Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

malaise

(279,450 posts) Thu Nov 7, 2024, 03:03 PM Nov 7

212

THIS [View all]

Last edited Thu Nov 7, 2024, 05:27 PM - Edit history (1)

H.L. Mencken, in the Baltimore Evening Star on July 25, 1920: “As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. 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 occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron.”

Newspaper clip here
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-hl-mencken-article-26/21831908/

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

THIS [View all] malaise Nov 7 OP

Nailed it Pas-de-Calais Nov 7 #1

H.L. Mencken was great in his time and still reads true. Narcissistic. Jeez, couldn't be more spot on. MMBeilis Nov 7 #2

"Narcissistic" wasn't Mencken's word. Harker Nov 7 #9

Added original clip link malaise Nov 7 #12

I've been reading Mencken since the 70s... Harker Nov 7 #16

so, what is the actual quote? msfiddlestix Nov 7 #17

Post 7 has the whole piece reproduced... Harker Nov 7 #23

This message was self-deleted by its author dpibel Nov 8 #32

So......I stand "corrected"? MMBeilis Nov 7 #19

Not at all. The description fits Trumpsky well. n/t Harker Nov 7 #22

Harker stands corrected? dpibel Nov 8 #33

You misunderstood. Harker isn't "I" in this case, it's me. MMBeilis Nov 8 #38

Words of wisdom. multigraincracker Nov 7 #3

The strength, or the weakness markodochartaigh Nov 7 #4

WHOA!!! Jean Genie Nov 7 #5

Yep. 100% truth relayerbob Nov 7 #6

original didn't have narcisstic and it was the Sun Kali Nov 7 #7

You are correct malaise Nov 7 #11

Thank you for posting the entire piece, which is one of the clearest niyad Nov 7 #14

what is the corrected quote? msfiddlestix Nov 7 #18

last sentence at link Kali Nov 7 #20

After the last comma, it reads: dpibel Nov 8 #31

thank you! And yeah, that's a close descriptor of what's happened, but a little too kind. It's much worse, msfiddlestix Nov 9 #39

But why did it have to happen in *my* lifetime? EnergizedLib Nov 7 #8

You apparently haven't read Tolkein. malthaussen Nov 8 #29

That is amazing foresight . surfered Nov 7 #10

Ouch. rubbersole Nov 7 #13

KNR. There was also his comment about not going broke underestimating niyad Nov 7 #15

He Left off the word 'twice' Conjuay Nov 7 #21

An oldie but a goodie. Thanks. (no text) returnee Nov 8 #24

Wow! Martin68 Nov 8 #25

Yes. cilla4progress Nov 8 #26

Actually, Trump was right...America IS a shithole country. world wide wally Nov 8 #35

This certainly applies to 2016. It DOES NOT describe 2024.... AZ8theist Nov 8 #27

Got this one right. republianmushroom Nov 8 #28

Mr Mencken was a journo... malthaussen Nov 8 #30

There are so many good things in this. Orange Buffoon Nov 8 #34

Indeed malaise Nov 8 #37

Ah yes PatSeg Nov 8 #36