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James daSilva

@jamesdasilva.bsky.social
120 followers 129 following 173 posts

Amateur historian of The Onion from 20 years ago (onion20.substack.com and @onion20.substack.com).

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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 3h
Are they doing this to legit single-use subscribers? I got it while logged in to a shared account from a company I haven't worked for in ... 4.5 years, which actually made sense.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 22h
20 years ago, Stan Kelly’s Sicko debuted in The Onion (I think). On Oct. 10, 2006, we also get columnist Jackie Harvey, letters to the editor, and jokes about Bin Laden’s mom, Public Enemy, Eva Longoria and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
In October 2006, Stan Kelly’s Sicko appeared for the 1st time
On Oct. 10, 2006, we also get columnist Jackie Harvey, letters to the editor, and jokes about Bin Laden’s mom, Public Enemy, Eva Longoria and more.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 26/09/2026
The Onion's 9/11 issue published 25 years ago today
onion20.substack.com
The Onion's 9/11 issue, 20 years later
The Onion was just trying to figure out how to acknowledge a tragedy. The result was a historical document that's also quite funny.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Wore mine to a concert the other day, was so happy about it
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I remember when R.E.M. broke up after 30+ years and someone noted how The Rolling Stones had been a legacy band for their entire existence! By that I mean, incredible how Taylor bridged generations with new music, but she's got to be at the limit of how long someone can be in the zeitgeist.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"These people who selectively avoid news don’t have lower levels of political knowledge than regular news consumers, and in some cases demonstrated more civic engagement. Selective news avoiders also reported a higher quality of life." 8305728.hs-sites.com/the-nuance-o...
8305728.hs-sites.com
The nuance of news avoidance
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 22/09/2026
22 years ago, The Onion mocked Matchbox Twenty's "Beige" sound, the al-Qaeda convention, interventions, Russell Crowe, The Ramones and more.
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion mocked Matchbox Twenty
I listened to Matchbox Twenty to prepare for this newsletter. Plus, The Onion skewers terrorism fears, interventions, office lunches, Russell Crowe, The Ramones and more.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 20/09/2026
20 years ago, The Onion mocked the Jersey Shore and Lil Wayne. Plus, jokes about Fat Joe and Lil Wayne, priests, sharks, Mister Rogers, Diddy, go-karting, brunch and more onion20.substack.com/p/20-years-a... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion mocked the Jersey Shore
Plus, jokes about Fat Joe and Lil Wayne, priests, sharks, Mister Rogers, Diddy, go-karting, brunch and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 19/09/2026
20 years ago, the Senate published a report that showed Iraq was not involved in 9/11. The Onion was ready with this impression of President George W. Bush, who says: "Truth, and to a lesser extent, laws, stand in the way of our freedoms." Thanks to @archive.org for preserving this audio!
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 11/09/2026
@TheOnion.com's famous 9/11 issue didn't publish until Sept. 26, 2001. But on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, here's my look back at this pivotal, endearing and historic issue from The Onion. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onions...
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 09/09/2026
The Onion hated Alex Rodriguez’s guts 20 years ago. From Sept. 6-12, 2006, The Onion wrote 14 jokes about A-Rod! Plus, President Bush speaks about secret prisons, a gender-reassignment joke and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
The Onion devoted an entire week to Alex Rodriguez jokes in September 2006
From Sept. 6-12, 2006, The Onion wrote 14 jokes about A-Rod! Plus, President Bush speaks about secret prisons, a gender-reassignment joke and more.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I'd like to think for you, it's hitting up people you know like your work, and defining a niche-ish? Maybe it's sports content (whatever types) for a type(s) of audience where you can onboard quick and deliver quick. I also write a lot nowadays, which also helps. Feels like less editing work.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Pretty much 100% of my business the last 4 years has been referral, word of mouth, and/or meeting people at ACES. That's a nonhelpful answer, I know. Specializing in B2B helps but I suspect people refer me because "he can get stuff done for your business & you don't have to think about it."
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Then again i haven't been a full-on journalist in a long time! More the nebulous "editor for whatever it is you're doing" type.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
FWIW I have a client who calls me that to colleagues. Helps them justify my higher rate + assignments beyond pure editing, like fixing processes or taking stuff of his plate he can't give to a junior FTer. I rarely pitch myself w/the term unless I'm trying to get fractional or team lead work
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 02/09/2026
Bush shot birds and chased true love in The Onion 20 years ago. Plus, RIP the Crocodile Hunter, and jokes about Darfur, Terrell Owens, Katherine Harris, football, tennis and more onion20.substack.com/p/bush-birds... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
Bush shot birds and chased true love in The Onion 20 years ago
Plus, RIP the Crocodile Hunter, and jokes about Darfur, Terrell Owens, Katherine Harris, football, tennis and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 06/09/2026
20 years ago, The Onion marked 5 years since 9/11 by criticizing the WTC site. Plus, Stan Kelly weighs in on Pluto, and jokes about “Macho Man” Randy Savage, an Area Picnic, airport security and more onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
The Onion marked 5 years since 9/11 by criticizing the WTC site
Plus, Stan Kelly weighs in on Pluto, and jokes about “Macho Man” Randy Savage, an Area Picnic, airport security and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 01/09/2026
The Onion published a back-to-school special issue in September 2006. Welcome back to The Onion: 20 Years Later, where we review the print issue from 20 years ago, find out what’s still funny and examine the cultural impact. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
The Onion published a back-to-school special issue in September 2006
Welcome back to The Onion: 20 Years Later, where we review the print issue from 20 years ago, find out what’s still funny and examine the cultural impact.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 31/08/2026
Given all the White House renovations and construction, I'm surprised I haven't seen this very old Onion joke resurface. It helps to know that Harding was a big-time philanderer who wrote dirty love letters. theonion.com/white-house-...
theonion.com
White House Closed For $30 Million Renovation Of Warren G. Harding Presidential Sex-Fantasy Pleasure Suite
WASHINGTON, DC—The White House was closed Monday to allow for a two-week, $30 million restoration and refurbishment of the 76-year-old Warren G. Harding Memorial Sex-Fantasy Pleasure Suite.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 30/08/2026
20 years ago, Smoove B declined his ex’s wedding invitation. Plus, jokes about President Bush, your local news Al-Qaeda leaders, “7th Heaven,” police dogs, Adam Carolla and more onion20.substack.com/p/august-200... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, Smoove B declined his ex’s wedding invitation
Plus, jokes about President Bush, your local news Al-Qaeda leaders, “7th Heaven,” police dogs, Adam Carolla and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 23/08/2026
The Onion discussed gentrification and drone strikes 20 years ago. Welcome back to The Onion: 20 Years Later, where we review the print issue from 20 years ago, find out what’s still funny and examine the cultural impact. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
The Onion talked about gentrification and drone strikes 20 years ago
Welcome back to The Onion: 20 Years Later, where we review the print issue from 20 years ago, find out what’s still funny and examine the cultural impact.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 20/08/2026
It’s been 20 years since “Snakes on a Plane” came out, and @TheOnion.com had something to say about it. This is a surprisingly good Samuel L. Jackson impersonation in addition to the always strong George W. Bush voiceover.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The AI comes out as more of an expert witness, which is not the point, I realize, but is also dismaying.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 14/08/2026
Minor milestone last week — the 300th issue of original jokes by The Onion in the 2000s. That’s not totally random: It means I’ve written about 300 print issues of The Onion! Pretty wild that I chose this as a hobby, but grateful I can still do it. onion20.substack.com/p/august-200...
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion went conspiracy theory on 9/11
Plus, Stan Kelly forgives Mel Gibson, and jokes about Condoleezza Rice, Middle East terrorism economics and much more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 07/08/2026
20 years ago, The Onion ran a fantasy football league where the point was to do badly. Take a look at what the webpage looked like, including the welcome message and rules. web.archive.org/web/20060824...
web.archive.org
Onion Fantasy Football - Shattered Expectations | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
The Onion, America's Finest News Source, is an award-winning publication covering world, national, and * local issues. It is updated daily online and distributed weekly in select American cities.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 03/08/2026
Found this randomly: A blog post by longtime Onion writer Joe Garden describing a typical day at @TheOnion.com in August 2006. maximumfun.org/news/how-was...
maximumfun.org
How was work today? | Maximum Fun
Jesse seems to be bak to full strength, but until I hear the difinitive “Sign off, NOW, Mr. Garden,” am going to post a handful of other items. Specifically, Jesse asked me to post a little “Behind…
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I do think it's overrated how many newspaper people *wanted* to work in small towns unless you were local (or at least the same state), at least in my limited experience. Plus IMHO the farm system felt nearly dead even in the late 2000s. Felt better to be at a small DC/NYC pub instead.
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Why wouldn't they need to make money? Especially when they are owned by publicly traded companies.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 02/08/2026
The Onion gave Bush even more power 20 years ago. Plus, new print features! And jokes about Joe Biden, Ken Lay, the 787 Dreamliner, meat, nonprofits onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
In August 2006, The Onion had Bush give himself more power
Plus, new print features! And jokes about Joe Biden, Ken Lay, the 787 Dreamliner, meat, nonprofits
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 31/07/2026
ICYMI, the origin story of @theOnion.com cartoonist Stan Kelly, who just marked 20 years at The Onion. onion20.substack.com/p/the-origin...
onion20.substack.com
The origin story of Stan Kelly, cartoonist for The Onion
Stan Kelly has been The Onion's editorial cartoonist for 20 years. But who is he?
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the beggars out of here getter @milesklee.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
in 2016 @spikefriedman.bsky.social and another college buddy of ours got in an argument about who's better at parallel parking. we decided to hold a contest judged by the rest of the group—but ten years hence, so they'd each have that time to practice. yesterday i got this google notification:
Google event reminder: Parallel Parking Face-Off, July 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 19/07/2026
In July 2006, The Onion redesigned the newspaper!. Goodbye, green lines! Hello, smaller text! Welcome to the next era of The Onion's print edition onion20.substack.com/p/in-july-20... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
In July 2006, The Onion redesigned its newspaper
Goodbye, green lines! Hello, smaller text! Welcome to the next era of The Onion's print edition
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 19/07/2026
4 eras of @TheOnion.com's newspaper: 1. 1994 (black and white, coupons on the front page) 2. 1996 (color, USA Today-style) 3. 2000 (slight changes, the version you probably remember) 4. July 19, 2006 (a new era begins) I dug into the 2006 redesign today: onion20.substack.com/p/in-july-20...
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Rodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Longtime third place game respecter here reheating my article from 2017
theringer.com
The NFL Should Replace the Pro Bowl With a Third-Place Game
If you’re not first, you could still not be fourth
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I'm very late but hello! This dress is perfect for you
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Your timeline is more interesting than mine lol
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James daSilva @jamesdasilva.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Neither here nor there, but usually a more boring question the older you get IMO. I can't remember the last time I asked or was asked. At least the 2010s!
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 11/07/2026
Everything I covered in this issue is no longer on The Onion's website, including the Onion Radio News. open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 08/07/2026
Remember when publications weren’t forced to produce “content” 24/7? Today, we’re looking at how @TheOnion.com used its website’s 10th anniversary in 2006 as a cover for … taking two weeks’ vacation! onion20.substack.com/p/july-2006-...
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 05/07/2026
The Onion printed a 1906 newspaper on this date 20 years ago. A special issue and a piece of Onion history that you can't find online! onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
The Onion printed a 1906 newspaper on this date 20 years ago
A special issue and a piece of Onion history that you can't find online!
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 04/07/2026
“Admitting that their behavior in previous years had left them embarrassed and ashamed, the nation’s dogs announced Thursday that they intend on keeping their shit together during this year’s Fourth of July fireworks displays.” theonion.com/nation-s-dog...
theonion.com
Nation’s Dogs Vow To Keep Their Shit Together During 4th Of July Fireworks
WASHINGTON—Admitting that their behavior in previous years had left them embarrassed and ashamed, the nation’s dogs announced Thursday that they intend on keeping their shit together during this year’s...
