USA Overcomes Hacker Team

      The Women's World Cup tournament, underway, produced a significant winner today.  The US women's team, playing against a determined Chinese Team of Hacking Commies, produced the game-winning goal in the 51st minute of the 2nd half of play.  On a corner kick, US player Lloyd headed the ball over opponent and placed it into the back of the net.
      The rest of the game had the Hackers trying to catch up by intercepting passes, kicking long balls to reverse direction, all to no avail.  Veteran US player Abby Wambach was a late game substitute and helped keep possession for the team during regulation play and stoppage time.  US goalie, Hope Solo, continued her dominance in the "boca", holding the Reds to a 0 goal count.   Frustrated Chinese players will go home and do what they do best: hack US government computers.
     Now it's on to the semifinals for Team USA.

Washington Fire: Alpine County Update

     calFire reports that the fire near Markleeville is 0% contained.  Firefighters have been held back due to high winds and rugged terrain.   Locals are standing by, waiting for possible evacuation information.  High temperatures are forecast for Northern California tomorrow, possibly cooling by Friday.
     Stay tuned if you live anywhere in Alpine County.

Down in the Valley: Raisins

      Well, the US Supreme Court scored one for the little guy.  It warms the Mayor's heart when a farmer goes up against the Feds on principle and takes it all the way to Washington's Supremes.  In a nutshell: a grape grower/raisin producer in California accused the governments actions dictated by a depression-era board as an unlawful taking of private property, in this case, his raisin crop.  The board said they would take 40% in an effort to maintain crop prices.  He refused and was fined over  $480,000 and a penalty of $200,000.  Not chump change.
      Marvin Horne, the farmer decided to fight.   He lost at the 9th Federal Court, that bastion of liberal thought and legal indignation.  He continued with an appeal.  In an 8 to 1 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts said "the Constitution is concerned with means as well as ends," and the government's raisin program ran afoul of the Takings Clause.   Of concern was a dissenting opinion by Justice  Elena Kagin who stated that the Hornes retained property rights over the raisins after they were surrendered, thus it was not a taking.   Hmmmmm.   Sounds bogus to me.
       This has people thinking of Kelo v. City of New London, CT where the city used eminent domain to seize a private home from its owner to sell to a developer.   The homeowner lost this case; but cities responded by changing eminent domain laws across the country.
     Eat more raisins, the heck with the 9th Circuit.

Ashton Carter: Secretary of Defense

2 defense ministers discuss
world affairs

       President Obama sent his Secretary of Defense to Europe to assure our West European allies that, despite commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, we still have plenty to share with our traditional partners.  This trip is an example of modern political maneuvering.  Russya/Putin moves into Crimea; North Korea fires a missile toward Japan; Myanmar kicks out Rahinga minorities; Sudanese President Bashir eludes arrest in South Africa; Iran continues support of international terrorism; China builds a new island military base in the South China Sea; Libya attempts to govern itself as smugglers cast refugees adrift toward Lampedusa Is.; and these are just the tip of the iceberg.
     For added spice: Chinese government sponsored hackers tap into the Office of Personnel Management computer data base and steal all the information of all federal employees, even retirees.
My, my.  Those Chinese of President Xi have been busy.  Down Hong Kong way, citizens have been upset over elections.  Seems Beijing set the list of candidates-all Communists approved by the Party.  I'd be upset ,too.   It's like elections in Russya when Putin is on the ballot: you must vote for him or else.  Funny how every Ryussyan knows Mad Vlad is a fraud: bought his position as president and stole the money to buy the votes.  Ahhh, Russya.  What would have happened to odern Russya if Napolean had a decent weather forecast?   French-speaking Slavs?
       But Ash Carter is just making the statement that the USA is putting a few antique pieces of armor somewhere in Slovakia and Slovenia in case some Ukrainians go wild and head west.  Speaking of Ukraines: who's in charge today-Putin?   Yes, as long as he has oil revenue.   

