Monday, January 17, 2011

Floating anniversary of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Also, Muhammad Ali's birthday.

Liberty - an ideal for which many have fought and died, including Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.


"Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement.[1] He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.[2] King is often presented as a heroic leader in the history of modern American liberalism.[3]"


Did you know this?
"Martin Luther King Jr. expressed a view that black Americans, as well as other disadvantaged Americans, should be compensated for historical wrongs. In an interview conducted for Playboy in 1965, he said that granting black Americans only equality could not realistically close the economic gap between them and whites. 
King said that he did not seek a full restitution of wages lost to slavery, which he believed impossible, but proposed a government compensatory program of US$50 billion over ten years to all disadvantaged groups. 
He posited that "the money spent would be more than amply justified by the benefits that would accrue to the nation through a spectacular decline in school dropouts, family breakups, crime rates, illegitimacy, swollen relief rolls, rioting and other social evils".[71] 
He presented this idea as an application of the common law regarding settlement of unpaid labor but clarified that he felt that the money should not be spent exclusively on blacks. 
He stated, "It should benefit the disadvantaged of all races".[72]"


How about this?
"King began to speak of the need for fundamental changes in the political and economic life of the nation. Towards the time of his murder, King more frequently expressed his opposition to the war and his desire to see a redistribution of resources to correct racial and economic injustice.[97] 
Though his public language was guarded, so as to avoid being linked to communism by his political enemies, in private he sometimes spoke of his support for democratic socialism

In one speech, he stated that "something is wrong with capitalism" and claimed, "There must be a better distribution of wealth, and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism."[98]

King had read Marx while at Morehouse, but while he rejected "traditional capitalism," he also rejected Communism because of its "materialistic interpretation of history" that denied religion, its "ethical relativism," and its "political totalitarianism."[99]
King also stated in his "Beyond Vietnam" speech that "true compassion is more

than flinging a coin to a beggar....it comes to see that an


 edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring".[100] King quoted a United States official, who said that, from Vietnam to South America to Latin America, the country was "on the wrong side of a world revolution."[100] King condemned America's "alliance with the landed gentry of Latin America," and said that the United States should support "the shirtless and barefoot people" in the Third World rather than suppressing their attempts at revolution.[101]"

What de-classified revelations will we have, if any, in 2027?
"On January 31, 1977, United States district Judge John Lewis Smith, Jr., ordered all known copies of the recorded audiotapes and written transcripts resulting from the FBI's electronic surveillance of King between 1963 and 1968 to be held in the National Archives and sealed from public access until 2027.[181]"
"Allegations of adultery
Having concluded that King was dangerous due to communist infiltration, the focus of the Bureau's investigations shifted to attempting to discredit King through revelations regarding his private life. FBI surveillance of King, some of it since made public, attempted to demonstrate that he also engaged in numerous extramarital affairs.[164] Further remarks on King's lifestyle were made by several prominent officials, such as Lyndon Johnson, who once said that King was a "hypocritical preacher".[171] Ralph Abernathy, a close associate of King's, stated in his 1989 autobiography And the Walls Came Tumbling Down that King had a "weakness for women".[172][173] In a later interview, Abernathy said he only wrote the term "womanizing", and did not specifically say King had extramarital sex.[174] King's biographer David Garrow detailed what he called King's "compulsive sexual athleticism." Garrow wrote about a number of extramarital affairs, including one with a woman King saw almost daily. According to Garrow, "that relationship, rather than his marriage, increasingly became the emotional centerpiece of King's life, but it did not eliminate the incidental couplings that were a commonplace of King's travels." King explained his extramarital affairs as "a form of anxiety reduction." Garrow noted that King's promiscuity was the cause of "painful and overwhelming guilt".[175]"

"King spoke earlier about what people should remember him for if they are around for his funeral. He said rather than his awards and where he went to school, people should talk about how he fought peacefully for justice.:
I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others.
I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.
I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. 
I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. 
I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. 
I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. 
And I want you to say that I tried to love 

and serve humanity.
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. 
Say that I was a drum major for justice. 
Say that I was a drum major for peace. 
I was a drum major for righteousness. 
And all of the other shallow things will not matter.[127]"
==================
Happy Birthday, Muhammad Ali, my most favorite boxer ever!



