Book Review: WINTER IS COMING, Garry Kasparov, Public Affairs, 291 pgs.

      Would you play chess with Garry Kasparov?   Probably only if he paid you.   But Mr. Kasparov has been "playing" chess with Vladimir Putin since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989.  Since that time, he has been an advocate for democracy in the former USSR.  In a piece by Gabriel Schoenfeld, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in the area of intelligence and national security, the efforts of the retired chess world champion were directed at promoting democracy among the liberated Russyians.  Mr. Schoenfeld says the book "Winter Is Coming" presents a picture  of the internal forces propelling Russya's descent  into aggressive authoritarianism.  And it offers a scathing analysis of the contribution of the West to that outcome.
      Mr. Kasparov allows that after the collapse of the USSR, no real effort was made to expose the truth of what went on under Stalin and the Communist regime he ran for generations.  Without this exposure, the security apparatus remained intact.   Vlad Putin was a part of this apparatus and continues to govern in this vane.   Having served in the KGB from 1975 until the collapse, Mr. Putin is steeped in the methods and psychology of the state security system, now called the FSB.   He knows how to use subterfuge, propaganda, and violence.
     Mr. Kasparov was a victim of these characteristics when he began to enter the political realm of Russya:  he was beaten by thugs of the government; endured confinement in a Moscova prison cell; and then,  self-imposed exile in the West.    Mr. Kasparov traces events in Chechnya; the plundering of the economy by Putin and his cronies; the murders of Sergei Magnitsky and Boris Nemtsov; the invasion of Crimea; the assault on Ukraine and active support of rebels in that country; and includes many other minor international 'gambits'.
      This is a must read for citizens of the West who wish an understanding of what is happening in Europe's other country.   As long as Mad Vlad is at the helm of the largest country on the globe, it will bear watching, closely.   Any man who murders his own people for more power can never be accepted as a model world citizen.  Now he is in the country of Syria with his bombers supporting a dictator who murders his own people to hold on to power.  He is also courting Iran, another tin pot country of prehistoric Neanderthals.  Only Pres. Obama has him figured out:  let him bluster and thunder about the Middle East for soon, another "Afghanistan plague will land in Moscova.

Palos Verdes and San Vicente Light

     The Mayor went on a grand tour of the infamous Palos Verdes peninsula in Southern California this weekend.  The weather was fantastic: ideal for a walking tour on the coast.   The Pacific Ocean was calm, barely a ripple.  Surfers dotted the inshore area, waiting for that exceptional curl rolling in from the Gulf of Alaska.
       The Trump Resort looked like the landscaping is getting its fair share of fresh water: the fairways were green, and the grass in the rough was only a lighter shade of green.   Local media reported that the "Dona;d" still has received a permit for his tall flagpole at the resort.  Really, a permit for a flagpole.  Oh, well.  It's Palos Verdes.
      The Palos Verdes Golf Club was also as green as it gets.  Lush fairways offered inviting challenges to golfers who can afford the fees.  The ocean views are worth the fees.  And the neighborhood appears to be inhabited only by the 1%.   The northern half looks to be most recently built up.  The southern half, closest to San Pedro Harbor and LAX, looks to be older, less affluent.  The homes are generally one story and less than 2000 sq. ft. on smaller lots.   Horse stables and riding trails are a feature.   Street names reflect the presents of the equine enthusiasts.  I did see a shirt with a polo logo that wasn't connected to Ralph Lauren.
      The lighthouse on the ocean side point sits on land identified by Cabrillo in 1542.   This notation occurred more than 250 years before San Junipero Serra began the establishment of the famous mission system of early California in the 1770's.   The site is Federal property occupied by the Coast Guard.  Tours are available one day a month.   It is currently closed for renovation.   That is Santa Catalina Island in the background, the famous resort island, 26 miles offshore, and a playground for Angelenos for generations.                                

San Vicente Lighhouse at Palos Verdes

                                

Russyan and Syrian in MOscova

      Old Bashar Assad, hanging on to his position as chief Destroyer of Syrian culture, sneaked off to Moscova to have a chat with his No. 1 supporter, Vova Vladimirovich Putin, the Kremlin's face for the 21st Century, and supervisor of the decline of the people of the Steppes.
      I'm sure that Old Bashar asked for the moon, since he needs a new moon to survive, because as the rebellion continues in his failed state, he needs all the help he can get.   With Russyan aircraft, the old obsolete models, bombing ISIS sites, strategies on the ground have been altered to include the new support.
     Where is all this going?  Russya is sliding into recession again, and Putin's excursions in Ukraine, Crimea, Syria, and Estonia are costing the government nothing but money(millions per day).  This will not sit well with his supporters.

