Julia Could Not Be Reached For Comment

Hey remember when “liberals” considered 1984 a warning, and not a how-to guide?

As O’Brien passed the telescreen a thought seemed to strike him. He stopped, turned aside and pressed a switch on the wall. There was a sharp snap. The voice had stopped.

Julia uttered a tiny sound, a sort of squeak of surprise. Even in the midst of his panic, Winston was too much taken aback to be able to hold his tongue.

‘You can turn it off!’ he said.

‘Yes,’ said O’Brien, ‘we can turn it off. We have that privilege.’

But those of you in the Outer Party don’t: “‘Obama, stop sending me emails’: People beg for campaign that never ends to end.”

But you voted someone who promised he’d take care of you and Julia cradle to grave. What made you think you could turn off the telescreen?

Besides, Inner Party members toiling away at the Ministry of Truth they consider themselves honored to be sending Big Barry a daily email. Shouldn’t those who voted for him feel equally privileged to be receiving them?