Lesson Three Text has a Minister of Finance. Of course,humor is often more than a laughing matter.(44 In its more potent guises,it has a Trojan- horse nature:no one goes on guard against a gag; we let it in because it looks like a little wooden toy.Once inside, however,it can turn a city to reform,to rebellion,to resistance. 45 Some believe,for instance,that,next to the heroic British RAF British humor did the most to fend off a german takeover in World War Il.One sample will suffice:that famous story of the woman who was finally extracted from the rubble of her
Lesson Three Text has a Minister of Finance.” Of course, humor is often more than a laughing matter. (44) In its more potent guises, it has a Trojanhorse nature: no one goes on guard against a gag; we let it in because it looks like a little wooden toy. Once inside, however, it can turn a city to reform, to rebellion, to resistance. (45)Some believe, for instance, that, next to the heroic British RAF, British humor did the most to fend off a German takeover in World War II. One sample will suffice: that famous story of the woman who was finally extracted from the rubble of her
Lesson Three Text house during the London blitz.Asked,"Where is your husband?"she brushed brick dust off her head and arms and answered,(46)"Fighting in Libya,the bloody coward!" (47 Similarly,whenever we Americans start taking ourselves a bit too seriously,a grassroots humor seems to rise and strew banana peels in our path.The movement is usually led by professionals:(48 Mark Twain penlancing the boils of pomposity ("Man was made at the end of the week's work,when God was tired.")Will Rogers deflating our law-makers
Lesson Three Text house during the London blitz. Asked, “Where is your husband?” she brushed brick dust off her head and arms and answered, (46) “Fighting in Libya, the bloody coward!” (47) Similarly, whenever we Americans start taking ourselves a bit too seriously, a grassroots humor seems to rise and strew banana peels in our path. The movement is usually led by professionals: (48) Mark Twain penlancing the boils of pomposity (“Man was made at the end of the week’s work, when God was tired.”); Will Rogers deflating our law-makers
Lesson Three Text 49 ("The oldest boy became a congressman,and the second son turned out no good,too.")Bill Mauldin needling fatuous officers(One 2nd lieutenant to another,on observing a beautiful sunset:"Is there one for enlisted men,too?").(50 Such masters of comic deflation restore the balance.They bring us back to ourselves. When life has us in a tight corner,one of the first questions we might ask is,"Can I solve this with a laugh?"Men with giant responsibilities have frequently used this approach to giant problems---often with sweeping effect.As Gen.George
Lesson Three Text (49)(“The oldest boy became a congressman, and the second son turned out no good, too.”); Bill Mauldin needling fatuous officers (One 2nd lieutenant to another, on observing a beautiful sunset: “Is there one for enlisted men, too?” ). (50) Such masters of comic deflation restore the balance. They bring us back to ourselves. When life has us in a tight corner, one of the first questions we might ask is, “Can I solve this with a laugh?” Men with giant responsibilities have frequently used this approach to giant problems --- often with sweeping effect. As Gen. George
Lesson Three Text C.Marshall,U.S.Army Chief of Staff,labored to prepare this then-unready nation to enter World War II,he met stiff opposition from his (51Commander in-Chief regarding the elements that called for the most bolstering Marshall felt that what we needed most were highly developed ground forces.President Roosevelt was a navy man who believed that our principal need was for a powerful navy, plus a large air force.In increasingly tense (52debates with the President,Marshall pushed his argument so hard that he began to foster ever stronger resistance.Finally,during a particularly hot
Lesson Three Text C. Marshall, U. S. Army Chief of Staff, labored to prepare this then-unready nation to enter World War II, he met stiff opposition from his (51)Commander -in-Chief regarding the elements that called for the most bolstering Marshall felt that what we needed most were highly developed ground forces. President Roosevelt was a navy man who believed that our principal need was for a powerful navy, plus a large air force. In increasingly tense (52)debates with the President, Marshall pushed his argument so hard that he began to foster ever stronger resistance. Finally, during a particularly hot
Lesson Three Text session,the usually stonefaced Marshall forced a grin."At least,Mr.President,"he said,"You might stop referring to the Navy as 'us'and the Army as them'" Roosevelt studied Marshall over his glasses,then (53)unlipped a great show of teeth and laughter.Shortly thereafter,he made a more objective study of Marshall's recommendations and eventually (54 bought the ground-force concept. Occasionally,humor goes beyond saving arguments,saving face or saving jobs;it can save life itself.Victor E
Lesson Three Text session, the usually stonefaced Marshall forced a grin. “At least, Mr. President,” he said, “You might stop referring to the Navy as ‘us’ and the Army as ‘them’.” Roosevelt studied Marshall over his glasses, then (53)unlipped a great show of teeth and laughter. Shortly thereafter, he made a more objective study of Marshall’s recommendations and eventually (54) bought the ground-force concept. Occasionally, humor goes beyond saving arguments, saving face or saving jobs; it can save life itself. Victor E