Only Jokes Thrived Under Communism

As we anticipate the non-celebrations regarding the 20th anniversary of the single-most liberating political event in history, the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the consequent demise of communism, here are some East German jokes collected by West German intelligence sources:

Did East Germans originate from apes? Impossible. Apes could never have survived on just two bananas a year.

What would happen if the desert became communist? Nothing for a while, and then there would be a sand shortage.

Why does West Germany have a higher standard of living than we do? Because communists can't get work permits there.

Of course being a funnyman in one of the most awful regimes ran much higher risks than being splattered by a watermelon at a Gallagher show. In fact, the Stasi surveilled the population extensively and even hauled away people for cracking wise. Which lead to this gem:

"There are people who tell jokes. There are people who collect jokes and tell jokes. And there are people who collect people who tell jokes."

More here. Hat tip: Blogger and critic extraordinaire Alan Vanneman.

Read Glenn Garvin's haunting, outraged review of the incredible Stasiland: True Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall.