Interesting Raymond Chandler passage on cops and politicians

[jobycom]

From "The Lady in the Lake"

"Police business...is a hell of a problem. It's a good deal like politics. It asks for the highest type of men, and there's nothing in it to attract the highest type of men. So we have to work with what we get..."

[lenidog]

1. He was the ultimate cynic

and it showed in everything he wrote

[jobycom]

3. Part of it was cynical, but it was also a very positive quote.

The quote is from a cop explaining to Marlowe why a couple of officers beat him up. Marlowe's answer was "I know that. I've always known that. I'm not bitter."

That's what I love about Chandler. In addition to being a skilled word smith, his insights are complex. He's saying that these imperfect cops are bad, but that the profession is noble, so we have to put up with the imperfections to get what we need. Or, as much of what we need as we can get.

His books are full of that message--the world is dirty, weak, and corrupt, but we can't blame it for being that way, we have to work with what we've got.

I love the way he says politicians are the same way. That's always been my instinct--to let politicians get away with being imperfect if they are working towards a higher good in their jobs. I think you know the politician I'm thinking about.

[misanthrope]

4. Thankfully...

...for without cynics and skeptics, everyone would assuredly be getting screwed even harder than they are now.

"Scratch a cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist." -George Carlin

[chaumont58]

2. I like the line from the TV show, Deadwood

Hearst's geolgist, Wolcott, says about himself and politicans:

"I am a sinner who does not expect redemption, but I am not a government official."