Mr. Putin Not Happy

      I wouldn't be happy either if I traveled across Siberia to watch a missile launch and then had it cancelled.  How humiliating! Back in the day the Russyan National Space and Missile Center was located in what is now Kazahkstan.  Can't have that.  So, we'll invest the billions and billions of our worthless ruobels and build a new one.  We needed it , anyway.  The old one as outdated as Communism.
      Mr. Putin likes to think he is the sole driving force behind all modern progress.  Well, this cancellation does not equal progress.  It equals a stall on the progress train.  But, hey, Russya is in a pronounced recession; what more do you expect- diamonds?
      On another front, we have the the new activity by the Russyan military complex around the Kola Peninsula.  Remember?  The Murmansk Run of WW II?  Yes, same place.  The Russyans are investing billions more to establish at least 6 modern naval bases in the area. Hmmm.  What gives?  Why the Arctic Ocean and the Barents Sea, of course.  Where better to establish a significant presence but here.  The Russyan Fleet(fleet?????), such as it is needs a new port for access to the worlds largest oceans.  The Black Sea/ Med doesn't cut it.  Like wise, the Baltic.  Vladivostok-too, too far away from Kremlin; too close to damn Amerikanskis.  So, must be Kola. Da.
     The shipbuilding industry likes the move: all those orders for new icebreakers and supply ships.  It will keep the yards busy for years.   And it's about time.   What happens if that nut Trump ends up running the USA?  So there you have it.
    Mr. Putin: not happy today.

Trump Steamroller Rolls Over Northeast

      The Darn Old is smiling this morning after a clean sweep in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island.  The also-rans Ted Cruz and John Kasich are teetering on the brink of termination of campaigns.   Trump asserts that he is the presumptive Republican Party candidate.   With over 75% of convention delegates committed to him, Trump feels that his candidacy is all locked up.   His new focus is the November election against an obvious opponent in Hillary Clinton.
       Currently, he's preparing a major foreign policy speech that will outline his stand for the USA in trade, diplomacy, defense, and support of treaties and trade agreements.  The world is watching and waiting.  News reader Fareed Zacharia hosted Italian Premier Matteo Renzi and he flatly stated his support for Hillary Clinton as the best choice for America at this point in time.  certainly, Mr. Renzi is nervous about a redo of foreign policy by an untried, inexperienced chief executive in the White House.  With Italy's known financial struggles and immigrant control problems, it is no surprise that foreign leaders are wondering about the future.  

Book Review :SHOE DOG: Phil Knight of NIKE

      The founder of Nike, Phil Knight, gave a great interview this am from the floor of the NYSE.  He admitted he hasn't been there in 20 years.  The occasion: the release of his memoir,  Shoe Dog.  He talked about the founding, the development, obstacles, going public, the future, and his own plans for his financial estate(he'll make his children and grandchildren comfortable).   Said to be worth $25 billion dollars, he's one of the world's wealthiest men.  He'll give the balance to worthwhile charities.
     Of course, if one lives in America, it's hard to avoid Nike and its imprint, which is everywhere, not just on shoes.   His story is a great story of over coming challenges, persevering in the face of obstacles, high and low, and determination to meet the competition head-on, without compromise. 
    Mr. Knight will long be associated with the State of Oregon and the University of Oregon where he ran track well over 50 years ago.  His coach, Bill Bowerman, was always trying new shoe configurations, believing that good shoes were important for success in all events, from sprints to distance.   Initially, Mr. Knight sold shoes made in Japan, competing with European companies like Adidas.  Soon, he would break away and launch his own product line.  His success was not instant, but in time, his shoes could compete with the best.  After much deliberation, he took the company public in 1980(when APPLE went public), a move he claims was the best move he ever made.  One dollar invested in 1980 would now be worth $255.  Not a bad return.
      He also mentioned during the interview of his relationships with star athletes, most notable Michael Jordan of NBA fame.  The shoe line, Air Jordans, became a blockbuster in the line of athletic shoes.  Many of those sold were never worn, cherished as collectibles, and kept pristine from day one.
     Mr. Knight also is a strong advocate of international trade and believes the current crop of politicians, bashing free trade are wrong headed and will change their views in the future.  He believes that America is still the best place to do business and to start a business.  He is an admirer of Apple and its constant innovations that lead to strong growth and remarkable profits.
The Book:  Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight

Ski Season Wrap:2016

       Despite a snow flurry or two this past week in the Basin, ski season is definitely over.   The SF Giants are beginning to show form(poor), and the Warriors are in the playoffs for awhile longer(Steph's ankle is a concern).  Meanwhile, local police are thinking about the high level of thefts reported during the ski season.  Seems that almost everyday this year, regarded as a more normal year for skiing, many skis and snowboards were reported stolen.  Stolen from locked cars and vans; stolen from locked racks; stolen from warming huts; stolen from hotels, motels, cabins, and businesses.  Lucy, we have a problem.
      Security is not high on the list of concerns for folks on holiday; but it should be.  Let's face it: there are a lot of dirt bags living in and around the mountains.   The economy is shaky, especially at the lower end, leading some to nefarious activities that affect visitors.  It'senough to ruin your day when you discover the fact your skis are missing/your board is gone.   Determined thieves usually are successful, given enough time.  Skiers are notoriously trusting, if not a little naive.  A little planning helps to make it just a bit more difficult to steal somebody's goods.
      So, if you were a victim of theft this season, pay attention: the loss could have been prevented.   Look around-is it worth the risk to stick your $500 skis in the snow bank while you get a cup of $2.00 coffee?  Probably not.
     Resort owners should perk up awareness; offer check-in holding units to thwart thieves; and local police should prosecute theft immediately.   And share information with resort security staff.  At minimum.

Happy Birthday- William Shakespeare

      Well, it's been awhile since the 'Bard' made a splash.  Actually, it's been 400 years since he plied his craft in merry olde England.  Yes, that's right: 400 big ones.   While he left lots of examples of his work, he left precious little of his private life or of his financials.
      We must content ourselves to discern the man from his writing: not easy and subject to lots of speculation.
      So, while adjusting your skiis, think of "Hamlet"; The Merchant of Venice, Henry the V, Romeo and Juliet, and on and on and on.
   Happy Birthday

Obama Swings Through the U.K.

     Mr. Obama visited royalty this weekend in the U.K.  He was on hand for Her Majesty Elizabeth II's 90th birthday-a memorable day all around.  The Obamas also enjoyed a dinner with Prince Andrew and his wife, Kate Middleton, at Kensington.  To round things out, he visited prime Minister David Cameron and offered a few words of advice. To wit- Mr. Obama thinks that the U.K. should stay in the European Union because it is a keystone for the bloc and essential for its future viability and its economic success.  This is tied to the fundamental reality of the relationship between the USA and the U.K.  Obama also said it would be difficult to negotiate trade agreements with a newly independent U.K.   This last statement set off a barrage of comments, beginning with Mr. Boris Johnson, Mayor of the City of London and a dual national(holds an American passport).  Essentially, he told Mr. Obama to 'butt' out.
      This meeting came on the heels of Mr. Obama's visit to the city of Riyhad where the President conferred with the members of the royal family.  In an apparent snub, King Salman did not greet the President upon his arrival.  The subject of their discussions centered on Iran and its role in the Middle East.  The Saudis are feeling just a bit vulnerable?  Will they have to take a back seat to an emergent Iran recently freed from America's sanctions?  Iran will be the dominant country in the region; Saudi Arabia is much smaller and not nearly as advanced in domestic product, education, or population.  Long dependent on the good relations with the US, the country must now acknowledge a different relation going forward.   Not easy as things in the neighborhood continue to boil over, especially in Syria, Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, and Afghanistan/Iraq.  Mr. Obama's visit came on the day after the Prime Minister of Italy met with the rulers in Iran to discuss legal options to engage in financial activities during the coming year.   Both countries want more trade immediately.   Mr. Renzi looked to be a study in diplomacy, sitting between to Arabs complete with white robes as he engaged while in a conservative, dark suit.

