The gloating didn't last long. A few weeks ago, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck proclaimed that "Anglo-Saxon capitalism" is "finished." Steinbrueck stuck it to the hated Anglo-Saxon capitalists just in time - before he got too distracted by the exigencies of managing a $681 billion program to re-finance distressed German banks. ...more

October 22, 2008

In the endeavor to fully plumb the English language, often it takes a puissant effort of circumlocution to make a point you can kvell over. ...more

October 15, 2008

AVON PARK — Back in 1942, there were three meanings for WASP. In addition to the stinging insects and White Anglo Saxon Protestants, there were Women's Airforce Service Pilots. But that name is something of a misnomer, said Barry Smith. Actually, so is her name. She was born Mabelle Vincent. "I always hated that name," said Smith, "so a friend of mine named me Barry, after a male character in a book." Now, about those WASPs. When World War II broke out in 1941, Barry's brothers, Art and George Vincent, were among the first to enlist, said Smith, sitting in the aviation room of her home, which overlooks the shores of Lake Denton. Both became pilots. "George flew over Japan in between the first atom bomb and the second atom bomb," said Smith. ...more

June 8, 2008

The homeland security chief on Saturday tore into his employees for staging a phony news conference at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. ...more

October 28, 2007

William Shakespeare once posed the question, 'What's in a name?' Obviously, old Billy wasn't a genealogist. Nothing is more important than the name of the next ancestor we're pursuing. ...more

October 7, 2007