End of 2019 : Where Do We Stand

       The last day of the year, unlike the first day, the last day is a day of wraps, endings, and a few reflections on what has passed.  The price of an ounce of gold stood at $1513/oz.; Silver:$17.90/0z.
Breakout metal Palladium is $1911/oz; Platinum @$955/oz.
     For certain asset classes, things varied:
S&P 500 Tot. return +31%
Stoxx Europe            +29%
Gold                          +18%
7-10 Yr. U.S. Treas   +6%
Art                              +5%
1-3 Yr Treas                +1%
 Fancy color diamonds -1%
Fine Wine                      -4%
Classic Cars                  -6%
          
          If you had left your money in an index fund of US stocks, you may have gained upwards of 20% ON THE YEAR.  Not to shabby.   The NASDAQ was up almost 38% on the year.  Forecasters for 2020 are more cautious: maybe 5-6% on the year.  Or average, really.
      But what is really what we're watching in 2020.  Gerald Seib, the talented journalist who covers the Washington, DC area says these 4 areas bear watching;
Hong Kong and its protestors - it cannot continue without achieving a breaking point.  Pres. Xi will get to a point that a decision must be made- more or less autonomy for the autonomous area.  In light of the over all slowdown in China; the continuing unrest in the far west Uighur Territory, and US sanctions/tariffs, and Tibet, and Taiwan, and India, and North Korea.
      North Korea
       What will be done about its weapons development programs including the aggressive launching of missiles in the nearby seas?
        Iran's Economy
        The IMF says the economy will shrink9.5% this year while inflation is running at 35.7%.   Think about that figure-35.7%.  Now that's something that concerns everybody in the Middle East.
       the U.K. Brexit
     Will the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, be able to pull out of the EU on good terms or will he bolt now that he has the backing of the Parliament?  There are innumerable pitfalls along the road to BREXIT, any of which could bring down the curtain on the UK and the EU itself.

      So get ready for 2020.   Be safe on the return home tomorrow, could be some ice and snow out there.

49ers Hold On for Win

      The Seahawks came to play and they almost pulled off another 4th quarter come-from-behind win.  But the 'Niner defense, combined with a Seattle clock error, provided a league title for San Francisco, and, more importantly, a bye weekend in the playoffs.
     The game started well for the City boys.  9 plays and they scored in the first qtr.  Then, they scored again, adding a field goal, 10-0.  Late in the 2nd qtr, another field goal, 13-0.  Hmmm. Was it over for the 'Hawks? Not quite.  In the 2nd half, they came out to play.  Soon, it was 13-7; then 20-14; then, 23-21.  Then 26-21, and the Hawks were on the move.  They had 1st and goal at the 2 yd line of the City boys.  A winning TD looked likely.  With 9 seconds to go, The local QB threw a pass which was caught mere inches from the goal line.  The 49ers took over on the 1" line.  Jimmie Garappolo kept the ball and pushed forward and the game ended.  Home town fans were disappointed by a lot.
They could meet again soon.

Final Football Weekend: 49ers v. Seattle Seahawks

     This could be the game that previews the playoffs.  Two great quarterbacks facing off in a regular season finale.  Game starts at 5pm, west coast time.  Be there.

Snow in Forecast

      Well, all the skiers are tired, ready for a little rest.  It will start snowing again late today and overnight-maybe 1"-3" of new powder.  That's just enough to entice a few folks to wait for another chance to carve trails on the slopes.  Most grooming will be postponed unless more than 6" fall on the runs.  So, tomorrow, wax up with powder wax, enjoy the 'tween season of the New Years/ Christmas vaca.

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Crimea

on the road again

I support Trump

       Well, now.  The Russyan spinners released fotos of a newly built bridge.  The bridge connects the European landmass to the Crimean peninsula and will facilitate vehicle traffic to the southern portion of the area.  In announcing such a project, the Kremlin is telling the West and others that there will be no pulling back from the occupation of Ukrainian sovereign territory.  The bridge looks like a hold over from the Soviet era: bulky, heavy, solid, brutish, and durable.  Some architects think this style is making a well deserved comeback; others would like to smother the style in the crib.  It recalls a style commonly used by Russyan engineers when dispatched abroad to assist the building of infrastructure projects around the world.  Many were built in Vietnam after the American War ended in 1975.  Many were built in Cuba, a satellite of Soviet era COMINTERN.