Snow Snarls Tahoe Roads

vic. Meeks Bay 4/21/16 from John's window

       Well, yes. it IS snow.   And, yes, it's April.  And yes, the ski resorts are closed.  So driving has been difficult, especially for visitors who didn't check the weather forecast.  No chains/cables?  You are  not allowed to proceed.  The Highway Patrol is vigilant and knows the hazards of driving during heavy snowfall.
      Locals usually just put the traction on 4 wheel drive and slow down.  Makes sense, even in late April.  Enjoy the late season white stuff.  My friend, John, texted me fotos ifo his home in Meeks: all white down to the beach at the resort.
DRive carefully

Supremes to Hear Arguments Today

     The US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today on a significant case involving immigration.  Some pundits say it should be thrown out.  essentially, 26 states are challenging the Executive order from the President that defers deportation of illegal immigrants, those who have been in the country for longer than their visas allow, and others who entered without authorization or documents.   As we know, Congress has failed to address significant reform for 30 years when Ronald Reagan signed the IRCA immigration law of 1986.
     Maybe the court, operating with only 8 justices will come up with an answer.   Wait until June to find out.

Russyan Provocation in Baltic Sea Area

       Mr. Putin is up to his usual tricks, again.  Two Russyan old military aircraft flew near some US Navy ships over the weekend.  Not once, but twice.  They were sent on the mission of making a statement that Mad Vlad knows where you are.
     Seems that Russya /Kremlin wants the Northern Europeans to remember the Russyan enclave in Kaliningrad- the WW II holdover that persists in its location as a remnant of those old days of Stalin's era of Mass Paranoia.
     Obama and John Kerry, Sec. of State will not take the bait offered by the tribal minds in the Kremlin.  It's "same old/same old; "been there, done that".  Obama will continue his pursuit of domestic issues/economic issues, and plan for his second acts at the end of 2016.  Will Mad Vlad have a second act?  NO, he will play out his current act until his end.

Boston Marathon Today

      The Boston Marathon footrace  is under way on the East Coast.  The Race has a different flavor and meaning these days as citizens recall the bombing by radicalized muslims who lived in the city.  Survivors will participate; even those who were severely injured by the bomb blasts. 
      Runners will not be dissuaded from the event; security will be tighter than ever.  The race will be covered by more media than before. 
     We'll see who wins.

First Greece; Now Italy

       Well, the Greeks are finally getting some relief from the refugee onslaught: Turkey has finally accepted its role as screener refugees from Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other sandy places.  While Turkey will accept that role, the West (Europe must accept at least 70,000 more refugees.  Of course, Turkey received 6.5 billion Euros to aid its own efforts(bribery/desperation).  The smugglers, those able businessmen/enablers who "assist" refugees in their quests, will now shift gears and move their operations to that garden spot on the Mediterrenean Coast: Libya.  Quite naturally, the new destination will be the Italian islands and ports off the coast of southern Sicily.  Already this past week, over 2000 refugees were picked up at sea on their way. 
      When will Europe face up to the new reality?  It doesn't appear that anything will change soon, as more countries in the EU erect fences and other barriers to stem the tide of displaced young men fleeing military service in their respective homelands.  Can they be assimilated?  NO, not really.  Can they find jobs?  No, not really.  Is there a future for them in Europe?  No, not really.  (See Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, and of course, the largest country in the world, Russya.

