Posted on 06/01/2011 6:43:42 AM PDT by Rummyfan
I read The Joke, Milan Kundera’s first novel, when I was a schoolboy. Bit above my level, but, even as a teenager, I liked the premise. Ludvik is a young man in post-war, newly Communist Czechoslovakia. He’s a smart, witty guy, a loyal Party member with a great future ahead of him. His girlfriend, though, is a bit serious. So when she writes to him from her two-week Party training course enthusing about the early-morning calisthenics and the “healthy atmosphere,” he scribbles off a droll postcard:
Optimism is the opium of the people! A healthy atmosphere stinks of stupidity! Long live Trotsky! Ludvik.
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
ping...
Another good one from Steyn
“They found ingredients in semen that include mood enhancers like estrone, cortisol, prolactin, oxytocin, and serotonin; a sleep enhancer, melatonin; and, of course, sperm, which makes up only 1%-5%. Delivering these compounds into the richly vascularized vagina also turns out to have major salutary effects for the recipient. “
No wonder my lesbian sister is so b!tchy.
” Optimism is the opium of the people! A healthy atmosphere stinks of stupidity! “
‘He who smiles, and keeps his head, when all about are losing theirs — doesn’t understand the situation...’
America has lost so much. So much. And so many people don't even realize it.
I can’t wait to read Steyn’s commentary on the
Palin/press imbroglio. Of course it isn’t an
imbroglio for Mrs. Palin who is dancing rings
around the dazed media.
As someone once said, and I paraphrase...
Float like a butterfly, sting like a mom on
vacation!
Good article. I suppose OBarry’s voter; etc will be subjected to the same rules no matter how much OBarry says they won’t.
It would seem whether semen has such effects would be a question for science, not ideology.
Sigh.
Of course, these effects might be why homosexuals are so gay.
Absolutely brilliant Steyn article. Wish I could write like that guy. Wow.
I wonder if Ludvik ever asked himself if he would have done the same had a colleague been in the same position.
It is not just an issue of going against the herd. Those who voted against expulsion probably would be expelled themselves. Easy to criticize others if you've never faced such a decision yourself.
O.M.G.
Steyn is sitting in for Rush today.
Thanks for the ping!
>>Of course, these effects might be why homosexuals are so gay.<
*snicker*
By following the link to Steynonline I was led to Mark’s wonderful appreciation of the 100th anniversary of Artie Shaw’s birth - music and all - just marvelous.
Great comment. Sarah is indeed dancing rings around a dazed media. They themselves are complaining that she has reduced them to paparazzi.
I think Steyn is hosting the Limbaugh show today.
You’re right - - he is brilliant. I would love to hear him debate our ‘brilliant’ president.
Maybe freepers should compile a list of books for our children and grandchildren to read. Our battle with liberal elites might go on for generations - and this book will help them in that battle.
“Optimism is the opium of the people! A healthy atmosphere stinks of stupidity!”
Hope and Change!
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