Holiday Bonanza:The Last Days of 2019

      So, here we are: in between Christmas and New Years'.  That time when folks are here or wish they were here.  The weather, simply put, has been great.  It has allowed those who wish to partake of the mountains to travel unhindered of cables and chains, without the anxiety of a possible snow dumping; and all the possibilities of an extended good time on the slopes.
     So, no excuses: get out there and have some real fun.  Forget about the White House, forget about the "I" word.  Forget about Bernie, Pete, Mike, Tom, and what's her face.  Iowa is a long way away.  Ski, ski, and ski some more.

different this year

last year after New Years

Resorts Praise Weather

      All of Tahoe is basking in ideal weather conditions: lots of snow, good access for all visitors, prospects for continuing nice conditions, and a prosperous economy.
Get ready for the New Year with its two 2's and 2 zeros.

Tahoe Views 2019

Tahoe Clouds

Lake Dreams

Alpine Lake

Brits Take to Polls Wednesday

   In what is touted as the most important election in decades, voters will have a chance tomorrow to right the ship of state in the U.K. by electing a Prime Minister and party officials who will decide what the future of Brexit will be: in or out of the EU.
    The choice is between Boris Johnson's Conservative Party or jeremy Corbyn's Labor Party.  Opinion polls indicate Johnson has a slim lead as of today. However, many voters will change their minds tonight, for one reason or another.  Many say the fate of the nation hangs in the balance.  Well, that might be a stretch, but the future financial stability might hang in the balance.  Nobody wants to think of an unsettled future; nobody wants mystery and doubt to cloud their future.  The Brits want some comfort; they want stability at home; they want the government to make a good result after over 3 years of wallowing in uncertainty and adversity.   How can this nation tolerate these boobs who are in Parliament?  Poor Theresa May, she had to endure the insults thrown her way from these louts who couldn't make up their collective minds to make any decisions.  Now Bo Jo will have a shot, but his goal is BREXIT by January.
      Voters are walking to the polls right now; look for results in the morning paper or if you are a media follower on the internet, look for results sooner.
     The whole world is watching from the galleries.

Highway 89 Round Abouts Impress

Last days of autumn 2019-Nice!

      The Mayor visited Tahoe City this afternoon after reports of nice weather turned out to be true.  It's been awhile.  So, the experience of circling the new round-abouts was fun.  With almost no snow on the highway, conditions were perfect to do a few complete 360's around the center areas of each.  Unfortunately, the paved over sections only afford motorists 1 lane to make the turn.  What?  Why not two lanes as in Truckee?  Too much money?  Too cheap? Oh, well, it's CalTrans, after all.
     But at least it seemed that traffic(such as it is now) was flowing freely and easily through the circles.  Evidence on the concrete indicates that motorists are doing some "self straightening" as they turn around the bends.  We'll see how that plays out in summer.
     Has it affected things at the old intersection at Fanny Bridge?  That's a good, fair question.  It's hard to say.  Perhaps engineers who designed the plan have these answers, but they  are not obvious to casual bystanders on the bridge.
Next question
      Where's the fish sculpture?  Hmmmm.  Reports indicate there's a dispute between artist and city officials.  The sculpture was removed to facilitate construction without permission from the sculpture/owner.  He evidently wants the piece back where it belongs: where it was installed many years ago(45 years?).  The city wants a new location, more fitting to its grand dimensions and cultural identification as representative of the local environment- the Mackinaw trout of the lake.  The artist has offered the piece and rights to it for $8 million.. Hmmm.  A lot of bread for some metal fish.  But, it's art, really, and finally.
     With a little more effort, an agreement should be forthcoming.  The Mayor might have to assist in negotiations.

Hong Kong Protests Get Larger

      There is no rest among the Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong.  They turned out in massive numbers over the weekend to protest Beijing's handling of their demonstrations criticizing the government's reaction to citizens' demands for change.  Estimates run to over 800,000 people who participated in Sunday's mostly peaceful protest.
      Thousands of Hong Kong residents have been arrested.  The police have used prodigious amounts of tear gas to subdue protesters.  But still, they come out again to send a message to Beijing:  we want our rights, now.  The rally was organized by  Civil Human Rights Front, which has had permit requests rejected many times over the last 3 months.
      Sunday's rally brought out people who filled the streets in a 2 mile long procession leading from mid day until after dark.  Families joined in the throng and mixed easily with younger participants.  Neither side appears willing to give ground and no end is in sight.  beijing hopes to outlast the protesters but it may have played into the hands of those who want to send a message that Hong Kong wants to remain autonomous for many more than the spoken 25 years.  we'll see, won't we?

