Reports of his conservatism (Mark Twain) are greatly exaggerated

STLtoday.com ^ | 4-20-03 | Don corrigan

[FairWitness]

Although right-minded Missourians cling to him as their favorite son, the celebrated man from Hannibal exhibited a penchant for leaning left.

Missourians have always been a rather conservative lot. How strange, therefore, that Missourians so cherish and champion their most famous native son, Mark Twain, who died 93 years ago Monday. Twain's work was not just liberal, it was often radical, as a cursory examination of his pronouncements on various subjects will show.

[FairWitness]

I presume this is meant to serve as criticism of individuals who criticize other individuals for over-the-top criticism of our current government, etc - which of course is the right of individuals on both sides of an arguement.

[thoughtomator]

The problem with the Leftists' argument on Twain is that an 'original liberal' is now called a conservative. Even what is quoted is a good deal more conservative than liberal.

[KC_Conspirator]

No, this is is a lame and childish attempt to show that Mark Twain, a Missouri favorite son, was in his heart an American hating leftist and Marxist like this professor. Twain was neither. In fact, I would bet that this dishonest professor made some of these quotes up or intentionally attributed Twain's quotes to topics he did not discuss. If Twain were alive today, he would have voted for John Ashcroft.

[mumbo]

Well, the most important thing to remember about Twain was his consistent poking fun at the majority opinion. Twain was a brilliant man, and he WAS religious, contrary to this professor's opinions of him. Twain always deflated the pompous; his comments about Clinton would have been a wonder, but we would probaly wince at his words for Bush, too.

[Restorer]

the business of words must always be biased toward "the deriding of shams, the exposure of pretentious falsities, the laughing of stupid superstitions out of existence; and whoso is by instinct engaged in this sort of warfare is the natural enemy of royalties, nobilities, privileges and all kindred swindles, and the natural friend of human rights and human liberties."

What conservative could disagree?

[SaveTheChief]

I would bet that this dishonest professor made some of these quotes up or intentionally attributed Twain's quotes to topics he did not discuss.

I was thinking the same thing. Note the author's lack of bibliographic references.

[JimRed]

...but I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, and the shame is ours, not theirs, and we should pay for it."

At the time he sad this most blacks were only 20 years removed from slavery, and it was a properly compassionate attitude.

The more recent "grinding the manhood out of them" over the last 40 years has been the result of leftist social programs that effectively destroyed the Black family structure.

The left should pay for that by 40 years out of power; but good luck with that! < /sarcasm >

[Dudoight]

The analysis is blatantly flawed. It is anachronistic to compare society 100 years ago to what the liberal-conservative differences are today. Twain was the equivalent of an SNL for the populace.

[FairWitness]

The problem with the Leftists' argument on Twain is that an 'original liberal' is now called a conservative. Even what is quoted is a good deal more conservative than liberal.

I agree. That's why I think the motive for writing the column now is to take a poke at conservatives who criticize today's liberals for their rantings.

[Slyfox]

I don't think Samuel Clemons would have identified with Hillary Clinton. I think he would've been anonymously freeping on this site, like so many other pundits do. And we would have really enjoyed his posts.

If the liberals can claim him, why can't we?

[fieldmarshaldj]

"If Twain were alive today, he would have voted for John Ashcroft."

Albeit probably would've made a poke at him because he doesn't dance (his sect prohibits it). :-)

[Ipse Dixit]

I can't help but wonder what Twain's thoughts on Clinton's avoidance of military service would have been ... what with Twain himself having had no small experience in that particular milieu.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.twainquotes.com/quotesatoz.html

The above URL is a great source of Twain Quotes.

[FairWitness]

Thanks for the link to "Twain Quotes".

[OperationFreedom]

btt

[Rifleman]

From my reading of his work (and having never read a biography) Clemens was, for his time, pretty much a liberal bleeding heart. Please note the, "for his time". I never get the impression that he was much a political theorist just an observer of the human condition and a great satireist.

Twain's life spaned from the War Between the States to WWI when the Old Republic had been destroyed and America and its people were searching for a new place to stand. Trying to map his political beliefs into the divisions of the early 21st Century is going to get you no where.

[Interious]

This prof is desperately trying to imply that contemporary Anti-Americans (previously called leftists) have as much depth as Twain. Ridiculous, of course; but typical leftist slight-of-hand.

[dalebert]

There are just as many Right leaning Twain quotes as there are Left leaning Twain quotes.

[S.O.S121.500]

"In fact, I would bet that this dishonest professor made some of these quotes up or intentionally attributed Twain's quotes to topics he did not discuss. "

Hope you are prepared to pay off on that bet.......the above is PURE Twain.

Rifleman....Amen.

[Captain Kirk]

Twain was a classical liberal who opposed the Spanish American war in the war against Philipine independence. He would despise an anti-civil libertarian like John Ashcroft.