Election Day 2018 is Just Around the Corner

      Get out the vote: that's the order from downtown Tahoma.  Tuesday, June 5, 2018, is Election Day.  We have an opportunity to elect a new governor who will lead the state for the next 4 years.  Jerry Brown is finally going to be put out to pasture, where he belongs.  He has stated he will take to the farm that he owns somewhere in the Central valley and, along with his wife, will contemplate the future of mankind.  The choices for governor are extensive.  If one reviews the list, it seems there's no lacking of office seekers in California.  The front runner is Marin county's own Gavin Newsom.  He's the sitting Lt. Governor who had to be told by Gov. Jerry Brown to shut up more than once.  This ultra liberal raised with a silver spoon in his large mouth is a liberal's liberal, espousing every far left scheme related to any and all social ills, perceived social ills, hinted social ills from every known and unknown cause.  He will attempt to use the office to springboard to Washington, D.C. where he can effect change on a grand scale.   With a little luck, the voters of california will send him home, and not to another 4 years in Sacramento.
Go Vote
Lots of different ways to get this done.  Oh, and read the ballot measures-it's your money they spend everyday.   Think about it when you pay sales taxes(highest in nation outside of NY), highest property taxes outside of NY and NJ; auto reg fees-highest anywhere, etc.

Tahoma Residents Have Chance to Review Tahoe Plans

      The TRPA has released a draft copy of a new regional plan proposed for the entire bi-state basin.  It is called the SHORELINE PLAN.   This plan draft is available for viewing/review online at shorelineplan.org.  In considerable detail, the plan lays out a new version of plans for the future use of the area.  Since its inception in 1969, the TRPA has shepherded development across the region, often running into considerable opposition from a variety of interested parties.
     The TRPA is calling for comments during the review period that ends on Jule 9, 2018.  Three sessions of public workshops/comment nights are scheduled for June 4th @ TRPA offices, 128 Market ST., Stateline, NV;  June 6th, North Tahoe Event CTr in Kings Beach, 8318 N. Lake Blvd.,  and finally June 13th, 2018, at TRPA offices, Stateline.  All meetings begin at 5:30pm until 7:30 pm.
Here's a chance for locals and for visitors to make an impact on the future of Tahoe and its impending changes as planned by government entities.
      Make a difference: read it and comment.

Kremlin Strikes Again in Kiev: Fake News

    

 The following story of fake news was reported by Ukraine's Security Services.  Mr. Babchenko appeared at a news conference very much alive yesterday, May 30th.  The government then stated that an elaborate charade was put together to thwart a Russyan assassination attempt on Mr. Babchenko's life.   The Kremlin responded that this act was a provocation.  It is not much of a stretch to believe that there was in fact a plot to carry out this contract killing ordered by the Kremlin.
Read on for the statement put out by Kiev security bureau:

        The wife of a journalist found her husband at home bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds in his back.  He died on the way to the hospital.  This incident occurred in Ukraine, that country that has been a victim of Kremlin aggression now for over 3 years as Kremlin- backed military units invade the DonBass Region of eastern Ukraine, claiming that local citizens of Russyan heritage were being mistreated by the government and sought liberation from oppression by outside(Russyan) agents.
     Apparently, poison was not used on this occasion(as it was used in England earlier this year) because it has certain drawbacks.  So a more primitive, old school method was put to use, thus avoiding the long, drawn out stay in a hospital that continues the media coverage the Kremlin hates more than ever.   But not enough to continue to silence those journalists who "dare" to speak out against King(Czar) Putin.
      The Ukraine government will no doubt carry out the investigation and find the perp who committed this overt act of repression.   Arkady Babchenko was 41 years old.  He was a sharp critic of Kremlin policies, especially the takeover of Crimea, its support of separatists insurgents in the DonBass region in Ukraine, and the Russyan campaign in Syria.   The Committee to Protect Journalists in New  York called for a complete investigation into his death.

Italy: Confusion in Ranks

    Yesterday, our Memorial Day, the Italian President, Mr. Maratrella, threw a curve ball into the political landscape not just in Italy but in all of Europe.  The first bit of fallout was the drop in the Euro to 116 dollars/E.  Italian banks stocks went down as much as 2.2% on the news that the president rejected the parties' choice for economic minister, choosing instead a veteran economist who more closely favors the President's view that a closer bond with the EU is necessary for Italy's future growth.  This decision could be rejected by Parliament which would trigger another election in the fall.  An inability to form a coalition government will keep Italian citizens in turmoil for most of the rest of 2018.  This alone will slow growth.
     Leaders of the two largest coalition parties: the League and the 5 Star Movement called the move anti-Italian and attached the hated label of fascism to the move.   The inability of parties to resolve differences continues to disrupt business in the country, north and south.  Mr. Martarella will have to go back to the negotiating table in another attempt to deal with these two idiots:  Mr. Salvini and Mr. DiMaio.

