Matthew Turner: Update

       Had a chat with the project manager of the construction of Tall Ship Matthew Turner, the all wood brigantine under construction in Sausalito, California.  Decking of the main deck has begun, a big step in the process.  In addition, word was received this week that the two custom built diesel fuel tanks have been put together in Sebastopol. These 1000lb. steel monsters will be installed port and starboard below decks in front of the aft water tight partition.   Before the final placement, the two will be epoxy coated for added protection to ensure long term usage.
     Inspection hatches were added to both tanks in the unlikely event they needed an interior inspection sometime during their useful life.  Better now than later.   Nice job by two veteran welders, Jeff and Don, experience boat builders from way back when.  Web site:educationaltallship.org

Alvah C. Bessie, Writer

   Who is Alvah C. Bessie?

Book Review: Wild Bill Donovan, Founder of OSS, author Douglas Waller

       The name is not unfamiliar to many Americans who know a smattering of 20th century history.  By the time the US entered WW II, our enemies had years to establish an espionage organization that was already in place.  The US, on the other hand, was just beginning and had to overcome some institutional bias against the idea of a spy organization run by the government.
   By the time FDR was convinced to  support this new intelligence arm, William Donovan was already making moves that would stand out when it came time to select a leader for the fledgling start -up.   Donovan, a native of Buffalo, New York's Irish "shanty town", showed promise as a student and went to Niagara University for a couple of years before transferring to Columbia University.  Upon graduation, he immediately enrolled in the Law School which he finished in 2 years.  FDR was one of his classmates but they never got together.  With law degree in hand, he returned to Buffalo to practice law.   He did well and made several important career moves.
     By the time WW I became a national issue, Donovan was ready after spending years in a local cavalry unit he had organized in Buffalo.  He saw action in 1918 and was wounded.   He would later be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic action.
     During the inter war years, Donavan worked as a prosecutor in New York where he gained a reputation as a sound legal mind and a earned respect with all types of politicians and civil servants.  He also  became an internationalist, traveling to world capitols, observing the growing Fascist politicians, including Hitler, Mussolini, and their  supporters.  He noted the aggression of the Japanese who signed a tripartite pact with Germany and Italy.   Japan's invasion of China and Manchuria gave the US pause as pacifists rallied for continued isolation from international conflicts.
By Pearl Harbor, in December of 1941, the need for an intelligence service had been approved and Donovan was selected as its head.  With the rank of Colonel, having passed a military service physical, he launched the new organization determined to make it succeed.  It did and thanks to Donovan's grit and leadership, it expanded in scope and depth throughout the entire World War period.
     After hostilities ended, the problems with the Soviets emerged as the next serious issue to contend with on the international scene.  But President Truman was not enamored of the "spooks" and disbanded the organization, breaking it into 3 parts and distributing those portions to the State Department, the War Dept, and domestic issues wrapped into the FBI of J. Edgar Hoover.  For years after the war, Donovan maintained close ties with many notables in Washington, serving again at Nuremberg; abroad in Thailand, and as a trial attorney.
        After returning from Thailand, his law partners  noticed a sharp decline in his physical attributes and his mental clarity.  He could no longer practice law, nor could he care for himself.  He was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC's Northwest, in September, 1957 and would never leave.  He died at Walter Reed, in February,  1959, a month after his 76th birthday.
      His grave site is in a coveted spot at the foot of the Lee mansion at Arlington Cemetery.  Honorary pallbearers included Time publisher Henry Luce, David Bruce(his London station chief), director John Ford, Frank Raichle, and Bill Stephenson(the British agent who helped Donovan set up the OSS.    His younger brother, Vincent, gave the final prayer as the flag from the coffin was folded and given to his widow, Ruth.

