Up, Up and Away in Xi’s Beautiful Balloon

Another working Saturday for Gretchen and me, although she, having completed her administrative duties and all of my consultation bookings in jig time, only needed to stay through noon. She got paid for the whole day, of course. I, on the other hand, had to remain in the office until six-thirty, dispensing advice to all… Continue reading Up, Up and Away in Xi’s Beautiful Balloon

Major Ethics Legislation Named After Freshman Member of Congress

Well, here it is at last, January, 2023. Like most, I thank God that 2022 is over. It was, after all, not the best of years. It will be, for most, an old acquaintance best forgot. But before it goes, I must reflect, what do I remember most? First of all, I remember covid. Why?… Continue reading Major Ethics Legislation Named After Freshman Member of Congress

Queasy is the Head that Wears a Crown

Most historians agree that the first king of England was a fellow named Aethelstan, who got the title in the year 927. Whatever it meant to be English in the tenth century, he certainly wasn’t a Briton. No, Britons, the people the Romans conquered when they invaded the island, were Celtic, spoke a Celtic language… Continue reading Queasy is the Head that Wears a Crown

Pelosi’s Taiwan Talk Sparks Chinese Fire Drill

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China does not have much use for American consultants, a notable exception being I.M. Pei, who, although from Shanghai, became an American, but nevertheless consulted on the design and construction of China’s new embassy at International Place, in the Forest Hills neighborhood. I say new only to distinguish… Continue reading Pelosi’s Taiwan Talk Sparks Chinese Fire Drill

Monkeyshines, Monkey Business and Monkeypox

The Willard Hotel has been a fixture here in Washington DC since 1847, when a fellow named Henry Willard took over a row of boarding houses located next to the White House grounds. Prior to that, even, and probably due to their proximity to the White House and what was, at the time, the State… Continue reading Monkeyshines, Monkey Business and Monkeypox