IMITATION IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY

But the question is, who's imitating whom?


Once again, we have left one country’s country, for another country’s city. And luckily, it’s that beautifully named city of Ljubljana, in that quirky little country of Slovenia.

Presernova Cesta

Ljubljana, Slovenia

It’s not Beethovnova Cesta, but it’s close. Named after the Slovenian poet, Frances Preseren, who we Americans have come to know and love, Presernova Cesta houses the School of Economics, the Slovenia Cultural events epicenter, Cankarjev Dom, the U.S. Embassy, and the Slovenian Presidential Office Building.

Beethovnova Ulica

Preserenova Cesta, Ljubljana

Boris Kidric, supporter of Slovenian arts, imitating a mad man

on the lawn of Cankarjev Dom, Ljubljana arts epicenter

The U.S. Embassy sits one block down, and across the street from, the Slovenia Presidents Office Building. And it's a good thing it doesn’t sit directly across from it, because cordoning off the city block that housed the Slovenian President might get dicey. The U.S. Embassy is surrounded by a large metal fence topped with pointy barbs, multiple cameras, an external metal detector, and a fulltime guard station. The street in front is cordoned off from parking or standing with yellow pavement lines, and red and white marquis signs.

In contrast, the Slovenian Presidential Office Building has only a beautiful door.

And maybe one of those sing-songy Slovenian doorbells.

Office Building of the Slovenian President with transparent facade,

imitating our ideals

U.S. Embassy with iron fence, and guard station








U.S. Embassy with cordoned off street block








The U.S. Embassy entryway, imitating nations ruled by fear

One could walk right up to the Slovenian Presidential Offices, without being frisked, or photographed, questioned, or eyed. In fact, one could probably do anything in front of the building, and not get noticed. But still, no one does. There is never even one Slovene outside that building. Well, except maybe a bicyclist.
Slovenian bicyclist, imitating a terrorist

One of two stone women couching the Presidential door

Nope, there are never any tea baggers, or other constitution gag-gers. No bomb baggers, or flying daggers, no flag wag-gers, or masturbation gag-gers. No anti-fag-gers, no climate change foot- draggers, no presidential nag-gers. No immigrant hag-lers, Confederate flag-gers, or Muslim rag-gers. No Don’t ask, just rag those fag-gers, or healthcare lag-gers. Just two stone women, holding symbols of Democratic ideals.

"Hey, Slovenia, What is the problem here? Why aren’t you out there protesting your government?Voicing your opinions. Exercising your (relatively) newly found free speech?"

Take a lesson from our compatriots.

Like Glenn Beck. He exercises his freedom of speech at some of our nation's best universities. We need him there to protect the sanctity of free speech. To ensure that free speech is alive as we develop tomorrow's leaders . To be sure all sides get heard. Even hate needs its say.

Or a lesson from our fellow Americans in Colorado. Now they know how to use free speech when needed. They use billboards freely to speak their mind, and inform the public. And an informed public makes good decisions, decisions that are good for all of us. Billboards like these are crucial for getting out the truth. Truths about climate change, and Socialism, and even about our Presidents. Thanks to free speech, we can now be fairly certain that Obama is not just Muslim, but a queer to boot. So even though he’s not fond of his White house being iron-gated, he has compromised, having it painted pink, with faux fur padded barb wire.

Grand Junction, CO billboard portraying Obama as a gay, Hispanic, Muslim, black pimp.

But Slovenia, maybe it’s just those Socialist remnants squelching your freedom?

You know, fear of your government, and all its heavy-handedness? Fear those stone women guarding the President's office, might just stand up and get mad!?
‘Hey, Glenn, Glenn Beck. We need you over here --- to get these people riled up. You know, a rally or something; in front of these Democracy touting women in the big stone chairs.

“What?”

Oh, no, no, no, don’t worry. They won’t hurt you … no, really, they’re just fixtures of Democracy, not the real thing. And besides, Democracy can't stand up with people like you around.

But wait, maybe it’s just that Slovenians like their government? Because really, who wouldn’t like a government that provides free healthcare, solutions to our future environmental plight, free access to the arts, and extra income for café spending? All done without taxing corporations or the rich unfairly -- Just done simply, by taxing everyone progressively.

And to make matters even better, Slovenian corporations buy right into the concept of leisurely café socializing for all Slovenians. Corporations here know that Socialist is not a dirty word. It is a word with business opportunity. Just look at it. The very root of Socialism is not tax and spend,

it's social.

And that means a café on every corner, a kava in every cup.

So, each store in Ljubljana, whether it be riverside restaurants, or boxmart equivalents like Merkur (Target), Obi (Lowes), Harvey Norman, Baby Center, Mercator (Walmart), Muller (Kohl’s) or Iglu Sports (Dick’s Sporting Goods), has a café at their entryway, or in their parking lot, for their patrons. A store without coffee and a place to socialize, is like a government without socialized healthcare.

The Slovenian government, and its capitalist corporate counterparts, just seem to know that a happy and healthy customer, is a cooperative customer. That little secret that day to day, even in this global, fast-paced world, we all still like those human elements; you know, good health, socializing with friends, telling the truth, and a good beverage.

Now maybe that's something worth imitating.

Cafe scene, Ljubljanica River

Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana

Is your volume up?

........................................................................................................................................................................... But before we go, let’s take one last look at imitation on a more natural level: Imitation in our country’s country. If there is one thing the U.S. still has, it's a multitude of natural places, varied landscapes, and large amounts of land without people.

Mushroom imitating a breast

Cloud imitating a mushroom

Tree root imitating a shark's vagina




Spice caterpillar imitating a tropical fish







Beetle imitating a street cleaner





Katy Did imitating Mr. Magoo





Rainbow imitating a whirlybird




Cloud imitating ???????????





A Click Beetle imitating a masked masquerader




Morning fog imitating a river





Spice caterpillar imitating a mouse






Plain house spider imitating Charlotte




Cloud imitating a really big bird






The Appalachians imitating the Pacific





A Blue Ridge Mountain imitating Micronesia




Mushroom imitating Einstein's brain




Slovenian hay bales, imitating Marshmallows




Dog's tongue imitating a slice of bacon