Wasted in the Heartland

Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town, by Nick Reding

This unblinking look at the problem of drug addiction in small town, rural America profiles Oelwein, Iowa and the scourge of crystal methamphetamine. The author has a provocative - and convincing - premise: that the meth epidemic in rural America is a direct result of changes to agriculture and the food production industry. Reding calls methedrine “the most American drug” because its stimulating properties enabled people to work harder and longer, making it especially popular among manual laborers, people working multiple jobs, and soldiers on the battlefield. It is also inexpensive and easy to make. The farm crisis of the 80’s, the rise of Big Agra and the corporate takeover of the meat packing plants resulted in eliminated jobs and slashed wages. Forced to work more jobs or more hours, or travel farther to find work, many workers turned to meth to help them stay awake and stay afloat financially. Also complicit in the meth epidemic are the US’s anti-drug policies and the power of Big Pharma.

There are shocking and disturbing tales of meth addiction, violence, lives ruined, as well as the perfidy of Big Agra. But there are also profiles of everyday heroes - the county prosecutor, mayor, and especially, town doctor, all of whom stay in this dying town and try to save it. Methland is well researched, with the history and chemistry of the drug, and some surprising findings (e.g., Hitler was likely a meth addict.) The book is always informative and in many parts, darkly funny. I recommend it.

Canines and Lupines

Reading Scoreboard, Baby left such a bad taste in my mouth that I sought out some lighter fare to recover. I started with The Last Werewolf, by Glen Duncan, which was probably not the best choice, since it was pretty dark and violent. The protagonist, Jake, is the last known member of a species that is going extinct. He’s over 200 years old and sick of living. Meanwhile, there is a paramilitary organization that is tracking him and trying to kill him. Jake is putting his affairs in order and getting ready to die when he discovers a reason to live. This is not for Twihards or the young adult audience - too much sex and brutality. Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I didn’t like it very much - a little too disturbing.

After that I tucked into Started Early, Took my Dog, by Kate Atkinson. This is her fourth book featuring private investigator Jackson Brodie, and since I loved the other three, I was eager to read this one. Although I enjoyed it considerably, I don’t think it is as good as the previous three (Case Histories, One Good Turn, and When Will There be Good News). For one thing, I missed the tart-tongued Edinburgh police detective Louise Monroe. For another, the plot was less intricate and compelling - no kidnapped doctors, no dead Eastern European hookers washing ashore - just a long ago illegal adoption and some police corruption. Not all of the plot threads were tied up at the end, so perhaps they will be revisited in another book? I don’t mean to be picky because even on her worst day, Atkinson is better than most writers, and this was an enjoyable book.

I recently caught the 3-part BBC television miniseries Case Histories, which was shown on PBS. The title is somewhat misleading, since it is actually based on the first three books, not just Case Histories. Although some plot elements were left out or simplified, this was a fantastic British mystery series. Jason Isaacs played Brodie and he was perfect for the role. The rest of the casting was top notch as well. 

Sickening and Appalling

Scoreboard, Baby - A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity, by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry

“Crime and Complicity” indeed. The crimes perpetrated by these college football players include rape, armed robbery, felony assault, shooting, animal cruelty and DUI. Thorough investigative reporting reveals how these thugs, most of whom were academically challenged (to put it kindly), were able to keep their scholarships and play football, despite mounting evidence that they were dangerous criminals. Coaches, university administrators, and, most outrageously of all, judges and prosecutors were only too willing to look the other way or give them second chances, all because of their champion football team. I was especially disheartened by the portrayal of the King Co. prosecutor’s office, which dragged their feet on a rape investigation and then eventually declined to press charges (despite strong evidence).

The book is a thrilling read, whether or not you like football (I don’t, particularly). At times, however, I found myself so repulsed that I had to put it down. Reading about the rape of a college freshman (and the subsequent foot-dragging investigation) was particularly difficult.

Very few people come off looking good in this book. Coach “Slick Rick” Neuheisel’s perfidy had me shaking my head in disgust, but I can’t say that was news. Still, the sheer number of people who seem to have lost their moral compass was surprising. Nonetheless, there were some honorable people, including the brave rape victim, Marie, and Seattle Police Detective Maryann Parker. About the only other bright note was football player Anthony Kelley, who hit the books and discovered there was more to life than football, going on to win a prestigious scholarship to study abroad.

This is a damning indictment of the UW football program, division I intercollegiate athletics, and our sports-worshiping society. Sadly, I don’t think anything will ever change. Big money has thoroughly corrupted college sports.