Noel Shepard raised issues of subtle press bias yesterday. I am 57 and old enough to remember a day when the press did not push leftist line, subtly or not.  The New York Times in the early 1960s, as best I recall, used to publish anti—Soviet joke articles in their Sunday magazine. I believe one of the jokes, which they would not repeat now in any context, applies as well to the Times itself as to any socialist regime. The joke went like this:
 
A teacher asked a class in the Soviet Union, "Can anyone tell us what life is like in the United States?"
 
Young Ivan raises his hand, is recognized, stands up and says, "In the United States, there is starvation, breadlines, soup kitchens. The poor can not find work. Negro peoples are beaten and treated like slaves."
 
The teacher replies, "Very good, Ivan. Can anyone else tell us what life is like in the glorious Soviet Union?"
 
Little Natalia raises her hand, is recognized, stands up and says, "In the Soviet Union, life is idyllic. Everyone has enough to eat, there is no poverty. Our factories are running day and night. Our collective farms are overflowing with wheat and potatoes."
 
The teacher replies, "Very good, Natalia. Now can anyone tell us what the new slogan of the glorious Soviet 5—Year Plan is?"
 
Little Alexi raises his hand, is recognized, stands up and says, "We must catch up to the the production of the United States within 5 years."
 
Jack Kemp (not the politician)   8 16 05