Smoke In The Basin

      Yes, that's smoke drifting into the lake basin as a major fire burns out of control south of the lake in rugged forest terrain near Markleeville.  CalFire has advised residents of Markleeville to pack up and be ready as an order for evacuation could be forthcoming.  The fire was started by lightening strike on Friday night when thunderstorms rolled through the Sierra.
      Markleeville, CA is the county seat of tiny Alpine county, one of the more remote political units of the entire state.  The population rests at about 210 folks which includes the county administrator, Sheriff, and county clerk/recorder/assessor.   Noteworthy for its location deep in the mountains, it attracts hikers, fishermen, photographers, naturalists(not nudists), and rock hounds.   Highway 89 serves the town and access to the Carson Valley  nearby.   Winters can be long, cold and snow at massive depths.  A forest fire sweeping through would devastate the community.   Winds have slowed and temperatures are holding which should give firefighters a chance to contain the 3400 hectare blaze.
      Here's to the firefighters on the line at the Washington Fire.  See photos on sfgate.com.

International Yoga Day

     A special day around the globe today-the 1st International Yoga Day, celebrating the ancient art of body work.  It was especially celebrated-where else- in India.  Prime Minister MOdi, with his mat laid out in front of thousands of others with their mats, assumed various positions to signal his support of the mind/body union sought by the many practitioners.  the mayor has become quite familiar with the practice, having a familial associate well versed in the art and science of yoga practice.   The mayor hisself tried it out only last year.   He was in pain(in the neck) for weeks after the 1 hour session.  Must have been the extra effort/wrong position/ beginner's bad luck or what ever.  Maybe he'll try again soon, given the international support.
     Thank you, Mr. Modi for your effort.  I'm sure it will help somebody, somewhere.

Five Russyans

label for Russian wine: like the horns/cherries/moon face

     The Mayor enjoys a glass of Pinot Noir every now and then.   He has his faves-those distinct velvety reds that come out of the Russyan River AVA, mostly on the west side of the blue line.  Now we have a new red to sample.  It's a Russyan red.  Wait a minute.  Is that redundant?  Can a red be red without being Russyan?   Good political question; good wine question; lousy topical question.   Anyway, while waltzing down the wine aisle at Whole Foods, a label caught my eyes:  5Russians.  Now that's a come on(not a "Come On!).
      Now we have the 5 offspring of a proud Russyan family rejecting vodka for red wine in a California style-a Pinot Noir.    The 3 sons: Dimitri, Stanaslav, and Vlad, join their twin sisters Natasha and Tatyana to produce a small number of cases(1439) of 100% Russian River pinot.  As we know, pinot noir depends more than most wines on terroir, or soil and location.   Hence, the wide variation among pinots, even among near neighbors.
      The Mayor didn't have enough Euros to buy a bottle on that day, but, soon, he'll spring for a taste.  It's only right, given the quest of these Slavic children  to become Californians.

The Longest Day Called Solstice

      The Mayor cannot let the longest day pass without a comment.  It's a day looked forward to by multitudes of peoples around the northern hemisphere.  Often called "White Nights", the day that never ends, or the "endless summer".   All conjure up the romance, the nostalgia of warm days, warm nights that allow outdoor experiences completely unavailable the rest of the year.
     At the farthest north, locals watch the sun dip toward the horizon and then rebound into the sky without ever setting: 24 hours of daylight.   Photo mosaics exist for us who live farther south, say south of 40 degrees, north latitude.  We in Tahoma see longer days and enjoy our lingering twilight as the sun bounces off the windows of homes on the Nevada side of the lake.  Often enough, when the skies are clear, the reflections flash west across the water to give West Side dwellers an idea of the sunset the Nevadans experience during these long summer days.
     See you at the beach.

