Category Archives: History
“Why We Lost” by Daniel Bolger
Maybe a book that promises “a general’s inside account of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and how it all went wrong” had to disappoint, but I didn’t expect it to disappoint so much. Lieutenant General Bolger sounds contrite in the introduction: … Continue reading
Berlin Wall in Lithuania
Visitors who come to Berlin often wonder: “What happened to the Berlin Wall?” I found a chunk of it in Lithuania, at Europos Parkas, an outdoor art museum. To address any suspicions about larceny: it was a gift by the Federal … Continue reading
How Romania got its flag
Romanians are really crazy about their flag. The blue-yellow-red banner hangs from every lamppost, in front of every building, in bakeries, doctor’s practices and in liquor stores. Because that is not enough, there is even a public holiday to celebrate … Continue reading
Belgrade and the signs of war
I have this talent to find traces of war wherever I go, but in Belgrade the task is made really easy. First of all, the city’s fortress in Kalemegdan Park houses a military museum. In addition to the permanent display of military hardware, … Continue reading
Film Review: “The Man from UNCLE”
In a summer full of yet more stupid vampire, dragon, animation, monster and trying-to-be-funny movies, you have to be thankful for any spy movie that makes waiting for the next James Bond film a bit easier. Even if it’s not a … Continue reading
The Ghetto of Venice
Venice has the dubious distinction of being home to the world’s original ghetto, the area where in 1516 all the city’s Jews were ordered to move to. This came on top of other economic and social restraints, although the oppression was still … Continue reading
Britain, it’s time for a revolution!
What kind of a country is that which celebrates having had the same un-elected head of state for 63 years?
Ronald Reagan on Iran
Tonight, the three dozen or so Republican contenders for the presidential nomination will come together for their second televised debate. All of them will lambast the Iran deal, will say that the end of the world is near and will fail … Continue reading
Benjamin Franklin on Immigration
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, wrote this about German immigrants in 1753: Those who come hither are generally of the most ignorant Stupid Sort of their own Nation… and as few of the … Continue reading
The appeal of the political outsiders
The three Republican candidates who have never held any elected office before, Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina, now poll – taken together – at more than 50%. More than half of Republican primary voters seem to think that … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 