Brasilia: Where the Action Is

      Today in Brazil's capitol, demonstrators will turn out in the hundreds of thousands to protest for and against the sitting president, Dilma Rousseff.  Dilma, the chosen successor to Luis De Silva, has lost most of her popular support because of the corruption exposed at PetroBras, the state-owned oil giant.  She was a former president of the oil company and much of the allegations filter down to land on her tenure there.  Local security officials have taken the unusual step of erecting a steel barrier between the positions of both groups to avoid direct conflict and what might happen should they face off during the event.
     The Congress will vote today on whether to impeach the president or not.  The Supreme Court will have a say in the matter but Brazilian politics and its legal system leaves the matter unsettled at this point, and one hopes for solution that avoids bloodshed of any kind.  The emotions are high and the stakes are even higher.  While the Vice President could possibly step in for an impeached president, the veep has issues of his own that might make him an additional target for legal action.
     Our Minister of Latin American Affairs is on the ground in Brazil and is paying close attention to all news worthy activities.  He will give us first hand accounts.
     It will be interesting.

Mr. Putin's Dog and Pony Show

      Russyans were treated last week to Mr. Putin's TV extravaganza where the president "takes questions from call-in folks who can ask him anything.  Well, now, isn't that special: a publicity shy guy, Mr. Putin puts his reputation in front of a national audience and all that risks. Let's see:  is it scripted?  Are callers screened?  Is it choreographed? He takes questions on the hoof, like a televangelist would take calls from attendees.  All of this staged show is an attempt to portray the Kremlin as an open, caring establishment body that governs in an exceptional manner dedicated to principles that are democratic and serve the people.   Please.
     He did make the effort to announce, again, that economic troubles were caused by America and its attempt to put down Russya and Russyans.  Maybe he should look in the mirror to find out why America has put sanctions in place that restrict Russyan economic activity.  Ukraine-does anybody remember Ukraine?  Syria: does anybody remember Syria an Bashar al-Assad's government?  Georgia: anybody remember Georgia?  Chechnya: anybody remember Chechnya?  Pussy Riot: anybody remember Pussy Riot?
     Maybe Mr. Putin is learning about public relations from his good friends in the West: Silvio Berlusconi and Donald Trump.   Mr. Putin is probably sleeping better these days as the price of oil has come back about 50% from its January lows.  But maybe not.

Phil Gramm on "The Great Recession"

      Former U.S. Senator, Phil Gramm, wrote an article recently, part of which was published in the WSJ.wsj.com.  Sen Gramm was a numbers guy, astute at examining financial data, understanding taxes, banking law(s), and macroeconomics.  He served as head of the Senate Banking Committee and was instrumental in passing significant laws signed by presidents. Two bear his name in part: Gramm -Rudman, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act,1999.  Now he is a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
      He took the time to set the record straight on where to place the blame for the current state of the 'recovery' from the " The Great Recession": the White House.  Harsh criticism was heaped on President Obama whose policies, he claims, have stifled recovery nad that they will prolong the recovery for another 6 years.   Here are some of his words:
       " In postwar America, it took on average just 2 1/2 years to regain in each succeeding recovery all of the real per capita income that had been lost in the previous recession.  At the current rate of the Obama recovery, it will take six more years, 14 in all, for the average American just to earn back what he lost in the last recession.  Mr. Obama's policies in banking, health care, power generation, the Internet and so much else have Europeanized America and America exceptionalism has waned-- sadly proving that collectivism does not work any better in America than it has ever worked anywhere else."
      Harsh words directed at a sitting president from a former U.S. senator of some repute.

Will David Cameron Survive

  Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister of the U.K. has a bit of an image problem: the Panama Papers released last week include facts about his family's offshore account in a Central American tax haven.  As the story goes, in his words, the account was established by his Father some years ago.  He inherited the account but closed the account 6 years ago and paid the taxes on gains/funds and re-patrioted the pounds sterling back to the U.K.  Cased closed.  But, no.  Opponents demonstrated in front of 10 Downing Street asking for Mr. Cameron's resignation.  All of this comes as Mr. Cameron's position on EU membership is being dramatically and forcefully questioned by his party and the opposition party.
      Can he survive?  That is a good question without a clear answer.  Many citizens are of the opinion that a vote is necessary to clear the question.   Many economists are shouting that leaving the EU would be a disaster for business and trade.  Others cite innumerable problems associated with recent mass migration to western Europe from Arab/Muslim countries in the Middle East and Far East.
     Answers could be forthcoming this week.  Stay alert for updates.