Race Walking: Russyan Style

     Every 4 years, Olympic watchers get a treat: the view of Olympic race walkers strutting around a track or better-out into the hinterlands to heel-toe-heel-toe their way to the finish line.  And then one learns of the times- faster than most of us can run!
      So: here we have Russyans doing the race walking thing.  And what do you know?  They cheat.  How does one cheat as a race walker?  The old fashioned way:  take drugs.  Performance enhancers, just like-pick a sport,  cycling for one.   This scene has happened quite often in a certain Russyan town called Saransk.
      Saransk is about 3 times the size of San Francisco, or 148 sq. miles, and is located about 600 miles eats of Moscova in the River Volga basin.  It is the capitol city of the Republic of Mordovia.  Sounds like a fictional location, but its not.  It's in the heart of an industrial center; one of electrical component manufactures and chemical manufactures.  It is also the home of the Olympic Training Center- home of one of the largest sports facilities in the world dedicated to race walking.  From this center, Russya has dominated the sport for years.   And now- suspension and outrage over drug use as standard practice among Russyan competitors.  How sad, really.  Did they think nobody was watching because it's race walking?   Hmmm.  Is there a broader problem with drugs in Russya?   We know about vodka.
     We now know that several athletes have been suspended.  Elena Lashmanova served a 2 -year ban for doping.Sergey Kirdyapkin of Russya was caught doping.  Viktor Chegin has coached these two and several more who have been caught; but he has not been cited.   There is no stigma against doping in Russya,   so it hardly is a surprise to anyone that Coach Chegin has not lost his job.   Other competitors are not as forgiving and a campaign is underway to expose the depth of Russyan doping.
     Igr Zagorsky, Russya's Director General  who oversees investigations, says that "We have quite a complicated legacy".  Translation- Russya has been doping so long they believe it's Ok to cheat, and that people who question R ussyan athletes are anti-Russyan.   See- there's the paranoia again: everybody is against us because we are Russyan.  Sad, really.   And on the 200th Anniversary of Napolean's defeat at Waterloo, Belgium by Wellington.   Last year, the head official at the center, Viktor Kolesnikov was fired after found to be in possession of banned substances.  His replacement, Kaniskina, resigned after her ban was announced.   Maybe they will have to take back all the new cars and apartments given to those who have won races.   Or maybe not.
   Ah, Russya, so Russyan. 

Hillary Does San Francisco

     Well, if you're running, get with it.  So, Hillary, now declared a candidate for the top job, visited the Bay Area as did her spoiler, President Obama the day before.  The National Conference of U.S Mayors is in San Francisco for their big time gathering.   Pres. Obama spoke 2 days ago; Hillary got her chance yesterday.  She sounded , well, the same as she always does: like somebody's concerned grandmother.  She had to mention gun control even though this is not Texas.  She had to mention inequality even though she's speaking in the most liberal of liberal cities, jammed to the rafters with inequality.  SF's Mayor, Ed Lee, knows there is inequality here- he wants pension fund money to fund  worker housing!  Imagine that.  Reminds one of the good old days when Mayor Diane Feinstein wanted the pension fund to buy Israeli Housing bonds.  Oh, well.  It's not Greece.

Kennewick Man: Ancestry Update

    A team of Danish scientists published an article in the journal Nature that clarified important data relating to the human remains  found along the Columbia River in 1996.  After two college students found a skull in the mud along the shore, local police treated the case as one of murder.  However, after the rest of the skeleton was uncovered and examined, it was found to be the remains of an ancient human 8,500 years old.  His identity was a mystery.
     Some identified the remains as European, based on skull characteristics.  Some felt he was related to the Ainu natives peoples of Japan.  Still others, local tribesmen of native Americans of the northwest, claimed him as one of their own.  Now these same tribesmen are claiming Kennewick Man as thier property and want to give him a ritual burial.  The Ancient One had DNA that was analyzed, and it was found to be closely related to that of the Colville tribe of the local area.  The scientists will not definitely say Kennewick Man is an ancestor of Colville peoples, but he is definitely the closest fit among the tribes.

