Don Ambrose

Scoundrels, Thugs, and Fools: Adventures in Neoconland Don Ambrose

Scoundrels, Thugs, and Fools depicts an adventurous journey through an imaginary island nation completely dominated by right-wing extremists. Manifestations of wingnut skulduggery, corruption, dogmatism, and the wild spin of shameless propaganda are reflected in the names and actions of characters such as Pundit O. Gasbag (a loud, narrow-minded, infuriating news anchor talk-show host at Weasel News), Shrilly Noxious (his wild-eyed, psychopathic partner in punditry), Bovine Ninny (a shallow, inarticulate, dull-witted man of puzzling charisma who somehow became the Emperor of Neoconland), and Senator Hubris Mendacious III Esq. (a long-serving politician who dances to the tune of corporate lobbyists whenever they pull his puppet strings, which are attached to metal eye hooks screwed into his knees, wrists, skull, larynx, and groin). Some Neoconian locations, corporations, organizations, and artifacts include Flaming Filth River in Empathy Gulf Valley, Lobbyville in the capital city of Fascisto, the Zealots' Court Building, Dogma University, Coughing Coal-Black Industries, the Maniacal Cult of Intolerant Absolutism, and the Boneshredder assault rifle (grand prize at the Guns for Kids Jamboree). The playful story is supported by extensive footnotes explaining the meaning of the characters and events in terms of rigorous research findings from various academic disciplines.