This is one bit that needs to go. If you're writing a book in/for python, talking about Java specifics is probably not too effective

Actually, I found the applet example to work well in our patterns study group -- that 'aha!' look with accompanying exclamations meant they got it. Since Java is somewhat of a 'publication' language (as algol was in the 60's, 70's ), many of us have to become familar with it (and it's mechanisms), regardless of our own language preferences. Citing Java I/O as an example of the decorator pattern also resulted in positve comprehension -- in understanding, not necessarily respect :>)

Perhaps the best approach is to typgraphically format java allusions in such a manner that the reader can skip over them.