https://pjmedia.com/eddriscoll/2009/09/22/somewhere-h-l-mencken-is-roaring-with-laughter/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 07:16:27 -0400<![CDATA[In the first half of the 20th century, H. L. Mencken wrote a great many aphorisms that resonate to this day. They were almost invariably cynical, and often spot-on about human behavior. One of his most famous was his definition of &#8220;puritanism&#8221;, which Mencken regarded as, &#8220;The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.&#8221;]]>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:39:57 -0400<![CDATA[Ed Driscoll]]>https://pjmedia.com/ed-driscoll/2009/09/22/somewhere-h-l-mencken-is-roaring-with-laughter-n250111