So, Ivan, Have You Heard the One About . . . ?

One of the latest Soviet political jokes:

President Bush, Polish President Lech Walesa and Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev are summoned before God, who allows each to ask one question.

“Tell me, Lord, when will the American people finally be happy?” Bush asks.

“In 25 years,” God replies.

“Poor me!” Bush cries. “I won’t live to see that!”

Walesa steps forward and asks: “When will the Polish people finally be happy?”

“In 50 years.”

“Poor me! I won’t live to see that!” Walesa replies.

Now, it is Gorbachev’s turn.

“Tell me, Lord, when will the Russian people finally be happy?” he asks.

“Poor me!” God cries. “I won’t live to see that!”