DOMA-and the Supremes

      Nobody could escape the news coverage yesterday of the oral arguments for California's Prop. 8 challenge in front of the 9 justices of the Supreme Court.  Live quotes were broadcast throughout the day.  Pundits contributed their views to make the 'soup' of opinion just tepid enough for mass media.
The consensus among opinionators is that the Court will sidestep the constitutionality of the proposition and send it back to the Court of Appeal.  Great.  When there's clamor for clarification, we get obfuscation.
     Oh, well.

Bureaucrats pay questioned

      The Alameda county chief administrative officer's pay has come into question.  Does she really deserve $400,000/per year, plus percs now and for the rest of her life?  Hmmmm?  Taxpayers on the hook again.   It seems the board of supervisors seem to think she's worth every penny, to borrow a quote.
     But then, is that pay rate any more ridiculous than our own Meeks Bay Fire chief's $250,000/year?  I doubt it.   

View of San Quentin

          San Quentin prison sits on prime real estate in  Marin county.   The old gaol, home to a few thousand serious criminals, is the everyday sight for thousands of passengers on the Larkspur ferries, shuttling them to and from San Francisco.  Yesterday, the mayor had the opportunity to gaze at the "pen" for over an hour from the opposite shoreline, along Paradise Drive in Corte Madera.
       The soccer pitch for nearby Marin Country Day school occupies beachfront property on the bay shoreline with an unobstructed view of California's notorious home for convicts.   My friend who helped referee the game, Rudolph, commented,"What are they thinking when they hear the whistles blow, the drone of the ferry engines, and the shrieks of the gulls circling the harbor?  It must make for long days."  For those on the inside, yes, it makes for long days.   For us on the outside, it gives pause.  Is San Quentin a deterrent or merely an institution necessary in a civil society?
     California politicians have finally come to the realization that we can't keep building more prisons:
Too much money! Not enough tax dollars!   And now: early release programs and release from Federal oversight.  A beginning....

LeMons Race: Part III

     Another gorgeous day in the Sonoma Wine Country- a perfect day for auto racing on the Sonoma raceway track.  Daniel had the starting slot and was on the track at the go:10:00am.  Next was Sean at about noon.  In the fuel pit, aside from the vegetation covering the radiator front, a noticeable oil drip was observed from the bottom of the engine front.   Hmmmmm.   After fueling, Derek took over in the driver's seat. The Porsche was back on the track(after adding a quart of 20wt).
     Within minutes, his oil pressure light came on and the gauge pressure was dropping fast.   Another pit stop.  Jacked up, propped up with safety stands, an inspection revealed a blown oil pan gasket.  Big problem. No fix, no run! Simple.  Hmmmm?  What now candidate?  Loctite sticky gasket filler 5000! Yea. Do it.  Done.   4 quarts later, back at it.  Elapsed time in pit: 20 minutes.  He proceeded to finish his leg, and a little after 3pm, Vincenzo took over the wheel to finish the race.
     At 5pm sharp, the checkered flag was waved for all cars and those happy contestants still on the circuit cruised into the pits amidst cheers and accolades from fans and families.
     50th place over all; not bad after a lengthy pit stop yesterday to replace the transmission and today' s stop to plug the oil leak.  A fine weekend of good fun among friends in the beautiful Sonoma Wine Country.
     

More NCAA Madness

      High seeds and favorites continue to be eliminated.   Yesterday's winners are moving on to the Sweet Sixteen, a much coveted position.  Early faves are going home: UC's Golden Bears, next year. Gonzaga's Zags-going home.  Harvard, going home.   Oklahoma St., upset, going home.   Wisconsin lost, taken down by Ole Miss.  St. Louis, gone, taken down by Ore. Ducks.  Butler, a victim of shoddy calls and poor free throw shooting, gone, courtesy of Marquette.
     Kansas St, upset, gone, taken apart by LaSalle, and the Fighting Irish, fighting no more, brought to heel by Iowa St.
     Lots more action today.  MOre later.

LeMons: Part 2

       The Minister of Manufacturing and his team had entered their "machine": a PORCH special, built on the body of a 944 model Porsche.  With a wood platform on the rear trunk deck, this $500 wonder would compete among this motley assemblage.
     Over 140 vehicles appeared at the start and off they went with a cough and a roar.   The 2 mile winding course traces the dips and turns of the southern Napa Valley, even along side a herd of sheep(weed control!)   It was a beautiful day and the crowd-modest, families and girl friends mostly.  After 2 hours, the  'Porch' mobile required a tow- transmission lock up.  Out of the race.
     But wait, superman knows the solution.  In minutes, after careful diagnosis, Sean hopped in his p/u and 'raced' home to get a replacement.  Back in a flash, the crew had already removed the old one, placed all nuts and bolts at the ready.  In a few more minutes, Sean returned.  Then, like angry bees, they set upon the "Porch" machine.  In 20 minutes, it cranked over, rocked fore and aft, and was pronounced' Ready!"   Derek was suited up, jumped in the seat, strapped in harness, helmeted, and given a thumbs up.   Off he went to join the fray.  Time in pits: 1hr, 20 mins!
More later

Le Mons: At the Track

      America: What a Country!(not a question)  Saturday, the Mayor and the deputy went to the Sonoma County Raceway(Formerly Infineon,aka Sears Point) to watch a auto race, part of the nationwide Le Mons Series(get it? lemons!)  This is not just a USA phenomenon, but found in Europe as well(Italy, for one).  Within a boundary of rules, amateurs are enlisted to bring a vehicle, valued at less than $500, and endure 16 hours of track racing under careful control and supervision.  It is like the San Francisco Bay-to-Breakers Race, only for cars.
      The cars look like participants in some fantasy brought on by too much Miller Lite Beer or too much weed.   The variety is amazing: Cadillacs, Mercedes Benz, Fiat 500, Porsches, Volvos, Fords, Chevys, and best of all-the mongrels, put together in some chop shop with nuts and bolts and welding torches.   All have names, racing numbers(a must), and each is equipped with a transponder(so the control tower knows all!).  After the start, it becomes apparent, not all cars will finish.  It seems to spectators that AAA tow trucks are out on the track competing.  But, no, they're are pushing and pulling disabled racers off the track.
More later.

Peyton Manning for the troops

     Quietly, and without much prepublicity, Denver Broncos' quarterback and team leader, Peyton Manning, joined a small group of athletes, current and retired, on a tour of bases, starting in Washington, DC and ending in Afghanistan, before returning home.
       He and his small group were well received wherever they went.  They talked with the troops, took lots of photos, signed Broncos gear, threw passes to those willing to take a few steps, men and women both.   While in Afghanistan, he met a Marine captain who he grew up with and shared  desk with at Newman elementary school in New Orleans.  
     The trip began on Feb. 25 and ended on March 2, 2013.   Peyton remarked it was one of the great experiences in his life, very uplifting in all respects.   A true gentleman, Peyton Manning.

March Madness-The Tournament Begins

     Hopefully you have all the supplies in place as the tournament begins this minute.  Actually, a couple of final seedings were settled Tuesday for four teams.  The media has published lots of information with all the various team records scrutinized in detail to aid in picking the final four and the ultimate national champion.
    So, hoop fans, find your favorite viewing venue and enjoy.  Oh, don't forget the slopes-there's still some nice snow available and temps have dropped to more seasonal normals.

Book Review: Five Lieutenants, by J.C. Nelson

       Not quite 100 years ago, with Woodrow Wilson in the White House, America faced the dilemma of supporting some European friends against the Germans.  It was only a few years after the country engaged in war with Spain(Cuba, Phillipines,etc).  Wilson was determined to stay neutral and avoid a potential calamity on the continent.
      Alas, it was not to be.  By late 1917, the British and French effort was bogged down and it appeared the Germans were preparing for a final, victorious onslaught against Paris.  Enter the United States.
      General Pershing was chosen to lead America's efforts, and orders were issued to the troops to embark for England. Many were sent initially, and many of those were graduates of America's elite schools, including Harvard.  The Five Lieutenants tells the story of 5 of Harvard's men.  With all the surviving participants long dead, the author relied on the private letters of them all.  Coupled with post war histories, the author relates a compelling story of youthful enthusiasm, harsh combat reality, and the sad tales of family grief, post war suffering and decline, and a view of the long term memory of the survivor(s).
      Reading the many letters of the Harvard grads casts light on the patriotic thinking among young, privileged and educated Americans of the turn of the 20th century.   The descriptions of the action on the Western Front defy description: how could any men survive these conditions?  The entire American effort lasted less than a year-from the end of 1917 until the armistice in November, 1918.
     The story of each lieutenant is unique, tragic, and for the families affected-incredibly sad and overwhelming.
     In light of what was to come over the next century, and more so of late, one could say here lies the opening chapter of a nation becoming an international super power and the burden of those who must bear the costs.  Author: James Carl Nelson
Mayor's rating: **** 4 stars

Peter Hooker Klaussen, 1924-2012

       Local ski coach and former manager of Alpine Meadows, Peter Klaussen passed away recently.  He attended CalTech ; he flew B-25's in WW II, enlisting in 1943.  He received a BA from Amhherst and earned an MBA from Harvard.   He completed 25 low level combat missions in the South Pacific, over water.  He was a contemporary of the famous Louis Zamperini of "Unbroken"fame.
     He built award winning homes, his first was in Squaw Valley in 1955.   He competed in many races on the senior circuit; he won 10 championships, including Sugar Bowls Silver Belt.
     He also flew his own sail plane out of Truckee airport, pursuing altitude and distance records.  He is survived by his wife, Joan, of 55 years, and  3 of his 5  children.
     He was a member of the "Greatest Generation" and lived a long, full life, setting an example for not only his children but all who came in contact with this fine man.
R.I.P.

Mrs. Kirchner and Mrs. O'Grady

     Anastasia O'Grady, the journalist who covers Latin America for the Wall St. Journal published a column today that calls into question the motives of the Kirchner government and its pocket supporters in the local media.  Some of the house organ writers have suggested that the Pope was a collaborator with the military junta in power in the '80's and failed to support the 2 Jesuits priests who were kidnapped by the military and held for 3  months. 
       Without any evidence to support these accusations, it can only be assumed that Mrs. Kirchner's government feels even more threatened by the selection of an Argentine cleric as the world leader of Catholicism; and especially the 42% of Catholics who reside in South America.
     At the same time, she asked the newly appointed pontiff to intervene with Great Britain on the question of sovreignty over the Falkland Islands.  The Island residents just finished voting to stay in the British realm.
     Perhaps Christina is feeling forlorn after losing her mentor, Hugo Chavez, to a long illness.  Who will hold her hand now at the international table of socialist dictators?

Bradley Manning, US Army: notes

      Bradley Manning, the US Army private( as low as you can go) , is sitting in the brig at Quantico, VA., waiting.  For what, he's not quite sure.  The military has not quite figured out what he should be charged with for his transferring message files to WikiLeaks for publication and dissemination.
NPR broadcast an interview with Daniel Ellsberg, the whistle blower of the Pentagon Papers in 1971/72. He went to trial and all charges were dismissed because of government misconduct(Justice Dept., etc. etc. White House, Executive branch...).
     He was chastising the New York Times writer/editor Bill Keller for his apparent defense of the NYT and their lack of concern for Manning's failed attempt to contact the NYT staff with his information.   He compared it to Ellsberg's case, which Ellsberg said was hardly representative of a good faith effort of the Times to assist a whistle blower.  Ellsberg was at no time assisted by the paper or its staff of journalists and reporters.  He was on his own, despite the obvious benefits reaped by the Times when they printed the secret documents and their contents. 
     Ellsberg related that the documents, from 1945 to 1968, contained nothing(0) that government legal staff could find that compromised the security of the United States.  It seems hardly likely, that a low level Army private could reveal any damaging information in his role as a screener of diplomatic mail.  Perhaps embarassing, but hardly dangerously revealing.
     Ellsberg also raked Bill Keller over the coals for his arrogance, which comes shining through most of his editorial writing.   Perhaps Mr. Keller needs a long vacation

Daylight Savings

    Are you using the extra "time"?  Now that's a sign of spring skiing: daylight savings time.  Lose a littler sleep, get a life! Yes, it is darker in the morning, but aren't we all?  Bangin' around in the am before leaving for work is the normal day anyhow.
    Maybe a little system will dump some fresh powder tomorrow late and overnight.  It's always appreciated in March and beyond.  Not much of a powder winter season this winter, but, not too, too, bad over all.  Good weather and cold temps preserved the snow we had on the ground and resorts were happy skiers could reach the groomed slopes with their man made.

