H. L. Mencken: 1880-1956, Southern USA journalist, writer, critic. I know, I know. He is often thought an unbelieving old curmudgeon and, though he always denied being an Atheist, often, the only time he sounded Protestant was when he was saying things to bash Rome-like thoughts. No. No! I am NOT endorsing all that Mencken stands for...!!!
1. A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in.
2. A professor must have a theory as a dog must have fleas.
3. All government, of course, is against liberty.
4. Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
5. We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.