P. J. O’Rourke

Date of Birth: November 14, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: February 15, 2022

Biography

Patrick Jake “P.J.” O’Rourke was an American political satirist, journalist, and author. Born on November 14, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio, O’Rourke became one of the most prominent voices in American humor and political commentary. He attended Miami University in Ohio, where he became involved in the counter-culture movement of the 1960s. After college, he earned a master’s degree in English at Johns Hopkins University. O’Rourke’s early career began with contributions to underground publications, but he gained widespread recognition as an editor for National Lampoon magazine in the 1970s. His work was characterized by a blend of sharp wit, keen observation, and a libertarian conservative viewpoint. He authored several best-selling books, including “Parliament of Whores” and “Give War a Chance,” which humorously dissected American politics and foreign policy. Throughout his career, O’Rourke wrote for numerous prestigious publications like Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, and The Weekly Standard. He was known for his ability to combine humor with insightful political and social analysis, making complex issues accessible and entertaining for a broad audience. P.J. O’Rourke passed away on February 15, 2022, leaving behind a legacy as one of America’s most influential humorists and commentators.

5 Interesting Facts about P. J. O’Rourke

1. P.J. O’Rourke was the H.L. Mencken Research Fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

2. He served as the foreign-affairs desk chief for Rolling Stone magazine.

3. O’Rourke authored over 20 books, many of which became New York Times bestsellers.

4. He was known for his humorous critiques of both liberal and conservative ideologies.

5. Despite his conservative leanings, O’Rourke was a prominent critic of the Iraq War and other interventionist policies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from P. J. O’Rourke

1. “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”

2. “Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.”

3. “The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.”

4. “I like to think of my behavior in the sixties as a ‘learning experience.’ Then again, I like to think of anything stupid I’ve done as a ‘learning experience.’ It makes me feel less stupid.”

5. “When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.”