[jmoody]

thanks Joel. i believe i understand the problem now. i think i started seeing this behavior after up updated to 10.7.4. is that possible?

i just tried in the latest 5.4 rc and the paste operation works as before (as expected).

i am glad i asked. i thought that i had inadvertently changed some setting - possibly through an arcane key-stroke.

hurray for omnigraffle!