Russya: Like Argentina

      So, the President of Argentina, Mrs. Christina Kirchner, is accused of conspiracy to cover up a terrorist act by a prosecutor with evidence in hand that he is about to present in a court of law.  And then, he commits "suicide" the night before he is to appear in court.   He was alone in his hotel room when he did this.  Hmmm.   Where was his security?  Where did he get the pistola?  In a vending machine next to the ice machine down the hall?   So, he had some inconvenient truth.  Judging by the outcry, locals do not believe the explanation given by the autopsy report.
      Now in Russya, or is it Novorussya?  Things go down a little more directly.   Suicide is not culturally acceptable unless you have a drinking problem.   Murder seems to work best in Moscova.  Oh, you are of a different opinion than the State position?  We'll see about that.   Ask Boris Nemtsov, He held opposing positions.  He is now dead.

At Midnight in Moscova: Another Hit

       So you're walking home around midnight with a friend.  It's been another busy day.   It's cold, but normal for February.  There's light traffic, a few late night pedestrians heading back to apartments nearby; the outline of the Kremlin can be seen in the glow of streetlights.  It's is somewhat warmer than usual which makes walking at this hour a bit more comfortable.  And then.....
      A white sedan pulls alongside; six shots ring out, piercing the night air; four rounds hit the victim who slumps forward and crashes to the sidewalk.  One dead Russyan.  One more opponent of Mad Vlad bites the "dust".  Government spokesman calls the crime a contract killing.   Hmmm?  How can this be?   Who makes contracts in Russya these days, anyway?  Nobody with a brain.  So who was the unfortunate contract victim this time?
      BORIS NEMTSOV
      Yes, it's hard to believe, but it is true.  This long time political figure, a vocal opponent of the administration and its leader, Mad Vlad Ras-Putin, was shot dead by unknown assailant(s) at midnight in Moscova.  This comes a day ahead of a demonstration scheduled for tomorrow to oppose policies related to the Russyan military invasion of Ukraine and the takeover of Crimea.   It seems that Mad Vlad is taking advice from the Castro brothers:Fidel and Raul.  Or maybe Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, who just arrested the mayor of Caracas.  So, Russya is still the same old, same old Russya.  A country devoid of spine and liver, a culture lost, a culture empty of a future without fear and silence.   The latest message from the Kremlin to Russyan people everywhere: be quiet.

Minister Due Home this Week

     Our man in motion, the Minister of Latin American Affairs is due home tomorrow after his 3 week junket in SE Asia.  He'll have a week to make his report regarding conditions in the area.  He also reported a minor accident: he fell down while jogging in the eastern rain forest of Myanmar.  The accident required a trip to a nearby clinic and some medical attention.  Details are sketchy, but the medical professional who treated him says he'll be fine in a week or two and will require the services of another professional in the USA to remove the sutures at the site of the cut.   Not easy being a man in motion.  His traveling companion and guide was able to deliver him immediately to the clinic with the assistance of local transport since he couldn't walk without assistance.  Hmmm.
      We look forward to seeing him in the early am.

Snow this weekend Predicted for Tahoe

   Yes sir.  The forecasters predict S N O W.  But, don't wax your powder skis just yet.  Amounts vary according to elevation:  lake shore, maybe an 1", @7000' , maybe 6"8"; @8,000'-maybe 9"-12"; above 8000', maybe a foot.  Not much, really, but we'll take what ever we can this last week of February.  The Mayor has asked all visitors to New England to fill their suitcases with snow upon returning to Tahoe.  Don't hold your breath on that one.

Bear League Director Sued

     Local West Shore resident, Ann Bryant, director of the BEAR League, a small group dedicated to protecting the Sierra's population of black bears, especially those around the Tahoe basin.  Like many rabid eco-freaks and conservation crazies, BEAR League members will not tolerate dissent nor dissenters from their sanctified, morally upright position.  They do not accept the opinions of others who do not share their rigid point of view.
      The Incline Village couple who filed suit against Bear League and Ann Bryant are seeking $50,000 in damages for the public campaign directed bythe Bear League to intimidate and harass the couple in their residence in the State of Nevada.   No response has been forthcoming from the Homewood/Tahoma based organization.
More sure to come

Poroshenko Shopping Tour

   The President of Ukraine has gone abroad to do a little shopping.  Arms shopping.  No, he's not at the Ukraine version of  COOP, he's at the International Arms Expo in Abu Dahbi.  Great place if you have lots of cash or lots of credit.  Mr. Poroshenko has neither.  But who knows whose blank checks he carries in his wallet.  Maybe Euros or Swiss francs.  Or maybe Argentinian pesos.  What a laugh that would be.
     He's looking primarily for some light weight munitions to help his troops put some 'hurt' on Russky armored vehicles which roll around the Donbass at will.  Maybe a few shoulder fired armor piercing rockets would be nice, laser guided, or maybe some old, surplus fly-by-wire.  They work, but need some gutsy troops to expose themselves, however briefly.  Some state-of-the art night vision goggles always help, at least it boosts morale of the poor saps in the trenches.
     His shopping cart is not full yet, but whatever he buys, it will soon be shaking up the unidentified, uniformed, Russyan -speaking "volunteers" who have crossed into Ukraine territory of late.  They might be in for some surprises in the field.   Mad Vlad will have to send more troops.  Remember the Afghanis in 1980?  Hmm.  Short memory?  No memory?  Russky memory?  Vodka memory?  frozen memory?

Who Watches Russyan TV ?

     No doubt more than a few Russyan vodka drinkers find amusement on the 3 TV Channels available to the masses.  We've mentioned Peter Pomerantzev and his recent expose' of the state  of state controlled media in the Federation.  Mad Vlad (see photo below) is now and has been using the state media outlets as his personal propaganda machine.  Brings to mind some Russyans of the not so distant past.   Most Westerners are wondering just what is it with the Russyan psyche?  Are they numb?  Is truth just lost on the personality of the average Russky?   Why do they support this former 

     low ranking operative in the KGB/FSB?  What has he done differently?  Has he bolstered the fragile egos of former Cossacks?  Has he redeemed the cultural identity of Slavic Prussian citizens who have languished on the world stage ever since they lost on the ice at LAKE PLACID Olympic games?  My, my.
     The new NY Times World Magazine of Sunday last featured a reporter's experience watching Russyan TV for 7 straight days; all 3 Channels.  It is quite revealing, and quite comical in content and presentation.  I recommend it for all those internationalists who wonder about what fodder is being fed to the masses of the Federation.
     What is being fed that brings Mad Vlad's approval rating to 75%?  Must be the bare chest photos.
?

Warm Weather Records Fall

     Needless to say, it's been warm.  So warm, in fact, that 3 consecutive high temp records have fallen at South Lake Tahoe.  On those days, record highs were recorded, shattering the old numbers.  Locals cannot recall such a time period in the middle of winter.   Some say that snowy winters are a thing of the past; we are living with the new "future".   The "Great Race" from Tahoe City to Truckee had to be cancelled for lack of the white stuff.   Competitors were disappointed but realized nothing could be done to change the dry conditions.  maybe next year.

Debaltseve, Ukraine

      The last Ukrainian troops fled the eastern Ukraine city of Debaltseve after weeks under siege by rebel separatists supported by Russyan troops and equipment.   Of course, this came after a new ceasefire agreement was reached last week at Minsk.  many casualties were left behind along with many prisoners on both sides.  A prisoner exchange sent some soldiers back to their units after a negotiation on the ground.
     Pres. Poroshenko of Ukraine said that Russyan forces were obviously in breach of the ceasefire agreement.  Analysts in Europe now believe that Mad Vlad and his unmarked/unidentified troops will descend on the port city of Mariupol to gain access to its port facilities.  Why not?  Iƒ you control train lines, airports, and deep water seaports, you've got all bases covered.
      Debaltseve is the city that was occupied by Ukrainian soldiers and held as rebels attacked from all sides.  It is a key city for its rail yards that link Donetsk with Luhansk in the east of the Donbass region.  Losing it to rebel forces will make it easier for rebels to exert control over the region and ensure a difficult task for recapture of the area by government troops.
     Not surprisingly, demonstrators in Russya gathered in Moscova, in front of the Bolshoi Theater(no, not to dance) to march to Revolution Square.   They wanted to show they are "true" Russyan, not lackeys of Western Hegemonists, Western Nazis, and Western cowboys, Western rock and roll degenerates, Western Sodomizers(thank you, DSK), and Running Dogs(thank you, Mao).  Free vodka was available for demonstrators to ward off the cold and to sooth throats after chanting and yelling slogans provided on printed rally cards.
     While in Britain, Mr. Kerry also discussed LIbya and negotiations ongoing  with Iran on its nuclear arms program.  Ha.  And one wonders why cynics get no rest.

Extraordinary Craven Behavior

        These three words were extracted from a quote by US Secretary of State John Kerry at a meeting with his British counterpart, Phillip Hammond, one week after a supposed ceasefire was to have gone into effect.   They met to discuss what he called Russya's " brazen" violations of the agreement.  After the meeting, Mr. Kerry told reporters that "more serious sanctions' were being weighed".   Ha, pardon me for being a little cynical at this juncture, but.  Come on?   Who is he kidding?  John McCain?  Leon Panetta?  Henry Kissinger?  Tina Fey?  Who writes the lines of John Kerry?   Whoever it is gives the US State Dept. a black eye.   Another quote from Mr. Kerry says that "Russya is involved in "land grabbing".   Oh, please, Mr. Kerry.   Using terms like "land grabbing" imply that Russya is a real estate company making acquisitions.   It is not that, and it is not doing "it".  His caution has less to do with state craft and more to do with Pres. Obama's policies of non-engagement and lack of planning in the Casa Blanca.
        What "more serious" sanctions would Mr. Kerry/Mr. Obama be contemplating?  Restricting exports of foie gras?  Tariffs on Beluga caviar?  How about tariffs on fur pelts?  Now if Mr. Kerry/Mr. Obama is serious, the sanctions list would look like this:
1. All Russyan tourists would have to present $10000 at port of entry to passport control officers, redeemable upon exit, minus service fees, of course.
2. All flights on Russyan flag carriers would be charged a landing fee outside of Russyan airspace equal to the cost of 5 battle tanks.
3. All Russyan owned assets in the EU, USA, Canada, and Latin America would be frozen in place.
4. All Russyan companies wishing to or conducting business outside of the Federation would have to deal in cash, in Euros or dollars only, no roubles allowed.
5.  All sales/purchases of real estate in EU and North and South America to Russyans would cease for  a minimum of 10 years.
6.  All cooperation between academic institutions would cease immediately.
7.  All Russyan diplomats below the rank of ambassador or counsel would be declared persona non grata immediately and provided escorts to nearest international airport with direct flights to Moscova.
8.  Russyan banking and finance would be excluded from the SWIFT payments system effective on March 1, 2015.
9.  Mad Vlad would be banned from the UN General Assembly and charges would be filed at the International Court of Justice at the Hague on March 1, 2015, charging him with crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
        The Mayor of Tahoma believes this would be a good start and serve notice that it won't be "business as usual" for Russya, anywhere. 

Mayor Arrested in Venezuela

      What does a chief executive do when he's in trouble, or his country is in dire straits?  Divert attention from reality, of course.  And so, it has come to pass that the mayor of Venezuela's first city has been arrested or orders of Pres.  Maduro.   Mayor Ledesma was a vocal opponent of Maduro.  He has organized protests to various government programs that have led to the country's economic tailspin led by high inflation(61%/yr), high crime, high unemployment, and a stagnant economy.  Demonstrators in Caracas took to the streets when it was announced that Antonio Ledesma had been taken from his office after the door was broken in by intelligence(?) service commandos.
      The maor's wife, Mitzy Capriles, 64, said that he has been followed for the last 3 weeks by state agents.   His aides advised him to leave before they closed in, but he decided to stay on.
     Mr. Ledesma was to appear in court Friday to face charges of conspiracy to " organize and execute violent acts" against the government state prosecutors said.
     U.S. State Dept. spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Venezuela should find real solutins to its problems rather than jailing opponents and critics.
    Not Easy living in Venezuela when the price of oil is going down.
     The mayor of Tahoma is opposed to this outrageous act by Pres. Nicolas' Maduro. 

