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This picture comes from the celebration in Bavaria of Christi Himmelfahrt, marking the ascension of Christ to heaven. What does Jesus have to do with firing antique guns into the air while wearing traditional Bavarian outfits? I have no idea, but that guy in the middle isn’t having nearly as much fun as he ought to be.

Paul Waldman is a weekly columnist and senior writer for The American Prospect. He also writes for the Plum Line blog at The Washington Post and The Week and is the author of Being Right Is Not Enough: What Progressives Must Learn From Conservative Success. Follow @paulwaldman1