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 04/07/2026
📜🇺🇸 Printed on the night of July 4, 1776, the Dunlap Broadside was the first published copy of the Declaration of Independence, carrying news of independence across the colonies. See more remarkable items from the Internet Archive's collections👇 blog.archive.org/2026/06/29/t... #AmericanHistory
The Dunlap Broadside of the United States Declaration of Independence, printed in Philadelphia by John Dunlap on July 4, 1776. The document is headed "In Congress, July 4, 1776" and titled "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled." The full text of the Declaration is set in period typefaces, opening with the "When in the Course of human Events" preamble and proceeding through the statement of self-evident truths, the list of grievances against the British Crown, and the formal declaration of independence. The document is signed in print by John Hancock as President and attested by Charles Thomson as Secretary, with the imprint "Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap" at the bottom. The broadside is printed on aged cream-colored paper.A close-up detail of the Dunlap Broadside showing the opening of the Declaration of Independence. Partial header text reads "United S[tates]" and "In Gene[ral Congress]." A large decorative drop capital "W" begins the preamble, followed by the text "HEN in the Course of" and continuing lines including "We hold these Truths," "unalienable Rights," "instituted among Men, deriving their just Pow[ers]," and "it is the Right of the People to alter," ending with the opening grievances "He has refused his Assent to Laws" and "He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws." The 18th-century typeface shows the characteristic long-s letterforms of the period. Printed on aged cream paper.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 28/06/2026
Jesus refused to save a guy 20 years ago in The Onion. Plus, jokes about dirty bombs, cuckolding, McCain-Feingold, Alan Colmes, Kinko's, Bill Gates, climate-change hypocrisy and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
Jesus refused to save a guy 20 years ago in The Onion
Plus, jokes about dirty bombs, cuckolding, McCain-Feingold, Alan Colmes, Kinko's, Bill Gates, climate-change hypocrisy and more.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 26/06/2026
Here is a July 2006 advertisement in @TheOnion.com's print newspaper ... starring The Onion, as they sought unpaid interns. The softball line is an inside joke, as they were notoriously terrible at softball but played in a NYC media league.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 23/06/2026
32 times The Onion mentioned Alan Greenspan. The late Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan was larger than life — especially when The Onion wrote about him onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
32 times The Onion mentioned Alan Greenspan
The late Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan was larger than life — especially when The Onion wrote about him
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 22/06/2026
RIP Alan Greenspan, one of @TheOnion.com's best caricatures: theonion.com?s=%22greensp... A few favorites: “Greenspan Tattoos 'Fed Life' Across Abdomen” “Fifth-Grader Writes 'Mrs. Alan Greenspan' All Over Her Notebook” “Federal Reserve Board Chairman Toughens Dating Standards”
theonion.com
You searched for "greenspan" - The Onion
Become A Member. Get The Paper.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 21/06/2026
20 years ago, The Onion said the U.S. was abused by Britain. Plus, jokes about Toby Keith, health clubs, blooper reels, disciplining your children, doctors, unions and more onion20.substack.com/p/june-2006-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion said the U.S. was abused by Britain
Plus, jokes about Toby Keith, health clubs, blooper reels, disciplining your children, doctors, unions and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 20/06/2026
Happy Father’s Day weekend. 20 years ago, @TheOnion.com shared a very special presidential radio address featuring Bush 43, Bush 41, Bill Clinton, and Dick Cheney.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 14/06/2026
20 years ago, @theOnion.com published a column by Samuel Morse, who wanted a movie made about Morse Code. I decoded the Morse code within the article and supplied audio files. Please enjoy! onion20.substack.com/p/june-2006-...
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion turned Morse code into a movie thriller
This is one of 2006's best Onion issues. The Pope, secondhand smoke, Jon Lovitz, Sony, Iran, Daily Kos, spam emails and more
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The Onion: 20 Years Later @onion20.substack.com · 07/06/2026
20 years ago, The Onion made fun of Africa ... again. Plus, Aziz Ansari's headshot, a rogue scientist, long-distance phone plans, blimps, Paul McCartney, Kim Jong-Il, and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
onion20.substack.com
20 years ago, The Onion made fun of Africa ... again
Plus, Aziz Ansari's headshot, a rogue scientist, long-distance phone plans, blimps, Paul McCartney, Kim Jong-Il, and much more.
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