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

Happy Blue Monday!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

My post for the "Sunday Stamps" meme: cool stamp from the Republic of South Africa, with WITRENOSTER/ WHITE RHINO (Ceratotherium simum)


"The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few megafaunal species left. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species. The White Rhino consists of two subspecies: the Southern White Rhino, with an estimated 17,480 wild-living animals at the end of 2007 (IUCN 2008), and the much rarer Northern White Rhino. The northern subspecies may have eight remaining worldwide — all in captivity.[3]"

I like this stamp because it shows not only the rhinos, but it also gives you a clue, a research starting point, a spark for your mind: the map of the region of KwaZulu/Natal, in the context of South Africa.
So, the point is: don't just look at this rhino stamp and move on with your oh, so busy life.
While you are at it, at least take a quick look at the (wikipedia, for example) entry for South Africa.
Expand your horizon. Horizontally. Coz now it may be too much of a vertical horizon, ultra-specialized in your tiny square of knowledge required to do your job, whatever that is.
==========
Happy Sunday Stamps!




Friday, January 14, 2011

From the heart of Liechtenstein? No, from Lichtenstein's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteinii). Not a wildebeest. WWF maximum cards/ maxicards/ dorincards about Mozambic.


This is a set with controversial issues. Why is the upper left image showing a far-away animal? What's this about - Big Sky Montana? The sky occupies most of the image.
Or, it can be the photographer's artistic choice to show us a perspective of that habitat, leaving the animal in the background. The cloudy sky over the African savannah...or something.

"Lichtenstein's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteinii)[2] is a savannah and floodplain dwelling antelope found in southern Central Africa. By some, this species is classified as Sigmoceros lichtensteinii."

No, we're not talking about the country Liechtenstein here.

==================
Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!



Thursday, January 13, 2011

Does E PLURIBUS, UNUM apply to finding your lifetime partner/matching heart/soulmate?

This is a folded card/greeting card, onto which I affixed stamps and I obtained pictorial postmarks (request by mail) from a post office in Loveland, Colorado.
This card is in no way inferior to a regular, "real" postcard that can be usually bought for some 33 cents, plus tax. Look at the price of this card.
Also, it is lenticular/3D/stereoscopic - and it looks pretty cool!
Out of many (E PLURIBUS)  "hearts" in a "black and white" world, the card implies that there's only one (UNUM) that's bright red for you, for your eyes/heart/mind/soul, and body, too.
Ya think so? You think so?

What if you and your "other half" are not in geographic proximity?
What if you are, but you walk right past your UNUM, oblivious to the heart "in living colors"?
How can you assess (not asses) if an unidentified, new "heart candy" is good beyond the physionomy?
The core could be hard or soft, bitter or sweet (or bittersweet), etc.
Some choose to sample-kiss frogs, others choose to sample-break "hearts".

Here's a very nice blog, hosted by Beth, with a quite catchy title:
Says Beth: "CRUNCHY HEARTS
The title of my blog, "The Best Hearts are Crunchy," comes from a comment made years ago by a five-year old girl, as she thoughtfully perused a tempting box of Valentines Day candies. She is probably a grown mother by now, with children of her own. 

I loved what she said so much, I wrote it down on a napkin."

======================
Happy crunching!
(numbers, not hearts)

====================================
Another very interesting blog, hosted by Clytie, is http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/

Guest Heart Thursday #40


Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday - 
A Place to share YOUR Hearts!