The Caves and Cave Art

    Prehistoric art is both an interesting subject and a rare subject.  Found around the world in obscure places, the art work has often been damaged by neglect, age, or vandals.  Some of the most famous pieces were found in the tombs of the pharaohs in Egypt, in the monuments to the deceased kings and queens.  Stonehenge in England is a monument whose origins are obscure and leave more questions than answers.  Sculptures on Easter Island are remarkable for size and shape.  Olmec sculptures in the Yucatan leave behind the same unknowns.   And cave art and artists are added to these mysteries.
      After spending time examining caves in Southwest France, it is apparent that prehistoric artists were alive and well 15, 000 years ago.  Yes, 15,000 years ago.
      Lescaux is perhaps the poster child of caves with prehistoric paintings.   Now closed to the public, it is a victim of its own success.  For years, it was open and viewed by thousands of curious archeologists, artists, historians, and the public.  Deterioration of the cave environment in the form of mold and high moisture levels, led experts to close the caves to all visitors in the late 20th century.  As a token of their exceptional value as objects of art, a duplicate cave was developed nearby that faithfully rendered the same images found in the Lescaux cave itself.  This satisfied locals and experts alike.
More later

Donatello's Putto: Rediscovered

Donatello's Putto (2 1/2')ca. 1430

     Art historians love stories of a discovery that has been hiding in plain sight.  Here's another as reported in the NYTimes.  Andrew Butterfield(right), a noted Renaissance scholar and art historian,
had been aware of a wooden sculpture that had been in the possession of an Italian family for some time.  The putto, or winged angel, had never been on public display.  When it became available recently, he purchased the piece.  He was also aware of a similar and nearly identical piece in a Boston museum that had already been examined by scholars 50 years ago and deemed not of significance.  However, when he took the piece to a conservator for repair and restoration, she told him, in her opinion, the piece should not be resting on 2 feet, but on tiptoe, or one foot and supported with a steel rod in the rear.   When Mr. Butterfield saw the piece thus(above), he felt struck by lightening.  Here, now, was a piece that could be traced to the famous Italian who rarely worked in wood.
       After hiring consultants to examine the piece and trace its origins(complete with x-rays), the experts were of the opinion that not only was it completed in Donatello's studio, but under his direct supervision.  Eureka moment!
      The Putto will soon be on display at the Moretti Gallery and could be for sale sometime after that.  Mr. Butterfield would like the piece to be in the collection of a public museum for all to see.
     After spending a week in Paris viewing extraordinary works of art, this piece caught the Mayor's eye.

Mr. Andrew Butterfield

Jet Lag: Over

     It's been 4 days since the Mayor's return from the EU.  Finally, the sleep cycle has returned to normal: no more 4am blogging sessions.  Funny thing about jet lag, it's easier flying east to west than the reverse.  Must be some biological factor that is little understood by medical experts or else there would be a bottled cure.
      As any person with a pulse knows, the EU, among all its problems, is faced with a relatively new problem: hoards of migrants fleeing the Middle East and landing in western Europe.  They come from all the hot spots: Syria(50%), Iraq(20%), Afghanistan(15%), Iran(8%), Turkey(6%), Libya(1%), others (1).  Landing spots used to be on Italian islands near Sicily.  Smugglers felt it was easy and open.  But soon, migrants found an easier route: go to Turkey then cross 2 miles of open water to the Greek island of Lesbos.  Easy Peaszy.  Buy a rubber inner tube, a life jacket, pay for a seat on an inflatable boat and start paddlin', Bro.  Then the real journey begins: most want to go to Germany, the land of opportunity.  They don't want Italy anymore-economy is stagnant.  Not France either- slow growth, few jobs.  United Kingdom-yes, but crossing the Channel is not so easy.  Just look at Calais and its camps of truck jumpers.  Scandinavia is fine, not easy either; plus, relatively few muslims and fewer mosques.  The Balkan countries are seen as pass throughs: Hungary has closed its borders with fences and military police.  Croatia is passing migrants through now to Slovenia, which is closing its borders.  Germans are not welcoming as they did a month ago; right wing conservative groups are resisting Chancellor Merkel's call for acceptance and tolerance.  The EU is appearing to be confused because of a lack of consensus and a lack of a plan that all member states are willing to accept, a plan that to date has focused on quotas or percentages of migrants for each nation.   Most politicians know that the quotas would not prevent movement within the EU of those same migrants, especially long term.
      So, how do things look in Paris?  Lovely, autumn weather is here: cool nights, sunny days, a little light rain. (In Nice, not so light-torrential rains last week led to 12 deaths and severe flooding).  Parisians are in the parks, at the museums(w/ large Chinese tourists groups), and in all the cafes in St. Germain(rive gauche).
More later
The mayor will inspect a boat building shop today.

