Of course we know Marie never really said this, but the title is illustrative of how food has been used to oppress the citizenry by dictatorial governments. While Marie Antoinette never actually uttered those words, there was a very real - and very intentiona - starvation problem among French peasants, at the time. Under Stalin's rule, a famine was induced in the Ukraine ("the Breadbasket of Europe," if you will) that, by many estimates, killed nearly 7 million people. In Ireland, the English shipped all of the other, non-potato, food out of the country, leaving the Irish people with nothing but potatoes for sustenance. Which, actually would have worked out if not for the blight. Famine was used in Colonial India to ensure that Indian workers would continue to basically be slave labor.
And on, and on, and on throughout history. "The Great Leap Forward," (okay, so Mao just fucked up on that one, it wasn't really intentional, but whatever, lots of Chinese people died and it was directly attributable to bad government), Ethiopia in '73, Vietnam in '45 (bastard Japanese - that's for Giggles), and every European famine on record - all the result of bad government.
But, now it's 2006. We live in a Democracy - in a country that actually pays its farmers not to produce. Food should no longer be used against us. Who would have thought then, that a leader would emerge who doesn't want to take our food away, but rather, not only wants us to eat it, but has gone so far as to impose a schedule to dictate when we are to write about it?!
I don't propose a revolution. In fact, the reasons for the imposition of the schedule are somewhat valid. But, know that you're being watched Lunch Czar. History hasn't been kind to leaders who impose their rule on the people. Be careful where you put your neck - I wouldn't want to see you end up like Ms. Antoinette.
Now, to the heart of the matter, because like many naifs before us, we do enjoy dancing to the master's tune, even if we're being forced to dance. What's everyone having for lunch? I'm back to South Beach land, so I'm not quite sure. Probably cold cuts and some cheese, side of lettuce and tomato, splash of mustard - no bread. How about everyone else - WFL?
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"I don't care what they eat. As long as they blog about it in a prompt and efficient manner."
- Lunch Czar Josephus I - March, 2006.
His Lunchiness made this now famous remark a few weeks before the "First Annual Lunch Conference" (4/7 - 4/9 2006) during which historians believe Czar Jo introduced "The Ultimate Relish Tray" that brought forth a period of peace and order on OWFL that lasted several years. Until the dark period known as "The 2nd Troubles" began and forced Czar Jo to order the arrest and executions of a seperatist sect known as "The Lunch Haters". Soon after a 3rd Age of peace, "The Jojo years" began. (Wikipedia entry "Czar Josephus and the Rise of OWFL")
I'm feeling grilled cheese today.
"I have not, do not, and will not ever endorse force feeding lunch to the citizenry!"
-Czar Josephus July 2010, at the beginning of the "2nd Troubles".
"The people need lunch and lunch needs the people. It is our most basic belief. My faith, OUR faith, instructs me to act!"
-Czar Josephus September 2010, just before signing the "Free Lunch Act of 2010" also known as the "Mandatory Lunch I.V. Act".
His bold actions are believed to have provided lunch for thousands of misguided youth who had been brainwashed by the Seperatist "Lunch Haters".
I've got another meeting. Anyone got extra lube?
WFL?
Wow, I like the historical context HT, nice post. I have said it before and I will say it again, OWFL is not a democracy but is instead a kakistocracy. Bring down the government!
I have got to lose some fucking weight. I am going to go crazy with the fresh fruit and veggies and yogurt for awhile.
Peep, smogging! I love it. I hate to run, but I am just about at the point where I will do it because I hate my fat ass so much. The smogging though puts an appealing creative twist on it, though.
Jo sometimes reminds me of Jack from The Lord of the Flies...
I made myself a huge veggie sandwich on toasted wheat: lettuce, yellow tomato, red onion, red pepper, sliced banana peppers, red pepper relish, cucumber slices, a pile of spicy sprouts and topped off with honey mustard...with a side of TJ's roasted pepper soup jazzed up with some sauteed spinach and brown rice.
whoa, smogging...as an asthma sufferer, i can't think of a worse way to spend the day.
today is turkey & swiss on wheat (again) as LaGiggs is trying to eat healthier and save $$$.
LOVED the post HT. you caress the historian in me.
and the description of the bobby sands special made me borf in my mouth.
also, little known fact, do you know that champagne glasses (the wide ones and not the flutes) were made to the exact size of marie antoinette's breasts? true story...
Hm. I should probably start dieting myself before the enormous calorie/fat-fest that will be the conference.
But alas, I cannot start today. I have my leftover goat cheese/pate sammich from yesterday. I'm trying really hard to make it to noon before I bust that out. I'm starving.
Jo, who is your Rasputin?
My Rasputin will remain anonymous...for fear of her safety.
Did I give something away?
"While it is possible that irradiating vagrants with toxic waste will mutate them into great conversationalists, it is more likely the toxic waste will endow them with cannibalistic traits over debating skills."
Funny.
http://cob.pvamu.edu/sbdc/The%20Lunch%20Box%20VI.jpg
mmmm.....pickles.....
Miu- I love Classico's regular basil pesto...next time I'll try the sundried though...$1.20 a jar??!! The cost is almost $3 here!!
If you come into DC for the conference April 7-9, the stores here are always stocked with that stuff....
Ham & Chicken club form Best Sandwich Place. I was going to hit Corner Bakery for their trio of salads but the line was out the door.
Despite what you may have been lead to believe, I am not a crazy Russian mystic. I'm not.
Oh yeah, Jade? How many stabbings/poisoning/drownings have you survived???
Hey LT, just because I'm invinsible, does not make me an insane Russian mystic. The two are entirely unrelated.
Da. Is true, comrade.
The Lunch Czar proclaims that "invinsible" is a new word that means "all powerful, and unseen, not unlike a well known Russian mystic"
Uh oh, are we going to start nit-picking spelling mistakes? I'm going to have to start exerting my special forces. It may not be pretty.
HT is a BAD influence ... I am chewing gum and drinking sugar free Red Bull. Crack in a can I am telling you. Worse than James Vernor and his Dunkin Donuts coffee, by far.
I AM THE BEST INFLUENCE EVER!!! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, JADE!!
LT was in the market for some sfrb, as well today!!!
Great day, people. Great day.
CRACK IN A CAN!!!!
I was also interviewed by The New York Post today. This gives me an undue amount of pleasure.
Why were you interviewed by the NYT, Jade? Do we have a budding media star in our midst?
New York POST, NOT New York TIMES. Big big big difference. They were writing a column about a friend of mine and he suggested they contact me. I wish I could say it is about me, but I am just a lowly supporting player in this one.
I can see why "the boss" would be pissed, Miu. Red Bull is expensive! The biggest drawback to it in my opinion. Besides that fact that it is crack and all.
No good Miu, to make matters worse Sam's Wholesale has stopped carrying it.
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