Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. There is no defense. It is almost impossible to

counter-attack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition who then react to your advantage.

Saul Alinsky rules for radicals.

Tensions were growing in 18th century France.

The population had exploded from 18 million people to 26

million people. The economy was suffering due to massive government debt.

Paris had over 600,000 people living in the city,

and up to one third of them were unemployed or had inconsistent work.

We have other examples in history.

When men are bored, they become dissatisfied.

When men have no good purpose, they find a purpose,

sometimes evil.

The French farmers had been failing to grow enough food to feed the swelling population.

Coupled with prolonged periods of drought, then periods of flooding led to poor harvest.

John Adams once visited France and noted the following.

The country is a heap of ashes.

Grass is scarcely to be seen

and all sorts of grain is short, thin, pale, and feeble,

while the flax is quite dead.

I pity this people from my soul.

No green peas, no salad, no vegetables to be had upon the road, and the sky is still as clear, dry and cold as ever.

The flocks of sheep and herds of cattle stalk about the fields like droves of walking

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