Category Archives: Politics

Holy Che

In Latin American shrines, the image of Jesus is sometimes replaced by an icon of Che Guevara. Catholicism and Socialism apparently can be reconciled. Photographed in a hostel in Villa Tunari in Bolivia.

Posted in Bolivia, Photography, Politics, Religion, Travel | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

A Government Shutdown is Nothing Unusual

Other countries have them all the time, too. Let’s look at when some other countries went through a similar period of limited capacity to act. USA: today Germany: 1945 Russia: 1917 France: 1789 Japan: 1945

Posted in Economics, History, Politics, USA | Leave a comment

Film review: “Balkanski špijun” (“Balkan Spy”)

I was only looking for a spy film from Yugoslavia to practice some Serbo-Croatian, and I found a true gem! Balkanski špijun (Balkan Spy) was released in 1984 and is a comedy about an elderly gentleman who is asked to come … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, Politics | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Random Thoughts (20)

If you care neither about the deficit, nor about providing public services, it’s actually quite easy to cut taxes. When I saw books by Džon Grišam at the bookshop in Montenegro, I was happy that my name wouldn’t have to be … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Books, Economics, Germany, Italy, Language, Montenegro, Politics, Romania, USA | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Easily confused (65) stable and smart

In fiction: In reality: Heck, even the part about the investigation makes sense in both contexts.

Posted in Cinema, Politics, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Random Thoughts (19)

But what will become of James Bond if we don’t tolerate sexual harassment anymore? Trying to cash in on crypto-currencies, I have now invested all my savings in Paypal. I always find it strange when people say “I am writing … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Economics, Israel, Language, Montenegro, Politics, Romania | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Two Books on North Korea

If there will be a nuclear war in 2018, it will most likely have something to do with North Korea. So you may as well use your last weeks alive to read about that country. Suki Kim pulled off a … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Economics, Human Rights, North Korea, Politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Stupid Maps (1) Bavarian Independence

On the occasion of the attempts by some people in Catalonia to become independent, The Guardian published this map under the headline Beyond Catalonia: pro-independence movements in Europe. This map makes it look as if all of Europe is about … Continue reading

Posted in Europe, Germany, Politics | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Random Thoughts (17)

Now I know why it’s called CATalonia: it doesn’t know if it wants to walk through the door or not. Shouldn’t nobody sign no contract that they ain’t read before. (I am now giving legal advice in country lyrics, at … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Law, Lithuania, Politics, Spain, Time, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Sad Future of Catalonia

In some conflicts, you don’t need to pick a side. Because sometimes, both sides are wrong. Between the Catalan and the Spanish governments, it’s impossible to keep tabs on who has committed more grave mistakes. Even for supporters of self-determination, … Continue reading

Posted in Europe, Greece, Language, Macedonia, Politics, Spain | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments