Year end humor

Something light for the end of the year. Humor is appealing to most of us, especially when it comes from those who are powerful and famous. It would be good for Indonesia if our leaders used humor more often, instead gaining respect by being "properly official". I would like to share a few of my favorite stories about famous personalities.

* American law forbids those born outside that nation to become president. When he was U.S. secretary of state, German- born Henry Kissinger was asked by a reporter whether he ever regretted the fact he could never become president. Kissinger replied, "No, because there's nothing that says I can never become Emperor of the United States."

* Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, often grows weary of mind-numbing conversation with fawning officials. One of these individuals once greeted the duke after he landed at an airport in Britain. The official asked, "And how was your flight, Sir?" Prince Philip queried the man in return: "Have you ever flown?" The official answered, "Oh, yes, Sir, many times." Back came the reply from the duke: "Well, it was like that."

* Charles de Gaulle, a late former president of France, on why his country would never have a communist government: "How can one conceive of a one-party system in a country that has over two hundred varieties of cheese?"

* The father of independent India, Mahatma Gandhi, was once visited by a correspondent who years later wrote a book about him. During that particular interview, Gandhi mentioned something that was "one of my faults". The reporter teased him, "I thought you were perfect." To which Gandhi replied, "No, I am very imperfect. Before you leave, you will discover a hundred of my faults, and if you don't, I will help you."

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta