New York City, December 2008.

It is rare that an endangered species is photographed in the wild.  Above is one such endangered species, an American Maoist. A radio tracking device encircles his left ring finger. This individual example of the species is known as "Raymond Lotta" to wildlife specialists devoted to observing and documenting the species.  "Ray" as he is affectionately known is depicted doing what he does in the wild, talking.  Ray talks a lot.  A lotta lot.   

Ray was at the zoo at NYU in December, 2008. He was one of the panelists, along with hosiery magnate Andrew Ross. I will never forget Ray's opening act.      

It is cold in New York City in December. And of course I got lost going from hotel to NYU zoo. And I was cold. There is nothing more comforting when one is cold than when one comes in from the cold, and into a nice, warm auditorium and sit in a nice, comfy chair. It is so comfy it is snooze-inducing. And I was warm and comfy and, well, my head drooped a bit and my eyelids got a little heavy.

Then Ray was introduced.  "THIS IS A VICIOUS, ANTI-COMMUNIST HATCHET JOB!,"  he screamed, and he really did scream, as he walked to the podium. He was holding up a copy of Jung Chang and Jon Halliday's seminal Mao: The Untold Story.  I was proximate to never-never land when Ray did this and momentarily forgot that I was proximate to never-never land at a Maoist convention. Personally being fond of vicious, anti-communist hatchet jobs I was half-way out of my seat and in mid-clap when I came to my senses, or rather my surroundings came to my senses.(1) I adjusted my trousers or something and cleared my throat and sat back down as naturally as I could.


1. When I got back home I emailed Ms. Chang and Mr. Halliday and told them that I had been at a conference where their work had received the greatest tribute I could imagine and then I related this story.

Top: Ray's business-is-for-capitalist-roaders card.