Did I say that?

No, but they're definitely the words of a kindred spirit:

Experience has disposed me to be kind in my personal dealings and severe in my professional ones.

* * * * * * * *

I was therefore raised in what might be described as a religion-free household. Strange to relate, as a result of my travels around the United States the past seven years, I begin to come to the disquieting conclusion that we Americans are these days a wicked people who deserve to be punished. The idea embarrasses me, but I nevertheless stand by it.

* * * * * * * *

I believe that rhetoric is undervalued these days. My own generation had much to do with devaluing it back in the 60s, when all public talk seemed mendacious. Part of what I do these days is an attempt to resuscitate rhetoric as an honorable and worthy feature of public life in this country. I am sensible that rhetoric sometimes changes the world. It frightens me to be in possession of it.

James Howard Kunstler
Home From Nowhere
Simon & Schuster, 1996