Dr. Kissinger on the Middle East

   Dr. Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State and national Security Adviser wrote a long piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. wsjournal.com.  Dr. Kissinger, the WW II veteran, author, professor, and elder statesman, has put together one of the most insightful pieces that analyzes the multi-faceted conflict raging across the Middle East landscape.  The mosaic of the region includes nation states, occupied and contested areas, ethnic cross border regions, and areas of confrontation and contests.
     His ability to pinpoint participants and their roles is superb.   Whether in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Lebanon, or Afghanistan, he identifies the peculiar problems in those countries.  He also describes the likely outcome of Russya's  new role as an active supporter of the Assad regime in Syria and how it will alter the dynamic.  Here we have the US supporting Syria rebels and their attempt to overthrow Assad, and Russyans supporting Assad against this group.  In addition, I.S.I.S., the 3rd party in the regional turmoil, is in conflict with all other parties on the ground, including Kurds and members of the Turkish military.   It's not a pretty picture.
      The Islamic religious element over region does not foster amicable relations, but instead, seeds the roots of ongoing conflict.  Dr. Kissinger understands this as well.  He is able to see a path to multiple solutions that could help to stabilize the area, and to perhaps reduce the numbers of migrants fleeing the conflict zones.  these are the migrants flooding the western European shores, streaming north and west to seek shelter and safety they are unable to find at home.  Dr. Kissinger advises a number of priorities that we need to establish on the road to peace and stability:
the destruction of ISIS is the No. 1 priority,
ISIS controlled territory must be reconquered and Russya must limit its military role to avoid a return to the Cold war with the US;
reconquered territories must be restored to the local Sunni rule that existed there before  the disintegration of both Iraqi and Syrian sovereignty.  Egypt and Jordan should also play a role in that evolution;  Turkey can also contribute to the process;
as terrorist controlled areas are brought under state control, the future of Syria should be concurrently addressed and an exit path for Assad be opened;
   the US should provide military assurances in the traditional Sunni states that the administration promised during the Iranian nuclear agreement;
in this context, the role of Iran is critical.  Dialogue with Iran returning to its role as a Westphalian state within its established borders.
      According to Dr. Kissinger, the US must decide for itself the role it will play in the Middle East, and it could be the most severe test and most immediate.

Book Review: Fire Monks, Part II

      At the time, late June, 2007, Tassajara Center was very busy with students, guests, and staff, about 60 adults.  Information was passed to the managers that fires were being observed in the county and locals should be alert and observant.  By the end of the month,  CalFire, the state agency, and the USFS, the Fed. agency, were moving men and equipment into Monterey County to fight the blazes(3).  Shortly thereafter, fire officials advised Tassajara staff they should evacuate guests.  This involves transporting individuals over 15 miles of dirt road that traverses rocky ravines and changes in elevations of 3000' or more, several times.
          Around the 4th of July, fire officials and crews came into Tassajara for an onsite exam of conditions and status of the center.  It was determined that because of its position, lack of access, wood construction without adequate roof protection, that the improvements would not survive a wind driven assault by fire.  Officials recommended that all evacuate the site.
      After several soul-searching meetings and discussions, all staff were going to be evacuated to Carmel Valley for safety and protection.  The Zen Center would be left to fend for itself.
      Prior to the evacuation, the staff monks made good use of the site which has Tassajara Creek running through it by rigging roof top sprinklers, water pumps powered by generators(the sight is off the grid, dependent on solar power and generators). Trees were trimmed, fire breaks were cut, protective wrapping supplied by USFS was placed around key structures, and hoses and equipment were pre-positioned for immediate use.  A number of the monks felt the site could be defended from the flames.
      But all left in a caravan of vehicles on July 10th.  Not quite half way to Carmel Valley, 5 monks decided to stay and return to the center and take their chances against the approaching fire storm.  For the next 72 hours, these 5, at the risk of their lives, saved the center and most of its buildings.
      Author Busch interviewed all 5 and recorded their struggles, their fears, and the aftermath of the blaze that almost won the battle, but for the efforts of these courageous few who, despite a lack of training and skill, were able to withstand the "heat" and survive against the odds.
      In the course of the story, the author explains the basics of Zen philosophy which greatly influenced the minds of the 5 who stayed behind.  Terms used are defined for the readers' benefit and aid in understanding the thoughts of the staff.  It is a well crafted story based on the events of 2 weeks in the summer of 2007 in a remote California mountain setting where temperatures often soar well over 100 degrees F.

