Although he died over 60 years ago, here is what Mencken has to say about the current mess:
“As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and 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.”
“...“it seems to me that the shadows [on America] were never darker than they are today, and that we must linger in their blackness a long while before ever they are penetrated by authentic shafts of light.”
As a former citizen of the great state of Maryland I am always glad to mention Mencken and soft-shell crabs. I have to admit, however, that these quotations were not taken directly from him, nor were they borrowed from the literary journal, The Smart Set, which he edited for a while and which was published on paper. They are from the new, online The Smart Set which issues from the state next door, Pennsylvania.
Apart from being a really interesting publication, it also is beautiful. If I knew more about blogging, I would steal their graphics as well and put them in here. It is produced by some interesting people at Drexel University and more specifically by those at the Pennoni Honors College located there. Have a look at it.
The web site for the related blog, which is also excellent: http://thesmartset.com/
Credit here needs to be given to: Paula Marantz Cohen, “Mencken in the Middle: Whatever Side of the Aisle You’re On, H.L. Mencken is as Relevant as Ever,” The Smart Set, July 20, 2016. Read the whole thing.
In the blog you are reading, which is only days old, you already will find some rather snarky comments about campuses and undoubtedly soon there will be more. It is nice to be able to say something nice.
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