World Anti-Doping Agency Banns Russya-Again

     So, here we go again.  Russya has been banned from participation in the 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Cup competition.  Shocking?  No, of course not.  What did WADA ban, really?  They banned the flag of Russyan Federation and Russyan uniforms.  The athletes will still be able to perform as long as they are found to be clean.  Hmmmmm.  Who will supervise the check out of each athlete and who will analyze the blood samples?  Hmmmmm.   WADA has problems, in house.
      WADA is not a scientific body.  WADA is not composed of former athletes.   The board hires and funds labs through their proxies.  These labs have been found to be incompetent standins for "real" scientific laboratories.   Since when did this body become the leader of the anti-doping crusade?   The tainting of athletes' reputations is standard practice for this body.  Sure, it's easy to single out Russya, they are the poster boys of scientific shams and scams.  A team of girl scouts could identify blood dopers from Russya.   WADA uses Russyans as examples because Russyan are big, lumbering violators of all things doping.   Wow!  They've banned "The Russyans".  I'm scared they'll ban my country, little as it is.   I won't dope anymore.
      Ha,ha,ha,ha.  The Olympic Committee has to rethink this farce called WADA.  It hurts all athletes and all countries.   The I.O.C. has its own skeletons in the closet regarding abuse of its athletes over many years.  Now is the time to clean its filthy house, and fix the doping institutional inspections.  Honesty and credibility are the goals.  With all the money flowing across the table, it should be able to perform administration of the games at least as far as providing drug free competition.
Try harder WADA and I.O.C.

Russyan Foreign Minister at White House

     In a private meeting in the White House with Pres. Trump, Russyan Foreign Minister, the veteran Sergei Lavrov, sat with  the American leader and a few top advisors, including Sec. of State Michael Pompeo.  The goal was to find a way forward in Ukraine where a state of war has existed for more than two years between Russyan armed forces and their Ukrainian counterparts.  The US does not recognize the claims of Russya over the territory known as the DonBass in the eastern portion of the country and its industrial heartland .   The unusual meeting took place without the press to record the conversations and to report on any progress or agreements between the two principals.
     Mr. Lavrov's boss, Vladimir Putin, is in Europe meeting with Pres. Macron of France.  This meeting included the press(see photos.)

The Afghanistan Papers: Out Today

        Don't miss this opportunity to read about all the good things going on in Afghanistan, a country where the residents enjoy living in the Dark Ages.
        So, the Washington Post published what they call "The Afghanistan Papers", unpublished documents chronicling the US involvement in the war in Afghanistan that has continued without interruption since October 2001.  The papers are the result of a research effort by the Office of the Inspector General to examine our collective efforts to bring peace to the nation of Afghanistan, a turbulent state of the 3rd world as defined by legitimate observers.
       The basis of the research includes interviews with over 400 participants, including generals, statesmen/women, soldiers, Marines, A.I.D. personnel, Afghans, and various representatives from N.A.T.O. forces who work alongside US ground forces.   Most of those interviewed have had their names redacted from the reports/interviews to protect them from retaliation.  The Post has gone to Federal Court seeking the release of the identities of these individuals.   A decision should be handed down in months.
      Comparisons to the Pentagon Papers of the Vietnam War are easily made.  The Vietnam papers were a research project asked for by then Sec. of Defense Robert S. McNamara, who sought a definitive appraisal of efforts made in that country before he arrived in Washington, D.C. from Ford Motor Co. where he was CEO.   He had the result classified as Top Secret, limiting the exposure of the report  to but a few bureaucrats and White House policy makers.   Daniel Ellsberg was the Rand Corp. researcher who smuggled those documents that eventually found their way to the New York Times.   Despite Pres. Richard Nixon's attempts to prevent publication, he was over ruled by the Supreme Court.
     In this case, since the report was not originally classified, those attendant problems will not suppress this report.   From a cursory first read, it appears the situation in Afghanistan is not good, was never good, and never will be good despite the US spending almost a $trillion dollars of taxpayer money to do something to change the situation.   What did the taxpayer gain there?  Apparently, nothing, nothing at all.
     How long will taxpayers tolerate the lying by the leadership?  Not much longer.

