The brilliant editorialist of the must-read column “De Buena Tinta” says that a lot of people are thinking that, with the end of his assignment in the Dominican Republic approaching, US Ambassador Hans Hertell might fire a parting shot. Hertell is not the “ugly American” portrayed in the novel by Burdick and Lederer back in the late fifties, but is perhaps, according to the column, an “ugly Puerto Rican” since he bears little resemblance to Marlon Brando who starred in the film made from the book. Nonetheless, there are Dominicans who are offended by Hertell’s actions, and above all, by his lack of knowledge of the real Dominican political and business scene. Hertell’s local detractors bet on John Kerry without understanding that it didn’t matter who would head of the new administration ? Hertell’s appointment was coming to an end regardless. Nevertheless, there is now another fear and this is what can be heard through the grapevine these days: that when Hertell has one foot in the stirrup, he will do the nasty deed of revealing the names of those people under extraditions requests from the United States, as well as those involved with other big messes. If this scenario comes true, says the editorialist, it will not be necessary to ask “Who threw the bomb? Who threw it?” as a famous country song from the diplomat’s native Puerto Rico says. Hertell, himself, will have thrown it. And the worst part, says the writer, is that Lomotil has gone up in price and there is no generic substitute.