President Abraham Lincoln - I created a set of dorincards with the 4 stamps from the 2009 series 'Lincoln 200th Anniversary of birth'. As postcard support for that, I used a multiview real postcard, two educational cards with explanatory text on the back, and a circulated ad(vertising) postcard 'commercially available' only for Sprint to send as junk mail to ITS [not IT'S] customers. Happy Postcard Friday meme!

"We interrupt this broadcast" to specify that I dedicate this blogpost, during the Presidents Day week-long unofficial celebration, to Beth Niquette, blogger extraordinnaire and all-around good person [unless she lives a double life...OMG!] , who commits a lot of resources (time, intellectual effort, etc.) for us to enjoy several blogs, including

http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/

where every Friday anybody can participate in the Happy Postcard Friday meme!

She discovered, thru genealogic research and evidence, that she is a descendant of Abraham Lincoln!!!

I took this series of 4 stamps about Lincoln:

and I decided to create non-traditional maximum cards, since I didn't have "real, commercial postcards" to create traditional maximum cards.

See other stamps with US presidents here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Presidents_on_US_postage_stamps

Read about Lincoln:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln

==================

Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!

Please visit: http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ (wait until Beth posts the today's Linky tool for the meme, then make your entry, if you want to join).

You may play Macao-the-card-game, but don't play with Macao-the-parrot! It may remove your eye (then you'll need an...iPatch) or it may give you the finger (after it cuts it from you). The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) - a beautiful, engraved stamp on a 2004 maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard written and sent to me in 2011 as a simple postcard from the Czech Republic, by my Czech-German friend Wenzel.

Can you see the hearts here?

What we can't see anymore is the miniature sheet that was affixed on the left half of the postcard.

LESSON LEARNED: never overestimate your BODILY EFFLUVIA, such as saliva. Or a weak glue. Instead, affix with enough glue to make it stick.

Make it hard for the postal thieves or the impersonal, brutal Automated Postal Systems to tear off the stamps from your mail piece.

Many years ago, I casually played Macao, a version of the French card game "21".

That's not the point here.

However: here's how to play Crazy Eights / Macau / Macaua:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau_(card_game)

"Macau (traditional Chinese: 澳門), also spelled Macao ( /məˈkaʊ/), is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. 

It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong provinceto the north and facing the South China Sea to the east and south.^[6]

The territory's economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism but also includes manufacturing.

Macau was a Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony in China.^[7][8] Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century and subsequently administered the region until the handover on 20 December 1999. 

The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Macau stipulate that Macau operates with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer.^[9]  [DORIN'S NOTE: then what???]

Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the PRC's Central People's Governmentis responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. 

Macau participates in many international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.^[9][10] 

According to the CIA factbook, Macau has the highest life expectancy in the world.^[11]"

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau}

But that's not the point here, either.

The point is Macao The Parrot: The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).

"The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a large, colorful macaw. It is native to humid evergreen forests in the American tropics. Range extends from extreme south-eastern Mexico to Amazonian Peru, Bolivia and Brazil in lowlands up to 500 m (1,640 ft) (at least formerly) up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft). It has suffered from local extinction through habitat destruction and capture for the parrot trade, but locally it remains fairly common. Formerly it ranged north to southern Tamaulipas. It can still be found on the island of Coiba. It is the national bird of Honduras."

"As Pets

Scarlet Macaws are quite demanding of time and resources, and in general, make for a rude, noisy, messy, and destructive house guest. 

One should spend a lot of time reading about these birds before inviting them into your home. 

Any large macaw can easily remove a finger, or remove

 your eye while perched on your shoulder. 

Not always aggressive, they are always somewhat unpredictable, even around experienced handlers."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_macaw

Scarlet Macaw, less dangerous than Scarface [gangster Al Capone - he gave a new meaning to Be my Valentine: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre eliminated some of Capone's enemies, but outraged the general public].

Scarlet Macaw, more brightly-colored than ScarJo [actress Scarlett Johansson].

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scarlett_Johansson_with_soldiers_3.jpg

===========

Please visit and join The Guest Heart Thursday meme!

http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR hearts!

My fellow Americans: ask NOT what your country can do for these tens of thousands of PENGUINS; ask what your country CAN do for these tens of thousands of your fellow Americans [from Wisconsin and more states - The Union Revolution? Watch it, be aware and beware...] forced to defend their right to unionized labor, against corporate abuse. Just as a 'ricochet' visual metaphor: WWF maxicards from the Falkland Islands - The King Penguin ((Aptenodytes patagonicus))

"The King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest species of penguin at about 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb), second only to the Emperor Penguin."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_penguin

Don't read now too much about the penguins.
As I said, the images that I provide here are just as a 'ricochet' visual metaphor for The Union Revolution, which may happen "unbeknownst to you", if you are the unsuspecting, average Joe Sixpack from USA.
Maybe you're not.


The metaphor is about tens of thousands of individuals that come together for a cause, because their [instinct?] belief is that their survival depends on this.
This is a cause for concern. Smile if you want, but don't laugh it away.


I'll repeat, in case you overlooked it:


Ask NOT what your country can do for these tens of thousands of PENGUINS; ask what your country CAN do for these tens of thousands of your fellow Americans [from Wisconsin and more states - The Union Revolution? Watch it, be aware and beware...] forced to defend their right to unionized labor, against corporate abuse.

"In Wisconsin, State police have been sent to apprehend Wisconsin senators who have left the Capitol building and force them to participate in the legislative session, in order that quorum be satisfied.^[15] The Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, said that he would call the National Guard, a military reserve force in the US^[37]."

