I grew up in the Soviet system. For many years I wanted nothing more than to be a good little Communist. I was proud of where I came from, and I am proud of my new home country, America. But I grow very tired of the jokes, the "Red" and "Communist" humor, and joking that the athletes have "earned extra food for their districts" by doing well.
We are a civilized society - or we would be if we treated everyone equally. I find those laws disgusting and barbaric; all the negative publicity in that regard is utterly deserved. But if I hear one more comment about how the man responsible for the rings mishap was "found dead", or that the gold medal will be "melted down and shared with the collective", I may shoot out my television.