(Thomas Lipscomb, Oregon Magazine's Berlin Bureau Chief, grew up in the beaver state, then went on to fame and fortune in the Big Apple. One of his favorite memories of Oregon has to do with passing out programs in Civic Stadium, and so getting to see the old Portland Beaver baseball games for free. His last corporate job was as the president of the New York Times book division. These days, besides serving as our chief correspondent in Europe, he is a columnist whose opinions appear in the major newspaper and magazines in America.)In the last few weeks, it has...