It used to be a source of amazement to Americans to think about the innocent people sent to prison under Soviet rule. Nowadays Americans would be amazed to learn how many innocent people are actually on deathrow in the U.S. or locked up for years at least and they were all sent there by their 'peers.'

>>http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/19/ronstadt.reut/
>>
>>Ms. Ronstadt said according to a local television newsperson she did not like to perform in front of Republicans or the Religious Right. At least the lady speaks her mind.
>>
>>In these days of Home Land Security and the Patriot Act you have to be careful. We thought Geroge Orwell went too far with 1984 - we have only just begun! :)
>>
>>I am sure that I would never perform in front of a bunch of gamblers who were drinking. That crowd is one I avoid!
>
>"Hey, comrade, how much did you get?"
>"Eight years."
>"For what?"
>"For nothing."
>"Don't bullshi* me, they give ten years for nothing."
>
>I.e. sounds like a good moment to start discarding the mothballs off those old Soviet-era jokes...