[lbo-talk] Robber Barons

[B.]

A big reason C. Montgomery Burns is one of my fave
Simpsons characters is the conceit behind his
character: The persona, mannerisms, anachronistic
vocabulary, etc., of a stereotypical late 19th century
capitalist robber baron transplanted, fast-forwarded,
into a modern, high-tech (nuclear) corporate
environment.

Smithers: "I'm having my play produced in New Mexico."
Burns: "Whoah, hold on there, maestro. There's a *new*
Mexico?"

&c.

And his best line in the movie, "For once a rich
*white man* has control!" -- I was like the only one
laughing at that in the movie theater. Not enough
Burns in the movie.

-B.

Chris Doss wrote:

"*cough cough* '90s Russia *cough cough*"

Doug Henwood:

"Speaking of which, was there the same rude violence
and extreme criminality among the capitalists of other
countries? Or is this an American thing?"