Weather watch: February 21

      Looking at Homewood resort webcam, one sees why not much is happening around the West Shore: clear, sunny skies, flat mirror like surface of the lake, and no snow on the ground or on the trees.  Sad, really, but that's the reality of another dry season.  Nobody promised an average amount of precipitation, no matter what the amounts are.   Sometimes more, sometimes less= average.  Get used to it; get over it.  Now, enjoy the warm winter days while Boston tries to adjust to their above average amounts of snow.
     Stay healthy

Italy Steps Up Action on Islamist State

    Italy, of Europe's southern border, has spoken out at the UN on current affairs in Libya.  Sebastian Cardi, Italy's UN ambassador, told the UN Security council that Italy was ready to train Libyan troops and provide continued support of the Libyan Government actions against Islamist State fighters.  Italy has also called for stepped up International help in Libya.
     Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told parliament that conditions in Libya were deteriorating.  Italy is usually the location goal of North Africa refugees who seek shelter from unrest and violence in their home countries.  The EU has been noticeably cool in providing assistance in the area.   Warnings of a broken state on Europe's doorstep have been sounded before.  This has the ring of renewed urgency.

Reefs and Grief in South China Sea

    Pres. Obama sent his Under Secretary for east Asian Affairs to Beijing recently to discuss reefs.  No, it wasn't about rising ocean levels; no, it wasn't about levels of CO2 in the ocean and its effects on coral reek development/deterioration.  It was about reef control or control of reefs in the South China Sea.
      Since 2012, when Premier Xi took over the Grand Palace, an aggressive building program was begun in and on the reefs in question.   They are: Fiery Cross Reef(luv the name); Hughes Reef(who was Hughes); Johnson South Reef(who is Johnson?); and Gaven Reefs(yes, plural).  What's the issue here X 4?
      Seems some other interested parties believe that Premier Xi is being a little too assertive of Chinese expansionist claims on these rocks in what most consider to be international waters.  Interested locals include Vietnam, the Philippines; Brunei; Taiwan; and Malaysia.  Premier Xi says that construction efforts are only to make life more comfortable for local Chinese workers.  Really? What are the workers working on?  They need comforts to be comfortable while working to be more comfortable in an area that causes others to be uncomfortable?  So, it's all about comfort.
      These islands, if you will, lie  about 200 miles northwest of Brunei, about 175 miles from Palawan Is.(PI); about 300 miles from Vietnam; about 1000 miles from Taiwan; and about 800 miles from China's island, Hainan.  You can view them on GoogleEarth up close, drone eye view.
      Some claim the Chinese are building a chain of island fortresses.   Hardly.  Just looks like the Chinese have too much money.  James Hardy, editor of Janes IHS Asia Defense Weekly, says this build up will support many troops, maybe a future airstrip.
     Too much money flowing from Beijing. What if they devalue the yuan? Then what?

A nice Look at Our Lake Tahoe with Mt. Lyell in Distance

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Nice view of the lake from the overlook above Meeks Bay.
Where's the snow? Niente, nulla, nada.  Must be summer

Local Water rates on the West Shore

     The owner of Tahoe Swiss Village Water company recently sent out announcements that users could be looking at a 40% rate increase.  Forty per cent, or as it translates to dollars and cents, almost $400/year increase.   Locals already pay some of the highest rates in the civilized world, despite sitting adjacent to one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world.  His answer to ?'s about this: he is entitled by state law to have a reasonable return on his private investment.
      Does the state PUC actually review his documents as submitted?  Someone does, who is "looking out" for rate payers.   His argument is such that all expenses are billed to users, in various ways.  In this case, he feels that rate increases are justified by the amount of long term costs and depreciation of assets.
      These rates are unsustainable, and alternatives must be put in place before residents have to truck in their own water.   Average usage for local residents amounts to 40 gals/day.  This figure, supplied by the company indicates locals have one of the lowest usage amounts anywhere.
     The owner's explanation is based on a need for storage tank maintenance, telemetry replacement for monitoring, and security fencing to thwart the local graffiti activists who spray their tags on the tank sides.   A real problem? or just a problem?  Time will tell as locals write opposition letters to the increased rates being discussed.   Year around residents may be in for another "user" tax.

Kaspersky Lab: Part II

        As an adjunct tidbit of information regarding the resume' of Comrade Eugene Kaspersky, one is asked to review his training and education, and his earliest professional associations.   This background underscores his current position among the socalled 'Russyan Oligarchy'. His position is near the top and is generally recognized as a secure position because of the unique commodity that he overseees: cyber security software.
       He was educated at the Technical faculty of the Higher KGB School of the Order of the Red Banner named after F.E. Dzerzhinsky(aka The 102 School), the largest and most important of several KGB higher educational institutions.  Per 1992 the Technical Faculty was transformed into IKSL, the Institute of Cryptography, Communication, and Computer Science.  When Mr. Kaspersky completed his university level studies, Russya was still the U.S.S.R. or more commonly, the Soviet Union, the agglomeration of diverse peoples and territories cobbled together under "Uncle" Joe Stalin, the ruthless dictator/murderer.   Obviously, at his age, he is a contemporary of none other than Mad Vlad.       Why is he able to fly around the world, hobnob with Ferrari drivers, shed and accumulate wives, and otherwise conduct business without any worry from the Kremlin?   Because he has the "Keys to the Kingdom".   In today's world, he who controls information, controls everything.  He has figured it out.   So, Mad Vlad needs him, at least for now.   Soon, he will become an unabashed western figure, adept at maneuvering among Western power elites, enjoying rapt followers( he already has 339,000 followers on the blog).   Because his roots extend down, down, down into the bowels of the KGB, he knows where the skeletons are hiding.  He probably  knows more than Mad Vlad ever knew!
      He brings to mind the the beer commercials featuring " the Most Interesting Man in the World", the Dos Equis brand (double X).  I can just imagine the number of American civil servants whose day jobs revolve around following this one man's daily activities, not to mention the inner workings of his privately held company.  
More later

Round Ball in the East: Big ACC Game

     As the college basketball season edges closer to the end, big time games help to sharpen ones focus.  Tonight in North Carolina, the Duke Blue Devils played the  North Carolina Tar Heels.  Near neighbors, these teams enjoy an intense rivalry.   A big game was anticipated and fans were not let down.  It went to overtime; the lead changed 5 times in the overtime period before Coach K's team prevailed.   NC's 10 point lead late in the game evaporated, and Duke kept up the pressure, eventually holding the lead at the buzzer.
       With about 3 weeks to go, lots of excitement will follow during MARCH MADNESS!  Be there.

