Q. Are there any historical precedents for the Soviet system of elections?
A. Yes, in the story of the creation. God made Eve, put her in the Garden of
A member of an ethnic group reputed to have a stingy reputation and a
member of an ethnic group often stereotyped as having a miserly cunning
went to a restaurant. After a hearty meal, the table waiting attendant came
by with the inevitable bill. To the amazement of all, the member of the
ethnic group reputed to have a stingy reputation was heard to say,
"I'll pay it," which he actually did.
The next morning's newspaper carried the news item:
"VENTRILOQUIST FROM ETHNIC GROUP OFTEN STEREOTYPED AS HAVING A
MISERLY CUNNING FOUND SEVERELY CHASTISED IN BLIND ALLEY."
[ If you don't understand why I posted this, check out the flamefest raging
in soc.culture.jewish over the original version of this joke. In that
group, richmond@athena.mit.edu and davidm@ihlpa.ATT.COM are demanding my
removal as moderator because I posted the original version of this joke.
Mr. J. Richmond has even intimated he will take action against me and Looking
Glass Software. Respond to them, not to me. ]
