Dr. Frank's What's-it

First Empire, Now This

The Red Brigades (Italy's more effectively murderous version of our own SLA) have sprung into action once again, with one of their trademark assassinations of a public official. In a 26-page internet message, a "splinter group" claimed responsibility for the murder of government economics advisor Marco Biagi. (Still long-winded after all these years...) According to police, "the latest incarnation is a splinter group not a continuation of the original movement but it includes minor players from the old terror network." At any rate, it sounds like our boys: incoherent theory, despicable murderous practice, utter pointlessness-- or, as Empire author, New York Times darling, and convicted Red Brigade terrorist Antonio Negri likes to put it, "the joy of being communist."