The Obama administration seems to have adopted a nonbombastic approach to dealing with Venezuela, even as it was faced with questions over a referendum campaign here which had been marked by attacks by pro-Chávez partisans on institutions viewed as critical of Mr. Chávez, like the Israeli Embassy and the Vatican ’s diplomatic mission, and threats against prominent opponents of the president.

Men have tasted of the apples of Sodom, and they have found bitter ashes under an inviting and luscious surface.

As Moody says of his main man, "Diz influenced me from every standpoint. He was a friend, a father, a confidante, just everything to me.

I see another vessel off the starboard side.