Long Drawn Out Trip: A Memoir, by Gerald Scarfe
A small excerpt from p.168;
“Politicians have been my bed and board, my food and drink, my way of life. In a way I have lived off them, but in general I’m not particularly fond of them as a species. Many of them are blatantly ambitious, self-seeking, arrogant individuals who see themselves (incorrectly) as leaders. They love the power it can bring them and the flock of fawning sycophants who see them as their bread and butter and who follow them, picking up scraps. How extraordinary that they feel they have the answers to so many things and seek to persuade others to follow their lead. Does it never strike them they could be wrong?”
“The Times foreign correspondent Louis Heren once said we should approach all politicians by asking ‘Why is this lying bastard lying to me?‘
“Many politicians will say ‘To be honest’, which means ‘I’m going to lie through my teeth’. Politicians have the astounding arrogance to think themselves superior beings who have a duty to tell other citizens what to do, where to go and how to behave. They are not quite as bad as religious bigots but they are getting close”
… I love Scarfe’s unique drawing style and agree completely with his comments above. And this from a man who has been around the world’s politicians for decades!
Anyway, ‘Long Drawn Out Trip‘ is a great read, he’s been around, he’s seen a lot and he tells it like it is.
Baffled Ape 
