Animal Farm: The Republican Version

Diary of a Mad Law Professor

By Patricia J. Williams

This article appeared in the February 23, 2004 edition of The Nation.

February 5, 2004

My Dear Napoleon,
   I know that the First Commandment of our great Contract With America's Barnyard says that whatever goes on two legs is an enemy, but this is getting to be a bit much. When our great founding father, Old Major, said we should pick our fights, it didn't seem to me to be exactly the same as saying we should pick fights. I have a plan for a windmill that would let us produce our own energy while greatly reducing our dependence on the two-legs. What say we run it by the electorate at the next Meeting?
   Your comrade,
   Snowball

Dear Napoleon and Guardian of the Nest-Egg,
   Maybe I'm wrong, but didn't the Contract With America's Barnyard promise "zero base-line budgeting"? Our debt to Mr. Pilkington is very, very great, and the stores in the barn will not see us through the winter. I thought a balanced budget was the Second Commandment, but I can't seem to find it written on the wall anymore. My brain is very small. Am I imagining things? Do you think I worry too much?
   Yours in revolutionary struggle,
   Chicken Little

Dear Napoleon, Father of All Animals,
   Since I am only a horse, of course, I had not realized heretofore that "Job Creation and Wage Enhancement"--the Third Commandment of our inestimable Contract With America's Barnyard--was really a faith-based initiative. But now that I have seen the light, I am more of a believer than ever. And I will work harder! I will work harder!
    Your obedient servant,
   Boxer

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About Patricia J. Williams

Patricia J. Williams, a professor of law at Columbia University and a member of the State Bar of California, writes The Nation column "Diary of a Mad Law Professor." Her books include The Rooster's Egg (1995), Seeing a Color-Blind Future: The Paradox of Race (1997) and, most recently, Open House: On Family Food, Friends, Piano Lessons and The Search for a Room of My Own (Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2004.) more...
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