Pope on Climate Change

      Pope Francesco, Bishop of Rome and head of Catholic Church held an invitation only conference at the Vatican to discuss a hot topic: climate change/global warming.   He invited 60 mayors from around the world, including Jerry Brown of California(but not Mayor of Tahoma).   Gov. Jerry was given the podium and gave a well covered speech on costs of climate change and his ideas on coping with economic issues related to policies necessary to deal with anticipated global effects.
       The mayors were chosen because the Pope believes that economic changes will affect the poor more than any other group.  The Pope also believes that governments must address remedies with the poor in mind.   A consensus agreement was attained, and the group acknowledged the necessity of policies that can alleviate negative outcomes for those at the lowest levels of society.
      In addition, the Pope reminded the mayors that capitalism is not the be all/end all of progress and liberalism.   Given his Argentinian roots steeped in Peronist populism, it's not surprising that he would make such statements.   Despite his Italian heritage, he remains at his core, an Argentinian, rooted in anti-colonialism, and suspicious of corporate policy and foreign investments.   He does not advocate Chavismo-style government, but obviously ascribes to a Latin American brand of democratic government.
      All very interesting, really.   Especially, as our own Minister of Latin American Affairs is heading to South America in a month to begin a 2 year assignment.   Perhaps his on-the-ground observations will enlighten us all.

Bear Talk: A New Tale 2015

       The Mayor had coffee with his friend Denny yesterday in downtown Tahoma at Where We Met Espresso.   Denny has lost a little weight over the past few months, much due to his bout with pneumonia in March.  During our conversation, he explained the good care he received at Reno's VA hospital; "they took good care of me", he said.  He mentioned when he went in for treatment of his wounds from the attack that the staff was skeptical of his claim of wounds caused by  bear attack.
      "What bear attack?", I asked. 
The Story
     One night a few weeks ago, about 4am, one of his dogs started barking out front.  He knew it was a bruin and was concerned for the dogs.  he got up and went outside into the dark.   As he exited the front door, the uninvited bruin slipped past him and entered the house.  True!  The dogs were right behind it, and Denny realized the change in the situation.   The door had closed somehow behind the bear.   He opened the door and entered, and saw the bear start upstairs where his wife was asleep.  He yelled a warning which startled the bear.   The bear turned and came at him.  With a swipe of a paw, Denny went flying.  He managed to reopen the front door and Yogi got the message and exited the premises.
      His shirt was shredded at the shoulder and when he turned on the light, the 4 stripes of the swipe were revealed.  From experience, he decided that a trip to the ER was necessary.   After some temporary bandaging was in place, he drove himself to Reno(45 miles) to get some medical attention.
Results: positive-4 gashes, but no stitches required.  Lesson learned: locate bear before exiting house in dark.
     Thanks, Denny, for bear story of year.

Olga and Alexei: Russyans on Move

      Returning from the Vatican Mayor's Conference, I sat with a Russyan family: father, mother, and little son, about 4 years old.  The plane was full(as always), and it was a late day departure time.  After the meal, the husband, Alexei got up and went to the rear of the main cabin.  Immediately, Olga raised the arm rests across their 3 seats and stretched out, seeking a little sleep.  Little Pieter then curled up next to Mother and dropped off to sleep.  A bonus for all nearby passengers, including me.  These 11 hour non-stops can be grueling, especially if situated in unfriendly circumstances(troublesome seatmates).  But, the little fellow did sleep, Olga also found dreamland, and the time went by (with 3 movies-all dull).
      As we approached SFO, I asked Olga how her travel experience was going with Pieter.  She explained that they had left Moscova earlier in the day and that he has been doing well.  They have made this trip several times already since moving to the Bay Area, which they love.  Alexei works in the tech world of Silicon Valley, and they have been fortunate in their timing with employment and locations.  As young 30 somethings, they are on a good life path.
      She was most curious about my opinion of Mad Vlad the Putin.  I explained that I had recently read Karen Dawishe's book Putin's Kleptocracy and thus knew of his KGB past, his sordid St. Petersburg exploits, his steps to the presidency of the new Russyan Federation.  Olga seemed surprised at my knowledge of the Russyan president; but she understood when I explained that I had an academic interest in modern Russyan history.   She reserved her response to a simple acceptance, obviously not willing to share much more.

