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From: brunson@usfbobo.UUCP (%David Brunson)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: A M.P. Courier's Dramatic Story of Soviet Arrest
Message-ID: <137@usfbobo.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-May-84 00:30:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: usfbobo.137
Posted: Tue May 22 00:30:07 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 23-May-84 19:02:13 EDT
References: <9050@mgweed.UUCP> <9144@mgweed.UUCP>, <468@ihlts.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of South Florida, Tampa
Lines: 29


	>From: lied@ihlts.UUCP (Doctor Bob)
	>Newsgroups: net.religion
	>Subject: Re: A M.P. Courier's Dramatic Story of Soviet Arrest
	>Posted: Fri May 18 14:05:45 1984
	>Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
	>
	>Why does this "Dramatic Story" sound so much like an article
	>from National Lampoon?
	>
	>	Time to take a break,
	>		Bob Lied	ihnp4!ihlts!lied

I can answer this question.  You see, National Lampoon uses a
technique called *mockery* to achieve a thing its editors call
*humor*.  National Lampoon's particular flavor of mockery relies
on the use of guileless or naive subject material as the butt
of the mock.  The trick is to present the subject material
almost sincerely except for occasional exaggeration, absurdity,
and general filthiness.

Although the "M.P. Courier" story lacks exaggeration, absurdity,
and filthiness, it definitely contains guileless subject material,
and this is why it sounds similar to articles you've read in the
National Lampoon.

				David Brunson
				duke!ucf-cs!usfbobo!brunson