>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>That reminds me (speaking of gadflies). Ever read a book called "The Gadfly" by E.L. Voynich? Hard to say if you'd like it. It's a very political novel written in the late 1800s. Considered one of the first truly political novels. It has a very socialist bent; a book about revolution, but regardless of one's own political beliefs, it's hard to deny the beauty of the story and the characters. A remarkable book even if it does go well beyond my own belief system.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>HEY CHARLES, have you read it? Sorry for shouting, but he might not be reading this.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I wasn't but I heard you shouting <s>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Don't know it. Putting it on list.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>You can download it from the Gutenberg Project. It's no longer under copyright.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Made me think of movie of Conrad's Secret Agent with Bob Hoskins where Robin Williams does a master turn (in an uncredited part) as The Professor, an anarchist who is a human bomb ready to blow himself up if he is arrested. Marvelous.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Gee, speaking of Bob Hoskins, I remember being literally dragged kicking and screaming a couple of hundred years ago to a movie that two female friends of mine wanted to see. I really didn't want to go. I really, really didn't want to go. It was called "Mona Lisa". It turned out to be a stunningly terrific movie.
>>>>>
>>>>>Very very good movie. About that period he did another great one with Helen Mirren - The Long Good Friday.
>>>>
>>>>Yes thats very good. Bob made a very good gangster. He was good in Cotton Club as well
>>>
>>>Yes! I loved that movie. (of course I'm pretty much a sucker for period pieces. I've been salivating over the previews of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood with Russell Crow due out this summer ! )
>>
>>Robs from the rich and gives to the poor? I can think of some people here who won't be seeing it ;-)
>
>How can you possibly stay out of political discussions when you constantly turn every discussion into one?

I've reformed! <g>