If you have lived long enough to make a qualitative analysis of the subject you realize what passes for commercial humor in America has changed considerably over the past decades, and now it is much safer to engage in the lowest form of what some consider “humor” than what is truly humorous about the human species; and for good reason. America and the rest of the world has become very dangerous, and even gallows humor were it acceptable would not be able to make us feel safer; much in the manner of Thoreau’s comment concerning economics, while it may lend itself to levity it cannot so easily be disposed.

A major factor in the loss of real humor in America has its basis in the words of the Psalmist, “I said in my haste all men are liars.” I recall a preacher years ago commenting on the words of the Psalmist concluding, “You know folks, I haven’t been in any hurry about it, I’ve taken a lot of time to think this over, and I still think all men are liars.”

There is no doubt in my mind Sam Clemens was the most gifted, natural born liar with which this poor, tired old earth has ever been blessed. Not a day goes by that I’m not reminded of the debt America owes this champion of the tall tale, the “stretchers” Sam would tell for the sake of laughter benefiting untold millions of people. Even today this master of the English language and humor continues to be paid homage by millions throughout the world. But the distinction is always there between a lie told to do harm or take advantage, and those told whether for the sake of a tall tale or when one has no choice but to lie.

Which shall it be; keep your friends, keep your job, or speak your mind and to thine own self be true? This much is certain, as little Scout pointed out one must lie under certain circumstances. But it is a personal responsibility to discriminate as to when one must lie and when one must not. And just to the degree we find ourselves making allowances for lying or telling the truth, to that degree we define our own character, all the while acknowledging the fact that one must lie under certain circumstances, just as good manners, proper speech and etiquette are the socially approved method by which civilized people are able to congregate without coming to blows. It was for this reason the champion of the tall tale cautioned one must present their personal opinions carefully perfumed and barbered for the public. And it remains there are three subjects you do not bring up in a bar: Politics, Religion, and the Civil War.

But while Sam was the consummate master of humor, there is no disputing his genius for such humor had its basis in the very darkest of human experiences and emotions, as with all great works of humor exemplified by the Greeks and later by Shakespeare, so much so that he considered death the only pure and unalloyed gift of God. Far from being merely the clown laughing outwardly while crying inwardly, Sam wrote from the depths of human despair; that he was able to turn the tables on such despair of humankind, believing like Franklin it was not worthy of surviving, and laugh at himself while poking fun at others and the human condition was, in my opinion, nothing short of miraculous, his own peculiar spark of divinity.

As Harper Lee so well pointed out, real writers are compelled to write. So long as they write, they live; and they live to write; they could as well stop breathing as to stop writing. It is therefore no wonder that such real writers are also compelled to tell the truth in so many instances when a well-crafted lie might serve them better. Where Sam had the advantage, a product of his singular and unique genius for humor, was being able to plumb the dark side for his well crafted lies that served truth in the end.

Walt Kelly was a gifted humorist, and as such pointed out we should not take life too seriously, since it’s in no wise permanent. Such a point of view one would think should result in honesty. But the real honesty to be found in the best of humor begins with being honest with yourself. To the extent one is dishonest with themselves, to that extent they will find themselves being dishonest with others.

Politicians and the MSM suffer mightily from a lack of both humor and honesty. Emerson had long ago noted no one would become a politician had they a choice of some noble occupation, and I have concluded the same thing holds true for most of those involved with the MSM. How many of these, do you suppose, are really honest with themselves? It’s as though the “professionals” in government and the media have concluded of We the People in the words of Jack Nicholson “You can’t handle the truth!” Perhaps if we were ever told the truth we could put the lie to such a conclusion. But given the track record of politicians and those in the media I hold no hope of this ever happening.

Granted in an America held in bondage to politically correct speech there is no room for any discussion of the truth that does not degenerate into labeling and name-calling it comes down to lying in order to protect one’s rice bowl. Which shall it be; keep your friends, keep your job, or speak your mind and to thine own self be true?

Americans haven’t lost their sense of humor, but the very best of humor has its basis in the truth. And it is this loss of truth I blame for the lack of genuine humor in America, humor that is not degraded by meanness, perversion, or a pernicious attempt to harm or take advantage.