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Turkish Role in Negotiations with Iran | STRATFOR. Also, a visual metaphor of Negotiation - "Locking horns, in a power struggle"

Please read: The Turkish Role in Negotiations with Iran | STRATFOR

A visual metaphor of Negotiation - "Locking horns, in a power struggle":
In this maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard that I created in 2006, notice how the deer (Roosevelt Elk?) from the pictorial postmark seemlessly integrates with the deer from the stamp!!!
As if they are from the same herd! :)
I like that!

But power struggles are normal even within the same herd...between harem owners/"sultans"...

Monday, January 10, 2011

Happy Blue Monday! Pinocchio maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard that I created with a Disney Day pictorial postmark


Pinocchio means Pine Eyes.

But did you know about the Pinocchio Paradox? The Liar Paradox?
"There is a popular conception that Pinocchio's nose grows only when he lies. Under this condition, the Pinocchio Paradox is an analogy for the liar paradox, expressing the dilemma of what will happen if Pinocchio says "My nose will grow now."
If he is lying, his nose should grow, but if his nose grows, then he is actually telling the truth. On the other hand, if he is telling the truth and his nose starts growing, then it will violate the condition that his nose grows when he is lying."

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

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

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


Happy Blue Monday!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Read from BBC: "Your Good Samaritan stories". Let's see if I can illustrate, if only with a collateral symbolic reference, these 10 true stories.

Read the whole article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12122809

Let's see if I can illustrate, if only with a collateral symbolic reference, these 10 true stories.


1. THE PASSING DOCTOR

"Virginia is for lovers", and the PORTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR is for restarting a heart. And a life.



2. THE PASSPORT OFFICIAL


A migratory bird flies across country borders without any passport stamp/visa...but humans may need one. Desperately. Bureaucracy vs. Open-mindedness.




3. THE MYSTERY DRIVER


Some say "we are what we drive". Others might say "we are what good deeds we can do (including while driving)". Such as quickly jumping into a car out-of-control. Then it doesn't matter "what you drive". It could be a beat-up truck, for example.



4. THE BUS PASSENGER


Maybe "the show must go on", but a bus must not, if a life is endangered and an ambulance is needed.
A bus can take you somewhere, or can have you taken somewhere.



5. THE SILENT WITNESS


You can have a fancy [motor]bike, but when you ran out of "petrol", even a 1 gallon gift can be a lifesaver.




6. THE ISLAND ANGELS


In Canada, as in any other country, some beings jump to attack you (like a hungry cougar - I mean puma or mountain lion...). Other beings jump to help you, and possibly save you from trouble.
Don't jump to conclusions until you see WHY you're being jumped.



7. THE GOOD NEIGHBOURS


It's good when you can afford to pay for your food.
It's also good to get a little help until you are able again to pay for your food.
Starving is avoidable, in many cases.


8. THE POLICE OFFICER


Some people become great winners, great champions, like Muhammad Ali. He never was an alcoholic or a smoker, said Lonnie Ali, his wife. His sports regimen and his religion did not welcome alcohol.

But even ordinary people can be winners at something, when they get good advice and gather enough self-will to conquer a potentially deadly addiction, such as alcoholism.
I could have used here, for this BBC story, the American stamp "Alcoholism: You can beat it!", but I don't have it. :)


9. THE SELFLESS STUDENTS


You don't necessarily need a sports car to be happy. Sometimes, a simple taxi at the right time is all the transportation you need to have a good time with friends and be happy.


10. THE THIRD MOTORIST


Pigs are not the only animals who produce a lot of manure. 
Sheep do it, too.
"Pigs" have also their own "manure".

The question is with whose "manure" should we put up, and for how long, if you get my drift. :)


==================
Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!



Thursday, January 6, 2011

Winter joy: children building a Snowman. Non-traditional maximum card/ maxicard/ dorincard that I created with a greeting card, with a concordant pictorial postmark from Star, North Carolina.


There could be some people, somewhere in the world, who would say that this is not concordant in subject, because the morphology of the snowman differs between the card, the stamp and the postmark.