Amanda Knox: Free Again

    The Italian Court of Cassation, equivalent to America's Supreme Court, announced it's decision on Friday.  The decision reverses a lower court decision and finds Amanda Knox and her former partner, Raffaele Sollecito, not guilty of the murder of her roommate in 2007.  This is the end of an interminable legal process that included a 4 year prison stay for the young American college student who came to Italy to study almost 8 years ago.  The decision underscores the weakness of a legal system that defies reason and defies changes and defies any attempts to alter the system in any meaningful way.
      The case did not alter the conviction of the actual killer, the Ivory Coast native, Rudy Guede, who has been in prison since 2009.  He will be eligible for parole in less than 10 years.  His conviction for the same crime and his sentence of half the time given to Ms. Knox and Mr. Sollecito underscore the weakness in a system that calls for a complete overhaul.   Justice in Italy is hardly guaranteed under the current system.  Apparently, the lawyers in Italy maintain tight control over a system that guarantees not justice, but endless delays that extend cases beyond reasonable time limits as though that alone signifies justice has been done.  A case in point is the high profile figure of Silvio Berlesconi.  Despite convictions and endless appeals, he is rarely free of continued accusations based on alleged past misdeeds.   In Ms. Knox' case, a prosecutor from Perugia, Giuliano Magnini, a convicted criminal for legal misdeeds in his role as public prosecutor, was allowed to assume the role in Ms. Knox case despite his role as defendant at the same time.
    Here is the dark underside of Italy, rarely seen or considered by Americans and other visitors to the land of the Caesars, land of "La Dolce Vita".  Will change come as a result of this decision?  Don't hold your breath.

La Primavera or Springtime in the Mountains

     So, where is winter and here is springtime.  The mayor received a email from a pal in Carlisle, PA, and he noted that some birds are chirping and a flower has  been seen peeking through the snow-covered ground.  Hmm.  maybe that's where spring is.  Here at Lake Tahoe it's been spring for months, really.   What passed for "winter" is long gone.  No more snowboards on the car roofs, no more caravans of ski-topped autos heading down Highway 89, no more late nights at the saloons with lift operators, ski patrollers, ski instructors, and college breakers running amok.
    No, spring is here along with her pal, daylight savings time.  Now we look for a bump after St. Paddy's Day.  It used to be Easter Break, or Spring Break, or some other misnomer.  My friend, Bill, a high school history teacher, announced he's off for 2 weeks and heading south to San Diego for a much needed vacace.  I'll be meeting with the lad to provide some tips on staying out of trouble among the breakers sure to hit the So Cal beaches at the end of March Madness.
    So it goes.  Income Tax time is almost here, which means Property Tax time is only 12 days away.  Get out your check books, get ready to "Under Fund" the govmint for another year and watch your tax dollars misspent by a gang of white-haired old fools.
Enjoy the weekend.  Be safe.  

36 Hours of: Lake Tahoe

    The NY Times has a weekly feature that has become quite popular among readers.  It is called 36 Hours.  It is a visitors guide to a destination "discovered" by the writer who pens a schedule for prospective visitor and what that visitor might accomplish during the cramped 36 hour period of a brief, but intense visit.
     Major cities around the world have been regular topics, as have national parks, remote villages, exotic beaches, and cultural mainstays.  In our case, Lake Tahoe's case, the writer must have  been on a tight schedule, tighter than 36 hours, and did not have a clue about the area.  Nor did the writer(no names) consult with a local, even a feeble minded type which can be found here and there.
The writer was awed by the lake itself.  Ok, good start.  Then he drives around Lakeshore Blvd, drives south on 89, and ends up in: South Lake Tahoe?  Are you kidding me?  To make the effort even more laughable, he extolls the virtues of South Lake.  How sad.  The series was just knocked down several notches in the Mayor's eyes.   Perhaps all the other articles were of similar ilk.  Well, probably not.
     Then again, maybe it's just as well he omitted the entire West Shore.  Maybe that will alleviate some of the weekend traffic during our short visitor season.  Hopefully, it won't get any shorter.
So, Mr. 36 Hour Man: talk to a local next time you decide to drive Highway 89, looking for a story.  It could possibly make your writing just a bit more credible.

