USS Theodore Roosevelt: On Station

     Well, Iran, now what?  Like negotiating  from a position of strength?  How about looking down the muzzle of the USS Theodore Roosevelt?  New sheriff in town, with a guided missile cruiser as backup, and 15 destroyers as escort screen.  Hmmm.  Maybe the ayatollahs will reconsider if they think their navy might end up on the bottom of the Gulf of Aden.  The Yemenite rebels might just run out of gas soon and the Saudis' assistance might show some results.  The aircraft carrier is a large factor, but not as large as it seems.  Recall how many aircraft carriers cruised off the coast of SE Asia in the 60's and 70's.   Who won that one?
    One carrier, a few dozen planes = a few pin pricks.  Not much else.  Obama doesn't know what the Navy can or can't do; he lacks sound judgment, not having any experience whatsoever being on the ground under aerial bombardment.  Yes, it's scary, but so is the noise from a 4th of July fireworks display.
      The carrier needs lots of room for maneuver and defensive ops, and no commander likes to work in tight spaces-too big a target.

Homewood Sewer Upgrade

    West Shore residents will have a new sewer treatment plant soon.  Tahoe City PUD announced they will transform the small existing facility to a larger, more efficient treatment facility.  This will conform to and exceed water quality needs now and in the future.  This presupposes that the new Homewood Village construction will take place as approved.   This may or may not happen.   Just look at the snow levels for the last 4 years: abysmal or worse.
     But, the lake is our local treasure and must be kept pristine.   Perhaps water quality will improve if pets within the basin are more tightly controlled or completely banned.  Consider the effects of 10000 mutts pooping all over the lakeshore: disgusting.  It's time environmentalists confront the pet maniacs on their own terms-aggressive, take-no-prisoners-in-your-face confrontation.  Not pretty.
    Let's celebrate the new plant in Homewood.

GASPROM:=gas bomb

So, Russya sells lots of gas to Western Europe.  Lots of gas, in addition to the gas expelled from the Kremlin by its inhabitants, orally.  Well, the EU announced that an investigation has begun into the pricing of Russya's gas.  This comes on the heels of an announcement that the EU is also investigating Google and its control over internet searches.  Big targets, easy to hit.  But can it stick?
     The EU is getting its act together; no more intimidation by foreign monopolies of any stripe.  Mad Vlad will be back at the drawing board, thinking up some dastardly response.  Maybe he'll bring out the leopard again; maybe wrestle a Siberian bear; or maybe ride a musk ox around MOscova in the snow.  That will scare lots of folks in Mali, Eritrea, and Somalia.  He'll no doubt parade about to make some type of irrational statement to provoke a response.  Perhaps he'll call on the Castro Brothers to raise a few Federation flags?   Then again, maybe he'll invite Nicolas' Maduro of Venezuela to stop by the Kremlin for a little tete e' tete,  Certainly he w;on't parade those poor Chechens he's holding as suspects in the murder of Mr. Nemtsov.  Who?
     The EU has a new sheriff and SHE is getting aggressive.  This will cost the slowing economy of Russya even more foreign exchange.  Oh, well.  It's only ruobles.  Who really cares about the rouble, anyway?  The Ayatollah?  Mr. Morsi?  A Houthi in San'A?
     By the way, have you noticed the armada of ships off the coast of Yemen?  It's enough to make an old Blue Water sailor cry.  Aircraft carriers, destroyers, missile boats, supply vessels.  Probably a few subs lurking about below the surface.   Maybe Iran will get the message, finally.

Minister from Tahoma Has New Assignment

     While in Washington, DC., the Mayor had many obligations and more than a few social encounters.  The highlights were many, all enjoyable.  To start with, by some amazing chance, we arrived into the city at the height of the springtime display of cherry blossoms that arrive briefly in early April or late March.  The Washington Monument was encircled by the blooming trees that attracted throngs of tourists to their locations.  Easter crowds were large, and they were thrilled with the visual feast and the balmy weather.  The official Cherry Blossom festival kicked off on Saturday, April 11.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to Constitution Avenue where vendors and artists had established their tents and kiosks.   Kimonos were in evidence wherever one looked.  The colors were beautiful.  Japanese girls were decked out in Tokyo-style hip outfits-almost Hello,Kitty colors complete with dyed hair of every shade; a sight to behold.
     Friday found us at a gathering in Foggy Bottom to witness the assignments handed out to new diplomats.  Our own Minister of Latin American Affairs was rewarded with a plum assignment to Sao Paolo, Brazil! Of all places.  His cadre of representatives from the OAS were there to celebrate his success.   He will be required to study Portuguese language for 6 months before departure.  Piece of cake!
      On Saturday, we joined a group for a private tour at the American Holocaust Museum near the Capitol Mall.  More on that experience in a separate entry.
    Sunday, the 12th, continued with bright sunshine and crowds of families taking in all the available venues.   The Smithsonian, high on everyone's list, had lines out the door.
By Monday, we were ready for a break, and decided to fly up to Boston and check on the Boston Red Sox, 2015.

Book Review: OUTLOOK, by Christopher Hill

     Have you ever wondered how the US diplomats get anything done during discussions with representatives of foreign governments?  How can they achieve satisfactory results with dictators, prime ministers, presidents, or kings and queens?  Chris Hill, a retired foreign service officer has written an excellent memoir of his 30+ year career that included ambassadorships, special envoys slots, embassy official, consular officer, and area specialist.   He advised numerous US presidents, Secretarys of State including Warren Christopher, Colin Powell, Condelezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton.   He was a critical component of the peace agreement ending the Bosnia War during the Clinton administration.
      The strength of his memoir lies in the telling of the many details of the operations of statecraft in the modern era.  At a time of instant communication, information gathering has taken on new meaning.  Unfortunately, so much information is available that sorting and analyzing has become the newest problem.  Ambassador Hill writes with the authority of someone who lived through trying times, dealt with war and crises that required the highest performance by experienced diplomats.  Mr. Hill retired in 2009.
     He describes his early international experience as a Peace Corps worker in Cameroon as an inexperienced representative of a development organization.   He was thrust into a situation that required sound judgment and even handed treatment of illiterate farmers who wanted their own credit union.  At 24 years of age, he stepped up and did a fine job establishing an institution that performed as designed for the benefit of the many.
     Despite training and oversight, many situations are not covered by the "book" or by senior staff.  Subordinate officers have to use good judgment and get the job done, always keeping in mind that they represent the people of the United States.
    Today, as Secretary of State John Kerry attempts to reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear development program, the public has been able to get a glimpse of how difficult it can be to reach any accord with a recalcitrant, reckless, dishonest, brain-addled government leader and his diplomats.
Christopher gives his insights and specifics of details that resulted in the Akron Accords that ended the Bosnia War.  It's a good read and a great story/memoir.
4* read.  Available in hardcover

USS CALIFORNIA-SSN 781

The USS California is one of many naval vessels that have carried the name of the Golden State.  As depicted on the ship's coin, 7 of her predecessors were so named.  Most living with a memory of the battleship with the name California, recall her number: BB 44, a design from the mid-20th century which featured long barreled 16" rifles set in stacked turrets fore and aft.  The ship was designed for shore bombardments and also to withstand aerial bomb attacks(considerable antiaircraft guns were added to the later Iowa-class battleships in the late '30's and early 40's.
    The current vessel to wear the name is a nuclear powered attack submarine, numbered 781.  She is the 1st of the 8 Virginia-class submarines outfitted with the electromagnetic signature reduction system.
     She was built by Northrup Grumman at their Newport News shipyard, commissioned in 2011.  She was recently in the naval yard at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she was replenished and crew changes were made as per routine schedules.   Her 7 sister ships continue to patrol, keeping the US Navy at a high level of readiness around the world.
       The motto of the ship is: Silentium Est Aureum- Silence is Golden.  The ship's coin features 7 design replicas of other California ships on the reverse, and a
stylized grizzly bear embracing a red,white and blue triangle
a gold sash with the state's name over a white plate with the ship's
number.  It is one of the more attractive ship's coins available in the fleet
and competes with various aircraft carriers for high honors.
     Subs like these are seldom seen: they disappear rather quickly once they leave the dock. 
Keep up the good work.

