Another great Moynihan story...

Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan had a great gift for telling a story.

Here is one that Pat told regularly:

A European came to America seeking to learn what made these sort-of egalitarian Americans tick. (American Exceptionalism --- a very important concept.)

He was taken to the floor of a factory and he spoke to a man on the assembly line. The dialogue:

European (henceforward "E") :

"Do you like your work?"

Worker (henceforward "W")

"Yes."

E: "Why?'

W: "The Boss is good to us..."

E: "Really? "How?"

W: "He might well stop by and ask a worker to go out for a drink after the shift ended."

E: "Really?"

W: "Really. And then he might ask the worker up his house for nightcap.

E: "Really ??? "

W: "Yes. And then he might ask the worker to spend the night."

E: "Really ????"

W: "Yes..."

E: "Did that ever happen to you?"

W: "(Pregnant pause) No. But it happened to my sister."

Hmnnn... The moral of the story is what?

Don't ask. Just savor it while the flavor lasts.

Ben