Bible Belt

[ghostlighter]

Yes, and H.L. Mencken, though intelligent... was an ass. Nearly every lifeform in this universe was somehow "beneath him". I'm surprised that someone as open-minded as he was could be so narrow-minded. Of course the argument has already been knocked down. People live in a given place for many reasons. The religious make-up of an area is pretty low on my list of considerations (but it's still on there!). I lived in Myrtle Beach South Carolina for a while. The ignorant Christians, I didn't like. The rest of them were pretty good company. The beach was nice. I got lots of work. And every summer we got an import of many, many russian girls aged 18-22.

Oh yes.


And just two more things on the subject of the bible belt.

1) I loved the Carlin antecdote.


2) Did you ever notice that on your drive along the interstate that as soon as you enter the "Bible Belt" that there is a billboard for a topless bar about every quarter mile? And in South Carolina! You can't sling a dead cat without hitting some roach-infested tittybar. They're everywhere! "Bible Belt" my ass! "Hipocrite Belt"

[Autumnlicious]

Reading the Wikipedia entry on H.L. Mencken portrays him as a very opinionated, tactless man with misanthropic tendencies who stuck by his guns but was always willing to clarify his position. I particularly like the "Racism" allegations, even though the example is incredibly weak (The club's token Jew had died. We get it, he and others saw that guy, who most likely used that position, as a novelty. And he expressed his respect for the guy, as in saying that no one in the same category as the 'novelty' could replace him). His denunciation of Nazi Germany for it's actions against the Jewish people shows where he lies - not in irrational hatred. Seems to suffer from chronic foot in mouth disease.

Of course, the entry could be wrong and him an utter racist boor. I doubt that, knowing the amount of edits to the page and the study that Wikipedia is on average more accurate than Encyclopedia Britannica.

[ghostlighter]

I am no Mencken expert. And I don't know too much about him. I don't know if he was a rascist or not. I have read two pieces authored by him, neither was very long. I believe he was German (or maybe English?) but am also unsure of his nationallity. The man is brilliant. I can tell you that. And I can also say that he lacks humility, which is not inherently a bad thing but it can be done to a point of fault, perhaps this is the issue with Mencken. But he has on the record made remarks that were undeniably anti-semetic and I could produce them given some time. They were not strongly anti-semetic or militantly racist. Just ignorant.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I don't know if he was a rascist or not. I have read two pieces authored by him, neither was very long. I believe he was German (or maybe English?) but am also unsure of his nationallity.

Henry Louis "H. L." Mencken (September 12, 1880 – January 29, 1956), was an American journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of American life and culture, and a student of American English. Mencken, known as the "Sage of Baltimore", is regarded as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the first half of the 20th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HL_Mencken

I have no idea if he was a racist or not ,nor do I care.His aphorisms are cynical,witty and insightful. I like his stuff almost as much as that of another American cynic,Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842[1] – 1914?) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist. Today, he is best known for his short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and his satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_Bierce

There was an interesting film made speculating about the end of his life,called "Old Gringo"


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Gringo

[starbucks]

Why would a nonchristian (of any kind, not just atheists) choose to live in the Bible Belt, since it is supposed to be a Christian region of the U.S.? I would think they would be more comfortable out West or up North where it is more secular.

I don't think a Christian would even want to live in the Bible Belt.

[Edwardo Piet]

Unless they're already a part of it

EvF

[Meatball]

To me, the way you ask that question comes across as a result of backwards logic.

Why would black people want to live in America 50 years ago?

Why should they have a reason not to?

[LEDO]

Why would dead people want to be buried on this planet?

[Edwardo Piet]

Why would/wouldn't dead people want for anything at all?

EvF

[Pippy]

dead people are still people, first and foremost.