[edit]

Read more: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Wisconsin_budget_protests

If "Walker, Wisconsin Ranger" thinks that he can go home Scot-free, after unleashing The National Guard upon the huge crowd of protesters, then he may be in for an awakening of the rude kind.

If Walker needs air-superiority support to supplant the NG, he better hurry-up and ask Gaddafi for help - he still has a few fighter jets available.

Gaddafi has just said: "Don't listen to the dogs!"

Upcoming famous last words will be: "Who let the dogs out? Who?...Who?"

But don't quite laugh: smile, if you have to, then seriously think about it.

=================

Please visit and join The World Bird Wednesday meme!

http://worldbirdwednesday.blogspot.com/

Insurance industry says earthquakes are 'acts of God'. BBC: 'New Zealand earthquake: 65 dead in Christchurch'. What's in a name, like Christchurch? Nothing but wishful thinking?... 'for Christ's sake'? Also, a maximum card from New Zealand, otherwise a beautiful country, whose green scenery you should remember from 'Lord of the Rings' movies.

Read from BBC:
'New Zealand earthquake: 65 dead in Christchurch'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12533291

==============

Maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard from New Zealand.

Christchurch, under assault from the TeCtonic Knights?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tectonics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teutonic_knights

If you will never come around to reading the whole article about New Zealand, at least read this, will you? :)

"New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau; the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing but in free association); and the Ross Dependency, New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica.

New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are the Pacific Islands of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. 

The country's sharp mountain peaks owe much to the earthquakes and volcanic activity caused by the clashing Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates. 

The climate is mild and temperate and most of the landscape is covered by tussock grass or forests of podocarp, kauri or southern beech. 

During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and introduced mammals."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_zealand

A Romney shiquolt and lambs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Romney_Ewe_and_Lamb.jpg

An image with Romney lambs.

In German: Ein Bild mit Romney Lämmer.

Mitt Romney:

"Willard Mitt Romney (born March 12, 1947) is an American businessman, and a Republican who was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, was a candidate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, and is a likely candidate in the 2012 presidential election."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney

Word from Colonel Muammar Al Gadhafi: 'FORMING PARTIES SPLITS SOCIETIES' - see a Libyan stamp about that, issued in 1984!!! Also, 2 FDCs from Libya. Read from BBC: 'Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appears on state TV'.

Read from BBC: 'Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appears on state TV'.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12533069#

In 1949, George Orwell wrote 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.
In 1984, this stamp was issued by Libya:

Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi might not be completely wrong about that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaddafi

There could be "democratic" societies that are deeply split, nonetheless.

There could be autocratic societies that are united, for a while, especially if the dictator is "enlightened", truly serving the interest of the nation, as needed.

Not possible, you think?

Read about Cincinnatus, Dictator of the Roman Empire, not corrupted by power:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnatus

This image was copied from wikipedia:en. The original description was:

English: Statue of Cincinnatus, Cincinnati, OH, 2004, by Rick Dikeman

"With one hand he returns the fasces, symbol of power as appointed dictator of Rome. His other hand holds the plow, as he resumes the life of a citizen and farmer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cincinnatus_statue.jpg

Read from sfgate.com:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2011/02/21/international/i093040S97.DTL&object=/n/p/2011/02/21/7002c0f9-8164-474f-8483-aba8dcc602b3.jpg

One of two Libyan air force jets is guarded by Maltese soldiers in Malta's International airport, Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Their pilots asked for political asylum amid a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters in Libya, a military source said.

Photo: Lino Arrigo Azzopardi / AP

The two Dassault F1 Mirage air-superiority fighter jets look similar to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mirage_F1_Qatar.jpg

The pilots defected, rather than delivering air-to-ground superiority upon the protesters, with weaponry like this:

"Armament

• Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 553 cannons with 150 rounds per gun
• Hardpoints: 1 centreline pylon, four underwing and two wingtip pylons with a capacity of 6,300 kg (13,900 lb) (practical maximum load 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)) and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 8× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each
  • Bombs: various
  • [DORIN'S NOTE: does the fearless leader believe that the protesters will say: Viva variety?]
  • Other: reconnaissance pods or Drop tanks
• Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders OR Matra R550 Magics on wingtip pylons, 2× Super 530Fs underwing, 1× AM-39 Exocets anti-ship missile, 2× AS-30L laser guided missiles"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_F1

Descending into chaos...civil war: GENOCIDE ensues.

Eventually, after many protesters will die and enough military will defect, the new military junta (it's possible, is it not?) will deal with the loyalists of The Colonel.
Already, some protesters have special plans for
the (unfortunate?) members of the Amazonian Guard:


"The Amazonian Guard is an elite group of 30-40 (reports differ) virginal women who are tasked with protecting the eccentric Muammar al-Gaddafi.

Their training, as one may expect after some thought, includes both martial arts and firearms.

They have been seen following the fellow around for a few decades. Conspiracies to rape the virgin female guard upon capture of Gaddafi have been rumored during clashes and violence in Tripoli. ^{[1] [2] [3]"}

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazonian_Guard}

===========

A woman's life in Libya: a balancing act?

This 1977 FDC is about World Telecommunications Day.

But today's news is GENOCIDE.

Could space-lasers be used against the protesters? Hm...

The boxer above is mistakenly depicted.

Why?

Because he's bare-chested.

So?

It's supposed to be an amateur boxer, in the Olympic tournament.

An A-shirt is mandatory.

Only the professional boxers are bare-chested.

Anyway:

as Gaddafi's son warned, next there could be a massacre. 

He said hundreds of thousands could die.

Libya is a rich country, but 30% of people are unemployed, 66% of those employed live on a few dollars a day...

Meanwhile, dictators around the world amass riches for themselves, at the expense of "the worms", as  Elena Ceaușescu could have said.