A Strange and Wonderful Land

It was a strange and wonderful place. A land of spinning women and strange flying contraptions. Where anyone could aspire to anything - even the throne of power.

No, it isn't some fantasy world in a storybook - it's the United States of America, and it's right now. A few websites recently reminded me of just how strange and wonderful this place is.

First, and leaning more toward the strange than the wonderful, is this woman's unique use of an escalator:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bZYuRk1pFO0&feature=related

Even more curious is the fact that this video is related to a video of two young moose playing in a sprinkler.



Second, I think this image is just wonderful:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0807/isssun_wagner_big.jpg

It's quite large, and if your browser shrinks it to fit the window, you'll probably miss its impact. Do whatever you have to in order to see it full-size. Scroll around below and left of center until you see the silhouette against the orb.
Here's the credit and a brief explanation from the Astronomy Picture of the Day site ( http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html )
Credit & Copyright: Martin Wagner That's no sunspot. It's the International Space Station (ISS) caught by chance passing in front of the Sun.
If you click this link after 7/30, you'll be taken to a different picture - you can still read the full explanation by entering the archives and selecting July 30.



And finally, spanning the gamut from strange to wonderful, is:

http://www.votesmart.org/election_president_search.php?type=alpha

This site lists 2008 presidential candidates. Did you know that there are over 250 announced candidates, and many more who are potentially running?

I think it is wonderful that strange people like these can run for the highest office in the land, and arguably the most powerful political office in the world. Please don't think I am making fun of these people. I do find humor in some of their names and ideas, but it is not my intention to belittle them. After all, these folks are a large part of what it means to live in a free country:

James Harlin Carter - Nicknames include "Goatroper" and "Peanut." That should look good on the Official Stationery.

Emperor Caesar - Lists as his political experience - "Candidate, United States President, 2008." Can you cite this year's campaign as a qualification for this year's election?
"So, Mr. Smith, you'd like a job as a nuclear engineer. What's your experience in the field?"
"Well, I've applied for this job..."

Doing the previous candidate's ostentatious name one (or more) better - HRM Caesar St Augustine De Buonaparte Emperor. I think HRM stands for "His Royal Majesty."
And as if the name didn't say it all, here's a quote from someone who claims to have actually corresponded with Mr. Buonaparte:
I present - HRM Caesar St. Augustine de Buonaparte, true Angel of God and Emperor of the United States of Turtle Island of the continent of North Pangaea. Or as you and I know it, the USA. During the 1990s HRM Buonaparte wrote to then President, Bill Clinton, declaring war on the United States and declaring himself as Emperor. He then claimed that Clinton's failure to respond to his letter was an implicit acceptance of defeat by the US regime and he has assumed the role of Emperor ever since.
( http://hilaryfortnum.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14 )
I guess we should all be thankful he hasn't done away with free elections.

Yaphet Kotto - THE Yaphet Kotto? Isn't he already some kind of prince in Cameroon?

Andy Clown Miannay - Need I say more?

Jesus Bilal Islam Allah 'Alfred Lawrence Patterson' Muhammed - I don't know much about Islam, but I'm fairly sure most Muslims would take a dim view of someone appropriating the name of Allah and adding it to a list that includes Jesus. Most followers of Jesus probably just think he's nuts.

Ole' Savior - Lists this as his Favorite Quote:
O God save us in loving service.
In life, death, sex and rebirth to save.
Love to be free, free to be me, free to give myself to thee.
By: O.Savior
I think he'd have been better off with a quote from Yogi Berra (or Yogi Bear, for that matter).

Vermin Love 'Sparky' Supreme - Running on a "mandatory toothbrushing" platform.

Watchman - The one thing he would most like to do before he dies? "Marry for the third time."

BTW - I'm not voting for either McCain or Obama (collectively "McBama"). Hopefully, somewhere among the endless ranks of the strange who are running for office, I can find someone wonderful. Or at least capable. Hell, I'll settle for nearly-adequate.