Amherst Blog

Jimmy’s Got Jokes

James Warren is a prolific journalist and Amherst class of ’74. His take on Greek politics is, to say the least, hilarious. Last year he wrote a piece for The Atlantic titled ‘Class Notes: Papandreou Knocked from Office by Former Amherst Roommate‘ (both politicians being Amherst class of ’74).

In case you missed it, it was an absolute kick, with lines such as:

“ Indeed, we could place Hanoi on a map easier than Athens, and didn’t really care much about a topic of true concern to Andonis and George, namely the U.S.-backed military junta ruling their country. But they did stick out, even if co-joined to us in their self-confident, care-free, and entitled ways.”

and

 ”They were dutiful students, like most of us, and in freshman year Philosophy 11, Andonis preferred reading Plato’s Republic in the original ancient Greek as others plodded through the English translation. He and the professor often discussed the inadequacy of the translation and, recalls classmate Tom Quinn, a cardiologist in Northampton, Massachusetts, made the sessions a real “welcome to Amherst and maybe you don’t belong here experience for me.”

In honor of Samaras’ party winning the election for Greece’s Prime Minister on Sunday, Warren reprised his performance in The Daily Beast.  The latest “class notes” from the “class secretary” end as thus:

“ Andonis, can you email me three or four sentences on what you’re up to for next class notes? Kids? Wife? Recent vacation? Run into any of our old chums near the Acropolis?”