Let's call In to Mr. Putin

      State controlled media hosted a unique event for Pres. Putin last Friday.  His Excellency, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin sat down to take questions for not 1 hour, not 2 hours, but 8 grueling hours of questions from curious hand-picked, screened, courageous callers.  His responses seemed to satisfy everybody, even Vladimir himself.  How quaint, a sitting president, hosting a call-in show on national TV.   Maybe he wore a sweater like Mr. Rodgers did in the USA.   He didn't wear face paint, but he obviously had a face makeover at the makeup counter before the cameras zoomed in on that "face".
     No doubt he wanted to dispel critics of his handling of the slowing Russyan economy.  He proclaimed that the bottom had been reached, the economy was headed back up and GDP was going to improve.  Soon after, his economics minister stated that the economy would continue to slow and retreat further over the next 2 years.  Oh, well, we know that bureaucrats often fail to communicate.
    Vlad also announced that he would be selling air defense systems to Iran; those same systems that he refused to sell them in 2012.  Things have changed in the Middle East; plus, The Old Bear needs some foreign exchange to bolster its reserve funds; ergo, sell weapons to highest bidder.
     Maybe this is no more than his aggressive stance of thumbing his nose at the West-those capitalist running dogs who have placed financial restrictions on Mad Vlad's friends(oligarchs FOV(friends of Vlad)).   The largest country on the planet continues to seek more land.  Hmmm.  Feeling a little squeezed Vlad?   Siberia not so productive?   Maybe it's time to give Sakhalin back to Japan.   Maybe it's time to sell Kamchatka to China.   Maybe it's time to give Crimea back to Ukraine.   Maybe it's time to get real, Vlad.

PETROBRAS: Trouble For Pres. Wilma Rousseff in Brasile

     We've been reading of the scandal for quite awhile: government officials shaking down contractors for bribes to get government contracts associated with government owned oil giant PETROBRAS.  Seems like contractors were adding 3% to all contracts and the money was finding its way to oil company officials and to members of the legislature in Brasilia.   The money then somehow, found its way to........Switzerland, of all places.  You want to launder money?  Come to our Alpine Wonderland, where secrecy meets security which meets anonymity which meets no taxes which meets hidden wealth which meets corrupt bankers in a conspiracy to rob the people of Brasil.  Oh, the lovely Swiss bankers, so well groomed, so corrupt.
     Who is behind all this stuff?  Who ratted out the guilty parties?  One of the partici0pants, of course.  Using a tried and true American tactic- offering a plea deal for testimony, Brazilian prosecutors have struck a rich vein of revealing facts about who did what when regarding the taking of bribes and illegal payments.  Several young, 30 something lawyers, graduates of various top tier American law schools, these young lions came back home and set to work to change a corrupt "system" that has allowed corrupt elected politicians and corrupt business officials to get away with decades of stealing from the nations taxpayers.   One of the first to accept a plea deal, a Mr.Costa, provided information that helped to establish the l-inks to many of the perpetrators of the widespread corruption.  He provided names, dates, amounts, locations of delivery, and locations of accounts where money was hidden from the government.   Sitting President Rousseff claims to have had no prior knowledge of the scandal, despite her former roles with the company. 
    The investigation will go on for years.  It is just beginning.  Bravo to- the young lawyers.  They are asking the Congress to change some laws.   Gook luck to him.

