Not That You Asked

Collected writings on booze, smoking, society, education, art and various other things on the decline, by the irreverent, provocative and occasionally witty Philadelphia columnist. Excerpts from Mark Randall's Not That You Asked: On smoking: "it is a shame we are content with this tedious non-debate about which is better, virtue or vice, instead of the really more interesting topic, namely, the relative virtues to be found among the available vices."On identity politics: "proponents of identity politics are not really offended by racial inferencesthey would only prefer that all of the inferences be complimentary."On city living: "Look upon your stolen wreaths as a kind of donation to the poor and you see that what you lose in Hope, you gain in CharityIn fact, since Charity is regarded as the greatest of virtues, you may flatter yourself to be exchanging your Hope at a profit."On religion: "anti-Papism is one of those activities that's probably best left to Catholics."On the French: "I have always tried to defend the French against the usual criticismsbut it is difficult work, hampered right at the outset by the fact that most of the usual criticisms are true."On his own problems: "But how do I reconcile a life that fades out with me typing alone in the basement instead of on a terrace in Majorca, on the phone to a producer, occasionally waving down to Francesca who is sunning herself nude on the pier?"