My column as it appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Sunday, February 19, 2016
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-boob-dictionary-20160220-story.html
Buggerthebooboisie is dedicated to the memory and spirit of H.L. Mencken (above) who coined "booboisie," loosely defined as the middle class of the gullible masses. Mencken's observations and commentaries have withstood the test of time -- with appalling modern relevance. I invite all commentary that debunks the prevailing nonsense in America's political and social dialogue. As a newspaperman I also invite the reminiscences of others who recall the happier days of the trade.
One more thing
And one more thing:
Quisquis huc accedes
Quod tibi horrendum videtur
Mihi amoenum est
Si dilectat maneas
Si taedat abeas
Utrumque gratum
You who come here
Whoever you are
What may seem horrible to you
Is fine for me
If you like it stay
If it bores you go
I couldn’t care less.
(From the inscription that appears in Latin on a marble plaque at the entrance to Cardinal Chigi’s 17th century Villa Cetinale, at Sovicelli in Tuscany, discovered and translated by John Julius Norwich in “Still More Christmas Crackers – 1990-1999,” [Viking, Penguin Group UK]).
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