I did a search through the LBO-Talk archives for references to Stalin. There are, as of this particular bite of space-time, 2491 (2492 once I'm done).
Ladies and gentlemen, let me just say that's a helluva lot of a Stalin.
There has to be a play or sitcom to be had from this: maybe an LBO version of "Friends" in which a group of public and private intellectuals, street activists and background supporters along with a host of fellow travellers gather together in a bar to talk about stuff -- from vital to goofy -- and, every now and again, someone yells 'Stalin!'
Which, of course, brings nearly all other conversations to a halt.
The spectre of Iron Joe himself can be a regular guest star, explaining how the crimes of the past were necessary for the creation of the future while signing ghostly autographs for Russian admirers.
Perplexed show cast members look on in dismay but soon return to debating whether Iosif Vissarionovich was popular, a monster, a popular monster or a monster who became popular then died (but not before accomplishing some important things -- but then again, perhaps not because monsters can't accomplish anything..but on the other hand...)
Someone, probably a liberal, mentions the Mensheviks... cue to commercial for Stolichnaya, featuring a track by Tatu.
.d.