The Economy: Part II

    The Price of Oil
      The price of oil remains as one of the global economy's worst enemy: as the price goes, so goes a country's economy.  What's happening?  Glut, glut, and more glut.  The USA, now a net surplus producer is pumping more oil than ever, and is running out of storage space.  Should Pres. Obama open the exit door, US producers could flood the international market place and eliminate OPEC producers as a factor in pricing(which has already occurred w/o US entry).  Brent crude, or North Sea oil price, has just about been declared officially dead.  Now, it's West Texas oil, sweet oil, that appears to be the new benchmark, and that figure continues to slide south(down here in US).   As the number goes below $44/barrel of crude, consumers rejoice at the gas pump.  However, there seems to be an anomaly in California.  After nipping the $2/gal. price point only a month ago, prices have roared back to $3.50/gal.  What gives?  Nobody can accurately assess who is responsible for this run up.  Reports of refinery seasonal shutdowns are heard; a fire at another refinery is noted; future prices are bid up by speculators; State tax watchdogs want more sales tax revenues and goaded producers; Kermit the frog bought a TESLA; Donald Duck bought a Prius; Tom Brady bought another house; Benedict Cumberbatch was seen on a bicycle.  All contributed to California's gas price run up.
   The Euro Exchange Rate
      Yes, Lake Tahoe residents must follow the dollar/Euro exchange rate.  How many European tourists will show up on the shores of our local lake?  It's important.  As the Euro slides against the dollar and nears parity, there is much hand wringing going on.  US tourists drool over the cost of a European vacation.  American exporters whimper over the loss of potential customers who now will pay more for their goods.   Euro zone manufacturers smile as the US market becomes an attractive marketplace, again.  European tourists cry because they will have to go to Crimean beaches ƒor vacation instead of the Jersey Shore or the Catskills of New York.  And we know about Crimea: FSB operatives from Moscova lurking about, seizing assets and businesses, explaining that Mad Vlad ordered as much and he MUST be obeyed or everybody is dead.   Swiss bankers, running scared, are cautious, moving discreetly about in financial markets, attempting to stay under the radar of the IRS and the US Justice Dept.
     Greek Yogurt
    More problems are surfacing down south on the Med border lands, specifically Greece.   The yield on Greek 2017 bond has risen above  22%.  Greek bank share prices are at their lowest levels since the crisis began in 2009.  A mini bank run was reported on Wednesday.   Emergency funding is in place but time does appear to be on the side of Greece. Or Mr. Tsipras, the PM.
   War Drums
      Mr. Netanyahu was reelected in Israel as PM, his 4th term.  This confirmed his position as a hard liner against Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, and regional opposition in general.  Pres. Obama had his contingencies in place, but still has to negotiate with "Bebe".
     The ceasefire in Ukraine is hardly complete, as Russya maintains pressure on Kiev.  Reports out of Crimea indicate a stormy takeover in progress, and the Donbass region of Ukraine is still in a state of flux.  Compounding the regional issue is the arrest of 5 Chechens connected to the murder of former vice president Nemtsov in Moscova 2 weeks ago.  Mad Vlad's public support of the new Chechen dictator, the 39 year punk, does not bode well for peace and tranquility in that area.
     A recent suicide bombing in Yemen and Tunis indicate continued violence across the Arab world, never healthy for any economy.

