Where have you been?

I really like this photo. I imagine his is pondering the meaning of his life, thinking back on the things he has done.

Some pictures taken along the river. The photo on the right is the Mathematical Bridge. Originally it was build without using bolts or fasteners but after it was repaired in the 60's or 70's they were unable to replicate the feat and had to use them.

Naturally the River Cam runs through Cambridge. Its name, like many streets in Europe, changes at nearly every bend.

While in England I lived in Cambridge working at the University for two years. Cambridge is both an idyllic University town (as one would expect) as well as a center for research and technology and an great international center hosting people from around the world. I knew people from both Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, the India subcontinent, the Middle East, and the Far East as well.


The top photo is of St John's College while the bottom is of punts on the River Cambs.

All this political talk has got we fired up and thinking of England. (The politicians in England really give it to each other - if they think someone is a cunt they say it) So, we are going to go back in time a bit and look at the photos of England I took while living there. I had a motorcycle and was able to travel quite a bit so you will be seeing nearly the whole spectrum England has to offer.

One last quote from El Rusho (this is specifically for my father). He is talking about how Republicans who are dissatisfied should not, repeat SHOULD NOT, switch allegiance and go for a "third-party". Oh, they are welcome to be dissatisfied and have their own opinion, but if they vote for anyone other than Republicans they are unpatriotic, perhaps even communists. You see, many are starting to think the leaders of the party are out of touch (Who wants to invade Iraq?) and unresponsive to the realities of modern life (Soviet era fear tactics anyone? The Fascists are coming!).

So, to all my Republican friends out there: Please, don't be a hero. Do what your master says and vote Republican.


Rush:
"Now, there are two aspects to this. We've got lots of sound bites coming up. But there are two aspects to this that I do want to share with you. My greatest concern about this is that there are -- I don't want to impugn anybody here -- but there's a possibility that this is going to lead to a third-party movement, and that's death. Third-party candidates succeed in one thing, and that is electing their alternatives. John Anderson, 1980, you had Perot in 1992. The temptation here is to go third party 'cause the Republican Party is not responsive."

Full article:

Tea Parties Were a Great Success, But Resist Third-Party Temptations.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
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I love it. "You might be confusing tyranny and losing."

I read Rush's website not because I am a lunatic ultra-conservative but rather because I enjoy listening to the poor loser drone on and on about every little thing. His sour grapes give me pleasure. It resonates especially true with me because many people I love actually believe and support the tripe he spouts. As Mr Stewart says I was the recipient of a "well why don't you stay in Europe then" on a visit to America I took a few years back. Now I can sit back and laugh - how's that shit taco taste buddy?

I don't know where we are going next with my posts so I need a few more days to think about it. In the mean time here are some political jems I have enjoyed recently although the first is not new. I will be back soon with another series of photos from somewhere around the world so please check back!



I can't get enough of this video. Super funny.

Something else funny was a recent transcript from the ultra conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh's show. A Republican caller wanted to express his dissatisfaction with Limbaugh's show and attitude in general. Naturally the arrogant Rush wasn't having any of it and ended up getting into an argument and insulting not only a voting Republican (his own team) but a war veteran to boot! Well done Rush! Here is the transcript:

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: We're going to go to Chicago. This is Charles. Charles, thank you for waiting and for calling. It's great to have you here. Hello.

CALLER: Thanks, Rush. Rush, listen I -- I voted the Republican, and, uh, I -- I didn't really want to see Obama get in office, but, you know, Rush, you're one reason to blame for this election, for the Republicans losing. First of all, you kept harping about voting for Hillary. The second big issue is that -- was the torture issue. I'm a veteran. We're not supposed to be torturing these people. This is not Nazi Germany, Red China, or North Korea. There's other ways of interrogating people -- and you kept harping about it. "It's okay, or it's not really torture," and it was just more the waterboarding. Some of these -- some of these prisoners were killed under torture. (sic) And it just -- it was crazy for you to keep going on and on like -- like Leveen (sic) and Hannity and you. It's like you're all brainwashed. And my last comment is no matter what Obama does, you -- you will still criticize him because I believe you're -- you're brainwashed. You're just, uhhh -- and I hate to say it, but I -- I think you're a brainwashed Nazi. Anyone who could believe in torture, uh, just, uh -- is -- is -- has got to be -- there's gotta be something wrong with them.