NPR and Kaspersky Lab

      NPR is the public radio station, home to a liberal focused agenda, reporting stories from across the landscape involving politics, literature, public service comment, interviews with authors, artists, leaders, actors, singers and song writers, musicians, and educators.  It plays to a wide audience.  They depend on public funding from the government, but also depend on donors both large and small.
   Yesterday, while the Mayor was listening in, the announcer listed some of the recent donors.   One of which was Kaspersky Lab.   Looking into this donor is quite revealing.
      Why would a Russyan company donate funds to a public service radio station in the United States?   Hmmmm.   How timely you ask.   Let's go to the nytimes.com.  Let's look at the business section on February 17, 2015.   Now look at page B1 and follow with page B7.
     Voila-there's the man hisself:  Comrade Eugene Kaspersky, the leader and co founder of the company(the other founder is his wife, or one of his wives).   He is only 49, but has been around for awhile, studying mathematics and eventually found his way into computers and from there developed cybersecurity interests at a time of increased use of cyber attacks on corporate and government systems.   The article in the Times notes that his company, head quartered, where else, Moscova, claims that the USA has embedded snooping software on government systems around the world.  The revelations of Edward Snowden mention some of the cyber placements of the NSA.   He says this activity has been going on since 2001.   I wonder if there's a connection between.......
      His bio on Wikipedia is concise and includes many of accomplishments in the field of computer security, designing cutting edge technology that is used extensively, especially by the Kremlin and its rulers.
      The question is: When will Mad Vlad take him down and or take him out?   Sure, he's the equivalent of a rock star, and in Russya, one day you're up, and then, 'adios, Amigo.  Go to the Gulag.
Maybe he has enough $$$ to survive, but the clock is ticking in Moscova, as we know.
    Leave now, Eugene, time is running out.

Morning in Yangon

     The Minister is in Mynmar, Yangon actually.   It's Thursday there, and he's enjoying the new city.  Lots to do for a minister with a mission: see as much as you can and connect with as many folks as you can.  So he will as he moves about the country, taking it all in.   He has been advised by the Mayor to extend invitations to Tahoma to all local ministers.   It would be a great coup for the town of Tahoma to host a delegation from Yangon.  What fun.
      The Minister promises to negotiate an exchange program if he can find the proper authority.  Not easy in a country just emerging from years of self imposed isolation.  Sad that a culture has to endure those hard times before leaders can see the light and open the door to cross cultural exposure.  But we live in the era of global communication by the internet.  There's no going back.
More to follow.

Greece: The Clock is Ticking in the Standoff

     The European finance ministers are staring down Greek financial leaders as the deadline approaches for decisions to be made about the future of Greece as a participant in the Euro zone.  How long will this continue: not long.  Greece will effectively be w/o funds in 2 weeks.  Will Germany blink?  The ECB?  Mario Draghi?  Angela Merkel?  It is sad that the game they are playing is a game with lots of losers and few winners.   Bankers are sitting on the sidelines waiting, as bankers do, for the chips to fall where they will.
      Most leaders are in agreement:  it is best to keep Greece, because all will suffer if the little Mediterreanean nation goes adrift, printing drachmas to keep the economy from total melt down.  Sure, maybe Russya would step in, or even China.  But don't count on it. 

Using Tinder on the West Shore

      20-somethings have been using Tinder(social connection app) for at least 3 years, since its founding 3 years ago.   It continues to flourish, especially in large urban centers where tech-savvy singles, living away from home bases, reach out to their unknown peer group to make new friends and keep the social whirl going.
        Social psychologists are having a field day analyzing data, such is available,  trying to make sense of this phase of human interaction.   Early opinions indicate that TINDER makes the search for connection easier/quicker.   The term "swipe right" has now entered the lexicon of techie hookups.  Being somewhat beyond the 18-34 demographic, the Mayor is late to Tinder acquaintance.  But not some of our ministerial staff.   I was given a first hand example of its operation and I noted: it was fast; it was easy; it served its users well; and it fit their (users) needs.  It's all a little mind boggling, really.  But it puts tech/social media on full display.
         In a small town/small social world, there are less folks eligible to participate, let alone find it useful.  West Shore Lake Tahoe would qualify as one of the lowest user group demographics available.  Bottomline:  it is not found in use along Highway 89.

Skiing this weekend?

    How sad: hardly mid February and most resorts have called for seasonal shutdowns.  This is devastating to our long term economic outlook on West Shore(Tahoma/Homewood).  Can a family survive another year here?  Many working families can no longer make it on two short seasons: there's not enough hours to cover living in the Sierra anymore.  Some climatologists think that this is the beginning of a long term drought condition for all of California.  If that is the case, big changes are coming to the Tahoe Valley and surrounding areas.
      What's to become of the Homewood Village project?  How could a builder justify the investment?  He can't!  Even those who can afford to live here and vacation here won't come here if there's no draw-no snow.   This has been so sudden in climate terms that one can only hope that we are experiencing a bit of low average years for precipitation.   The local water company is crying poor mouth  because he can't sell enough well water to justify his expenses.  What will happen to the lake itself?  All the eggheads are scratching same, trying to explain the situation as we have seen it.
     Winter is not officially over; there could be a few more storms.............