Pensacola Naval Base Shooter

      Well, the US Navy base commander is trying to find some answers as to how a student pilot, a Saudi national, was able to bring a loaded pistol into a classroom and open fire on his fellow students.  Hmmmm.  I think the commander's career just took a turn for the worse.  He'll be forced to retire early, and will leave the service with a cloud over his career, as there should be.  This is again, a failure of leadership.   Just as in the lead up to 9/11, the signs were ignored before the event.  In the 9/11 case, the Saudi perps were being trained to pilot certain aircraft -in the United States.  They paid the bill and nobody gave it much thought, even the State Dept. and F.B.I. looked the other way because they were---SAUDIs, thought to be our friends.
       It's time to put Saudi Arabia on the Watch List of suspected countries that support terrorism, right up there with Iran, North Korea, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, et cetera.
      Pity the poor family who sent their son or daughter to flight training in Pensacola where our Dept. of Defense thinks it's a good idea to open the classrooms to those from countries that support and export terrorists.  The pain is unimaginable for them.   The terrorist in Florida has been dispatched to his heaven, which we would call Hell.  Perhaps King Salman will offer some oil money to pay the families of victims.   But let us not forget: right now, all of Saudi Arabia is thinking about the IPO of AramCo, the state owned and run oil company  whose shares will be listed Wednesday, the 11th of Dec.
      So, how long do we continue to support a government that dispatches teams of murderers whose job is to extinguish the life of a journalist accused of criticizing the government?  Is anybody listening in Washington, or is the election cycle all-consuming these days?  Somebody needs to pay attention, but that's asking a bit much.

San Francisco 49ers Win in Big Easy

      It was touted as a big game for both teams: the New Orleans Saints v. the San Francisco 49ers.  Both teams were holding similar win/loss records:10-2se, and most losses came in the final seconds.  Quarterback Drew Brees of the Saints is approaching record territory for a player, approaching a record number of touchdown passes for his career.  The 49ers quarterback is having a career season, leading the best defense in the league and one of the best team offenses in the NFL.
     '9ers scored in the first few minutes, with a touchdown on the 9th play of the drive.   The Saints responded immediately with their own touchdown, 7-7.   Then, it was a struggle for both teams; back and forth, the teams played with bruising action that complemented strategies designed to upset plans for both teams.  Field goal kickers came into action to nudge up the scores to give or takeaway the lead.  49er kicker Gould had come back from the DL, and was not 100% ready.  Coach Kyle Shanahan knew Gould was his best option and his choice proved correct.   Gould's field goal with seconds remaining was the difference as the 49er's won, 48-46.  This score was the highest league score this season.
       Drew Brees and the Saints scored the go ahead touchdown with less than a minute to go as they marched down the field.  Brees connected on long passes including the final pass for the touchdown.  It appeared the San Francisco team was finished.  The Saints missed a 2-point conversion attempt that proved critical:  thw 49ers would only need a field goal to win.
      After moving the ball close to midfield, the 49ers were stuck, with 4th down and 2 yards to go for a first down.  Jimmy Garappolo called a pass play to tight end George Kittle who caught the ball on the run.  As he turned up field, the Saint defender made an attempt to bring him down, but in the process grabbed the face mask and everybody saw it an flags fluttered to the ground as Kittle added another 10 yards on his own.  After 2 more plays, the attempt was made from the 30yd line and was successful.  game over: 48-46.
Nice game, especially for the 49ers.

New York Times Releases Evidence that Russians Have Attacked Civilians

      Crews on the ground in Syria have gathered convincing evidence that Russyan attack aircraft directed their ordnance onto civilian targets in rebel held cities inside Syria in areas still controlled by rebels elements despite the Syrian governments efforts.   Using GPS data tracking devices, video taken on the scene with cell phones, the Times correspondents were able to intercept cockpit communications and map out the paths of the aircraft involved as they were attacking the civilians at different sites.  Victims of these attacks included women and children. 
      The lengthy articles included photographs, maps and diagrams to present to the world the awful evidence that underscores Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin's campaign of influence in the Middle East.  This sad case od a world leader, leader of the largest country in the world,  clearly is unfit for this role and should be sanctioned by all civilized leaders around the world.   Maybe his Bro in Beijing will call him out.  Oh, no, won't happen.   Xi JP is too busy gassing up with his new toy:  the transSiberian gas line now bringing energy to China to fuel its teetering economy.
       Maybe Mr. Orban in HUngary will call out Mr. Putin.  No, won't happen.
     We'll wait.

