This sounds hopeful: the US House of Representatives has just passed a measure to reduce restrictions on high-level government contact between Taiwan and the United States.  I hope this will help reduce Taiwan's isolated, pariah status. Here's

Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi is visiting the US, and his visit is probably the most entertaining visit by a foreign leader here in a very long time. How often do you see foreign leaders singing Elvis songs and dancing like the King of Rock and Roll

Dissertation?  What dissertation? Today the matches are Germany-Argentina and Italy-Ukraine!  I shall cheer for Deutschland and Italia, of course.

Oh, my! I love watching the Tour de France and consider it my annual summer sports entertainment.  Great competition, inspiring displays of stamina and perseverance, plus gorgeous scenery! This year I was a little sad because there w

I post two headlines together for your amusement: 1. "Ex-dean says Harvard run like a daycare." 2. "Harvard to increase funding for child care."

Yes, the soccer scandal in Italy was in the court -- but only briefly.  The trial has been adjourned until Monday. I have a suspicion of why.

We hear a lot of words from comfortable, prosperous academics working in safe, well-equipped American universities.  Some of these people have a lot of nasty things to say about America, the war, etc. Well, here is a different perspec

All I will do, gentle reader, is post these two headlines together: 1.  "Germany to Spark 'Climate Crisis.' " 2.  "Smokers-only airline founded in Germany." Hmmm, coincidence?  . . .    *Giggle!*

I confess to feeling some grim satisfaction at reading the latest news flying through the Ivy League Academistan.  A very wealthy businessman has decided NOT to give Harvard a $115 million donation that he had promised to give.  Why? 

I will happily volunteer to be stranded, marooned, and stuck on the isle of Capri!  Please, please! There's a strike going on there, and I can't think of a better place to get stuck!  (Whya  strike?  This is Italy in the summer.&

The recall effort has failed in parliament, and Chen Shui-bian is still alive politically. The pan-blues are probably crying into their beer. But Chen, you've got to clean house, buddy.

Sometimes I think terrorists can do some really stupid things.  The acts I'm talking about are brutal, barbaric, and inhuman in their cruelty and savagery.  But these acts can also turn out to be completely idiotic because . . . well, they

My car-loving Sibling sent me this news article: Daimler Chrysler will market the Smart car in the US! Those of you who are in Europe or have been there know what I'm talking about.  I *love* Smart cars.  They are absolutely the cutest lit

This video clip is just hilarious!  Turn up your speakers! You must go and watch it: a Chinese commentator goes wild over the Italy-Australia match!  Even better than crazy-emotional sportscasters from Latin America or Italy!  He

"Call me Mad Minerva. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world . . . "

Usually I post about the never-ending displays of white man's guilt and Western self-flagellation. I should remind everyone that there is also a kind of "yellow man's guilt."  This is really and specifically "Japanese guilt."

Oh, my!  Today there are two very important soccer matches, and the first is Italy against Australia. Now I am in trouble.  I like them both!  What to do?  The Azzurri or the Socceroos? The delightfully colorful Italia

This editorial's headline came out of the TImes of London: "To allow Islamists to direct the post-7/7 debate was a disaster." This is SO OBVIOUS to any reasonable, thinking person that I don't have to add any commentary other than a very a

I'm going out of town for a couple days to see friends. Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Interesting new article from the Economist. Take a look, gentle reader!

Wonderful news from Kuwait, which is about to hold another election: Next week, Kuwaitis will go to the polls to elect a new National Assembly which will, in turn, approve a new prime minister and cabine

You know, this is getting ridiculous -- and this is exactly what radical multiculti preachers of "White Man's Guilt for Everything" want to see.  Look at this (and the news story has a groveling photo that I will not post):

Not long ago, I posted about American wines versus French wines.  Then I had added my opinion that over-regulation really harms French (and really, European) wines in general and makes quality a problem.  And quality, after all, is crucial

Recently I have been learning bits and pieces of interesting German language by reading the news.  This is much more fun than the standard school textbooks that tell you things like "Wo ist der Bahnhof?" My favorite news-German word

The US team must win today, or it is out of the tournament.  It's US versus Ghana! Other games that should be interesting: Italy versus Czech Republic, Croatia versus Australia, and Japan versus Brazil.  Which ones should I watch?  (M