It's The Economy, As Usual

       The week finished as usual with a Friday.  That's the good news.  The rest of the week was a run of volatility that drove investors, well, crazy.   Where to start?  Let's look at some further international developments that had to be considered when viewing financial data.  Given that in the USA, 75% of investing is by large institutions, one would think events of the day would not have serious influence.  But each day represents an accumulation of worldwide occurrences: weather, wars, announcements by governments and companies, and scientific advancements. So, here we go.
     The Price of Gold
      Long set by an opaque method, using phone conversations of all things, the daily price(s) of gold per ounce will now be set by an independent office which will gather auction prices among bidders and make a price fix: one in the morning and another 6 hours later in the afternoon.  This new system began Friday.  The effect?  Wait until next week.
    Foreign Exchange Settlement
     Any traveler who crosses international borders(outside the EU) knows about the money changers lurking about; companies buying and selling goods across borders also know about ForEx rates.  What isn't known is how the rates are set.   Here's another case of opacity. Another case of rate setting by phone conversation among just a few players.  And one wonders: how did it come to this?  Another announcement: a settlement of charges, a payment made, and a new system in place.  Ho hum.  Bank New York Mellon, the venerable institution, agreed to pay $714 million to resolve allegations(always "allegations") that the bank defrauded customers on foreign exchanges rates over a decade.  The bank also agreed to fire the department head, David Nichols, and a few others.   Suits were filed by the US Attorney in Manhattan and New York's AG Eric Schneiderman.  The lawsuits were aided by whistle blower Grant Wilson, a former employee.  He'll stand to make millins on the settlement.  Way to go, Grant!   BNY Mellon is also a custodian bank, managing 30 TRILLION for money managers, companies  and others(not Bernie Madoff, he be in jail).  Other banks not involved here face their own lawsuits because of rate manipulations.  Stay tuned.
    Price of Propane
      Most Lake Tahoe homes are heated by propane.  Hence, we have a need for price info, especially around fall and winter.  Currently, the market price per gallon, retail, national, is 0.4970 cents/gal., down from a year ago $1.0360.   What do we pay at the truck?   That's a bit different.  Wednesday I talked with a driver who was delivering 1000gals., about twice the average amount.  He quoted me $2.15/gal, give or take a few cents.   Not a bad gross profit margin.  Hmmmm.  Is that good or not?  Depends, as they say.   Not a lot of choices in the market these days as big boys bought up the
 competition, again.
Apple Replaces AT&T
    The Dow Jones Industrial average got a new player this week: Apple Corp. replaced AT&T as one of 30 players on the old DOW.  Nobody uses the DOW much excepts a few pundits and local news media.  Most "players" use the S&P 500 average as a market indicator.  As they should.  Will it make a difference?  Who knows, who cares? 

Book Review: For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway, 1940

      It pays to reread a classic, it invigorates the appreciation of the story, the author's efforts, with a bit of self satisfaction that you've accomplished what few readers choose to do in the age of Kindle and e-books.  The Mayor is loading up on the efforts of authors to tell the story of the Spanish Civil War and its details.  Americans, generally, have overlooked this not-so-famous run up to WW II.   The American economy was going through the Great Depression.   Franklin D.  Rossevelt was a new president, intent on leading the country forward.   While he was well aware of international events including the spread of Italian fascism and Germany's embrace of National Socialism, not to mention Japan's war in Manchuria, he was more keenly focused on domestic issues and conditions of the general population.
      Spain in the early '30's was experiencing social upheaval and a polarizing of the population was leading to strong rhetoric among politicians, both left and right.  A newly elected president was attempting to change the social order by land reform and the introduction of a social safety net.  The traditional conservatives were adamantly opposed to these changes and were willing to fight.  The result: the Spanish Civil War.  In an oft confusing tableaux of political parties, opponents of the elected government mobilized troops in opposition.  Support from abroad came in the form of the Fascist forces of Germany and Italy for the conservative challengers; the elected government enlisted the support of Communist party groups who in turn, recruited help from Russya, both in money and manpower.  America, not willing to officially side with either Communists or Fascists, opted out of active support.  However, a number of volunteer brigades were formed, and with their own financing, went to Spain to help the elected government.
 more later

Pi Day or is it Pie Day or

     What is the formula for the area of a circle?  What constant is universally used in mathematics around the world?  Whose birthday is today who made good use of this constant during his career?  OK.  Give up?
     Albert Einstein, born today, awhile ago.  3/14/15 or 3.1415.  Pi or Greek letter pi.  Mathematicians love the number on today's calendar.  This day has been celebrated, officially in the USA when Congress named today PI Day, to celebrate mathematics and shine some light on the effort to improve student performance in math.
      Einstein published his Theory of Relativity in 1916 after a few years perfecting the ideas that space and time cannot be separated, rather it is actually a space-time continuum.  Had enough physics for the day?  have some pi(e) instead.

