Gay man for Gaiman

I have always been a Neil Gaiman fan (Amazon list), but have never really been a reader of his blog. After reading some of his online journal today, I think it needs to be a regularly visited bookmark.

I love the way he writes, and generally what he writes about. This article for the New York Times, Halloween-themed and published this week, has garnered particular acclaim.

On his blog, I particularly like his reply to a reader's question:

Tony Long of Wired news recently offered an editorial in which he takes offense at the nomination of Gene Luen Yang for a National Book Award for "American Born Chinese", a graphic novel -- Long argues that no "comic book" (his words) should be nominated for an award intended for a "real novel". What is your opinion about graphic novels being nominated for (and poteintially winning) major literary prizes?

Gailman's repsonse (emphasis added):

I suppose if he builds a time machine he could do something about Maus's 1992 Pulitzer, or Sandman's 1991 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story, or Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan winning the 2001 Guardian First Book Award, or even Watchmen's appearance on Time's Hundred Best Novels of the 20th Century list. Lacking a Time Machine, it seems a rather silly and antiquated argument, like hearing someone complain that women have the vote or that be-bop music and crooners are turning up in the pop charts.

I like the bit where he says that he hasn't read the comic in question, but he just knows what things like that are like. It's always best to be offended by things you haven't read. That way you keep your mind uncluttered by things that might change it.

I felt the need to bold that last bit as it so neatly summarizes the state of conservative/Republican censorship in America. Quite brilliantly put really.