I always thought they had incredible longevity, and attributed that to Russia. They were a small English-language rag who made money off advertising bars - they were no threat to the powers-that-be over there (until they were). And the libel law was such that they couldn't be sued for the libelous things they wrote about the rest of the world.

Not that the matters. they were in Russia because they loved living there. Ames is one th record as hating the "beigeocracy" of America. Given a choice between living in Moscow, living the Hungry Duck years, flaming high and living large and publishing from America and lasting a few more years... I know what choice I'd make, and I guess history knows what choice they made.

Anyway - thank the heavens they lasted as long as they did, as alive as they did. Thanks for all the stuff that still trickles out now. It's more than we have any right to expect.