"There is also something in the water--let us hope it was put there by the enemy--that has made Americans contemptuous of intelligence whenever they recognize it, which is not very often. And a hatred of learning, which you don't find in any other country."

Smartass... Thinks he's better than us.

Ha! Yeah, I always did the feeling Vidal thought he was better than most people. Still, it's kind of refreshing for the descendent of a prominent American politician to be an intellectual elitist as opposed to the psuedo anti-intellectual elitism that most astute American politicians now cultivate.

Anyway, I'm in agreement with him about the death of the republic. Democracy, such as it is, will sputter on for awhile more, but propaganda, cronyism, willful delusion and pandering to emotion have clearly triumphed over the rule of law, a respect for objective truth and inclusivity.
Billmon's take is probably closer to my own than Vidal's and once in awhile I try to remember how quickly and dramatically things can change, but things do indeed look grim.

On the other hand, things haven't completely gone to hell yet, so pass the liquor, do what you can and enjoy yourself!

Gawddamn

I'm sure when I am 80, a lot of the fight will have left me. I am not even close to 80, yet. None of us are. We ain't dead yet.

Yeah, you're right, Ru. I think I let my fatalism run away with me earlier. It ain't over till it's over and giving up now ain't gonna help nobody.