotted down from Terminal ... to whom/what are you directing this quote? 

ANDREW VACHSS: I am not directing it at anyone; merely stating the obvious: Bush's sub-moronic "decisions" were tolerated until people started to realize what they cost. Nobody asked Bush about the credentials of the human he appointed as head of FEMA ... until Katrina revealed the truth. So when he tried to appoint a Harriet Meirs (!) to the Supreme Court, people did ask the questions -- you know, stupid questions, like about her qualifications -- and her nomination was withdrawn. Hard to throw money in the collection plate on Sunday when your Social Security "medical benefits" make you chose between pain management and food. Ask young Americans how much "faith" they have that there will even be Social Security for them when they're done working.

How come the same people who demand the government stay out of their personal business when it comes to gun ownership are so silent about the government telling people what they can do with their own bodies?

But here's the indisputable proof: Bush wants to prosecute folks who buy their live-sustaining prescription medications in Canada or Mexico ... where the exact same stuff sells for a fraction of the cost here in the U.S. You think any of those folks think his "personal relationship" with God makes him one?

Let me clear about this part -- I know it won't stop the hate mail I get on the subject, but the truth is there if you want it. I have not been talking about Christianity as a religion, only the form of "Christianity," practiced by a certain kind of individual. I believe a true Christian would not disagree with anything I say about our moral obligations as human beings. If you want to see what I think a true Christian would look like -- and live as -- just pick up a copy of The Getaway Man. I think a true follower of Allah would be no different than a true follower of Jesus Christ, or Buddha, or any other prophet. Jesus would never approve of stoning a woman to death for (alleged) adultery. And neither would Allah.

TONY BLACK: Your view of the current US administration, Bush especially, can be inferred from some of the characters' comments -- for example "that asshole we got running the country" -- I presume?

ANDREW VACHSS: Dialogue is dialogue. Let me ask you a question, Tony: If a character in one of my books says "nigger," does that make me a racist?

TONY BLACK: No, dialogue is dialogue -- like you say. But no writing's done in a vacuum, if the same point is made 10, 15, 20 times over, rightly or wrongly, I smell an agenda. So, what do you feel are Bush/Cheney's most heinous offences thusfar?

ANDREW VACHSS: What difference does that make? Neither of them are going to run for office again. If stupidity was an impeachable offense, most politicians would be at risk. And if greed was, who would be left to run the country? The analysis is simple enough. Everyone knows that Bush and Cheney share a religion; the problem is that people don't understand what that religion is. It's not "Christianity," it's BUSINESS.

But, then, again, some idiots voted for Bush because his "military experience" made him much more fit to be Commander-in-Chief in the War on Terrorism than John Kerry. I guess that's what "faith-based" really means.

TONY BLACK: Iraq. Halliburton. New Orleans. 911 Truth Movement. Much of this must have been playing out when you were writing this book ... did it just filter its way in or did you feel compelled to comment?

ANDREW VACHSS: Unlike a series where the "star" never ages, Burke and his people do. As does his city, and the whole world around him. Since the books happen in real-time, any "commentary" would be have to be contemporary to make sense.

Part Two ... is here