Mencken Speaks

As a sort of follow up to yesterday's rant I wanted to mention a piece that I heard this morning on NPR about H. L. Mencken. I think Mencken's skepticism may just the antidote to the lack of critical thinking and inattention to languge thet seems rampant today.

Check out the story on Mencken in real audio . The NPR piece begins by saying "For people who are often convinced they are surrounded by idiots H.L. Mencken is just the ticket." And who isn't convinced of that. I think it gives you a quick overview of Mencken warts and all. I liked the excerpts from the only existing recording of Mencken and one of the things he said showed him at his most grumpy:

"The volume of mail that comes in to a mazgazine, newspaper or radio station is no index of anything except that you happen to attract a lot of idiots because most people who that write letters to the newspaper are fools."

That observation may help explain why so much talk radio is right wing. Nowadays who writes letters? Easier just to pick up the phone.

Mencken is grumpy, bitter, funny, frank, and inciteful and no idealogue so he should irritate and enlighten all points of view in equal measure.