Where's Rudy?

   Rudy is in Ukraine.   What is Rudy doing in Ukraine?  Ask the Ukrainians, they might know;  Rudy ain't talking.

Oh, Paree! Trouble in France Has French on Edge

      Mr. Macron decided to push his programs directed at  economic reform and adjustment.  As he turned out his programs of pension adjustments, labor unions and others took offense at this idea.  Mr. macron stated that managing 42 different pension plans was costly and inefficient and his new plan would alter the pensions into a more uniform program.  Hmmmmm.  What the government giveth the government better not take away or we'll go on strike.  And strike they have.
     A general strike is sweeping the nation effectively bringing the country to a standstill.  Transportation networks have halted all operations: trains and planes are not currently in operation.  Union workers have extended the stoppage until at least Tuesday, several days from now.  This occurs during the cold of early winter and the approaching holiday season.  Can this really be happening to the liberal/socialists of progressive France?  My, my.  What they need is a dose of recession, perhaps a dose of.......................................reality?
      Maybe Mr. Macron is just rounding up some publicity for his administration?  Maybe not. Time will tell.
Tahoma will be watching these unsettling developments.   What of Notre Dame?

Let the Hearings Begin

     The House Judiciary hearings begin today.   Academic experts on the issue of impeachment are the featured players called to answer questions concerning the panel's investigation into Pres. Trump's dealings with the president of Ukraine.   These professors add intellectual gravitas to the Democrats case for advancing the impeachment process.  Given that they can only speak for 10 minutes, and then answer pointed questions,  it remains whether this will be enough to go forward.
     The Trumpster is in the UK for a NATO conclave.  Last night, he and Melania attended a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning monarch.  This conference comes on the eve of a general election in the UK which in all likely hood will put BoJo into a more secure position as Prime Minister and set the stage for more Conservative Party consternation over the impending Brexit.
With the US President facing impeachment charges in the House, his appearance does not instill confidence in other world leaders.  Pres. Macron of France had to listen to Pres. Trump respond to his statements regarding NATO and its current status as a viable alliance.  Pres. Trump, who has made negative statements about NATO, countered Macron's negativity with supportive statements about the organization, leading to overall confusion as to his real position.  Yes, confusing to all.
     So, more rhetoric to endure. 

VOVA and XI: A Modern BROMANCE

former bromancers

     Well, it had to happen, didn't it?  The Bromance of the century:  V.V. Putin and Xi JP.  There they are, cavorting together while signing off on a "BIG" deal.  Even a deal the best "Deal Maker" would be jealous of.  But the BIg Deal maker is too busy right now trying to figure out the next move of Jerry Nadler and company in the House.
     Vova, as he is known to his peeps, has cemented a great deal with his populous southern neighbor, home to 1.4 billions of humans, counting those pesky Uyghurs and those peskier Tibetans.  That's a lot of mouths to feed, even for a tried and true blue Communist.  So, the Chinese government wants to ensure they have enough natural gas to power up the heaters and fuel the cookers so those billions won't get cold and hungry during the long Chinese winters, especially in Tibet(avg. elev. 12000'). Cold up there.  The Chinese need reliable sources of energy.  Russya has plenty-just ask them.  So, a large pipeline was constructed by both parties.  Oh, the financials?  No doubt a loan from Beijing at about 5 1/2 % would be about it.   It took awhile to put it all together and now they celebrate.

      Hand shakes, hugs, toasts(vodka provided by Kremlin).  Turn on the valves, and viola! Energy-clean burning methane or natural gas.  Not that ugly, terrible coal that is soooooooooopolluting.  have you seen the AQI for Chengdu?  Check it out.  Not very breathable these days.  Seems like it happens every winter.
     But, Russya needs the business, and is more than happy to help out his southern Bro.  Long live VOVA.