March Madness
    Seedings were published in today's media, print and other wise.  The madness begins Tomorrow!  Get Ready.  It will be a fun ride his year.  Can Kentucky repeat?

If it's March, There Must Be Madness

     Basketball is winding down and the "Big Dance" is approaching.  The NCAA Tournament, a fans' delight, will start soon with the regional playoffs.   Already, several upsets have stirred the juices of rabid fans around the leagues.  This weekend will mark the first participants as league champions are decided.
    Then the seedings and then the schedules will come out.  Then, the betting?  Las Vegas sports books(betting parlors) will start placing the odds for those so inclined to place a wager on their favorites.
     St. Patrick's Day fun, parades included.

Homewood Ski Resort
    The web cam shows a fine day on the local slopes: lots of skiers and boarders in evidence, and lots of mid-mountain  relaxers in  view.  Temps are in the 50's and I'm sure the snow will get a little slushy by 2pm.  Spring Skiing is here! Enjoy.

Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook

         The mayor finally caught up with one of the more widely viewed films of 2012: The Silver Linings Playbook.  The lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence, received an oscar for her performance as the troubled young widow dealing with grief over her the death of her late husband.    She worked with a great cast, including Bradley Cooper and Robert DiNiro.
      Hollywood has made hay with "psychological thrillers", but has often had mixed results with the topic of mental illness.   Schizophrenia is an illness we've all heard about, but have difficulty understanding its many 'faces'.  Bipolar disorder is another illness we've heard about, more so recently.
     In this film, which begins in the institution, as Mr. Cooper is leaving after 8 months, we follow Mr. Cooper as he tries to cope with his illness, his family, his ex-wife(the adultress), and his neighbor, Ms. Lawrence.
     Set in a middle class neighborhood of Philadelphia, we follow the steps as he copes: Dad, a bit distant; Mom, a bit quiet; the brother, a bit sympathetic, and the neighbor girl, a bit hot, a bit lonely, a bit take charge.
     It all makes for good entertainment; but as my psychologist friend says, "there are no good outcomes with bipolar disorder".   So, Hollywood entertains us, implies that drugs and therapy work fine(the psychology professional has the requisite accent from Delhi), and we leave feeling good about the ending.   No hot sex scenes, no shoot 'em up cops, no chase scenes, and some good music mixing.
**** Mayor's 4 star rating= worth the price of admission  

Il Papa: Francis

      In his own words, the new Pope says he will be 'only' Francis until there is Francis II.  So, "Hi, Frankie".  Good luck taming the minions of 1.3 billions of Catholics around the world.  After 5 ballots, he was selected to replace the retiring Benedict XVI.  At 76 years of age, he's a seasoned veteran of much, including Argentina's "Dirty Wars" when the country was ruled by a military dictatorship..  His selection will focus the world even more on Latin America's largest countries: Brazil and Argentina.  With the World Cup and Olympics to be hosted nearby, the Americas in general will be observed more closely than they have been.
      All Tahomans wish the best for the pontiff.   He'll be busy as he sets up his inside advisers.  As a Jesuit, he knows the role of the Church as an educator and leader of change, however slowly.  It will be interesting.    He had the inside track; last time a pope was selected, Jorge Bergoglio was a close second.  HIs talent and intellect are widely recognized.   He was also trained in chemistry.  I expect he'll understand some aspects of modern science, not a bad trait these days.

Mayor to LA

     The Mayor will be out of the office for the weekend.  The mayoral elections in LA need a look.  Local affairs will be taken care of by the chief of staff, located at " Where We Met" in downtown Tahoma.   There's a little snow on the ground, watch your driving!
     Looks to be a good skiers' weekend!

