I read it over the holidays. I hope you have some more in this series.

I haven't read Voltaire yet (I know...). Where do you think I should start?

I'm in agreement, but the phrase "state sanctioned" seems imprecise. It implies that conscious decisions were made and I think it gives the regime too much credit. My perception is that they simply don't care if anyone gets hurt until the injuries can be used in their propaganda.

I come back to "The Birdcage". The subplot of the disgraced congressperson is shared by news alerts that were perceived as moving from scandal to unbelievable.

I know those writers had more ideas and were restrained from using them. In 2020 I could see them calling each other in disbelief.