RUSH: You know...

CALLER: And I know Bush wanted to keep us safe and all of that, but we -- we're not supposed to be torturing these people.

RUSH: Charles, if anybody is admitting that they are brainwashed, it would be you.

CALLER: No, no, no, Rush. I don't think so.

RUSH: Charles?

CALLER: You have and Hannity --

RUSH: Charles? Charles? Charles, you said --

CALLER: -- you with and Levin are all brainwashed, and you know it.

RUSH: You said at the beginning of your phone call --

CALLER: Yeah?

RUSH: -- that you didn't want Obama in there --

CALLER: That's right.

RUSH: -- but you voted for him because of me?

CALLER: I didn't vote for him. I voted for, uh, McCain. I voted Republican.

RUSH: Oh.

CALLER: I voted Republican.

RUSH: So you're saying I turned people off.
CALLER: You turned people off with all your -- all this vote for Hillary and all this BS --

RUSH: That was Operation Chaos!

CALLER: You must think people are really stupid.

RUSH: That was to keep the chaos going.

CALLER: Naaaaaaaaah! It didn't work!

RUSH: It was in the Democrat primaries.

CALLER: It didn't work and now we have you, Hannity, Leveen, and you: sour grapes. That's all we have. And believe me, I'm not -- I'm not -- I'm more to the right than I am to the left.

RUSH: Oh, of course you are!

CALLER: I am.

RUSH: Of course you are!

CALLER: And that's the truth.

RUSH: You wouldn't be calling here with all these sour grapes if you weren't.

CALLER: Well, I'm so tired of listening to you go on and on with this sour grapes --

RUSH: Oh, of course you are!

CALLER: You're brainwashed.

RUSH: I don't know of anybody who died from torture. I do not ever --

CALLER: We are not supposed to torture people. You remember World War II, the Nazis in the Newenberg (sic) Trials?

RUSH: I --

CALLER: You remember the Newenberg Trials?

RUSH: Charles?

CALLER: Klaus Barbie? Hah?

RUSH: Barack Obama --

CALLER: What's the matter with you? You haven't seen served in the military!

RUSH: Barack Obama is president --

CALLER: I served in the Marine Corps and the Army.

RUSH: Charles, Barack Obama is president of the United States today because of stupid, ignorant people who think like you do. You pose... You and your ignorance are the most expensive commodity this country has. You think you know everything. You don't know diddly-squat. You call me a Nazi, you call me somebody who supports torture, and you want credibility on this program? You know, you're just plain embarrassing and ludicrous. But it doesn't surprise me that you're the kind of Republican that our last candidate attracted. Because you're no Republican at all, based on what the hell you've said here.
END TRANSCRIPT

I hope my mother and nephew enjoyed their trip and that they have been able to think back to all of the amazing things we saw. Shown here is the Palace of Cluture and Science, previously known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science. Check out its history on Wikipedia.


All in all we saw six UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Baltic coast, a massive castle, several old European city centers, a Nazi prison camp, Polish roads, and my nephew was able to drink legally! It was a fantastic trip IMHO and I hope more of you will visit Poland.

After Jasna Gora we headed back for Warsaw and the final few days of their vacation.


We spent the time relaxing and reflecting on the place we had seen.


We also did some last minute sightseeing and shopping.

The outside is equally beautiful if a bit less decorated.


Not much less but less.

Regardless of what one thinks of the Church organization it must be admitted Catholics know how to do ornate (and sometimes gaudy) churches. American Catholic churches are tame by European standards, a standard which is set in Poland!

The Black Madonna herself. Well, actually this one is a replica.


This is the original one from the sixteen hundreds. It is the motivation for hourly services which are attended by the faithful.