Tahoe Basin Fire Warning

   CalFire, the state department of fire protection, issued a statement of conditions at Lake Tahoe:  high winds and high heat/temps, and low humidity.  Be careful; be attentive; and no careless fires if camping/hiking/ outdoor cooking.
     As we approach the first official day of summer with its longest day, we can enjoy the outdoors of out lake basin while being especially aware of conditions.   Good sense can carry the day and a high level of awareness of winds and its problems for firefighters.
  'Nough said.

Greeks Court Mad Vlad

    Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece went to St. Petersburg today to confer with Mr. P.  Again, Mr. P is grabbing an obvious headline.  The poor Greek needs a friend as European Union heavyweights are refusing to budge on their last demands of the Greek Government.  One assumes that  Mr. P is somewhat sympathetic: "Oh, the vile West.  Look what they've tried to do to my countrymen, with those sanctions.  Maybe I can help you.  Let's put a gasline through your country."  But, we know the Russyan economy is in recession and will continue down this path for the future.  Sorry, Mr. Tsipras, sympathy/empathy, no Euros/Dollars/Roubles.  But, how about some World Cup tickets?  I can get you front row seats in Group D, first round or maybe seats for the knockout round of games.  My good friend Sepp Blatter gave me several suitcases filled with tickets for my "family" of friends.  Plus, I like Greeks, especially Greek women.  They are so imaginative- catch my drift?
     So Mr. Tsipras is going home with an empty suitcase, but lots of empathy.

Mayors Conference: 2015

      The National Conference of Mayors held their meeting in San Francisco this week.  None other than President Barack Obama gave a keynote speech yesterday.  The Mayor was in the City most of today.  He was not in attendance at the meeting.  It is reserved for mayors of large cities of at least 200,000 population.  In other words, party operatives positioning themselves for a move up.
     Due to the tragedy in Charleston, the President spoke of the ongoing problem in America as he sees it: racism is still a factor; it must continually be acknowledged; and attitudes can be changed.  No one can argue against this position.  And he mentioned gun ownership.  And he reminded those in attendance that few countries in the modern world compare to the USA in gun violence.  Amen.

Timofey Mozgov: Cavs Player

        What do St. Petersburg, Russya and Cleveland, Ohio have in common?  Cold winters, hot summers, shoreline on a large body of water, urban sophistication, historical sites a plenty, and a sports-crazed population?  Yes, to all of the former.   But perhaps, now, after Cleveland's defeat at the hands of the nimble Golden State(California) WARRIORS,  the locals in each city can agree  on one more thing/person: they like Timofey Mozgov.
      Is he of the calibre of LeBron James?  No, but he plays well in his shadow.  The 2.2 meters tall forward is a very strong, all-around support player.   Otherwise, he wouldn't be in the NBA.  Maybe his folks would like to see him in medical school as they planned, but, hey, having a kid playing with the CAVS isn't too bad, after all.
      Now here in the states, we've heard rumors that when he was a little Russkie growing up in St. Pete's, he played on a local team that features some Soviet apparatchiks and future oligarchs.   Hmmm.  Could one of those sportsmen have been none other than the current sitting president of the Federation?  Yes, Vova Putin to put a name out there.  Did he teach Timofey how to drive the lane and put up a fade away jump shot from the top of the key?  It's possible.  The Mayor will have to search out some source material to get the facts on this developing story.  It's important for fans to have facts about their faves, even if he's a former St. Pete's citizen, and possible mentee of Vova hisself.
More later. 

Donald Trump: Candidate

       If one wanted to create a farce, Donald Trump has out done himself.  He declared himself a candidate for President of the USA.  Nobody is surprised at "The Donald's" announcement.  He has a knack for seizing headlines.  This seizure is no exception.  It also indicates some desperation on his part.   But, it also indicates the sense that Hillary/Billary is vulnerable, even at this point.  The Republicans own Congress and Dems are not gaining voters with Obama running the White House.  With a failure of TPP, Obama needs a win to bolster Hillary and Co.
  Good luck, Mr. Trump.

