Crazy people everywhere. Always have been, always will be.

Police in the Czech Republic battled 500 right-wing protesters on Monday who were trying to attack a Roma community with Molotov cocktails, machetes and pitch forks. The incident is part of a troubling pattern emerging in Europe.

From Spiegel »

Are the ‘Roma’ people what we call Gypsies?

Yes, one and the same. Their history is fascinating. (Wikipedia)

I had the pleasure of meeting the Queen of the American Gypsies back in 1970. I was working at a Catholic Hospital in the surgical ward and she was in having a hysterectomy.

I was amazed at the people who would come in during visiting hours to see her.

A colorful bunch, to say the least.

There were lots in Cesky Krumlov when I visited here in 2004. The city made a big deal in its publicity about its good Roma relations. Indeed, there were a couple of Roma-owned restaurants there that did well with tourists.

But there was still discrimination right below the surface. I couldn’t find one of those restaurants, so I went into the tourist center to ask. The lady shrugged and said she’d never heard of it. I found a piece of their literature and showed her. She finally gave me directions. I could tell she knew all along, but just didn’t want direct business that way.