[Publius]

The statue is located in Fremont, a neighborhood of Seattle. It's a bohemian place, the home of some fine ethnic restaurants and the best brewpubs in town. It's also the home of statuary, including "Waiting for the Interurban", which is not on the street where the Seattle-to-Everett interurban ran from 1911 to 1940.

The Lenin statue was purchased by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce when the Soviet Union had its going-out-of-business-sale a decade ago. The Chamber intended it as a conversation piece and a trophy of the Cold War. Think of it as a large bronze coonskin nailed over the fireplace.

The residents of Fremont, however, take it quite seriously, as befits a festive slice of Berkeley transported to the Pacific Northwest.

When Iraq fell, I wrote the Chamber suggesting they buy a Saddam statue to add to their collection. If nothing else, it would make a matched set.

[Andy from Beaverton]

When Iraq fell, I wrote the Chamber suggesting they buy a Saddam statue to add to their collection.
Brilliant! Did they respond???