Sewer Treatment Station at McKinney Shores

     The Tahoe City Utility District announced plans for a water treatment plant on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.  This facility would treat water from several locations, primarily the Homewood Resort area both on mountain and at base.  Tahoe cedars Water Co. would also have this as a backup facility.  The Chambers Landing plant would be decommissioned.
      Several sites are being considered as are different designs for the building.  The building would be approx. 350 sq. meters/3500 sq. ft. with a shed roof or gable style.   A TCPUD site near Lagoon road is a possible location.   Property owners were only recently notified of plans.  Funds for the project would come for a variety of sources including property taxes and various use taxes.
     More to come here.

Warriors Win Again

     The Blue and Gold won game 5 and now need 1 more victory to become champions of the NBA.  It's only been 40 years since the last championship.  LeBron James scored 40 points-not too B A D.  Steph Curry logged 37 of his team's 105.   So the matchup went as expected: lead changes in double digits; dramatic turns as long shots found the net.  Mr. Curry added key 3-pointers late to place the contest beyond the reach of Cleveland's Cavaliers.   Coach Kerr was contained during a postgame interview, but one didn't require patience to detect a smile.
     The next game, or two will be played in Cleveland.  Can Mr. James beat the odds at this point?   The Cavs have a chance, actually a big chance to tie the series: it's called home court advantage.   It will be fun to watch.

Ukraine President Updates Status

      No, not a Facebook status update, a political situation update.  His long letter published nationally in the USA, gave many reasons to be hopeful of Ukraine's future, politically.  Many departments have been wiped clean of former bureaucrats, often with corruption charges following.  The judges in many courts were also replaced, especially those with ties to former officials.
     Yes, the rebels in the Donbass region in the east along the border with the Russyan Bear have continued to abuse the Minsk Accord.  But they have not been able to expand their reach, facing a stiffening of government troops in the Donetsk area.  Now Vlad has to be aware that the take down of FIFA by the FBI could spell doom for the next World Cup in the form of a worldwide boycott.  Hmmm.  Will this sway Vova away from his aggressive behavior against the West?  Doubt it. Pirates rarely listen to reason- that's why they are called Pirates. 
      The international community may have varied foci at this time(see Syria, Mynmarr, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Moldova, and Greece.   In 2 weeks the Greek situation will be settled, one way or the other.  The Iraq nuclear talks will reach a finality, one way or the other.  And NATO will move a few mocked up pieces of armor along the Latvian border to make a statement: "See, we know what's happening".
      Then NASA will order a few more rocket motors and the price of oil will go down again and the recession in Russya will get worse.
   Ahhhhh, summer.  Love those long days and short nights.

Pope Meets Pirate

     Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church,  met with Vladimir V. "Vova" Putin, head of the Russyan Federation, the largest country /governed space in the world.  Vlad, as he is known around the Kremlin, wanted to discuss the foremost topic on his mind: the price of oil.  Ha.  He needed a little publicity with a respected prelate.  He didn't want to be seen with Bashar Assad.  No.  Too much negative baggage.   Not President Xi-too austere/rigid/Communist,etc.
     So, Il Papa(as he is known in Italia).  Papa asked  Vlad to respect the Minsk Accords.  Putin said, "What accords?" Oh, yes, those.  They spent 50 minutes in their meeting, about twice as much as the usual head of state receives.  They exchanged gifts: Pope gave a  medallion with the angel of peace.  Vlad gave a jeweled cross set with diamonds mined in Russya.  No.  Not really.  The gift from Putin was not mentioned.  Hmmm.  Maybe it was Robert Kraft's Super Bowl diamond ring Putin lifted from his guest last year.

