Obama's Dilemma: U.S. Foreign Policy and Electoral Realities | STRATFOR

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Paradoxul vremurilor noastre [The Paradox of Our Times] , de [by] Octavian Paler - from "Era Multimilor" [The Era of the Crowds] blog

Paradoxul vremurilor noastre - Era Multimilor

"" Paradoxul vremurilor noastre în istorie este că

avem clădiri mai mari, dar suflete mai mici;

autostrăzi mai largi, dar minţi mai înguste;

cheltuim mai mult, dar avem mai puţin;

cumpărăm mai mult, dar ne bucurăm mai puţin.

Avem case mai mari, dar familii mai mici;

avem mai multe accesorii, dar mai puţin timp.

Mai multe funcţii, dar mai puţină minte,

mai multe cunoştinţe, dar mai puţină judecată,

mai mulţi experţi, dar mai multe probleme,

mai multă medicină, dar mai puţină sănătate.

Bem prea mult, fumăm prea mult, cheltuim prea nesăbuit,

râdem prea puţin,

conducem prea repede,

ne enervăm prea tare,[DORIN'S emphasis]

ne culcăm prea târziu...

Ne sculăm prea obosiţi,

citim prea puţin,

ne uităm prea mult la televizor,

şi ne rugăm prea rar."

(Octavian Paler)"

Can you decipher it, translate it? 

Basically, the idea is that we do too much of the bad things, and too little of the good things, in life.

"Octavian Paler (n. 2 iulie 1926, Lisa, judeţul Făgăraş, actualmente în judeţul Braşov — d. 7 mai 2007, Bucureşti) a fost un scriitor, jurnalist, editorialist şi om politic român."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Octavian-Paler-Ro/143391315711031?sk=info

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

From the same Brasov County (of Romania), where Octavian Paler, my most favorite writer, was born, I show you again a maximum card with the BRAN CASTLE, where the historical Vlad Dracula has spent at least a few days.

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

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

Vlad III Dracula
Prince of Wallachia
The Ambras Castle portrait of Vlad III, ca. 1560, reputedly a copy of an original made during his lifetime.[1]
Reign	1448; 1456–1462; 1476
Born	November or December 1431[2]
Birthplace	Sighişoara, Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary
Died	December 1476[2] (aged 45)
Place of death	Bucharest, Wallachia
Wives	1. unnamed noblewoman 2. Ilona Szilágyi
Offspring	1st marriage: Mihnea cel Rău 2nd marriage: Vlad Dracula IV and another son whose name remains unknown
Royal House	House of Drăculești (branch of theHouse of Basarab)
Father	Vlad II Dracul
Mother	Cneajna of Moldavia

"Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia (1431–1476), also known by his patronymic Dracula ("son of^{[clarification needed]} (Vlad II) Dracul"), and posthumously dubbed Vlad the Impaler (Romanian:Vlad Țepeș pronounced [ˈvlad ˈt͡sepeʃ]) was a three-time Voivode of Wallachia, ruling mainly from 1456 to 1462, the period of the incipient Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.

Vlad III spent much of his rule in campaigning efforts against the Ottoman Empire and its expansion^[3] and for the impaling of enemies.^[4] Already during his lifetime, his reputation of excessive cruelty spread abroad, to Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The total number of his victims is estimated in the tens of thousands.

The name of the vampire Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula was inspired by Vlad's patronymic.^[4]"

Contents  [hide] 1 Name 2 Early life 3 Life in Edirne 4 First reign and exile 5 Second reign 5.1 Internal policy 5.2 Raids into Transylvania 6 War with the Ottomans 6.1 Defeat 6.2 First marriage 6.3 Captivity in Hungary 6.4 Second marriage 6.5 Third reign and death 7 Legacy 7.1 Reputation for cruelty 7.2 German sources 7.3 Russian sources 7.4 Ambras Castle portrait 8 In modern popular culture 8.1 Romanian patriotism 8.2 Bram Stoker 8.3 Documentaries 8.4 In vampire films 9 See also 10 Notes 11 External links

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

Many say that Vlad Dracula made too many EXCESSES, such as in CRUELTY.

My personal opinion is that he was in a hurry to establish an intentionally fearsome/gruesome reputation, nationally and internationally.

FEAR, as a DETERRENT against criminality and foreign aggression.

Those were The Dark Ages - the democracy would not have stood a chance against invading hordes and traitorous boyars, for example.

===========

Do you see RED in Vlad's portrait?

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

Please visit and join Ruby Tuesday meme!

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

Mailer's Postmark Permit Club - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Mailer's Postmark Permit Club


"Here's a list of frequently asked questions about the MPPC and MPPs in general

Q: How do I go about obtaining an MPP?
A: Check out the web page on how to obtain an MPP cancel. Full details are given there.

Q: Is there a charge for obtaining an MPP?
A: No, the application process for a permit to use an MPP is free.

Q: Who is allowed to use an MPP cancel?
A: Anyone is permitted to use a cancel with the proper permit.

Q: Can I get permit #1 from my post office?
A: MPP permits are supposed to be number sequentially beginning with number 1. However, some postmasters lump all permits together and issue permit numbers that way. You can ask about obtaining permit number 1 from your post office. However, the postmaster has the final say so in assigning the permit number.

Q: Can I get an MPP cancel from other post offices?
A: Yes, there is no residency requirement to obtain an MPP cancel. Several collectors have obtained MPP cancels from a variety of nearby post offices and mail from different offices on different occasions.

Q: What color of ink can I use?
A: The only color of ink authorized by the USPS is black.

Q: Can I deposit mail cancelled with my MPP in a street collection box?
A: No, any mail cancelled with an MPP must be presented to the post office where the permit is held and presented to a window clerk.

Q: My MPP mail gets overcancelled. How do I avoid overcancels?
A: Mail already cancelled with an MPP does not need further canceling, but it does need sorting. Some collectors have had success asking that their MPP mail be deposited along with metered mail.

Q: Where can I obtain an MPP cancel?
A: Anyone who makes rubber stamps can make an MPP cancel. There are three MPPC members who make MPP cancels. Prices and styles vary, so check out their offerings. Here is an order form for Norman Shoemaker. Or you can contact Joseph LoPreiato by email. Or you can contact Bill Porter by email.

Q: Can I use fancy cancels, slogans, and other designs in my MPP cancel?
A: No, the only authorized style of permits is the Format A permit. Click here to see the authorized style.

Q: What are the benefits of MPPC membership?
A: The bi-monthly club newsletter, Permit Patter, is a valuable source of information about MPPs. There are auctions of MPP material, offers to exchange MPPs, and a host of other benefits.

Q: Where can I obtain a membership application?
A: A membership application is available online. Click here to download it.

Q: How much does it cost to join MPPC?
A: Dues are a modest $7/year for regular membership. Life memberships are available.

Q: When was MPPC founded?
A: MPPC was founded in 1979 by John M. Howell after the demise of the Precancelled Envelope Collectors Club.

Q: How many MPPC members are there?
A: There are approximately 200 members in MPPC.

Q: How long have MPPs been in use?
A: Mailer’s Precancel Postmarks (MPPs) were first authorized on Feb 20, 1925 by Postmaster General Harry S. New in Order 1594. This authorization was made public by Postal Bulletin 13716 dated March 7, 1925. Click here for more history on MPPs."
http://mppclub.org/FAQ.htm

http://dorincard.blogspot.com/search/label/Mailer%27s%20Postmark%20Permit