PJ O'Rourke died of lung cancer today, the best writer of political satire ever.

Three branches of government:
Money, Television and Bullshit

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

Post your favorite PJ quotes please

At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child — miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.

PJ was one of my favorites! Gonna miss his comments!

I think I’ve read more books by PJ O’rourke than any other single author. Hilarious stuff. I may have to revisit a few of them.

Have heard the name, haven’t read any of his stuff - recommendations?

“ When it comes to taking chances, some people like to play poker or shoot dice; other people prefer to parachute-jump, go rhino hunting, or climb ice floes, while still others engage in crime or marriage. But I like to get drunk and drive like a fool. Name me, if you can, a better feeling than the one you get when you're half a bottle of Chivas in thebag with a gram of coke up your nose and a teenage lovely pulling off her tube top in the next seat over while you're going a hundred miles an hour down a suburban sidestreet. You'd have to watch the entire Mexican air force crash-land in a liquid petroleum gas storage facility to match this kind of thrill. If you ever have much more fun than that,you'll die of pure sensory overload, I'm here to tell you.”

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Originally posted by Chris42:
Have heard the name, haven’t read any of his stuff - recommendations?

Parliament of Whores and Republican Party Reptile

Political leaders are expert at saying nothing.

P. J. O'Rourke

I might not get the quote right, but two of his essays grabbed my attention 'way back when. The first was his polemic on Eurotrash, which was a breath of fresh air, and the second included (I believe) the words: "I like 9mm. It's sort of a hobby of mine."

Man, am I sorry to see him gone. I'd hoped he'd be around a little longer.

Great writer and intellectual. Loved his stuff.

I remember reading his stuff when he wrote for Car and Driver. This piece immediately came to mind.

https://truckinrod.tripod.com/fun.htm

Met PJ at a book signing in SF of all places. He was funny and gracious. Parliament of Whores should be required reading as part of civics class.

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Originally posted by motor59:

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"There is only one basic human right: the right to do as you please, without causing others harm. With it comes our only basic human duty: the duty to accept the consequences of our actions."

Truth.

Very sorry to hear that. Enjoyed his writing immensely.

RIP, Mr. O'Rourke.

He once released a rather comprehensive list of ethnic slurs. Me and my old liberal buddy nearly pissed ourselves reading it.

I did not read much of the political stuff but loved the National Lampoon.

His passage is making me feel old. RIP, kindred spirit.

sad news

quote:

You'd have to watch the entire Mexican air force crash-land in a liquid petroleum gas storage facility to match this kind of thrill

I'm going to use that this very evening. Thank you!

I recall he did an exposé on Sudden Acceleration Incidents where cars would just take off and run people over. Turned out to be “pedal misapplication” but the reports were hushed because no one wanted to tell grandpa that he’s the reason grandma is on the mantle now.

He took terrible things like that and let you laugh at the absurdity of it.

He had a strong influence on my political leanings when I was a teen...my father got me hooked on his writings.

"Politicians are always interested in people. Not that this is always a virtue. Fleas are interested in dogs."