Ceasefire? Or More Crossfire? Donbass

      An agreement among participants at the conference on a ceasefire in the Donbass seems to have had a timing issue.  The guns keep firing; Russyan troops and equipment continue to operate across the Ukraine border.  A Demilitarized Zone has been mapped  out, but does not seem to be vacant yet.  maybe communications are not quite up to par; you know-'war and fog and all that'.
     Petro Poroshenko, the Pres. of Ukraine knows of his opponents(Russyans), and almost begs for some equalizing armaments.  They do not seem to be part of the bargain.  So, we have to watch and gasp at the antics of Mad Vlad as he prances around eastern Europe, strutting like a rooster, crowing and cackling, as his peers to the west fret and chatter.
     What country is next?

Pres. Obama and Tim Cook

       It wasn't exactly like Pres. Truman waiting for Gen. Douglas MacArthur, but there were parallels.  Pres. Obama took his internet/cybersecurity road show to the heart of Silicon Valley this week, meeting panel members at Stanford University in Palo Alto.   He and the White House staff put out an announcement that the FCC is going to juice the issue of Internet Neutrality by imposing controls reserved for utilities.  The federal Government will establish the rules for internet traffic control.   This does not sit well with too many peoples, especially Big Internet Service providers.  They want to control the flow so they can not only choose content, but also sell bandwidth to the heavy users/providers.  Also on the program for discussion is cybersecurity.
       The SONY Corp. hacking of their company computer system continues to send shivers down the spines of CEO's.  Even if it is known to be North Korea as the source, work must be done to secure company data.  Along with this issue is the issue of government surveillance.  After the edward Snowden revelations last year, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, to name a few, are reluctant to share information with clandestine operations of Federal security services)NSA, CIA, DEA, IRS, DIA, and Homeland Security.   Congressional staff were not in attendance, but, Congress has some powerful influence on the outcome of this quest for internet control.
      Time will tell who wins this one.

Wooden Ships-Some Iron Men:2015

                                                         progress on MATHEW TURNER- brigantine
        A rare sight in California: a remarkable ship under construction, a completely wooden ship, 125' long, 120 tons made of douglas fir logged in Mendocino County.  Under construction for over 1 year, the hull has shape, and planking the sides is ready to begin.   Under a tent in Sausalito, volunteers are working like ants/beavers to make this dream a reality.   The Mayor is doing his part: machining bronze bolts to hold the siding in place.  There are over 1000 of these bolts: 3/4" in diameter and 2' long.   Most were made in a CNC machine, but some extras needed to be made(Mayor's role). 
     educationaltallship.org is the link for much more information, time lines, and volunteer info.  Perhaps a cash donation would also be made.  the project is estimated to cast $6 millions, with over $4 donated to date.   The executive director is Alan Olson, a career maritime sailor/ship builder.   The head shipwright is Fritz Baikal, a very professional wood shaper.
   More to follow.

Minsk Mishmash

     Will anything of value come from Minsk today?   That is a good question as European leadership attempts to negotiate a cease fire in Ukraine.   With presidents Poroshenko and Putin shaking hands early in the talks, other representatives have given indications that a deal is forthcoming that will silence the guns along the border between Ukraine and Russya.   President Obama made a phone call to Mr. Putin, telling him this week that a ceasefire would help tremendously to advance peace in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine around Donetsk.   Pres. Obama warned that if the conflict continues on its current path, sanctions in place will be added to, that would cause further financial setbacks for the reeling economy across Russya.
      After talks in Minsk, leader will go to Belgium for EU talks relating to Greece and the beginning of the ECB quantitative easing bond buying program.
More later  

Minister Checks in on WhatsApp

      You have to like WhatsApp, the messaging service.  Anywhere in the world: texting allowed, cost niente/nulla.   The Minister reported on his progress of inspections in SE Asia.  All's going well among the Andaman Islands, off the southwest coast of Thailand.  Perfect weather:  89 F dunring the day, 78 F at night.   He has been invited to go upcountry(north) to Chiang Mai city, the second city of Thailand.  It should offer some ample opportunities to visit with locals, and maybe visit the border regions of Myanmar and/or Laos.
      Fortunately, our well prepared minister has his anti -malarial meds with him.  A recent news article highlighted the area as ground zero for malarial infections among the local population.  He was strongly advised to begin a cycle of medicine to stay healthy.  Nobody needs malaria, ever.
     Have you tried WhatsApp?  Look for it on your phone.  Try it, you'll like it.  Works well along the West Shore.

Winter's Last Big Weekend

   This is it: the last big weekend of winter.  What winter?  Did we have winter?  Well, if you blinked, you missed our winter.  In New England, that's a different story.  Those Folks are still digging out from Monday's storm.   The third big storm in the last 6 weeks.  Yes, we received a load of moisture over the last weekend, but we need more.
       Presidents Day Holiday/ Winter Break.  Schools Closed.  Families free.  Skiers delight.  Hopefully, there will be some business along our West Shore.  Not much snow along the shore, but more than enough above 7000', where the real skiing is anyway.   Marketing has been difficult with the weather not helping advertisers at all.   We can hope.
      Put on the smiley face this weekend.  Get out there and enjoy the time off.  Stay warm.
Happy Presidents Day.

Forest Fire In Winter?

      It must happen only in California.   Some Tahoma residents noted more smoke and haze than usual this past week in the lake basin.  How can this be?   Fire.
     State org. CalFire named the blaze the "Round Fire", located just west of Highway 395, in Inyo and Mono counties.  It's about 95% contained today.  It burned through about 3000  hectares of forest, consuming 40 homes and structures.  Tough time to lose your house: middle of winter.  The land area is about 1/5 th the size of San Francisco, so you know.   No injuries have been reported by Cal Fire.
We'll keep you updated as conditions change.
      The recent storm that washed over the entire state, mainly northern California, dampened the area, but didn't extinguish the fire.   Some snow fell above 7000', but below, there was little.  It's all in New England where they expect another foot to fall on the 5' already on the ground.  My, my, winters are getting rough on the east coast.  If I lived back there, I'd move.  Go West, young man.
     California rivers that empty into the Pacific are all flowing brown now.  But in 3-5 days, clearing streams and rivers will offer some opportunities for the fishermen among us.   Fisherman Frankie in Truckee might even run down the hill to get his lines wet looking for a nice steelhead trout, just in from his Pacific cruise.   Be there.
      Got a text from my buddy, Gary, said he saw a film this past weekend at the Throckmorton Winter Film fest that included a fishing film about an old veteran who used flyfishing as a bridge back to sanity after a horrific experience in WWII.  It's called " Mending the Line", which carries meaning for all flyfishermen and women.   Check it out on Youtube.

Germans Seek Shelter From Financial Pain

       Investors in the USA have become a skittish bunch.   Of course, the little guy, the "Mom and Pops" have long abandoned stocks, going back to 2008 when many stocks went south taking the small investor down with them.   And we know about the middle class: it's shrinking day after day.  Wages are stagnant; have been for 20+ years.  Institutional investors are the heavy weights now.   And they've gotten a little nervous of late.  Actually, over 2014, institutional investors have made some changes, big changes.
      A Case In Point
       PIMCO, the California investment firm, had been riding high for years.  And then, new management, and a big change.   Mr. Bill Gross, one of the founding fathers, decided he had had enough.  He quit; then he went to the Janus Funds.   What happened next?  It's called outflow.   Funds move in and out of a mutual funds all the time.  A fund is on a roll when funds are flowing in.   Managers work overtime to place those funds to advantage.  For all of 2014, investors have been running from PIMCO and its funds.  Over the last year, a mutual fund record amount was withdrawn from PIMCO. More than $150 billions.  Yes, Billions with a "B".  How sad.   Maybe the big German company, Allianz, can come up with a plan to stem the outflow, maybe not.   Maybe they'll decide it's no longer worth the headache.  We didn't like Bill Gross and his big ego anyway.   So, Allianz gets stung again in the good ol' US of A.   Gee, can't a guy make profit anymore?   Back to the drawing board.
      And Allianz, more executive meetings; more decisions, more economic pain. 

Gas Prices: Down, Now Up Again

     If you blinked your eyes, you missed the bounce of gas prices.   Seems just last week they were under $2/gals.   Then I started to read that big oil and gas producers were not happy: their stock prices were dropping.  Tsk,tsk.  They started to send messages to their friends in Washington that they didn't anticipate the drop.  They must now lay off workers, close drilling operations, slash R&D budgets.   Woe, woe, woe is me.
       So, in the course of 5 days, we've been witness to a rebound.  Prices at the pump soared over the weekend.  They went up as much as 20% in some Bay Area locations.  Pundits and Pols say consumers don't understand economics.  That's right.  We don't.   When prices go down, they trickle down.  When they go up, they leap up overnight.   Whose economics don't we understand?  Monopoly economics.   Maybe Washington needed some action in the Middle East, or maybe they're sending a message to Mad Vlad that we now control oil prices, not OPEC, or Russya, or Dubai, or Venezuela.   It seems that once stable pricing is cast adrift, it's hard for governments to predict the future.   That's not good for the people; it creates difficulties; causes anxieties and fear.  
       So, if you just bought an SUV or a new 3/4 ton pickup truck, take it back.   All the money you thought you would save on gas just evaporated.  Tsk, tsk.

Flying Circus: US Airlines

     For passengers on domestic flights in the US, the experience of flying has become an "experience".    Full flights, extra fees for about everything, security checkpoint hassles, baggage problems, no food service, tight seats (and getting tighter), no leg room, no movies, surly cabin staff, long waits on the tarmac, and insult of insults: no tickets avail. for all those miles.
     Well, it's not enough.  The recent drop in fuel prices/ oil has gone right to the bottom line of all the majors(and minors,too).   So, what are the airlines doing now?   They want to block access to the US market by foreign carriers, eg. Emirates Airlines.   So, they want as little competition as possible.  They buy up other companies here(United absorbed Continental recently), American emerged from bankruptcy and is now flourishing, and growing.   New aircraft ordered will be configured with extra seats in economy, reducing width from 18 1/2" to 17" to accommodate the increase.  Lovely. 
     And 1st Class?  Those seats are even roomier than before, loaded with extra amenities.  There's no equality in the air; only inequality.  Thank you very much.
       The oligopoly starts here: knock out the competition until you are the only game in town.  Lobby Congress and regulators(deregulated in 70's), force out the weak sisters by conspiring to freeze markets, and pay as little dividend as possible to the sheep who are dumb enough to invest in your company stock(you hold only preferred shares and you control the board and set your own salary).  Lovely.   Our ministers fly about the country regularly and we often hear of their trials and tribulations.  The Mayor flies occasionally, but not for business.   European airlines seem to do a better job, but they have their own financial worries.(see Alitalia).  Don't forget Ryanair, the low cost carrier out of Ireland.  A most disgusting operation, filled with cheap seats, and no service.  You want cheap, fly Ryanair.  Most Europeans with a salary will choose another carrier.  Students and large families are stuck with these cattle cars.
     Write your Congressman-Oh, don't bother.  Their mail is screened and ends up in the dumpster.  Send an email, which goes to trash.  But you'll feel better afterward.

Minister Departs CONUS

      Well, Sports fans, our world traveling Minister is currently airborne on a United Air Flt winging his merry way to East Asia(or Far East if one gives the term a bit of English).  He'll touch down in Taipei, then get a connection direct to Bangkok.  Of course, there will be a requisite lay-over: 6 hours, or 4, depending.   He'll find a bench or a curb at the airport.  He told the Mayor that authorities in Taipei require the airport to close-yes, to close, from about midnight to sun up.  Close, that is, for passengers in the airport terminal.  How ridiculous is that?  No doubt the locals want more rooms occupied in local hotels: the better to tax you and sell you stuff.
      Tomorrow, or Monday in East Asia, he'll board a flight to his final destination where he'll join a fellow traveler and they'll get a local hop to the southern beaches, actually, an offshore island resort.
After that, he'll play it by ear: on to Myanmar, maybe Cambodia, maybe Vietnam, and maybe even Laos..   He's been granted about 3 weeks to recharge his batteries before he heads back to Washington, DC where he'll begin a new career path.   More on that later.

