Monumentally Inappropriate

(In an architectural history class, we are studying differing French and British philosophies on restoration vs. renovation. The professor splits us into two teams, restore and renovate, and we have to propose a plan for what to do with a half-destroyed Gothic Cathedral in a French town. He pretends to be the evil, power-hungry mayor who is deciding between the two plans.)

Professor: “Think about nationalism and architecture!”

Classmate: “Let’s build something giant, then, like the Washington Monument.”

Me: *thinking the professor couldn’t hear* “Ugh, America’s giant stone d***”

Professor: “That doesn’t sound very on topic! But I am an evil dictator… I bet a phallic monument would appeal to me…”