Movie Review: The Russian River: A World River

      How timely: a group of local film producers put together a documentary film on the life of Sonoma County's preeminent river- The Russyian River.  It was a beautifully photographed film, grounded in the ecology of the 170 kilometer long river that drains a significant portion of the coastal county north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
     Of course, the production began with the history of the name, related to the Russyan invasion of California in the mid 1700's.  The Czarists oligarchs were after the fur trade along the coast, mainly the prolific sea otter and its incredibly dense fur.  By the 1780's, the animals were almost completely wiped out by Russyan exploitation.  Disgusted by this turn of events, the Russyan commander sold off the property and buildings to one John Sutter of Gold Rush fame who needed some coastal land for farming and lumber trading.  The Czars had enough furs to last until the Leftists decided they had enough of the Czars.
     The film then proceeded to evaluate the current condition of affairs regarding a host of topics.  Namely, businesses that are dependent on the river for its water.  The most vitriol was directed at the small family vineyard owners who were shown as over users.  The most over use is the function of sprinklers used for frost control at critical times during the early growing season(like now).  Over reliance on ground water/well water was called in question.   No doubt, they said, this situation is caused by a lack of state regulation.   
     Another issue was the effort at restoring the salmon, coho, and steelhead populations native to the drainage area.  All three species have had dramatic drops in returning numbers from the big number days of the 60's.   Cited were many reasons: gravel mining, chemical fertilizer run off, stream diversions, sewage dumping, and population increases that damage the ecosystem.
     The construction of a major dam, the Warm Springs Dam, was cited as a hindrance to the fish, despite the the installation of a hatchery in front of the dam that has been responsible for an improvement in returning fish numbers.  The dam is an earthen-fill type, finished in 1983.  Little mention was made of the lack of development in the county or its relative low population compared to other Bay Area counties(Sonoma stretches from the Pacific Ocean to San Pablo Bay in the south).   Sonoma County is well ahead of other urbanized counties having had a Master Plan for 1995 as early as 1974 when few other counties were looking so far ahead.
     This film was produced privately and will not be screened widely.  A follow up film is planned that will deal with the idea of sustainable agriculture and sustainable water consumption. 

Minister Starts New Assignment

     We have been informed by our Minister of Latin American Affairs that he will be unavailable for at least a month and probably longer.  He started work today at Foggy Bottom at the Dept. of State.  He represents our interests now at the highest levels.  We have directed him to provide updates as he is able until he returns to his usual haunts in Latin America.  We hope this stay in Washington ,DC. will be fruitful, and that his experience will contribute to his ability to inform and explain Latin American Affairs to the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.   The Mayor expects to be called back to DC next month to participate in discussions involving Venezuela, Central America(immigration from those countries, especially minors), and economic conditions in Mexico related to the drop in oil prices.

Summer on the Coast

     The Mayor and his deputy traveled south to Santa Cruz.  Our effort was on behalf of a meeting with a distinguished professor of European Geography.   Basically, our goal was to gain insight into the latest developments in southern Europe: Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and a bit of France.   Our number one point was the lagging economies of these countries, especially Greece.   The EU has extended the terms of the loan payments required for the continued bailout of the Greek economy, read Greek banks.  The new government headed by Syriza Party has already had to back pedal on electoral pronouncements relative to the Euro and the country's continuing participation in the union.
     The professor was in fine fettle, more so than on our last visit in October when he's was recovering from a bout of flu.  He's added weight and had much improved color.
     We talked about immigration; that is, immigration from North Africa by refugees from Syria, Iraq, Gaza, and Egypt.   The war has taken its toll, and many refugees are attempting to flee the violence that has driven them from their ancestral homes.  The EU has failed to adequately deal with the issue, focusing more on domestic issues and policies relative to the effects of the Grand Recession.  The professor noted that it pales by comparison to WW II; but it still is a significant modern problem.
   We had a nice lunch at a local bistro, and enjoyed the beautiful day.   It must have been in the high 70's as Silicon Valley types flooded the beach area.   Downtown Santa Cruz was hopping.  Traffic was heavy no matter where you turned.   The professor also lamented that his plans for a return trip to Europe this year have been postponed do to finances.   Maybe next year.
    We drove home north along the coast on Highway 1- a great ride, especially when warm and clear.

Aleksei Navalny Released

    In a gesture to the opposition elements in Russya,  the Kremlin authorities announced the release of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny from house arrest.  He was arrested for passing out leaflets that denounced Putin's activities, especially his invasion of Crimea and its takeover, and the support and provision of troops in Ukraine.
      Navalny's release comes after the announcement of the arrest of two suspects in the murder investigation of Boris Nemtsov 10 days ago.   Three other suspects were also detained, but have not been charged.   Apparently, the Kremlin is relieved that these perpetrators are not local Russyans, but part of dissenter groups in the Caucasus region in the deep south of the country.
     Navalny has not publicly commented as yet, but he will no doubt resume his earlier efforts to  add his influence to public opinion in the Federation.   We await his opinions.