Hackers Visit Casa Blanca

    So, the Federation ordered hackers to drop in on the Obama Family.  How does this happen?  Well, it's a matter of focusing resources.  The FSB, taking orders from some onion-domed castle in central Moscova, directs a little late night effort into the computer systems that percolate around the White House.  Result: hackers inside the laptop!
     If Russkies are determined, they can do these things.  Look how they fired a missile with 3 astronauts to the space station last week.  Not easy to do, no matter who is writing the launch code for the vehicle.
      So, Obama has some 'splaining' to do.  We call that "spin" in Tahoma.  Maybe Rand Paul will have something to say about this elementary security breach.  After all, he is running for Obama's job.

Movie Review: Interstellar

   Not many films can afford to run on for 3 hours like this one; but it did.   This sci-fi film had many themes and archetypes among characters.  First, we have an approaching earth-as-we-know-it disaster; an isolated struggling family with motherless children and a father with singular piloting/hero skills.  This is complemented with a "semi-secret" government program to launch a space probe to find a suitable interstellar location that could support human life.  The program needs a pilot.  Program director has a daughter/scientist(Anne Hathaway) who must work with the pilot as they rocket to a known galaxy that was discovered by earlier astronauts.   That took an hour or so.
      Then, we go aboard the starship and head out.  Now we switch topics from disaster approaching to potential disaster aboard the spacecraft.  Another hour gone by.
      The next hour is consumed by the trials and tribulations of the crew, the ship, and the encounters with former explorers left on the remote planet.  We know our pilot has to make it home to see his daughter, now over 100 years old and dying on the "new" earth.
     Amidst all this action is the hard science that must be accurately delivered to the audience sitting in rapt awe(?).  Many highly trained scientists consulted with producers to ensure that the hard questions and answers were correct.  Really?  Do we really want to know?  Debatable.
     Critics panned it, but it was entertaining to a degree.  Better editing would have improved the overall enjoyment for viewers.
2 1/2 *'s
The cast included some notables: Michael Caine, John Lithgow, Matt McConaughy, Matt Damon, and Anne Hathaway. 

Coach K and Dukies

    March Madness is finally over and the team wearing the NCAA National Championship Crown is the Duke Blue Devils.  It's their 5th Championship.  It was a close game with Wisconsin, a stubborn opponent who had 9 point lead midway through the 2nd half.  But then, Duke started a 10 point run and turned the game around, shutting down the Badgers at one point for over 4 minutes.  A fatal 4 minutes, as it turned out.  Despite desperate moves, strategic fouls, and time outs, the boys from up north couldn't turn the game to their way.  Too bad.  Good effort.

Minister of Latin American Affairs Meeting

     Our man in Washington, the Minister of Latin American Affairs, had an inspirational meeting, one-on-one, with one of America's foremost diplomats.  That would be the former Ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte.  A quick glance at his Google profile, or Wikipedia bio tells a remarkable story of a remarkable man.  He was a career Foreign Service Officer, achieving ambassadorial rank early on in his career.  He served as ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to Honduras, and ambassador to Iraq.  He served on the National Security Council, and as adviser to several presidents.  He still has time to mentor young diplomats(our own Minister among them).
      As our Minister learns the ropes of Washington, and observes the routes necessary to navigate around the numerous shoals of the Department of State, we are the recipients of his training and education.   All this heavy duty will benefit all Tahomans, especially those who are infrequent visitors to Washington, DC.  Yes, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor will be in DC to interview our Minister to translate his latest moves and decisions.  There is a possibility that he will be sent to Sao Paolo or Surinam; but maybe to Jordan or Portugal.  This won't be known for a few more weeks.
     Having a meeting with such an historic figure as John Negroponte is a feather in the cap for any diplomat.  Bravo, Signore. 