Out of the Barrel: Into the Bottle: 2014 Pinot

      Finally, it has happened: the bottling of the 2014 vintage.  After aging in oak barrels for 16+ months, the lab report was read and the winemaker(your Mayor) decided it was T-I-M-E.  So, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor spent the day laboring in the bowels of the winery pumping juice from the barrels into the bottles.  Oh, the aroma.  Oh, the process; Oh, the spills; Oh, the pain; Oh, the joy(when done.   Not really done: a few more cases to complete the job will be done this morning.  Then, it will be done.
    Tasting: proclaimed excellent, especially relevant to 2013, which was picked and crushed too late in the season(brix too high).  After an appropriate wait, seals will be applied, then followed with labels before storage.
    Ahhh, winemaking: does a body good.

filling station

pumping to filler

cases ready to roll

Mr. Putin is Innocent

     Self-proclaimed innocence is always suspect.  When a head of state make the proclamation, one has to assume it's a coverup, or at best, a deflection of blame.  Mr. Putin said at a press conference that this Panama Papers document leak exposes the USA as a prime perpetrator of high crimes against the Russyan nation.  This means that Pres. Obama is taking aim at the former Soviet Union.  Ha.   Russya should be so lucky for pres. Obama to give a s*** about Mr. Putin and his Siberian cousins and brothers.  Really, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Mr. Obama can't be bothered with you or Russya.  He's more engaged with the Castro brothers than Moscova.  Yes, it makes you feel SMALL, doesn't it?
     Well, then Mr. Putin defended a well known Russyan musician/cellist whose name appeared on several documents, noting how much money he made.  mr. Putin stated that this great artist was giving back to the people, buying specific instruments abroad, then donating them to Russyan state institutions.   Oh, the gratitude.  There's nothing more interesting than Russyan gratitude.  I'm sure all the inmates in the Gulag Archipelago were grateful for being alive, spared the usual Stalin method of state gratitude.
    The photo of Mr. Putin surrounded by a bevy of beauties and a few old men indicates he's getting good media advice from--oh, he was murdered in Washington, DC.  Must  be someone else.  Offshore accounts-gotta luv 'em, especially if you're a banker.

  

The Panama Papers

     Daniel Ellsberg must be sitting in his office in Berkeley, California laughing to himself as he reads about the Panama Papers.  A hacker opened millions of files at the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca that revealed the identities of ownership of off shore accounts used to hide funds by various individuals from around the world.  The Prime Minister of Iceland resigned after his name was linked to one account.  There are some 230,000 accounts named and the list of individuals involved is extensive.  The list includes residents of Russyan, China, and the USA.  It also lists other pertinent data as to the efforts made by the firm to establish tax havens along with anonymity.  This release exposes the continuing efforts by business and individuals to avoid payong taxes, whereverthey are imposed.   In the U.K., Mr. Cameron, Prime Minister, says that his country has made progress in this area.  But, none the less, the Brits maintain extensive tax havens as part of the British realm, to wit, the British Virgin Is.; Bermuda, Gibralter, Isle of Man, and Jersey and Guernsey Islands.
    More revelations will be forth coming as data is released by International media organizations.  Stay tuned.

