Speaking of the last flatulent emission from the squalid, vapid, evil, vile, corrupt, naseauting ooze that is Communism.

Arthur Miller shares his version of "My Dinner with Fidel." More later, when I have time but consider this:

Having had a certain amount of experience with Soviet and Eastern European officialdom in the arts, particularly as head of International PEN for four years, I expected to have to do a lot of agreeable nodding in silence to statements manifestly silly if not at times idiotic. Unelected leaders and their outriders are unusually sensitive to contradiction, and the experience of their company can be miserably boring. However, Castro was mythic by this time, and the prospect of an hour or two with him was something to look forward to.

Note the 'nodding in silence?" Silence? Well, of course, this is a liberal in a hurry after all. It wouldn't do to disagree with him.

And also note the "unelected leaders are unusually sensitive to contradiction." Of course, they are. Their "unusual" sensitivity usually results in purges, mass graves and perhaps, what is worse to Miller, "boredom."

But Castro is a mythic figure.

Have you ever noticed how leftist opposition to Communist dictators is always in the past tense. We find out from people like Miller that they this or that Communist dictator was a crashing bore only after such dictator has shuffled off to his reward. Until, then, we hear about how this or that "unusually sensitive" leader is a great Romantic figure.