Minister Visits Mall

Vietnam War Statue

Vietnam War Monument Wall

Memorial Day Parade Memorial Day

     That would be the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  It was Memorial Day yesterday and our Minister of Latin American Affairs led a Brazilian delegation to view various sites.  Number 1 on the list was Arlington Cemetery in Virginia where the group stopped at the John F. Kennedy gravesite.  The Eternal Flame located on the tomb continues to evoke many emotions among visitors.  Also included was a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Wall on the Capitol Mall.  A ceremony was in progress with many Gold Star families in attendance.   It is always a moving day when the Nation stops to remember its veterans of all conflicts.
      Our Minister explained the life-sized sculpted figures that stand near the Granite Wall; those figures depicting members of the military who served in Vietnam that were added years after the wall itself was installed amidst much controversy.  Yesterday marked the 50 Year Anniversary of the deadly year of 1968 when the US military suffered more casualties than any other year.

Finals NBA: LeBron vs. Curry Again

    So here we go again.  The Golden State Warriors  will play the Finals against their arch enemy, the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers.  In last night's Game 7 of the warriors vs. the Houston Rockets, the Houston fans were treated to a typical Warriors' game:  tease the crowd in the first half, deliver the death blow in the third quarter, hold on in the fourth quarter with stifling defense and ball control.  James Harden and company tried hard to overcome the Warriors formidable shooters: Curry, Thompson, and Durant.   Houston led after the first quarter, and at one point were up by 15 points.  Coach Steve Kerr of Golden State seemed calm as his troops closed the deficit at the half to 10 points.  Still, there was some doubts among believers that the Rockets could prevent a comeback.
     Comeback they did with a flurry of 3-point shots that baffled the Rockets defense.   Curry electrified the team with his shooting from various positions.  The super-charged Warriors rolled over the home town favorites.   The Rockets missed 27 of 30 3-point shots, and would never overcome the Golden State 3rd quarter comeback.
     So nowit's on the the finals against the Cavs.   The Warriors are favorites to win again as the Cavs rely almost exclusively on LeBron's talents, unquestionably considerable.   Will the warriors Repeat?  Don't bet against them.  Tahoma fans love their Warriors.

Celtics v. Cavaliers: Going to Game 7

   Well, now.   The Celtics could have wrapped up the league finals yesterday but they were denied by LaBron and Company.  With his record setting performance,   Mr. James had other ideas.  Digging deep for an all out effort, he personally carried the team to victory.   He was the 'scoring machine' needed to overcome the Celtics and their multifaceted attack.   He scored inside;  he scored outside, he scored from the foul line.  He blocked shots, and he did it all in front of adoring home fans who cheered his efforts and seemed to energize this icon of the courts.  Perhaps he'll end up facing the Houston Rockets who seem very capable of beating the defending Champion Golden State Warriors.   No matter, who ever wins Game 7, will have their hands full in the Championship Playoff series that will start in a week.  Don't bet against LaBron.
Update
Celtics lose and go home;  Cavs will now play Warriors again.

Venezuela: Dictator Seizes Power Again

      Nicholas Maduro was sworn in this week as the re-elected leader of the country with the largest oil reserves in the world.  The pain will continue for those citizens who live under his rule as he and his pathetic 'economic' advisors place their boots on the necks of the helpless.   He will pursue the sad policies of his predecessor,  Hugo Chavez, the late dictator who nationalized businesses and drove out foreign investors and foreign companies what now refuse to invest a penny in this sad country as millions of Venezuelans flee across the borders seeking food, medicine, and shelter.
     Where is the Organization of American States in all this?  As our Minister of Latin American Affairs points out, this venerable organization stands by, unable to effect change due to resistance from other left leaning Latin governments who do not want access to cheap Venezuelan oil cut off(see Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, and others).   So the OAS has been effectively silenced as a player on the South American continent, and the USA sits and watches, concentrating on the southern borders with a goal of closing it to refugees and others who seek some normalcy in their lives.
     How long can Maduro survive?  Apparently, quite awhile.   Inflation may be the one thing that finally does him in.  The money in the country is essentially worhless, and the future does not look promising either.  We wait and watch.

Russya: Again?

