Nanny Goats in Panties: Interview With Commander Pants

I know you saw the title and rushed right over here. And you read it right. I got to interview Commander Pants, the author of the novel Whom God Would Destroy. I can see that you're jealous and all, but rest assured I asked him all the questions you've been dying to have answers to.

I just finished reading Whom God Would Destroy and not a moment too soon, because I planned on blogging about it today. And if I hadn't finished it, I would not have been able to tell you with a clear conscience how much I enjoyed it - this fun poke at psychiatry and religion and Mickey-D-lovin' aliens, along with a sincere but clever and witty exploration of the debate about medicating the mentally ill. It provokes thought amidst its dark humor and unapologetic blasphemy. For the most part, a fun read.

I caught Mr. Pants down at home sitting in front of his computer while I sat in front of mine and barraged him with several questions and he volleyed with several answers. Let's watch an instant replay of that conversation of Panties vs. Pants.

NGIP (Panties): Why do I assume with a name like Commander Pants, that you're male?

Commander (Pants): I don't know, why do you? Perhaps it's because it's such a masculine can do kind of name.

Panties: This question might be begging itself, but, what are you wearing right now?

Pants: I am wearing a remarkable t-shirt, but I took off my pants to avoid having to describe them to you.

Panties: While your book is funny and satirical, it is also thought-provoking and quite possibly offensive to extremists. The story offers strong opinions about medicating the mentally ill. What motivated you to explore the debate of that topic in the book?

Pants: My alter ego actually spent many years working as a mental health outreach worker, like the protagonist in my book. While doing the job, he tells me that he saw medication being misused in ways that had absolutely nothing to do with any of their many fabulous recreational uses.

Panties: The book also explores/satirizes the idea of the Second Coming as well as other religious themes. It seems you can't satirize certain subjects these days without offending someone who will let you know about it. What kind of backlash, if any, have you experienced from the public, whether it was about religion or any other topic you've tackled in your book?

Pants: It's been kind of disappointing, really. I was hoping to be a target for the first Judeo/Christian Fatwah, but so far not one person has suggested that I be taken out. As a matter of fact, one minister, after having read the book, actually said that she wanted to write a book about the book (whatever that might mean).

Panties: Your book doesn't seem to mention goats (with the exception of a brief reference to goat stew on Page 251). Do you have strong opinions one way or the other about goats?

Pants: Originally a goat was my protagonist, but then I thought better of it, realizing that the world just wasn't ready for the “goat hero.” Of course, I still love those really cool pupils.

So it was a wrestling match to the end, but someone edged out before the bell. I'm just not sure who. I think we were both unconscious by then.

You can visit Commander Pants at his blog called, oddly, Commander Pants. He also has a website for his book, Whom God Would Destroy, where you can purchase it for a few bucks less than Amazon, as the $14.00 price tag includes shipping.

And speaking of interviews, if you haven't read it yet, I highly encourage you to check out Joanna's The Fifty Factor blog, not because she interviewed me with great aplomb, but because she's giving away an Amazon Gift card along with it. Did you hear me? I said an Amazon Gift card!

THANK YOU LETTERS

I would like to thank Kristy over at This Train of Thought has been Derailed for presenting me with the Best Blog Award.