Long Days Journey Into Night- Eugene O'Neill

      The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents many other productions than the Bard's repertoire.  The actors who are members of the company are asked to perform a number of different productions including some of the great writers in American theater.  Nobel Prize winner Eugene O'Neill(1936)  is one of the most prolific playwrights of the 20th century.  His long list of accomplishments includes many well recognized titles such as The Iceman Cometh, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Long Days Journey Into Night(1941).  This last is his most famous, most remembered, most loved of all his works.
       This play has been dissected, analyzed, and discussed since its first showing long after the author's death.   Because of its personal themes, O'Neill requested that it not be released until 25 years after his death.  His widow made the effort to overlook the request, and it was released in 1957.
       Long Days Journey Into Night won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1958.  This largely autobiographical work is one of three works that are based on his life and early years spent with his father, an actor, and his mother, a disillusioned spouse of a professional stage actor who had difficulty providing for his wife and 2 children.  O'Neill himself suffered from alcoholism and depression.  One brother suffered and died from alcoholism.  A son,  Eugene,Jr. died of alcoholism at age 40.  O'Neill's mother was addicted to potassium bromide and was often incapacitated as a result.
      The play examines a day-in-the-life-of the family as it exists during a 24 hour period.  The long play-3 1/2 hours- stretches from early morning to the wee hours of the following day.  Over this period we come to know the cast members: James Tyrone, the father, Mary, the Mother, and the two sons:James, Jr., and Edmund .  The 2 sons are currently living at home: one a failed actor dealing with alcoholism; the younger brother confronting tuberculosis, the Mother recently returned to the house after another stint at a sanatorium for drug addiction; and the Father, clearly an alcoholic.
      All four bring their years to the stage as O'Neill dissects the individual histories, from their earliest years to the most recent.  Nothing is sacred; all faults are subject to discussion.  All shortcomings are exposed to the light of day.  Old slights are recalled, remembered accurately or only slightly.  Past efforts to cope are mentioned, indicating failed attempts that expose the pains of failure.  A constant theme returned to during the play is the immigrant experience of the father. Born in Ireland, he experienced the poverty of the Irish landscape that drove so many to seek a new life in the USA.   Despite the years since his arrival, he can fondly recall some memories of his childhood in Ireland.
      This play was part of O'Neill's effort to bring a new realism to the stage and he set a new standard for drama in the 20th century that left classical themes for modern writing, realism voiced in a vernacular that the audience could readily identify with.   If one has a drop of Irish blood running through his veins, this play will strike a familiar tone.  The movie made shortly after the play's appearance was also well received in 1962, and featured Katherine Hepburn, Ralph Richardson, Jason Robards, and Dean Stockwell.

Letter From Moskova

     The USA received a letter from abroad today.  It was lengthy, but full of insight, well thought out, and concise in its message and content.  It was from an American expat living in Eastern Europe- that part east of Poland and west of the Ural Mountains.  Yes, that area known to today's world as the Russyan Federation, formerly the U.S.S.R.
     Who would want to send such a missive and have it published in a widely read daily?   Whose words would resonate across the American landscape?  Whose input would be considered by editors as pithy and above all:timely.  Yes, your are correct: Edward J. Snowden.
     He takes time to praise recent developments on domestic surveillance carried out by democratic governments, in the US and abroad.   He noted the recent court rulings that found  the N.S.A. eavesdropping on private phone calls illegal.  Congress refused to renew the law giving the N.S.A. another body blow.   It's not easy being a whistle blower.  Perhaps his future will be one of retuning to his home from abroad.
     How would you like to live in MOskova as a "guest" of Vlad "Vova" Putin?   Not many people relish the thought.

