Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!allegra!karn
From: karn@allegra.UUCP (Phil Karn)
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Raid
Message-ID: <2134@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 22-Dec-83 17:18:08 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.2134
Posted: Thu Dec 22 17:18:08 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Dec-83 04:48:15 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 27


           WASHINGTON (BS) _ State Department officials here
today announced that a pre-dawn raid has netted another
shipment of a highly complex electronic component destined
for the Soviet Union.
           The super-sophisticated ``7400 Quad Two-input Nand Gate,''
as it is known in elite industry jargon, could have been used
in video games, officials said, adding that the shipment had
an estimated ``street value'' of at least $10 million.
           Other top officials, speaking under the condition that
they not be identified, said the parts were worth about $1,000
apiece. ``At least that's what we pay for them through the Pentagon's
spare parts procurement program,'' commented one official.
           Later reports from knowledgeable sources said that the ``7400''
components are manufactured in hidden factories in exotic jungle locations
such as Malaysia and Puerto Rico and are blatantly sold over-the-counter
in Radio Shack stores within blocks of the Soviet Embassy.
           ``With enough of these super-hi-tech parts, the Soviets
could have constructed the world's fastest video game,'' said
one spokesman.  ``Such a game would be superior to current American
and Japanese models because it would also serve as a excellent space heater,
and we all know how cold Moscow winters are.''
           Commenting on the raid, an obviously pleased President
Reagan said, ``It is obvious that one of America's greatest assets
is its large pool of skilled youngsters ready to take the controls
when the nation constructs its sophisticated space-based laser ICBM
defense system. This technology would have given the Soviets the capacity
to train their youngsters to shoot down our missiles as well.''