Early Spring Snow Bonus

     Note to Gov. Jerry Brown:  your unprecedented draconian water cut backs may have been premature.  Snow is in the forecast for the next several days:  maybe as much as 8" or more above 7000'.  So, you Sacramento Solons, put that in your pipes and smoke it.  Yes, we have experienced drought conditions and this winter followed 3 previous below average years of rain/snow.  So, we'll enjoy this "bonus" as it falls upon us; as it gives a bit of relief; as it reminds us of Mother nature's whims and carefree attitudes towards earth's minions.
      How would you like living in Kamchatka, on Russya's northeast coast, where they have 9 months of "REAL" winter(snow, ice, sub-zero temperatures, darkness, isolation, boredom, fear, bears, wolves, and vodka)?  Maybe California during a drought is still better than some places.  The Old Grey Lady, nytimes.com, has a nice article in today's edition(Easter Sunday) about the latest perceptions among residents of the State of California and residents beyond its borders(easterners).  It focuses primarily on variations of usage among residents in widely dispersed locations: north, south, and in the Central Valley.  It mentions the extravagant use of water by agricultural interests, which consumes more than 90% of distributed water.  If so, and it is so, the state's 38+millions of residents are hardly a factor in consumption.  Mr. Brown, playing the fear feature, would have residents believe that taking a shower is a luxury.  Harumph.  What a pathetic old man!  Maybe his wife, Ann, should tell him a few more facts about water: "Dear, cleanliness is next to godliness and I know you are familiar with godliness, ex-seminarian that you are.  Showers are a staple of a healthy population, so tell the farmers to cut back, especially rice growers and cotton growers, and definitely, some of the lettuce growers.  We live in a desert, you Putz!"  
     Enjoy the whiteness.  Watch the road conditions, drive safely.

Book Review: RED NOTICE, Bill Browder, Simon & Schuster, 2015

    Rarely does the US Congress get involved with international events on a small scale.  Even more rare is when the Congress gets involved with a single person who is not a US citizen.   But it did, passing a law that continues to affect how business is done in Russya by Americans, and how Russyans and Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin have been put on notice that henceforth, there is no more Mr. Nice Guy among US businessmen.  They will all give Russya the "fisheye".
     Bill Browder recounts in this modern memoir the events surrounding the buildup of his business in Russya and its eventual demise at the hands and methods employed by the post Soviet business climate that has become a free-for-all among a select group of politically connected thugs who have cowed and intimidated all their countrymen who wanted to play by the "rules".
    After the implosion of the USSR, the former "republics" were spun off and left to their own devices, such as they were.  Variously, they stumbled and crawled their way to some sort of independence with various levels of success.  The Russya Federation, on the other hand was almost guaranteed success as it held on to the energy resources and other natural resources that could provide a base for international trade and a continual source of foreign exchange, especially from the energy dependent states in the Euro zone to the west.  Bill Browder, as a young 20-something working for Solomon Brothers Investment Bank, soon found himself in an investment backwater: eastern Europe, long under the Soviet heel, and now free from Moscova's tentacles.
     His first experience was with a failing Polish transportation company that could hardly qualify as a source of inspiration.  His second effort involved a Russyan fishing company, complete with a multimillion dollar fleet of fish-factory sized modern vessels.   Here was an example of a company that offered opportunity.  After running numbers and doing some basic investment research, he realized that this situation was ideal for foreign investment dollars.  In time, as he gained more experience and confidence, he decided to cut the cord(s), and start his own investment company: Hermitage Capital Management.  His company was the largest single investor in Russya until 2005.  And then,......
      Then the current system of business by coercion/corruption/crime that has become the nemesis of 21st Century Russya focused  on Hermitage Capital and everybody associated with it.  Offices were raided, employees were arrested and held for no apparent reason.  Bogus charges were filed, then dropped.  Courts were settings for government charges relating to alleged fraud and tax evasion by the company and its principals.   Bill Browder had to leave for London and stay put as he was convicted in absentia of state crimes.  One of his accountants, Sergei Magnitsky, was arrested and thrown into a vile prison system without recourse.  While he was incarcerated, he became very ill.  In addition, he was severely beaten by unknown staff members.  He eventually died while in prison; denied the medical attention that would have saved his life.
       Bill Browder was convicted in Russyan courts and was placed on RED NOTICE by Interpol, 
which means he can be held at any international border by police and turned over to the country  on whose behalf the notice was placed.  Mr. Magnitsky had uncovered a $230 millions act of fraud perpetrated by members of the Russyan government, Putin.
      In 2012, US Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, as a result of widespread support from all areas of the US legislature, not an easy thing to do.  In April, 2014, one year ago, the European Parliament voted sanctions against Russya, the first time this had ever been done.  There was not a single negative vote among the 751 parliamentarians.
     So, thank you, Bill Browder, for telling your story and exposing the Federation for the fraud that it is-a fraud perpetrated on its own people, the continued victims of organized crime at a national level.