       The Mayor had lunch with the Minister of Aviation yesterday who gave an update on the plane crash in Taiwan.  It seems, according to sources w/i the aviation community, that the pilot of the French-made aircraft cut power to the one engine that was keeping the plane in the air.   Looking at that photo that everybody has seen, the pilot is unable to control the stall that has gripped the entire aircraft.  At least there were a few survivors. 

Germans Know Business: Si o No?

     Firemans Fund Insurance has been around since 1853.   Founded on the West Coast, San Francisco, it offered full lines of protection for business and individuals.  When it relocated to Marin County, north of SF, it transferred most of its 7000 employees to several sites, becoming the largest employer by far.  Its success attracted potential takeover offers, but never sold out.  Until a large German firm came calling in the 1990's.  Allianz was that company:  big and looking to get bigger.  It completed the takeover and before long, things changed, gradually.
       Executives came and went.  In house training programs were shut down.  Goals were set and changed frequently: raised to lofty heights.  Personnel were required to do more with less.  Then the IT Dept. was relocated to Arizona.  Then the parent compnay began to sell corporate components, reducing various segments of the company, all with a goal of satisfying corporate profits.  By the early 2000's, the Marin County campus had been reduced by 75% and profits were nowhere to be found.  Pension plans were scrapped; dubious schemes replaced them. One in particular was run by local scoundrels who eventually went to prison, but not before losing millions of future retirees pension funds.
      This past week, Allianz announced that it is selling the final piece of the company, the personal insurance line for a few hundred million.  Then the lights go out after 161 years of business.
     The new train station installed to provide the company employees a convenient mode of transportation to work lies unused, waiting for trains that will never come.

Your New Neighbors: Brazilians

      Who is that man and where did he get all that money?  These are some of the questions being asked around Miami, FL.   Yes, many moneyed elites are looking at real estate in Miami, Florida, citing the moribund economy and Brazil's high crime rate.  In addition, many claim that the instability of government is also driving them to the US market.   Other locations being looked at include New York, Boston, and Orlando, FL.
      Cristiano Piquet, former race car champion, is now selling real estate in Florida, said he cannot keep up with the demand from Brasilians seeking to move to Florida.   many perceive Florida as a safe bet for their $$$$.   There are about 1 million Brazilian citizens living currently in the USA, of approx. 3 millions living abroad.   many Brazilian ex-pats cite Ms. Roussef"s re-election as the fact that drove their decision to leave.  In Florida alone, about 2-300,000 Brazilians live in the Sunshine State.

Trouble in Brasile: Another Scandal Moment

     Government Leader Dilma Roussef has a headache this morning.  The Supreme Court has opened a legal inquiry into Petrobas, the state-owned oil company, and the kickback schemes involved with the awarding of construction contracts.  Federal police arrived at the front door of the home of Workers' Party Joao Vaccari Neto, treasurer, who is accused of receiving between $150 and $200 millions of dollars on behalf of the Party.  Some 90 contracts are alleged to be involved.  He was not arrested or charged, only questioned.  Some members of Congress are asking that President Roussef resign.
      Documents that brought light to the allegations were part of federal investigators plea deal with Pedro  Barusco, a former Petrobras manager.  Part of his plea deal included admission that he received $97 millions himself, and agreed to pay back all of it excepting $1 millions that he spent on trips and medical treatments.  The Petrobras case, known as "Operation car wash" because it started as an investigation into money laundering at a car wash in Brasilia. Dozens of arrests have been made, including executives of some of Brasile's largest construction companies.
      None of this bodes well for the former Brasilian president, "Lula" Luz De Silva, who has long supported his appointed successor, Wilma R.  The Squid, as he is known among his people, has kept a low profile, but has stayed involved in politics since leaving office a few years ago.   Wait until the feds start looking at the Olympic construction contracts.  Hmmmm.
     The Workers' Party will have to answer some serious questions about its activities.  Opposition parties will raise considerable concerns about the ruling party and how it got to the presidency.

Storm on Way

     Hold on to yuh hats- weather is happening.  After the East got blasted last week, it's West COast Time.  A big blow will dump on the entire State of California starting tomorrow morning.  Unfortunately for Tahoma, very little snow will fall.  But, on a high note, 1" of rain = 10" of snow.  So if we get 3-5" of rain, that equals 2 1/2 ' of snow.  Small consolation.  Perhaps we'll avoid a record LOW lake water level.  Maybe not.
Drive safely.

Diplomacy Tried in Ukraine

        Secretary of State John Kerry met with Pres. Poroshenko of Ukraine today, along with western Allies France' Francois Hollande and Germany's Angela Merkel.  They are attempting a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine government forces and separatist rebel units in the east area known as Donbass.
      Secretary Kerry made direct comments that the Russyan forces on the ground that have violated Ukraine territory will continue to violate the Minsk Agreement signed just last year.  In unmarked uniforms, these Russyan troops fool only themselves and Mr. Putin(aka Raz-Putin).  Mr. Putin thinks he's fooling everybody because he's done it before.
      Next stop will be Moscova.  Maybe Mr. Raz-Putin will trot out his pet leopard for the visitors to pet.   Maybe he'll serve lunch in his dacha.   Maybe he'll tell some Russyan folk tales to entertain his honored guests.  We here in Tahoma think that Mr. Putin will huff and puff and blow wind out of his hind quarters.   He has such class.   I think he should get a hair piece to cover the comb over- it's looking a little too much.
      Maybe the diplomats will lay out the next level of sanctions, maybe not.  I'm sure Sec. Kerry will extend some suggestions from his boss in the White House.  Old mad Vlad won't listen.  He'll ask how they liked the Sochi games, caviar, and vodka, of course.   So, the 3 will go home with nothing to show but a touch of frostbite from Red Square.

S&P: Pay up Time!

