The ventriloquist at the ALSB dinner was very good at putting songs in
another person's mouth.  Hence, this humor may be on point.
 
From the legal perspective, would this be fraud?  Does the ox make a
"publication" for the purpose of slander?
 
Michael
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=  Michael J. O'Hara, J.D., Ph.D.                [log in to unmask]  =
=  Finance, Banking, and Law Dept.,     Univ. Neb. at  Omaha  68182  =
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 08:47:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Country Ventriloquist
 
Did you hear about the ventriloquist who always wanted to own a farm?
He saw a wonderful farm for sale while driving along a country road and
stopped in to inquire about the price.  The farmer greeted him and began
a nickel tour of the place, starting with the barn.
 
The farmer noted that all of the livestock were being sold with the
property.  Noting the ox, the farmer said that it had been in good
health and served just one season.  Wishing to drive the price down a
bit, the ventriloquist threw his voice to the ox and, in a low voice,
the ox said, "Yea, right, he's been driving me hard for months: my
hooves are cracked and sore, I haven't eaten well for a week, and I hate
to plow the field."
 
The farmer was thunderstruck.  Without another word, he moved to the
other end of the barn and praised the horse.  Once again, the
ventriloquist threw his voice and the horse said, "I hope you buy the
farm, Mister, he's been starving us animals and hasn't given me new
shoes for months.  I feel like my back is about to break!"  The farmer
didn't know what to say.  "Dam if I ever had 'em tell me a thing,
they've never complained before!"
 
Moving outside, the ventriloquist saw some small animals on a nearby
hillside.  "Are those your sheep?", he said.  The farmer replied, "Yes
they are, but you don't want to talk to them, they're nothin' but a
bunch of dam LIARS!!!"
Mark