I like big pussy cats but not Pussy Riots

Homewood Equals Snow

       Well, it's still coming down.  Isn't that nice?  It will definitely be a white Christmas in the Basin and all around the Lake.  This bodes well for the season and all of us who depend on our guests to arrive on time and have sufficient snow to warrant outings for the associated sports.
      Heavy snow will fall all week making driving conditions hazardous for all.  Snow tires with studs?  You should have them-we know 4-wheel drive is not enough; they give a false sense of security while driving without really giving any more safety.  Spend the money-poor tires are not saving you money.
     How about that back up generator we've been talking about?  Too expensive?  Hmmmm.  How about all the food you have to throw out-again?   Does that make sense?  No.  So, hustle over to the Depot and take advantage of Black Friday or buy online and have it delivered to your door.   Check out the various brands and their ratings, you'll be surprised.

Mike Pompeo: US State Department

Loser, and a disgrace to all West Point grads

Cross the City: Easy Now

       So, you are going to the City(San Francisco that is) for a holiday outing.  You like to walk and hike, and stroll about the town you know so well after all these years.  Well, Amigo, there's something new for you to explore: the cross City Trail, just recently opened.

Cross City Trail Map

     As you can see, the trail starts in the south east quadrant of the City, not far from the old Candlestick stadium.  It follows a diagonal route northwest across the axis that bisects the environment offering great views along the way.   One last obstacle was recently removed near St. Francis Woods: a blackberry vine- covered depression that interrupted  the path.  After dozens of hardworking hikers chopped and cut their way through, the route was complete.
      The trail ends appropriately at Lands End in the northwest quadrant of the City.  Here the hiker can enjoy the scenic surroundings that overlook the vast Pacific extending westward to the farallones Islands and beyond.  Perhaps a migrating pod of whales will be seen on their annual trip(north/south).
Perhaps an impossibly burdened container ship struggles past the Potato Patch into the SF Bay, or a sleek ocean liner with several decks is passing under the Golden Gate bridge enroute to the Mexica Riviera or the Panama Canal.  No matter which it is, the view is world class, even when foggy.

Iran Ayatollah Claims the US is behind Local Protests

     In a clear indication of a paranoid mind set, the Supreme Ayatollah of Iran has gone public with his claims that the US is behind the protests by Iranians who object to current conditions in the country.  The Old Fart is correct- the US is behind the sanctions that include multiple financial restrictions on Iranian government, business, and personal financial operations in response to the Old Fart's sponsorship of international terrorism and the exporting of weapons to places like Syria that has been involved in a civil war for over 5 years.  This comes on the heels of a court decision in the US that has awarded journalist Jason Ryzian $ 180 million  for his arrest and incarceration for over 440 days in a stinking Iranian prison.   Mr. Ryzian, a dual citizen of US and Iran, was working on an article for the Washington Post at the time of his arrest.  The California native has traveled extensively in the Middle east and speaks the local language.
        Since the Old fart is in charge of all things Iranian,, it is unlikely that Mr. Ryzian will collect any amount of the award.  However, it has been past practice that any national Iranian assets abroad can be attached, eg.  Iranian oil tankers anchored in foreign waters/ports could be subject to seizure by local authorities operating under international laws.
      So, this tiresome habit of the Ayatollah speaking out against the US is just that- tiresome, unworthy of serious consideration.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Interstate 80 Reopened by CHP

       Well, you might be lucky to make it through Truckee this morning.  A break in the stormy weather has changed conditions so drivers who must navigate I-80 to or from Reno, NV can make the drive(at your own risk).  Now this situation is very fluid and can change momentarily.  Do you really have to shop in Reno or Auburn?  Can you change  your appointment until next week?
     The drive on Highway 89 to Tahoe City or South Lake can be difficult.  Plan ahead.  Be safe.  Be smart.

Snow Storm Hits Basin

     The forecast weather system has arrived over Lake Tahoe and the vicinity.  Interstate Highway 80 is closed, both directions until further notice.  Check with CalTrans for current updates.  Do not attempt to pass road blocks.  CHP is on duty and will deal with scofflaws harshly(big fines).  Auto and trucks have been seen slipping and sliding from Alta east, hence the closure.  Estimate are for continued closure for the next 36  hours.  This storm even has a name: Ezekiel!  Hmmmm.  I guess the weather Service wants to differentiate storms in announcements.
      Pay attention if you must drive; be aware.  Otherwise, stay home.
Be Safe

