Author Archives: WorldWideWeber

Felicitaciones

Congratulations, Gabrielle and Alejandro! (The rest of you—beat it!)

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Apostasy

Last week two prominent Republicans spoke at the Democratic National Convention, eloquently explaining why they will be supporting the Democratic ticket this fall. Former US congressman Jim Leach of Iowa said “it is clear to all Americans that something is … Continue reading

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Bioduress

Just as a neighbor and I began talking seriously about putting up a bat house to attract these amazing mosquito-eating creatures to our mosquito-infested backyards, we learn that, like the honey bee, the bat is in trouble. It may not … Continue reading

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Pffffft

Today was a big day. I read about the world’s oldest joke and heard an old favorite, Haydn’s Symphony No. 93, on XM Radio. Okay, here’s the joke, recorded ca. 1900 BCE by a Sumerian who shall remain nameless: Something … Continue reading

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Covered

Many folks were bothered by the recent New Yorker cover depicting Barack and Michelle Obama in the Oval Office. Presumably he had been elected president (!), but he’s wearing Muslim garb (?). And his wife looks a lot like Angela … Continue reading

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Litvinenko

I’ve been a little slow in posting this update to l’affaire Litvinenko. Back in May the Independent ran a follow-up, tallying up 18 months later what we know and still don’t know about how Alexander Litvinenko died. That article pointed … Continue reading

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Peddler

Since I’m one-quarter Slovenian, and have observed quite a few Slovenians up close, it doesn’t surprise me that they are capable of remarkable feats of pigheaded persistence. You will recall how Martin Strel last year added the Amazon to the … Continue reading

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Guns

When you’re caught between apoplexy and despair, your writing might get a little disjointed. You’re prone to ask too many rhetorical questions. Like this: For hundreds of years, we have understood in this country that “keeping and bearing arms” is … Continue reading

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Ticket

Russians may be great chess players, but they don’t seem to get the hang of American politics. Commenting on press reports that Hillary Clinton is open to the idea of being Barack Obama’s running mate, a reporter for Moskovskii Komsomolets … Continue reading

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Surnames

Seen on the rump of a car last week: O’BAMA 2008 ♣ Vote Irish ♣ And today: Jeff Greenfield on the American preference for presidents with unchallenging (i.e., bland, preferably mono- or bisyllabic Anglo-Saxon) last names. Could a George W. … Continue reading

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