The Chicago Tribune, August 26, 2008 (HAT TIP Soccer Dad and Secular Blasphemy):

Milan, Italy's Osteria L'Intrepido restaurant won Wine Spectator magazine's award of excellence this year despite a wine list that features a 1993 Amarone Classico Gioe S. Sofia, which the magazine once likened to "paint thinner and nail varnish."

John Aravosis of AmericaBlog, August 3, 2008:

One thing that constantly amazes me is how much the French actually LIKE America and Americans. It's a rare Frenchman who doesn't dream of going to New York City. Even the Parisians, when you get to actually talk to them (helps if you know French), actually love Americans (at least far more do than you'd ever expect). And it is simply shocking how often you hear from foreigners that America was supposed to be the shining example for the world. That the reason they get so angry at America is because they expect corruption, and lies, and failure from their own governments. But America they thought was better.

Go read MD Conservatarian's "Visiting Poland." Well done, MDC

I hate to HAT TIP the Ace of Spades but fair is fair.

I was enchanted by this hauntingly simple, beautiful site dedicated to the restoration of the mother church of Eastern Christianity, the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) cathedral in Istanbul, to active status as an Orthodox house of worship.

"Belaruskija Naviny", February 1, 2008:

Minsk (BIA) 1 February, 2008-- In America, there are not strong leaders like Aleksandr Grigorevich Lukashenko, who come into power, and stay in the power. The only president in American history to have held on his power more than two terms was Franklin Roosevelt. And he was cripple! He stayed long because of war-time situation, not strength.

...

Reuters via Yahoo, January 10, 2008:

A Polish man got the shock of his life when he visited a brothel and spotted his wife among the establishment's employees. Polish tabloid Super Express said the woman had been making some extra money on the side while telling her husband she worked at a store in a nearby town.

"I was dumfounded[sic]. I thought I was dreaming," the husband told the newspaper Wednesday.

The couple, married for 14 years, are now divorcing, the newspaper reported.

And you thought your marriage had challenges.