From McKlatchy:
By Joseph L. Galloway
It took just eight decades but H.L. Mencken's astute prediction on the future course of American presidential politics and the electorate's taste in candidates came true:
On July 26, 1920, the acerbic and cranky scribe wrote in The Baltimore Sun: " . . . all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily (and) adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
If I were without faith, I'd likely be a female-Mencken type - minus, of course, his talent for clever and humorous writing. I'd view the world around me with total cynicism. I'd be bitter and biting.
Some of you may think that I'm already there, but I say to you, in the sentiments of Evelyn Waugh, "Without faith, I'd hardly even be human."
Wasn't it Mencken that used (coined) the word booboise? I have always thought it so apropos for Bush...
ReplyDeleteamyj
Amy, it was. Do you see on the left sidebar of my blog his definition of Puritanism?
ReplyDeleteFatalism. Mediocrity continues as we consume and buy, instead of learning to love and loving to learn.
ReplyDeleteOh this is rich Grandmere, rich indeed!
ReplyDeleteIt's a frightening "inner soul of the people".
ReplyDeleteWell, at least he can't be reelected and he and Cheney will be gone in January 2009. The damage they have done will last, of course, but at least there's the possibility of moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteYou have faith, Mimi, but I have to hold on to hope. It's probably the only one of the theological virtues I feel I really understand. I probably stems from being a teacher....
John, sometimes hope is all I have, too. Faith wavers. Doubt intrudes.
ReplyDeletetwo of my very favorite writers: Mencken and Waugh.
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw it. It is spot on too!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I didn't really "get" Mencken..and Waugh..but as a 50-ish ;>= person I do now and love both.
amyj
Dennis, Amy, like attracts like. What a bunch of cynics we are.
ReplyDeleteBut what would we do if we couldn't laugh at foolishness? We'd explode.
I just finished watching Brideshead Revisited. What it made me think was that Jane Austin was to British domestic Drama what Shakespeare was to the rest of British literature. Waugh is a wonderful 20th century exponent of the tradition. I would point to William Boroughs as tan American Equivalent.
ReplyDeleteBush is simply the Ugly American. Unbound.
Fillip, I've read and watched Brideshead Revisited over and over.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting.
I have one little caveat about the Mencken quote. What he was against was the popular democratic ideal. In his own intention the quote would've applied more to Carter or Clinton than Bush. Mencken believed in an aristocracy. Bush is NOT a common man, Bush is an aristocrat. It is just through popular misconception that we see him as a common "cowboy" (who's afraid of horses). He is blue-blooded through mere et pere, tied to the queen of England for chrissakes.
ReplyDeleteJess, I know that Mencken thought that "the people" were too stupid to be trusted with democracy, and during times like these, I'm tempted to agree with him.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what is the better way?
The quote may be taken out of Mencken's context, but it fits Bush like a glove.
The blueblood gets truly thin sometimes.
Bush is a privileged spoiled brat, and I never saw him as anything but that.
And I never have understood the folks who thought it was a good idea to elect Bush, because he was the kind of guy they'd like to have a beer with. Why would that be one of the criteria to be considered in electing a president?
BTW, Jess, thanks for visiting.
ReplyDelete