The Putin River of California

     Yes.  That's what I'll call the venerable Russian River from now on.   Sonoma county's lazy, meandering wine country water course was just beautiful yesterday as the Mayor walked and waded along its lower reaches, near Austin Creek.   Temps were in the 70's on a clear day.  The water was relatively clear and moving at about 1000 ps.  A few other fishermen were around but action was limited.   Sea lions were in from Jenner, creating havoc among the migratory hatchery steelhead trying to make it to Warm Springs to the dam site hatchery.   Locals note the prevalence of sea lions hanging out at the mouth of the river, feasting on the steelhead as they attempt to migrate up river.  No doubt the conservation efforts are working for the sea lions: they dine on government funded steelhead with fees collected from fishermen who cannot touch a voracious trout-eating sea lion.
       My friends G. and Rod had little luck with their offerings.  G. was casting around Wohler Bridge alongside a few other anglers.  He missed one and let go a smolt heading down river.   But, it was a fine day on the Russian, or Putin River.
     Now about the name.  Perhaps one of Obama's sanctions should be the renaming of the river itself.  Why glorify a place with such a name as Russya when so undeserving?  The Russya presence of the 18th century on the California coast is long over and generally forgotten anyway.  Only a few old locals can mention that some Russkies landed here and stole some sea otter pelts to make hats for the Czars and fledgling oligarchs.  The local natives, with the help of a few Spanish oligarchs chased them out.   Old Fort Ross is their one and only legacy on the North Coast.  Let's change the name, now.
     Calling for suggestions among our blog followers.
1.  Big Austin River
2.  Sonoma River
3.  Brown River, after 4 term governor, Jerry B.
4.  Martin Luther King River
5.  Jack London River(author)
6.  Mark Twain River
7.  Bret Harte River
8.  Roy Rodgers River- I like that one.
9.  Berry Mill River( local mill family)
10.  Parmeter River(local pioneer family)
11.  Nemtsov River(Putin opponent murdered last week)
12.  Obama River( just kidding)
     So, suggestions?

Daylight Saving Time: Already?

     Yes, it's that time again: the mythical capture of time as mankind fools itself by playing with a familiar gadget-the clock.  So, tonight, after we are long abed, everywhere clocks will leap forward at 2am , officially.  Thereby, most of the modern world's inhabitants will wake up Sunday morning a little less perky; a little less ready to workout at the gym, work in the garden(those that are not snow covered still, like in New England).  The Mayor was in the garden yesterday, pulling weeds.
     Winter is still on the calendar for another couple of weeks-see temps in Northeast.   Here in the West, we've given up on winter and have accepted another dry winter season, waiting for the inevitable brow beating by zealous pols, and zealous scolds, and zealous farmers, and zealous environmentalists, and zealous water agencies, and, and, and and, and it gets tiresome, really.   Face it: we live in a desert much of the time and abundant rainfall is not the norm.  If you wish for that situation, move to Portland or Seattle(not so much really).
    Enough.  Move your clocks forward 1 hour whenever; then back on November 1st.   have a nice day.

Western Weather Map:Feb. 2015

So, It's warm in the West, cold in the east.  We West Coast types find it hard to conceive of a winter lasting 6 months, but there it is.
Notice the label of the map: Feb. 1-25, deviations from 30- year normals.  Colder east, warmer west.  Hmm.  Tell the Easterners about global warming.
Data provided by Oregon State University.

150 Years Ago in Washington,D.C.

      One -eighth of the whole population were colored slaves,  not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it.  These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest.  All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.  To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than restrict the territorial enlargement of it.  Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained.  Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease.  Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.  Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.  It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.  The prayers of both could not be answered.  That of neither has been answered fully.  The Almighty has His own purposes....Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war  may speedily pass away.  Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said " the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
       With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, let us strive on to finish this work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have born the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nation.
Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865
He would live only 41 more days.
These words continue to impress; to carry weight and meaning for all who read them.

