I’m attending a birthday party next week in a shoe-free home. The invitation warns all guests of this in advance, and has playfully suggested that we come in “clean socks!” Of course, I have no problem with this, but I’m wondering what you guys think. A lot of people ask guests to remove their shoes…

Here’s a hugely important article by Congressional Quarterly’s Jeff Stein. It reveals the sorry truth that government officials of both parties don’t always know who’s who and what’s what in the Arab world. Five years post-9/11, it’s everyone’s personal responsibility to study Middle Eastern history and bone up on its religious conflicits.

If you know someone who cares about birds and the songs they sing, this is a lovely holiday gift–it’s a book that actually utters 250 (!) bird songs for you at the touch of a button. I recently purchased a copy to give away, but now I can’t decide which one of my friends or…

“But I don’t know how to buy a Christmas tree,” lamented the Jewish Mr. Chattering. “You’ll do fine, honey, just buy one that’s seven or eight feet high and don’t pay too much for it.” “I’m not Christian!” “But this helps me so much!” I said, shoving him out the door. “Just have them put…

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