Magdha
12-03-2008, 12:38
Dr. Joseph M. Rothman was one of the Generalissimo's most outspoken critics of yore. An esteemed university professor equally famous (or infamous, depending on one's perspective) for his radical left-wing views as well as his opposition to Generalissimo J.L.'s "reign of terror," he was a man with as many enemies as admirers. He had a considerable following among disaffected youth throughout the world, but had also earned the ire of both the RB government and several of its allies; Rothman had survived no less than seventeen assassination attempts, and each close call he had was closer than the last. He had lived in exile for many years, travelling the world, giving lectures on politics, economics, and history, and agitating for various causes. A syndicalist and former unionist, he had written a well-received Ph.D. dissertation on the history of Trotskyism in China, and was near the forefront of the worldwide anti-Stalinist left movement.
In short, he was the last man one would expect to see appointed to the Generalissimo's Cabinet.
Yet, to the shock and awe of his friends and foes alike, the Generalissimo announced, in a calm and composed manner, that, "Dr. Rothman's sins are forgiven; the days of enmity and division are over. I am forgiving all of my prodigal children and welcoming them home with open arms."
For weeks representatives of the Generalissimo had met with Dr. Rothman to discuss terms for his return to RB; only after it was demonstrably established that this was not a ruse, that Rothman's life was not in danger (he had good reason to be suspicious; more than one exiled opponent had returned after being promised amnesty, only to disappear into a prison, never to be seen again), did he return. In return for resigning from political activism and refraining from ever publicly insulting the government again, Dr. Rothman was offered the job of Commissioner of External Affairs and International Cooperation (foreign minister), a salary that made even the most wealthy celebrities' earnings look like chickenfeed, a spacious mansion, and full amnesty for all "crimes" committed in the past. Rothman was both a man of principle and an ardent anti-materialist; he despised ostentatious wealth and superficiality. Yet, even so, every man had his price, and the incorruptible ex-professor found himself inexorably drawn into J.L.'s fold.
Finally, on the evening of March 11, on live television, Dr. Rothman informed a stunned citizenry that, "In order to atone for my misbehavior in the past, I have decided to forego my old ways and return to Papa's loving embrace. Papa has shown that he truly, truly loves all his children, even when we do nothing to earn or deserve his love. And so, it is with great honor that I accept Papa's generous offer to serve our nation as Commissioner of External Affairs and International Cooperation. I love you, Papa!"
In short, he was the last man one would expect to see appointed to the Generalissimo's Cabinet.
Yet, to the shock and awe of his friends and foes alike, the Generalissimo announced, in a calm and composed manner, that, "Dr. Rothman's sins are forgiven; the days of enmity and division are over. I am forgiving all of my prodigal children and welcoming them home with open arms."
For weeks representatives of the Generalissimo had met with Dr. Rothman to discuss terms for his return to RB; only after it was demonstrably established that this was not a ruse, that Rothman's life was not in danger (he had good reason to be suspicious; more than one exiled opponent had returned after being promised amnesty, only to disappear into a prison, never to be seen again), did he return. In return for resigning from political activism and refraining from ever publicly insulting the government again, Dr. Rothman was offered the job of Commissioner of External Affairs and International Cooperation (foreign minister), a salary that made even the most wealthy celebrities' earnings look like chickenfeed, a spacious mansion, and full amnesty for all "crimes" committed in the past. Rothman was both a man of principle and an ardent anti-materialist; he despised ostentatious wealth and superficiality. Yet, even so, every man had his price, and the incorruptible ex-professor found himself inexorably drawn into J.L.'s fold.
Finally, on the evening of March 11, on live television, Dr. Rothman informed a stunned citizenry that, "In order to atone for my misbehavior in the past, I have decided to forego my old ways and return to Papa's loving embrace. Papa has shown that he truly, truly loves all his children, even when we do nothing to earn or deserve his love. And so, it is with great honor that I accept Papa's generous offer to serve our nation as Commissioner of External Affairs and International Cooperation. I love you, Papa!"