Ambrose Bierce fought for the United States with honor and distinction in the Civil War, but the carnage and horror of the killing scarred him deeply. He became a writer of fiction of some renown, but the darkness and cynicism in his words was unique for his time.

His 1906’s “Devil’s Dictionary” is an A to Z sardonic look at society. His definition of politics, as an example: “A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.”

Decency has been part of the civic lexicon since the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes “A decent respect to the opinions of mankind.” In 1954, Joseph McCarthy was called out at a Senate hearing: “You’ve done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

In this new Devil’s Dictionary, here is the definition for decency: Wimpish behavior.

Here are more, found wrapped in canvas, buried under a tree.

Bully: Coward with power.

Can’t we all get along?: No.

Constitution: Sacred founding document that does not mean whatever we want it to mean.

Courage: Standing up to bullies and patriots and for the rule of law.

Coward: Member of political tribe unwilling to stand for rule of law.

Craven: Caves to bullies.

Democracy: Persistent hard work with fellow citizens ending in joy.

Democrats: Tribe backed into corner and forced to defend Constitution and rule of law.

Enemy of the people: The free press.

Fake news: Honest mistakes termed lies; lies promoted as truths.

Free and fair elections: We don’t get caught.

Getting away with murder: The phrase, literally taken; also, smashing the rule of law.

Golden rule: He who has the gold rules.

Good humored: We won, get over it.

“I am not a crook:” True only till smoking gun is found.

Impeachment: Futility. A dead end.

Indivisible: Our tribe, indefinitely, forever.

Joy: Shared, never ending process of building future together.

Mitch McConnell: History will not him treat kindly.

News: Facts gathered and published often while developing and changing.

Patriots: Those for us and with us.

Policy: Today’s shiny object capturing attention this moment.

Presidential: Whatever I want it to mean and whatever I say today.

Racist: None of us, not any more. No one we know.

Rule of law: Outdated concept of principle that bullies cannot rule.

The future: Will arrive with or without us, definitely uncertain.

The long term: November’s election.

The Supreme Court: Ace in the hole.

The swamp: Anyone in Washington standing for the rule of law.

Thug: Bully without scruples, unhinged.

Traitors: Those not patriots.

Truth: Based on facts that interpretations can neither bend nor break.

Victory: Whatever it takes to crush the other side.

Voter suppression: Crushing the other side by any means necessary.

Voting: Initial baby step toward keeping a democracy.

White supremacist: Overzealous patriot.

Dissent: Brave integrity. Speaking truth to power.