Just six years ago, when there were rumors that Stalin was dead, was dying or was going to the United States for a serious operation, the Associated Press Moscow correspondent—then Charles P. Nutter—wrote asking him for the truth.
This answer came, signed in blue pencil in Stalin’s own hand:
“I know from reports of the foreign press that I long ago abandoned this sinful world and moved into the other world.
“As one cannot doubt such foreign press dispatches unless he wants to be expelled from the list of civilized people, I request you to believe them and don’t disturb me in the calm of the other world.
“With respect,
“J. Stalin.”
When I was reading The Hoaxers and all the lies that antisocialists circulated about the U.S.S.R. and the People’s Republic of China, I could not help but be reminded of the absurd rumors that the capitalist media constantly publish on the DPRK.
I can’t say for sure if the capitalist media are consciously copying their previous generation in this respect, but it definitely feels like old wine in a new bottle. It’s funny how easily today’s youth are experiencing what our predecessors had to endure, only in a different presentation… plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.