Smugocracy

Listening to Keith Olbermann's latest sanctimonious bloviating this week , the staff here at Fraters Libertas realized that he is but one member (and oh what a member) of a much larger group of smug, arrogant, self-assured, cynical, juvenile, SOBs.

This group is made up of white, middle-aged guys who think they're much smarter than they actually are. They love to hear themselves speak, consider their humor the height of wit, and always think they are the smartest guys in the room. They also love to talk about "speaking truth to power" and challenging the status quo. They pretend that they're not partisan even though upwards of 90% of their attacks are aimed at conservatives. They fancy themselves to be counter-culturalists at heart (in terms of drug use, sex, radical politics) while still being firmly in the establishment and enjoying all the benefits that provide. Another key differentiator is that they are almost universally irreligious. They're also usually in the media or entertainment industry.

Once the group's defining characteristics were established, we needed a name. My colleague Saint Paul came up with the apt descriptor "Smugocracy."

We are pleased to our inaugural list of members of the Smugocracy, the founding fathers of smug if you will.

- Keith Olbermann

- Bill Maher

- Jon Stewart

- Nick Coleman

- George Clooney

- Al Franken

- Brian Lambert

- Eric Alterman

- Joel Stein

- Blois Olson

- Joe Conason

- "DFL" Don Shelby

- Paul Douglas

Updates to the membership rolls will be posted as events warrant. There certainly doesn't appear to be a shortage of smugness out there.