Statler and Waldorf

". . . the word 'idiot' comes from a Greek root meaning private person. Idiocy is the female defect: intent on their private lives, women follow their fate through a darkness deep as that cast by malformed cells in the brain. It is no worse than the male defect, which is lunacy: they are so obsessed by public affairs that they see the world as by moonlight, which shows the outlines of every object but no the details indicative of their nature. . ."
- Rebecca West
What is more appealing than a good, stubborn, grumpy old misanthrope? Ms. West really was not a misanthrope at all, but this passage smells of it, and there is a great deal to be gained by quoting things out of context. Just look at what the great religions do at a centurial, decadal and journal clip. I mean, who doesn't prefer Oscar the Grouch over Elmo (besides legions of retarded children, among whom my boy will surely be absent.)
My oldest brother was perpetually referred to as "The Grump" by my family during holidays.
I always envied him that rather unassailable perch up there.