Art Hoppe Quotes
Old men declare war because they have failed to solve complex political and economic problems.
Hoppe, Art. San Francisco Chronicle.
This seems to be the origin of the notion that democracies and republics are less likely to war with others than monarchies or dictatorships.
He was contrasting this with the Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore, where by 5 to 4, the Supreme Court made George W. Bush President. Bryer wrote a dissent and the majority of Americans wanted Gore. Yet, the people of America accepted the unpopular decision with which the majority disagreed. The alternative is settling such disputes in the streets with violence. So Bryer strongly advocates the upholding of Supreme Court decisions, even if unpopular and even if wrong as he felt Bush v. Gore was.
Arthur Watterson Hoppe was a popular columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle for more than 40 years. He was known for satirical and allegorical columns that skewered the self-important. Many columns featured whimsical characters such as expert-in-all-things Homer T. Pettibone and a presidential candidate named Nobody. Occasionally, Hoppe reined in his humor for poignant columns on serious topics, such as "To Root Against Your Country," a noted 1971 column against the Vietnam War. Hoppe began at the Chronicle as a copy boy in 1949 and was promoted to reporter before beginning his own column. At the peak of its popularity, Hoppe's column appeared in the Chronicle five days a week and was syndicated in more than 100 newspapers nationwide. His close friends included fellow columnists Russell Baker and Art Buchwald.
