JAY: You've been touring the country after your new book. VIDAL: Well, no, I was touring it before the last congressional election to raise money for the Democratic Party. Not that I like the Democratic Party, but we have to have the semblance of a second party to get rid of these others.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
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In a recent conversation, Jay and Vidal discussed Vidal's activities related to his new book and his political engagement. Vidal clarified that he had been touring the country not primarily to promote his book but to support the Democratic Party before the last congressional election. He emphasized the importance of having a legitimate second party, even if he does not have a strong affinity for the Democrats.

This reflects Vidal's pragmatic approach to politics, where he believes that a viable opposition is essential to counteract other political forces. His engagement was aimed at contributing to a political landscape that fosters balance and accountability, as mentioned in his work "Gore Vidal: History of The National Security State."

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Other quotes in Gore Vidal: History of The National Security State

There was Democratic thought, and there was Republican thought, and there was liberal thought, and there was conservative thought. Politics was never very big, because we were a culture stirring. Culture is a lot more important than politics, though if you have bad politics, you cannot have good culture, but we didn't know then the roots of the bad politics that were flourishing in our national security state.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
There was Democratic thought, and there was Republican thought, and there was liberal thought, and there was conservative thought. Politics was never very big, because we were a culture stirring. Culture is a lot more important than politics, though if you have bad politics, you cannot have good culture, but we didn't know then the roots of the bad politics that were flourishing in our national security state.
Cheney is not an idiot. He just has a character problem.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
Cheney is not an idiot. He just has a character problem.
You rather despair, because he who tries to tell the truth is called the biggest liar of all. Machiavelli, that kindly old cynic, came up with some wonderful advice in The Prince, which has been taken seriously by-Karl Roverino, I believe, is probably his correct name. Mr. Rove and company have taken up the fact that the bigger the lie, the more apt it is to be believed. So they're always stretching it, kind of: "You don't think that'll work? My God, it did." Then they go out and take polls, and things are working. Machiavelli-I was reminded of it.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
You rather despair, because he who tries to tell the truth is called the biggest liar of all. Machiavelli, that kindly old cynic, came up with some wonderful advice in The Prince, which has been taken seriously by-Karl Roverino, I believe, is probably his correct name. Mr. Rove and company have taken up the fact that the bigger the lie, the more apt it is to be believed. So they're always stretching it, kind of: "You don't think that'll work? My God, it did." Then they go out and take polls, and things are working. Machiavelli-I was reminded of it.
I remember my grandfather, who was chairman of that committee-I forget what he had done to get to that stage, but he was chairman of agriculture. And the guy who ran the Grange, which is like a collective for farmers across the country, would always begin by addressing the committee by saying, "Senator, for the last twenty years, the crops have been below average." My grandfather would roar with laughter, and the Grange never knew what he was laughing at-the absence of norms, of course.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
I remember my grandfather, who was chairman of that committee-I forget what he had done to get to that stage, but he was chairman of agriculture. And the guy who ran the Grange, which is like a collective for farmers across the country, would always begin by addressing the committee by saying, "Senator, for the last twenty years, the crops have been below average." My grandfather would roar with laughter, and the Grange never knew what he was laughing at-the absence of norms, of course.
we're sort of like somebody going along-I don't know-in a mine field, you know, dropping matches, just dropping matches, waiting- waiting to hear the bang. Well, the bang might take us all out. So as we have chatted our way through much of American history in the course of this conversation, I think everybody should take a sober look at the world about us, remember that practically everything that you're told about other countries is untrue; what we're told about ourselves and our great strength and how much loved we are, forget it.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
we're sort of like somebody going along-I don't know-in a mine field, you know, dropping matches, just dropping matches, waiting- waiting to hear the bang. Well, the bang might take us all out. So as we have chatted our way through much of American history in the course of this conversation, I think everybody should take a sober look at the world about us, remember that practically everything that you're told about other countries is untrue; what we're told about ourselves and our great strength and how much loved we are, forget it.
You know, any time I want to get applause-and I lecture across America in state after state after state-when I fear things are getting a little low, I always say, And another thing: let us tax all the religions. I bring down the goddamn house with that. And any politician would if he had sense enough to do it. The people don't like their tax exemption.
Real Network Gore Vidal: History of...
You know, any time I want to get applause-and I lecture across America in state after state after state-when I fear things are getting a little low, I always say, And another thing: let us tax all the religions. I bring down the goddamn house with that. And any politician would if he had sense enough to do it. The people don't like their tax exemption.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Edward Gorey Ascending Peculiarity:...
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
I don't have anything against God. Far from it. But I don't understand Him. And I don't trust a lot of the people that go around claiming that they're working in His best interests.
Jim Butcher Grave Peril
I don't have anything against God. Far from it. But I don't understand Him. And I don't trust a lot of the people that go around claiming that they're working in His best interests.
I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
Maria V. Snyder Magic Study
I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
Here's a nifty solution: Each couple that marries should take on an entirely new surname, chosen however they want as long as both agree to it, so that a day after the wedding, both husband and wife can hold hands and joyfully journey off to the municipal offices to change their passports, driver's licenses, signatures, initials, bank accounts, etc.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
Here's a nifty solution: Each couple that marries should take on an entirely new surname, chosen however they want as long as both agree to it, so that a day after the wedding, both husband and wife can hold hands and joyfully journey off to the municipal offices to change their passports, driver's licenses, signatures, initials, bank accounts, etc.
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
Mario Vargas Llosa The call of the tribe
«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
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