with a demand for a payment of a very, very large ransom.

I did love her, of course, but mostly because loving your mom is mandatory, not because she was someone I think I'd like very much if I met her walking down the street.

In essence, my concept was to offer an exchange to Moldova -- we would offer them a large single sum payment in cash in exchange for getting this equipment permanently off the market.

The Americans want a surplus stocked up to supply their every whim. And their appeals are much less requests, more demands. Indeed, the phrase might be more aptly put: Demand and Surplus.

I must apologize, it seems I've gone and gotten myself shot.

Razor clams are large, oblong clams, although not as big as geoducks.