Book Review: Fire Monks, Colleen Morton Busch, Penguin Books, 2012

      The San Francisco Zen Center is the largest Buddhist Temple in the US.  It was founded around 1960 by Suzuki Roshi, a Japanese monk who came to San Francisco's Japantown temple to be the head priest or abbot.  By the mid-60's, he had a loyal following and began looking for another site to teach soto-zen in a setting more conducive to meditation and zazen or the practice of mindfulness.  He was made aware of a site in Monterey county in the Los Padres National Forest.  It was the Tassajara Hot Springs resort/ranch.  It had been privately owned for sometime and was for sale.  With the help of a small group of individuals, the purchase price was achieved and the Zen Center had its new retreat location.
      The site, in the remote Ventana Wilderness sits in the Santa Lucia Mountains about 30 miles as the crow flies from Big Sur on the coast.  Deep ravines and rocky outcrops characterize the landscape, often covered by manzanita brush, valley oaks, pines, laurel trees, madrones, and maples.  Summers here are hot and dry, similar to the Salinas Valley 15 miles to the east.  Summer thunder storms can ripple through with their lightening strikes, the source of many wildland fires.
     In late June of 2007, such a storm delivered lightening strikes near Big Sur and Carmel Valley which started several small fires in very remote locations.  Within 24 hours, the fires grew larger and began to move with the help of onshore winds.
More to follow.

Russian-made Missile Shot Down MH17

      Dutch authorities released their report on the investigation of the shoot down of the flight of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 that cost the lives of 298 passengers and crew, 95% of whom were Dutch citizens.
     So, now that we know the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile and not a high-flying crow, the question is: 1) where was the  missile battery that fired the missile located, 2) who was in control of the site, 3) who gave the order to launch, 4) why this aircraft and not the 50+ other commercial flights, 5) where was Vova (Mad Vlad) when the order was given, 6) How much compensation will be paid by Russya, (est. $1.5 billions for pass. & crew families + airline), 7) cost of criminal trial.
      We will assume that the FSB was involved.   We will also assume that a high level of incompetence exists/existed among those on the ground at the site, and those of the command staff who gave the order.  We will also assume that most of those involved were drunk on state supplied vodka from Moscova.  Stipulating this, witnesses will be offered immunity for their testimony as the International Criminal Court proceeds with its work.
     None of this post incident investigation will mean much to the families involved.  It is sad but true that civilian casualties remain some of the most tragic results of war anywhere.

Is there oil in the Arctic?

      Interesting question if you are looking for energy in faraway places.  Gary Roughead, retired admiral and former chief of naval operations(2007-11), wrote recently that the US is falling behind other countries in their search for oil under the Arctic ice.  Russyan has a warm water port of sorts at Sabetta on the Kara Sea where ice breakers can operate more closely to sites currently being explored.  Russya began producing oil at the Prirazlomnaya in the Pechora Sea in 2014.  Last year it produced 2.2 million barrels.
      China is also in on the hunt: 3 international companies were buying international oil assets.  But China may be looking elsewhere for oil: in the South China Sea, in an area of formerly submerged reefs.  Over the last 2+ years, Chinese engineering firms with the cooperation of the government, of course, have been building up island bases in and area known as the Spratly Islands.  More information will be forthcoming as the US Navy moves into the region to challenge Chinese claims of sovereignty over the reefs.
      Royal Dutch Shell announced a pull back from its efforts to establish oil drilling operations in the Arctic.   Given the price of oil per barrel today, it seems that more companies will reduce investments in exploration and research.