The Artichoke That Got Away May 8, 2019May 9, 2019 All I can tell you is that when I saw five upside-down artichokes sitting on a platter with their chokes clipped off, glistening in oil, my night was made. We were among the last to the restaurant, so I figured everyone else had ordered and received their artichokes . . . but by the time our waiter came by it looked to me as though there were only two left so I used all my Italian skill (which consists of speaking English very slowly and distinctly) to indicate that we wanted them both — please save them for us! — and got an enthusiastic “Si! Si! Artichokes! Multabene!” and we said still water would be fine, plus a liter of house wine. It came. We ordered. I was as excited as I get — and you know I get excited. Three minutes later, our waiter returned to announce “artichokes end.” Would I like something else? Yes. World peace, aggressive action on climate change, and a massive blue wave in 2020. Some further items for your consideration: > Bankrupt and corrupt? Last week’s New Yorker report, if you missed it: Secrecy, Self-Dealing and greed at the N.R.A. > Unfair? Profitable Giants Like Amazon Pay $0 in Corporate Taxes. Some Voters Are Sick of It. — The New York Times > And have you read the Mueller report? > And have you read The Fifth Risk?