Homewood/Meeks Bay Bike Trail Funded

     So, you've been tripping over the marking stakes for years, those flagged wooden pieces marking the extension route of the bike path along the road adjacent to Highway 89.  Tahoe City PUD announced that the extension will be finished this year.  About time!
    Tahoe /Truckee Earth Day
     April 16th is the big day for greenies to strut their stuff.  Or put another way, how government do-gooders spend your tax dollars.   They claim its a 'free' event'.   "free' TART rides(one way only).  Ecovendors wil be there, too.  A 60+ interactive booth will also be there.  (What is this, really?).  It's a "zero waste" event-bring your own knives and forks and napkins and then take them with you after usage.  Nice.  Who are these people?
    Have you been storing snow on the bike path during this winter?  Better have it removed by April 30th when the bike path opens, according to Ordinance 248.
Fanny Bridge Update
     All the congestion at the light at Tahoe City on 89 is about to change: the relocation of the intersection westward, will begin soon and be finished in 2017.  Roundabouts will be the signature difference.  See Truckee's efforts installed in several locations.  A new Truckee River Bridge will be constructed west of Fanny Bridge.  Hopefully, it will be wider than the 2 lanes that now exist.
Jobs
    Summer seasonal jobs are opening up at Tahoe City PUD
Applications are now available for various temporary positions.  See TCPUD website for specifics.TCPUD.org

Tahoma Fire Protection Merger

     Finally, we have a new fire protection environment here in Tahoma.  After years of speculation, arbitration and decision making, the meeks Bay Fire District has merged with the North Tahoe Fire District in Tahoe City.  Perhaps this move will restore some fiscal sanity to the spendthrifts in Meeks Bay.  The exact details were not spelt out in the media flier sent to all residents this week, but they are available and will be scrutinized by the Mayor and his staff.   Among other tidbits of info, they new combined district announced new engine purchases, manpower changes(in general-sharing).  While the group praises their own accomplishments, residents will continue to pay local fire department tax assessments on their property tax bills.
More later

The Trumpster is Coming to the Golden State

      Well, fellow Tahomans, now is our opportunity to see the "Darn Old" and his 'hair' on our home turf.   He announce yesterday that he will be speaking this Friday, April 8, at his signature golf course at Rancho Palos Verde in Southern California.  The mayor was recently there, hiking along that beautiful stretch of the coast on a gorgeous day, midwinter.  The course occupies some of the most expensive real estate in the USA, with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean, which is adjacent, exposing its somnolent, calming waters to the daily trek of well-heeled golfers.
     having just lost to Ted Cruz in Wisconsin, Mr. Trump is seeking a boost; a boost needed to ensure his candidacy at the RNC convention in July.  The numbers indicate difficulty at this point, as anti-Trump sentiment gains momentum across the landscape.   Mr. Cruz sees a new opening for his role; and Mr. Kasich even more so.
    As a result, Mr. Trump's visit to our state at this juncture is most revealing: perhaps his strategists are finally awakening to the new reality that the GOP has not accepted their man.

'NOVA: National Champs

     It came down to a buzzer beater: that desperation shot that ricochets off the iron or splashes the cotton and sends alternately  heartbreak to one team and to the other unbelievable joy.  One team is brought back from oblivion, the other, sent to page of participants along with the other losers along the road to the summit of college basketball.
      A  double jump shot at 5 seconds brought North Carolina even with just seconds to go.  It was thought that now UNC would have momentum going into overtime.  However, 'Nova had a chance and a convincing play put the Wildcats over the Tarheels of Roy Williams.  It was a great contest: back and forth, then what seemed like the end, a shocking comeback and new hope.  That hope only lasted a brief few seconds as the round ball was launched on a defined arc that carried the hopes and prayers of millions as it found its mark inside the steel ring.
     For some of the players, it was their last game in a college jersey.  For a few others, a feather in their caps.  For the coaches: a second place for one, and a national championship for the first time in 31 years.  It doesn't get much better in sports.

