“What the police in their ignorance have not figured out is that they have lost all credibility since World War II. They are sort of parasites on the fringe of society and do no particular good for anyone except possibly themselves.”

American novelist, playwright, and essayist of the mid-20th century, Vidal was a sharp critic of American politics and culture, blending wit and biting satire in his work. His novels and plays, like *Julian* and *Myra Breckinridge*, often explored power, sexuality, and the decline of traditional values. He also left a lasting mark as a public intellectual, known for his polemical essays and television appearances.