I like some of his books but I think it is fair to say that Gore Vidal is the prototypical self-loathing liberal American. Republicans sometimes call this the “Blame America First” phenomenon, but that was never really accurate. For example, Hunter S. Thompson didn’t blame America first. He worshipped and respected our freedoms. He even abused them. But he also understood our violent nature. Vidal is no different. Not really. Michele Bachmann is right. Vidal is snotty.
And consider that Thompson came from nothing but never would have considered exile. Vidal’s father was an All-American quarterback at West Point and his grandfather was a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. He went to St. Albans and Sidwell Friends. He had every advantage and he turned up his nose at the whole spectacle. I understand why someone like Michele Bachmann would want to puke after being exposed to Vidal’s sanctimonious condescension.
But Messiah is fun. It’s worth a read.