The Professor and Friends

    Mayor went to San Jose for a lunch meeting with the professor(emeritus) of Geography from San Jose State.  He was a mentor of the Mayor, providing guidance and expertise through undergrad and graduate school a number of years ago.   We were joined by two other former students and had a fine lunch at the Flame restaurant on 4th and San Fernando sts., across from the SJS Library.
     Naturally, we talked about campus life, and how it has changed.  Mike, the prof, also gave us a nice recap of his sabbatical year when he traveled to New Zealand to teach and do some field research.  He talked about his visits to Guadalcanal and Bougainville islands in the Soloman Islands group where he spent time during World War II as a Marine officer with the 3rd Marine Division.   He described his visit to New Caledonia and compared it favorably to Hawaii.   He said it is rarely visited by Americans, but Australians like it quite a bit, visiting often and enjoying the nice beaches.  He didn't make it to Okinawa or to Guam, two other stops on his earlier South Pacific tour.
       He followed those stories with another that happened a few years later when in the Phillipine Islands doing research for his Phd.  The Korean War broke out and he could not get a flight home.  He had to wait for space on a ship(a few months); then endure a lengthy boat ride back to California.  The Marines wanted him back, but he was able to put them off owing to his current status as a father of two infant children!
       He is doing amazingly well at 92- a member in good standing of "The Greatest Generation".

Il PAPA-The Pope va via

      Pope Benny 16 has retired, officially, he is the Emeritus Pope.  First time in 599 years.   Do we care?   Well, for the approx. 1 billion in the world who call themselves catholic, most care.   A scathing rebuke of the current state of the church(its ruling elite) appeared in the wall St. Journal today.   The writer called for the church(ruling elite) to give up the hypocrisy and embrace the moral high road by removing the sham of celibacy among its clerics.
        This is a bold statement in the most widely read newspaper in America.  In plain terms, the writer lances the bubble surrounding the issue(s) regarding sexual improprieties found 1) everywhere,2) at all levels,3) and the shameful complicity in cover up and denial.
       The College of cardinals have a lot more on its plate than the selection of a new pope.   They must select a new path for the entire church.  Are they up to it?  It is doubtful.  It really is time for another reformation.  Time to sweep out the old and bring in the new.
     When the white smoke rises from the chimney will it signal a new pope or a "new" church"?

Clowns in Italy?

    Yes, Beppo, the professional clown/comic has carried the election for premier to a future run off.
Now Italian politics have been the subject of much discussion of late, dur in part to the ongoing concern of its fiscal condition(the country).
    Mario Monti, the previous premier, ran a distant 4th to Bersani, Berlusconi, and Beppo- the 3 B's!
Now, the rules in the Constitution require certain accommodations as a result.  The rules will be changed, of course.  Then, a new election will be held in May.  It seems the Italians want change, but finding a method that a majority can swallow, not so easy.
     I wonder how Mr.  Mariani, owner of downtown Tahoma, feels about the election outcome?  I will have to poll his opinions.
    More later.

Lack of Moisture 2013

      Screaming from the front pages as headlines do, comes the announcement of the latest snow depth measurement at Echo Summit, our southern neighbor on Highway 50.  "Only" 29 inches were measured at the famous Phillips Station, that solitary cabin near the summit. 2 months ago it was 4'.
California just recorded the driest January/February on record.
     Writer Peter Fimrite(great name, like his Papa), notes facts about the winter '12-'13: we are below average to date.   Trot out the gloom and doom descriptions.   State of california water resouurces director, Mark Cowlin, predicts a bad year(summer/spring) for consumers of water: fish, people, crops,etc.  Protect the smelt, save the fish, shut off the pumps(in the Delta).
     We've heard it all before, unless you arrived yesterday.   People: let's review a few "facts"-we live in1)California, 2) California has a mediterrenean type climate, 3) it rains in winter, not summer, 4)summers are dry, winters are wet, usually,5) rain and temperatures vary year to year.
     So, after a couple of generations of living in California(Tahoma is in California), we don't panic.
So, don't panic.  Look at the Lake.  Enjoy the serene surface, the deep color, the surrounding mountains, the ever changing views.  Ahhhhhhh, Tahoma.   We will not run out of water in Tahoma for at least the next 275 years if it doesn't rain anymore this year.   Even if you shower twice a day!