     So, just when you thought it was over, up pops another casualty of the recession.  Another "Big BanK" you think?  No, a bond rating firm.  Huh?  They don't make loans, they don't invest in property, what gives?  Well, unless you've been asleep, bond rating firms carry way too much weight in the financial world. And they get paid by the companies who ask for the rating.  Hmmm.  Sounds like a business that thrives on fuzzy relationships and inherent cross purpose and opportunity for fraudulent behaviors.
     So, to put an end to this little bit of bad publicity, Standard & Poor's, the venerable company, decided to settle with the Justice Dept., accept a little fine, and move on.  Little.  Ha, ha , ha.  To you and the Mayor, little is $1,000.  To Standard & Poor's, little is $1.5 BILLIONS!
     The Crime
     Some of the Wall Street Investment Houses that we've come to loath at their very name were packaging(bundling, mixing, stacking) mortgage-backed securities for sale to other entities in the retail bond and securities business.  This means brokerages, small municipalities, and pension funds of various stripes.   These packages had to be rated for purchasers so they could accept the proper level of risk involved per investment amounts.  S&P failed in this endeavor, failing in their role as unbiased 3rd party.  They rated vast amounts of these bundles that were sold far and wide.  They consisted of real estate mortgages and S&P was to examine the quality of said paper backed by the soundness of the real estate involved and those who had mortgaged their property.  Sad to say, but the management of S&P admitted "mistakes", but not wrong doing.  Thus, $1.5 BILLIONS.
Next Up
    Moody's Investor Services
     They will probably get slammed as much if not more for their role in the recession.   They were more heavily involved in the mortgage back security ratings game.  I predict they'll have to pay upwards of 2 Billion dollars.
    Waiting in the wings: Fitch.

New Italian President Sworn In

    Sergio Matarella, the Italian President was sworn in yesterday and spoke briefly, noting upcoming efforts on part of Matteo Renzi, PM, to impart changes in Italian labor law, taxation collection efforts, and reduction in administrative/bureaucratic obstacles to the creation of new businesses across the country.
     Bravo, Signore Matarella!

Putin's Upcoming Punishment

      It's all on the table: the entire Federation, that is.  Or, the future of the "current" Federation political makeup.   Recently, a noted think tank(McCain Institute) published a paper on possible new sanctions directed against the Federation, its leaders, and its gophers/oligarchs.  Let's list them because they are so spot on:
1.  Mr. Obama should provide more intelligence information to the Ukraine's military leadership
2. NATO and the US should release more information concerning Russya's military moves into Ukraine territory.  Hard evidence will help sway fence sitters not only in US Congress, but those Pentagon officials who believe enough has been done to aid Ukraine.
3.  Gazprom, the Russyan state oil company, and its head, Alexei Miller, should be added to the sanctions list.  Listing Gazprom would end its ability to strike deals with in other countries.
4.  This is the best: Russya should be excluded from SWIFT, the the global settlements system.  This would effectively cripple the banking system in the Kremlin world.
5.  All high ranking Russyan officials should be listed and added to a visa ban and an asset freeze.  It would have to start at the top, with Raz-Putin, who has $40 billions stashed(according to NY Times. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov should be included.  Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu should also be added.
     With these and other new sanctions, Mr. Raz-Putin can lead his Federation and its Lemmings over the cliff, but without Ukraine.

Patriots, Italians, Russyans, Oh,my: Sports Wrap

     Well, sports fans, it's been quite a weekend.  Super Bowl XLIX is history.  It was some contest, with an unpredictable outcome that kept viewers and fans in their seats up until thee last 18 seconds.  Just when you thought it was over, it wasn't.  That 4th quarter of play: what a finish!  Patriots scored 14 points to take the lead with a few minutes to go.  Then, Seattle came back and went ahead, 28-24.  Then, the miracle catch:  a Wilson pass to Kearse on the Pats 5 yd. line-1st down and goal to go.  Then Marshawn Lynch carries to the 1 foot line, just short.  2nd down.  Then, Wilson passes over the middle-INTERCEPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    A Patriots rookie, Butler, stepped up on the goal line and caught the pass intended for a touchdown.  Not to be.  Patriots, 1st and 10 to go from their own 1 foot line.  Brady does a hesitation call and draws the Seahawks line off the ball, 5 yard penalty!  Brady, takes the snap, kneels, Game over!  Then, Bedlam.  Final: Pats 28, Seahawks 24.

Australian Tennis Open
     Serena Williams rolled up her 19th Grand Slam victory by defeating her perennial rival, Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 7-6.   Maria accepted her runner up trophy with silent assent.  Serena mentioned that she still has to win 3 more titles to equal Steffi Graf's 22 Slam victories.

Russians Light Up World of Figure Skating in Stockholm
       Defying the odds,  3 Russyan women took the podium for a threesome, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals.  Gold went to Elizaveta Tukamysheva, the silver to her teammate, Elena Radionova, and the bronze to Anna Pogorilaya.  Nice to see some charm among Russyan athletes who have to contend with the international scorn heaped on their President, Mad Vlad Ras-Putin.

Italians Dominate Men in Australia
      Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli became the first all-Italian team to win a Grand Slam event since 1959.  They beat Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4,6-4, in the Australian Open Final in Melbourne.

Dubai Golf
   Rory McIlroy extended his lead at the Dubai OPen Desert Classic to 4 strokes with a six-under-par 66 in the 3rd Round at Dubai.


Hope you enjoyed some events over the weekend.  Pray for snowmaybe next week.

Hubble Foto

Hubble Foto

      It never ceases to amaze The Mayor that such fantastic images are everyday occurrences beyond our little galaxy.  WSJ noted this image and a few others recently gathered by our "Eye-in the Sky" telescope-the Hubble.  The Hubble has celebrated its 25th Anniversary-25 years of photographing the fantastic, giving astronomers and scientists unparalleled glimpses of deep space and all(or part) of what it contains.
      This image cannot be seen from Tahoma.  So, don't try.  But, glance at the night sky, remember where you are and, maybe, where you fit.
       Thanks to our Minister of Latin American Affairs for getting this up.