[Strikethrough typing, as element of style]
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Dudes and Dudettes:
What the hell  do you want me to do?
Find and use ONLY a card (real commercial postcard, no less; no greeting card!), stamp and postmark that show a snowman in the same, CONCORDANT configuration???
As if the children use a recipe, a Standard Operating Procedure for building a snowman exactly the same way every year!
:) :) :)

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





Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Read from BBC: "Saudi Arabia 'detains' Israeli vulture for spying". Hands on the Griffon. See world stamps featuring the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

From my personal collection: Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) - Romanian stamp from a nice series of 8 stamps from 1967.
Yes, it's a CTO (cancelled-to-order) stamp.
So what? I like it - I keep it.
It would have been cool to have it really circulated, or still on a cover, or on a maximum card, but hey!...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12120259#

See other world stamps featuring the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus):
http://www.birdtheme.org/species/imagespage.php?spec=1206&fl=G

Gyps, not Gypsy
"The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae.

The Griffon Vulture is 93–110 cm (37–43 in) long with a 230–269 cm (91–106 in) wingspan, and it weighs between 6 and 13 kg (13.2 and 29 lb). "

"Like other vultures, it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks. It grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion."
Don't mess with a Griffon while it's eating HISS food - it may become DISGRUNTLED.
CARRION, child!

The Griffon Vulture can live as long as a longeviv human.
Since when is CARRION a healthy diet?
"Little is known about the average life-span of these birds, but it is approximated at 50 to 70 years in the wild, but the oldest death recorded in captivity is 118 years old.[1]
It breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, north Africa, and Asia, laying one egg. Griffon Vultures may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident."

See cool maximum cards with Griffon Vulture (and dogs, and other subjects) in the photobucket album of my philatelic friend and fellow maximaphilist [strictly traditional FIP, I might specify :) ] "Tangorn", from Israel:

Monday, January 3, 2011

Peace on Earth? Never was, never will be - not "everywhere, simultaneously". But at least we can do our best. However: "Si vis pacem, para bellum" - Latin adagio.


Hoping for peace is good, but there are too many "disturbers of peace".
Trying to have peace is better, if you take action.
Safeguarding the peace, even with armed forces if all else fails, is the best.

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

Happy Blue Monday!




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Top 30 Stamp Collecting Blogs, by guidetoartschools.com

#2:
"Dorincard: Blogger Dorin C is a stamp and postcard fanatic, and luckily he's more than pleased to write prolifically and charmingly about his obsession. He has a particular bent for stamps with wild mammals on them, but his blog demonstrates an affinity for stamps of all forms and backgrounds, as long as they offer a special narrative that's worth sharing with his readers.


  • Source: http://www.guidetoartschools.com/library/best-stamp-collecting-blogs#ixzz1KirbuA4p
    "

    Some feedback received about me and my blog here

    [DORIN'S NOTE: There are over 100 million websites.]

    From alexa.com traffic rank site

    "There are 1,699,250 sites with a better three-month global Alexa traffic rank than Dorincard.blogspot.com.
    About 43% of visitors to the site come from France, where it has attained a traffic rank of 152,077.
    About 80% of visits to the site consist of only one pageview (i.e., are bounces).
    Dorincard.blogspot.com's visitors view an average of 1.5 unique pages per day.
    Visitors to the site spend roughly two minutes on each pageview and a total of three minutes on the site during each visit."



    inkling (Enthusiast)

    The best use of this site is Other.

    Likes
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    Comments:
    Postcards and stamps, mainly featuring mammals and birds but Dorincard also has other creations
    and interests he likes to share.
    His enthusiasm for Maximum cards (a postcard and a similar themed stamps sent through the
    postal system) shines through.
    He shows how he gets the right card, stamp and postmark together.
    Visiting his site you will also learn things about the natural world told with a dry sense of humour,
    possibly with a play on words, and a unique style of headings.
    Topical and informative both for the enthusiast and casual visitor.
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