The Supremes and Your Health

So, health care.  It's been a rocky road for the Affordable Health Care Act starting with its narrow win at the United States Supreme Court.  Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote 5-4 that ensured the passage of the law, also known far and wide as ObamaCare.
     The case now to be decided was brought forward with the support of 26 state governments(read governors).  This case hinges on financial subsidies to "exchanges" established by states or established by the federal government to assist those who cannot afford mandatory health care.  Many taxpayers will confront the "mandate" on their tax returns this year for the first time.  Fines will be levied by the IRS  on those taxpayers who did not have a valid health insurance policy in effect during the year.
      The case is complicated, dealing with many issues, not the least states rights, pervasive federal government, and subsidies using taxes collected to promote a federally mandated program.  Chief Justice Roberts again will carry the swing vote in this case as the other 8 justices line up 4-4 along ideological lines reflecting their established philosophies while on the court.
      A decision that strikes down the federal subsidies of both federal and state exchanges will cause considerable anxiety among the populations of states where families try to navigate the various iterations of the ACA.   Mr. Roberts, no doubt, has a few sleepless night to look forward to over the next few months.   And he probably anticipated the first challenge; this one, not so much.   Good luck, Mr. Roberts; remember: this is the job you signed up for a few years ago.

Opposing Views on Russya Today

      The Mayor had dinner the other night with friends and included among the friends was a professor of Russyan history.  Of course, the Mayor engaged in significant conversation and did much listening.  The professor spoke excellent Russyan having lived and studied in St. Petersburg in the late 90's.   She did much research in the library there and traveled extensively.  She also spent time in the south of the Federation, in the Caucasus region.
       Her special area of interest is 19th century history of Russyan arts.  She lectures primarily at 2 US campuses located in the upper midwest.  She explained how much Russya has been transformed since the government of Putin has taken over the Kremlin.  She believes that nothing good will come from his leadership.  She has no plans to return anytime soon, especially after learning of the murder in Moscova over the weekend of Boris Nemtsov, leader of the opposition and a former vice premier and politician.
       Then, later, I met Andrei at the gym.   Andrei was with his 2 1/2 year old son and they had gone for a swim.  I asked what part of Russya he was from.  He said, "I'm a Lithuanian Russyan, from the Lithuanian side of the 'border'.  His family moved there in the 1880's.  He speaks fluent Russyan and Lithuanian.  He supports Mr. Putin and claimed that he has given patriotic support to a generation who looked for a new real politik.  He, Andrei, is about 35 years of age, so has arrived at adulthood since Vlad has assumed control of the land west of the Urals.   Now, he is married to an American woman and lives in the Bay Area which sets him apart by miles of every other Russyan in the world.  Perhaps he wants to return to Russya one day.  Perhaps he's content to observe the "modern" Russya from across the Atlantic.   He didn't say.

Snow Report/Report of SnowFeb.28-March 1st

      Yes, sports fans: S-N-O-W!   25" and counting at Squaw Valley-Alpine meadows resorts.  Weather watching skiers who chanced a trip to the Sierra have been rewarded with some fresh powder.  Powder that is deep and ski-able.  Looking over the various web cams at both locations, it's easy to see how the day is going to play out.  With guest numbers low, weekenders will have the slopes mostly to themselves.  Hallelujah.  It's about time.   February was generally a snow-bust month and this last effort will hardly turn things around, but we will take it.
     Enjoy this late season dumping and hope that the storm "door" opens again soon.  The Mayor just might have to get his boards out of the closet.

Russya: Sounds Like: Argentina

     New information has leaked out of Moscova concerning the murder of the former vice Premier Boris Nemtsov.  A video captured an interesting string of events at the time of Boris' murder.  The video is alleged to show something other than late reports surrounding the event.  The video shows a man, apparently lying in wait for Nemtsov (with his girlfriend along side) as he walked across the bridge.  When Nemtsov came close to the man's hiding spot, the perpetrator lunged from his perch, firing his pistol at close range with the fire directed exactly at the victim.  No bullets struck the girlfriend.  Then, a white sedan pulled up next to the scene with an open door.  The assailant jumped in and the vehicle sped away into the dark night. 
      Locals awoke to another grim scene and a grim future, asking the question,"What is wrong with us?