      This time we have trouble in the metals sector of the Russyan economy.  This "trouble" has been a result of economic sanctions aimed at certain sectors by the POTUS who views Russyan international acts of aggression as less than desirable geopolitical stance.   RUSAL is a large company, run as a business owned primarily by one individual:  Oleg Deripaska, a billionaire oligarch and confidant of Mr.  Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.  He was hit by sanctions this past April.  Now the company itself has been targeted as the US steps up the squeeze on the economy of Russya as it proceeds on a path as a rogue state.
      The chief executive, Alexandra Bouriko resigned on Thursday in an effort to spare the company from these sanctions.  Seven board members also resigned, effective in June.   In an act of recognition of realities, the US has given companies until Oct. 23 to wind down business related to the aluminum producer, one of the largest in the world.
     US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that Russya continues to use "malign activities" around the world to disrupt governments and further discord among sovereign states, ie. Syria and Ukraine.  Remember Ukraine?  Remember Crimea?  Remember the FSB?   Remember the KGB?   Remember the NKVD?   Let's not forget who we are working with here: players run by the Kremlin going back almost 100 years.  Said, really, how a nation state can't seem to shake its sordid past, its sordid roots.  Epigenetics has a role, for sure.
     Many of Rusal's business partners have changed plans as they seek to avoid US imposed sanctions.   Welcome to the "new" White House Mr. Putin.

Privacy Day in Europe

   So, Mr. Zuckerberg sits with Mr. Macron.  Mr. Zuckerberg has been doing a bit of globetrotting of late in an attempt to defend his company and its business practices, ie. the collection and sale of users private data.  The EU, more aware and more concerned with privacy than the US, has put all tech companies and all internet users under new EU laws regulating the collection of user data.  Companies have alerted regulators that this will take more time than they had planned for to implement changes.   Mr. Macron also injected a strong inclination to add taxes on the large tech companies to pay for the collection and sale of citizens personal data.  This adds new thinking to the idea that FaceBook, Google, etc. will start dealings with a new, more level landscape.  Amazon is also figured in the mix, as is UBER, LYFT, and other rideshare/bikeshare companies.  No one is sure how this all will playout.  But, it starts today.
     Are you a blogger?  Do you send yourn thoughts around the globe?  Are some of yourn readers/followers in the EU?  Well, then, if so, you are subject to EU regulators control with the GDPR privacy act.  Have you read it?  Do you understand it?  Do you know what penalties you will face for violations?  There's a lot of unknowns in this area of regulation and the courts will no doubt discern  those grey areas that are subject to interpretation.
     Many thinkers predicted we would get to this point: as the internet has taken over most folks on the planet, and most of the data collected on individuals is used in ways undreamed of just a few years ago.   Mr. Zuckerberg would not have thought of this 10 years ago while he was growing his empire.  Now it's different.  Good luck to the EU in its attempt to rein in the super collectors.

Snow on Memorial Day?

     Well, no, not really.  But a bit of the white stuff fell overnight giving the locals a brief reminder of winter past.   This Spring has been one to remember: a late start and a brief time at that, punctuated by heavy snow at the equinox and for most of March, bringing snow levels to something acceptable to water resource folks in Sacramento.   It also provides good viewing for all the anticipated visitors soon to arrive tonight and tomorrow.  It will be a good start to the summer:  many locals were not happy with how last winter played out with its disjointed weather, lack of visitors, and continued economic issues among some businesses.
    We'll be waiting to see how business looks on Tuesday.

Brazil: More Trouble Brewing

     So Brazil.  What next?  In a political climate beset by legal issues and the hard justice meted out by the courts, a new problem has emerged to engulf just about everybody who lives in the big city centers and is dependent on transportation for just about everything.  A truckers' strike has idled all trucks and that means all deliveries of food stuffs, farmers' produce, animal feed, milk, and everything that goes with it.  The truckers' unions are protesting an increase in fuel prices which directly affect their bottom line/pay checks.
    Time will tell how this plays out.  We will be watching.

Italy: A Calm in Its Politics

     So, Italy.  Things have been interesting since the elections a little over 2 months ago.  New parties advanced;  old parties did some back sliding.   Young politicians appeared in the bright lights for the first time, awed by exposure, challenged by popularity, embarrassed by intense media interest, and unsettled by a look at the future of a country seeking a way forward from past turbulence and a depressed economy.  The country, like many in Europe, suffered deeply during the global recession, with unemployment reaching 20+% among most eligible workers.
      The Mayor has just returned from Italy, spending a month on the road, driving across Sicily, and Calabria, visiting small towns to investigate how these towns have fought to preserve an existence when odds are against them.  What I first noticed was the change in appearances common to many.  Municipal buildings shines with new plaster, new paint, re-pointed masonry, new signage, and pleasing new additions.   How did this happen?  The answer:  the EU membership.  The EU, among other things, has earmarked funds for cultural restoration throughout the member states in an attempt to preserve iconic buildings that are spread over the landscape, dating to Medieval times in many cases.  As an example, my party visited the mountain top city of Bova, on the far south coast of Italy in Calabria.  This town, formerly with over 2000 residents(now 400), received funding to restore several civic buildings, a Roman era fortress married to a Norman castle, perched on the summit in the town's center.  A prominent sign marks this as one of the EU targeted structures.  This was to be repeated in numerous towns and cities across this part of Italy.
more later