Oh, Swiss Banks, Again

      What is it about Swiss banks?   Well, we know that these banks are run by Swiss citizens.   While staid, and often held as the epitome of banking professionals, it has become common knowledge that Swiss bankers have feet of clay.
The Latest Debacle
      Tuna.  Tuna.  Who's got the tuna?  Not the Swiss banker(s).  Seems Credit Suisse led a sale of bonds issued by Mozambique along with a Russyan bank, VTB.  The amount of the sale was about $850 million the proceeds to fund a national tuna fleet that would pay the bonds off with proceeds.  A few months later, investors were informed that part of the sale amount went for military needs.   Credit Suisse and VTB bank made separate loans of $622 millions each to support the military fleet.  Then the banks approach select investors to buy tranches of the loans which raises the amount $900 millions.  Starting to smell fishy?
     Then, sometime last year, investors learn of Mozambique's desire to restructure the loans, now known as "tuna loans".  After some investors agree to swap loans, they find out about the other loans.  Hmmm.  Are these professional bankers or professional shysters?  What's the difference?  The country borrowed $1.47bbillion in 2013 alone, representing a 25% increase in the national debt.   On whose advice was this decision made?  Then the tuna boat builder said he's building fast military speedboats.  Ok, let's see that contract.   Now we hear that the tuna catch is only 5% of the expected level of fish caught.  Smelling more?  Well, yea.
      So, the Swiss bankers strike again.  When will investors learn?  We do know that the group of investors does not include Mom and Pop or your average pension fund: tooooooo smelly, those fish.  I like tuna.  How about you?

Sergio Moro: Brazilian Judge Enters Realm of Rock Stars

      Who is Sergio Moro and what is he doing to politics in Brazil?  Well, he's a Federal district judge in the State of Parana.  He released a recording of conversations between obvious conspirators involved in the corruption probe involving PetroBras, the state run oil company.  This move opened the flood gates for requests for impeachment of sitting president Dilma Rousseff.   It also involves her predecessor, Luis Lula de Silva.
      This act by Mr. Moro throws gasoline on the corruption probe fire.   President Rousseff was the head of PetroBras at part of the time of alleged kickbacks from contractors that went to the party of Lula and Dilma.   Only time will tell as to the effects of the judge's revelations.  The Supreme Court of Brazil gave the judge a 'slap on the wrist" saying he over stepped his authority.  Hmmm.   Will he slack off?   Not hardly.   And the head of Olympic Security resigned.  And the head of the Lower House of parliament is under investigation.  And the economy is sinking.
      Our Minister of Latin American Affairs is going to Rio this weekend for a conference.   I'm sure he'll get an earful. 

Wisconsin: The Beginning of the End for Trump

      All week long, the media has chronicled the gaffs by the "Darn Old".   This coverage is seen as a lead up to Wisconsin's primary this Tuesday.   Republicans have been forced to listen to the Great Buffoon and his comments, despite the irrelevance of same.  This week's principal gaff has been on the issue of abortion rights/abortion law.  He said that women who have abortions should be jailed.  And some people see this man as presidential?  Within what seemed like minutes, Trump retracted his statement, saying in effect, he misspoke.  The barrage of negative responses continues.
      All his detractors mounted a withering campaign to highlight this comment as symptomatic of a careless, reckless, thoughtless egomaniac.  Wherever comment was made, it was universally negative.  So, the Wisconsin primary looms large in the minds of Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and the major party apparatchiks.  Polls indicate that Trump will be handed a defeat; meaning he'll garner less than 20% of the Republican vote.  Perhaps this will be true.  However, polling data of late has been unreliable.  Pollsters have a poor record during this election year.  With luck, the RNC will recover some credibility, and survive to posit itself as a real party for the 21st century.  No one is taking that bet at this moment.  Citizens of the Badger State might poll conservative in their philosophy; but independence is their real philosophy.
      April is a month when a candidate solidifies positions, takes on an opponent with various strong points.  Could this April be different?  Yes, it could be the month of continuous muddle and indecision.  Voters can be indifferent or they could be involved.  It seems this year, 2016, voters are more involved than in many years past.   To our nation's credit, bloodshed has been absent despite the vitriol in the argument.