Gas;Gas: More Gas

      Some good economic news for Lake Tahoe locals: the price of propane, the source of heat for most lakeside dwellers, has hit new lows.  Today's retail price: $0.37/gal.  That is not a wholesale price nor a futures price, but a price one would expect to pay.  So, what can you do when you are ready to fill up?  Shop around.  Maybe it's time to buy the tank instead of renting the unit.  Get some figures from the usual suspects: Amerigas,etc.  Get them to give ground on price.  Yes, winters have been mild.  Fewer days of heavy consumption of product, fewer demands at pump= lower prices.  Oh, yes, increased production.
     THose "Blue Rhino" tanks:  5 gals. at $19.99= rip off.  New filled tank @$49.95= ripoff.   So, if your gas company wants to gouge you more than $1./gal, think of what he's paying: maybe $0.20/gal and has been for more than a year!
    We'll keep our price watch going as summer develops.

Warriors Win in OT

     It was a close, exciting game: Game 1 of the NBA Finals held in Oakland, CA.  Cleveland's Cavaliers were in town with their GOLIATH-LaBRON James.  LaBron had a great game, scoring 44 points.  The Warriors played their game: stuttering at the start as the Cavs took an early 10 point lead.  After catching up, it was a seesaw battle.  Up by 1, down by two.  UP by 3, tied, down by one.  Then: overtime as 2 Warrior shots went awry.  The Cavs could not find the basket during overtime as the Warriors pulled away and firmed up a comfortable lead to win by 10.
    Could the Warriors sweep?  Possible with game one under their belt.  Next game: Sunday, 6pm.

Greece Action Imminent

      So, down to the wire: President Tsipras is ready to take a deal.  Finally, EU leaders were able to construct a final offer of a take-it-or-leave-it plan.  Details have not been made public-good move.  The last thing Greeks need is a riot of upset citizens.  We'll know more as soon as the Greeks get on board and can formulate talking points to the press.  Hopefully, the terms will include a haircut for bankers who rolled the tiny Mediterranean nation, continually giving them funds despite their obvious inability to ever pay it back.   It's akin to giving credit cards to the poor: it creates a life of endless debt, and the bankers know it.  Damn the greedy bastards.
Stay tuned-more news on the way.

Jack Lew and Greece

     Has the US Treasury just realized there is a problem in Europe and it's called Greece?  Well, it seems so.   Old Jake, or Jack, or Jacob, which ever is your preference, has come out publicly with statements that reflect a concern that Greece' financial problems(read massive debt to Euro zone-northern- banks) might default on same debt.   Hmmm.  Hello? Hello? Anybody home in Obama's White House?  Did Yanis Vavroukakis just call and tell Jake that he should get ready to accept Greece as the US' newest state?  Or that we should get ready for ten millin Greek refugees who will set sail for Manhattan in a week or so?  Why now Mr. Lew?  The election is 18 months away(presidential).  Do tell-we can't wait in limbo much longer.
     The event was a meeting in Dresden, Germany of the Group of 7, the finance group of countries affiliated by agreement(formerly the Group of 8, or G 8: now minus Russya).   Apparently, the US now needs to goad our EU trading partners into a settlement that all can live with.  Good Luck.

Greece: Part II

       Paul Krugman, noted economist and column writer at nytimes.com, weighed in this morning on the Greek fiscal situation.  He compared the ongoing negotiations to the themes in a new book: "The Sleepwalkers".  The author recounts the year 1914 and the lead up to the First World War.  Krugman says that the political leaders then were not negotiating in good faith and waltzing toward conflict that some among them thought would be a "good" thing and "clear" the air, and "clarify" issues.  We know how that turned out.  Krugman, after all his verbosity on the issue, finally puts forth some elements of a plan that could save Greece from the international community's wrath, and salvage the Greek economy from implosion.   He believes, as happened in 1914, the spillover from Greece' exit the Euro Zone would have a ripple effect across the continent.   This is no doubt, true.  Those Northern European thugs should wake up and look in the mirror(eg. FIFA).
      The Greeks are not a soccer team, but a proud nation unwilling to be humiliated any further than they have already after 5 years of austerity that has continued to cause grief among the citizenry.  Enough they say on the streets of Athens.  Is anybody listening?  Or are we going to redo 1914?