Curious Vlad

United Nations Announce Speaker: Putin

        Remember Hugo Chavez of Venezuela?  A crackpot dictator who ruined his country before he finally croaked?   Yes, he was popular for awhile: nationalized businesses; set exchanges rate for foreign currency.  He was under an assumption he could be a new type of socialist dictator.   Wrong.  Even his understudy, Senor Maduro, can't clean up the mess.  Oh, and there's an issue with the price of oil.
       Now the world has Mad Vlad "Vova" Putin.  Let's take Crimea.  Yea, Russya is back.  We are a real country again.   Look, World, we count.  Then Ukraine.  Russyan speakers need our help.   Let's go help the oppressed Russyan-speaking minority in the Donbass(east Ukraine).  Oh, sorry, we shot down the plane filled with Dutch medical doctors.   It wasn't us.  It was Ukraine.
      How about a cup of plutonium-laced tea?   It is a special Russyan blend reserved for elite drinkers.
      Yes, I can't wait for Vova to speak at the UN in New York city.   Maybe Mayor Bill DeBlasio will give Vlad a key to the City.  Maybe not.  But Mad Vlad has lots of topics he can incorporate into a fine diatribe against the UN membership.  Maybe he'll chastise Obama, or President Xi of China.  Maybe he'll talk of his fears of Iranian nuclear production or how the US lost prestige when Sec. of State signed the agreement in Suisse.
     It will be a much anticipated speech, but we are all prepared to be disappointed.  What can dictators say?  Same old, tired lies to protect their position and their hidden wealth.   Where is his money?   Suisse.
     Have a nice day.

Back at the LAKE

      Nice to be home, lakeside.  Yes, there are some nearby wild land blazes that are the sources of visible smoke across the lake.  Then there is the ongoing highway project.  Now we have several controlled stops along 89 between Tahoe City and Tahoma during the Monday-Friday work schedule.  These can add as much as 30-45 minutes to a shopping trip.  Careful planning is a must this summer.  But, we make the adjustments.
      Summer movies have been featured at the Park; the last was Saturday night.  Now we are in "high season" and the boats are everywhere along the shore and the beaches are packed with bronzed bodies only slightly covered these days.  The watercraft variety continues to advance with stand up paddle boards the latest fad.
     Use sun screen; enjoy.

Yevgeny Primakov: R.I.P. , 1930-2015

Yevgeny Primakov, 1930-2015

      Interesting obituary for one of the stalwarts of the late Soviet period in Russya: Yevgeny Primakov, died on 29 June at age 85.  Cause of death likely old age-related illness(heart failure, COPD, prostate cancer, etc.).   He was a nimble player at the highest levels of the Russyan government hierarchy.  Of course, he had long been a player in the KGB(aren't they all?).   His intelligence was recognized early on, and after mastering Arabic, became a foreign correspondent in the Middle East.
     Since he was in fact, a KGB agent with cover, he provided timely information to the Communist Party leaders in Moscova.  Not a diehard member of the Party, he was able to steer clear of ideologues and rise to top positions based on power structures and how to influence others.  He was especially adept at influencing Boris Yeltsin at the end of the Soviet era, and taking over the foreign intelligence directorate, a real plum job with enormous capability.
      At one time, he was thought to be the heir apparent to Yeltsin, but his skills were not up to the test and Vova easily took the top job, as Yevgeny was criticized for being not only a poor speaker, with a sad appearance, but an old man with a short term outlook.  He also wished to look West: he was friendly with USA Secretary of State Madeline Albright, who spoke Russyan.   They laughed together about "termites", the relentless bureaucrats who managed to derail much work and to obfuscate policies desired by senior officers.   He did not approve of Mad Vlad's methods and thought his saber rattling over Ukraine was unseemly and distasteful.

Greece: No Vote

      Sunday's vote in Greece voted No 61%
to Yes 39%.   Poor, confused, scared, leaderless voters.  Now they have to wait in line for everything.  Pity the poor,  the sick, the confined, the unemployed.  Now the years of neglect have come home.  The inculcated belief that they could continue the gravy train is finally shattered by reality.  They are all in uncharted waters.  Northern EU members/voters hope to keep Greece a viable member, but, they want change before anymore money is shunted southward.  Understandable.  Who likes free loaders?  No one, no where.   Populism-it sells, but at a price few will acknowledge.   Look at two examples: Argentina and Venezuela.  How are they doing?  Not so well.  Problems include soaring inflation, lack of foreign exchange, high crime, high unemployment, shrinking/ non existent growth, and a bewildered, confused populous.
     Some economists suggested a no vote would benefit Greece in negotiating with the ECB, the IMF, and Angela Merkel of Germany.  Those would be Joe Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sachs, Paul Krugman, and Thomas Piketty.  That's quite a collection of heavy hitters.  Today, two other economists weighed in with their opinions.  They are Jeremy Bulow of Stanford University and Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard University. wsj.com  No light weights either.  Their position hinges on the necessity to correct structural economic conditions that prevent growth and restrain the ability to service sovereign debt to international creditors.  It's no secret that Greece has been running a corrupt system, fostered by corrupt politicians and a press that has been complicit in the cover up.  As 1 example noted, Greece has 133 separate pension plans that collectively provide for more that 33 % of the total population.  Income tax collections are less than proscribed and often ignored.  Property taxes account for a small amount of the total.   All this on top of a river of "black" money that circulates around the country and is accepted as a way to beat the tax man/national government which citizens regard as chronically and mostly corrupt.  Correct. 
     Angela is meeting with Francois of France in an attempt to save the Greeks from themselves.  Call it paternalism as Mr. Tsipras does; but it is really empathy coming from one who was raised in East Germany under the Soviet boot.
     More tomorrow.