Moscova Real Estate Bust

      Word has leaked out of the Federation that urbanites in Moscova are not up to speed on their rent payments.  In fact, many are walking away from commercial leases, turning out the lights, and disappearing into the frosty night/day.  Trendy Tserskaya Street has more empty space than has been noted in many moons.   Those still open for business are actively seeking new rates from Russyan landlords.   Despite leases spelled out in dollar amounts, the roubles' slide vs. the dollar has taken a toll on business growth, especially at retail.
     The future does not look good:  the dollar is projected to get stronger over the next couple of years, at least, and will maintain its position as the world reserve currency.  The dollars held in foreign exchange are higher than they have been in a long time, and foreign banks continue to buy dollars, abandoning pretenders such as the Euro, the yuan, the Swiss franc, and the Argentine Peso(joke).  The price of a barrel of oil will remain low and this does not bode well for the Russyan rouble.  Europeans still regard anything having to do with Mad Vlad as suspect, especially his roubles.   Yes, many depend on export surplus trade with Moscova, but there are other markets available.  Commerce is increasingly global, and the internet has connected everybody, including buyers and sellers.
     So, Bunkie, do you own real estate in MOscova?  Dump it now before the rush.  Buy waterfront property in Greece: better bet today.
    Oh, and about the blast off to the Space Station with the American astronaut on board with 2 Russkys?  Everybody like a publicity stunt, even mad Vlad.   Look what he did with Crimea-What a Stunt!
     Will sanctions continue against select Russyan individuals and banks?  Yes, with capital "Y".

Celebrity Visits High Sierra

    So, April 1st, a Fool's Day.  Who came to visit the High Sierra?  Sacramento's Fool-in-Residence, Governor Jerry Brown.  He wants to demonstrate his commitment to water conservation by noting the lack of snow accumulation in the higher elevations where water is traditionally stored as snow and runs off in the spring to be captured by the vast reservoirs that strangle the western flowing streams and rivers of the state.
      His measurements were at 6" of water/snow.  Last year at this time: 24"snow/water.  Bottom line-lowest level since readings taken began over 100 years ago.  Conclusion-drought conditions.  Duh.   And we tax payers provide a paycheck to this loon.   Tsk,tsk.   He's a Democrat.   Now he announces a 25% cut back on usage by all consumers of water in the state or else.  Or else what?  Higher fees?  Too late, already here.  Fines?  Sorry, used to those,too.  Prison time?  Already bursting at seams with marijuana users-no room at the inn.  Public whippings in downtown piazzas/plazas?  Politically infeasible/incorrect(although YouTube would love the coverage!).
     How about a public information/education campaign?  Numb from those already in effect.  What are we likely to be stuck with?  Annoying media messages, higher rates, water police/Nazis focusing on the poor sap who can barely afford his utility bills anyway.
     Jerry Brown should take his state pension, take the wife on a cruise down the Rhine River and chill for a few years while he still has a few marbles left.
    Goodnight, Jerry.