Why We Suck

Do you want to know why we suck? Why everyone hates Americans? I just finished reading Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid by Dr. Denis Leary. That's right, Dr. Denis Leary. Apparently, Denis Leary received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Emerson University in Boston, so he is now Dr. Denis Leary. Okey dokey.

I saw this book at my local library. The little town I live in is a very traditional, southern, right-wing, conservative, Bible Belt kind of town. A book declaring why we suck was the last thing I expected to see at my library. Of course, I had to get it.

I remember Leary when he hit it big on MTV in the early 1990's. Since making his mark, Leary has turned to acting and currently has a successful series, Rescue Me, on FX. Leary is known for his lightening-fast, acerbic rants. His sarcasm is only rivaled by his verbosity. Personally, I like him.

And I liked this book. As the publishers describe, the book is "part memoir, part self-help tome but definitely a full-time funny assault on all the posers, politicians, and pop culture icons who have sucked in the public for far too long..." In these 240 pages, Leary takes on Britney Spears, Donald Trump, McDonalds, and Nascar. He expounds about bullies, family relations, famous kids, autism, children on prescription drugs, Oprah, and cats.

Leary warns the reader at the begining of his book that he or she will be offended. Take it to heart. You probably will be.

Leary's observations are scathing, yes, but they are also surprisingly heartfelt and homespun, even. Throughout the book he shares with us his family - the wisdom of his Irish immigrant parents, the antics of his youth, his love for his own wife and children. Ultimately his complaints and assertions of why we suck are tempered with pride and gratitude for family and country, so much so that Leary comes across like your crazy uncle who delivers brutally honest comments with the best of intentions.

You have to love him.

And you will.