USA Bests Japan in World Cup Final

      The stage was set:  the USA women's team had been undefeated going in to the final.  They hadn't been in the final since 1999.   Now, here they were in Vancouver, BC., Canada, a hop and a step from the Washington State/US border.  Could they do it?
      The question was answered within minutes of the opening kickoff.   What fans worldwide saw was unprecedented in World Cup : 4 goals in 16 minutes, all by the USA.  Carli Lloyd performed a hat trick-scoring 3 times in those first minutes.   Truly a memorable event.  The Japanese team was rocked to its core, but did not buckle.   In the 2nd half, they japanese team came out and played with renewed vigor, scoring 2 goals in a short time.  It appeared that the USA had a real game on.  But, the USA women scored again and then turned to stout defensive play that shut out the Japanese the rest of the way.  Final score: USA 5-Japan 2.    Two American players: Abby Wambach and team captain Christie Rampone are veterans of many national teams.   Christie Rampone is the oldest player at 40 years to play in a World Cup final.
     USA fans dominated the sold out stadium as expected.  Japanese fans had a small cohesive section which composed a representation of the Japanese national flag.  While they had a couple of high spots during the game, it was a long evening for all Japanese fans here and at home.  Few coud deny that Sunday was an All-American day?
    On a side note, viewers could not overlook some interesting advertisements flashing across the walls of the seating areas: in bold caps GAZPROM  lit up the stadium.  Hmmm. Did Sepp Blatter make a deal with mad Vlad Vova to cash in on the World Cup?  Everybody knows that Blatter is a bribe taker and Vova is a bribe payer.  All this will continue to unfold as US Attorney General Loretta Lynch pursues the corruption inside FIFA.  Look out Gazprom, here comes Loretta and the F.B. I.

Road Trip: Modoc Plateau

     The Mayor hit the road over the 4th of July: not the usual route, not the usual road trip.  The destination was the remote  northeast corner of the state: Modoc County, California- the land that God forgot, almost.  The county butts up against the State of Nevada on its east side, and Siskiyou County on the west side, and the State of Oregon on the north.   It's high desert: dry, inter-mountain/basin plateau, averaging 5,000' elevation.  Notable land marks include Mt. Dome at 6518' ;  Bonita Bu

Watch Tower Tule Lake Internment Center

Barracks Building: Tule Lake Internment Camp

tte at 5006'; Mahogany Mt. at 6255' ; and Lava Beds Nat. Monument.  In the center are Mt. Hoffman at 7913' and Medicine Mt. at 7506'.  It is also Indian country, ancestral lands of the Modoc Nation.  Captain Jack's Stronghold is also found here, near Tule lake.  Evidence of volcanic activity is everywhere one looks: old lava flows, isolated buttes made of old basalt plugs rise from the plains.
      Near the Oregon border, the basins hold water in the form of Tule lake: a shallow basin lake, often looking like it could join other ancient water sources that have long since dried up.  This water has given rise to a thriving agricultural industry that has existed in this corner for over 100 years.
     What crops might you ask?   Potatos, alfalfa, rye grass, and some cover crops.  Water does not appear to be a problem as sprinklers were in operation in various locations.  So much for the 25% state req'd reduction in usage.
      During WW II, the camp was home to Japanese Americans who were uprooted and relocated from their homes throughout the state and the WEST.  A sorry statement on Roosevelt's presidency.  Later in the war, Italian POW's were sent here to work in the fields.  They were followed by Nazi soldier POW's , about 800, who were sent from the battle fields of Europe.  Interesting side story to the war effort.  Very little remains of the camp:  most of the buildings were sold to locals and moved to various nearby sites.  The 1 barracks in the photo is all that remains of the scores of similar structures within the fence of the camp.   Not a pretty picture.  The small museum is barely able to convey the true story.   Some memoirs would be advised, of which there are a few.

Russyan Piano Maestro Delights Locals on 4th of July

     Americans equate Russyan piano culture with Van Cliburn, a virtuoso who turned the music world upside down several decades ago when he won the International competition in the then Soviet Union.  No small feat.  These days, artists are somewhat more available to the world, especially since the Berlin Wall has fallen and the U.S.S. R. has turned into the Russyan Federation.   So, on the one hand, the Mayor was surprised to find a Moscova Music School graduate bounding around the State of Oregon, but there he was:  Maestro Virtuoso Alexander Tutunov.
     Dr. Tutunov is now a faculty member at the University of Southern Oregon in Ashland, that great artistic venue just north of the Oregon/California border.  He and his family reside there, and he uses the city as his base for his many professional obligations.  At a friend's 4th of July party, Sacha, as he is known among friends, delighted guests with an impromptu selection of some recent innovations.  Much to the delight of the group, he played while his twins danced about with their beguiling moves captivating all who watched.   His charm and amiable personality lit up the room.
     It was a great party, thanks to Sacha.