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy: It's That Time

        We are all familiar with the egoist: the constant self promotion; the clawing efforts to be first in everything; the stepping over of everyone in their path to the top spot; the inability to see another viewpoint; the insistence that their way is the best and ONLY way; and a will to play fast and loose with protocol, rules, and the law.  Rudy has been a fixture in American politics for decades as Attorney General, as Mayor of New York City, and a candidate for the U.S. Senate(losing to Hillary Clinton).   In 2002, after his high profile attendance to the events surrounding the destruction of the World Trade Center by Arab terrorists from Saudi Arabia, he formed a consulting firm-Giuliania Assoc. to offer services both domestical and international clients seeking access to high levels of political operatives.   His connections with Pres. George Bush catapulted Rudy to the scene of Washington, D.C., a landscape he already knew well.  From there, it was easy to step into the world of his friend, Donald Trump.
        During the campaign for president by Trump in 2016, Rudy was recruited to perform duties for the Trump campaign involving activities in Ukraine.  As an unofficial representative of then candidate Trump, Rudy's actions remained under the radar of official scrutiny until now.  As the impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives have shown, Rudy is involved up to his neck.
This week, the Justice dept. has issued subpoenas seeking documents related to Giuliani Partners and actual or potential payments to Giuliani Partners.  The subpoenas also sought information from two groups: America First Action and America First Policies, two pro Trump groups.  A spokesperson for the groups, contacted the U.S.Attorney's office in Manhattan and offered to cooperate.
       Mr. Giuliani says he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the events mentioned and claims not to have engaged in any wrongdoing.
      We'll see.  Stay tuned.

Huawei and ZTE Given a Headache

      The US government has confirmed that China's two largest companies dealing with technology will not be able to sell products to American companies that receive government subsidies.  What?  some companies receive taxpayer dollars for their business operations?  Are you kidding me?  Hmmmm.  How does this work?  It's a long story, but in brief, smaller US tech companies that are developing promising products rely on government contracts for their business.  Some of these businesses sell to China or buy Chinese made components.  No more.  Regulators recognize the heavy hand of Beijing in the operations of Chinese tech outfits and have now given notice that these companies will no longer recieve taxpayer dollars.
      Good morning, Mr. Xi.  Have a nice day.

Hong Kong Elections Results Look Good

       Hong Kong voters went to the polls yesterday and the results are in:  Beijing now has a bigger problem than it realized.  Hong Kong citizens will not bend under the heel of Beijing's Communists.

China: Cultural Genocide Exposed

Dr. Kissinger, Pres. Xi, and Henry Paulson

      Well, the proverbial cat is out of the bag, the Beijing bag, that is.  The TIMES reported that hundreds of secret documents contained facts relating Beijing's efforts to eliminate the cultural component of the Uiygur culture in western China.  It identifies a program long in operation.  But not as long as the operation currently underway in Tibet.  In 1959, a small contingent of the Peoples Liberation Army crossed the border into Tibet and forced the ruling government to flee into exile.  The Dalai Lama, or spiritual leader, left Tibet and found a temporary home in northeast India where he resides to this day.   These actions are part of the credo of Communism: suppress and/or eliminate all opposition in whatever form it is observed.
       So today we have Beijing and by extension its military enforcement unit the Peoples Liberation Army, rounding up members of the Uiygur population, placing them into reeducation compounds, until they renounce their Muslim beliefs and accept Beijing's Communist leadership role within the boundaries of China as they currently exist. (Including Taiwan and Hong Kong).
       On top of these policies is the policy of stealing technologies from the West(US and Europe) to advance China's efforts to modernize in the 21st Century.  However, these current efforts have been identified both at home and abroad.  In Hong Kong for the past 6 months, a convulsion of revolt has crippled the city.  Students(where many revolts begin) have taken to the streets, demonstrating that they recognize what the future(25 years hence) will likely bring unless an effort is made today to thwart Beijing's efforts to eliminate the "One country, Two Systems" plan agreed to by Beijing when the UK gave in to yield control of Hong Kong back to the Communists in Beijing.  In Washington,  the President has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods; Congress has supported these tariffs in most forms;  the Dept. of Justice has brought criminal charges against Chinese scientists working in the US and forwarding secret research information back to their patrons in Beijing; and Chinese students studying in the US are now looked upon as agents of the PLA, interested only in obtaining the latest research that will benefit China's agenda that focuses on technology.
        As a  student of Chinese geopolitics, it becomes clear that Xi Jing Ping, who has solidified his hold on power, is advancing his vision of the modern Communist State, a political philosophy largely recognized as a failure for all populations who at one time or another were inflicted with that regime.
 

Hong Kong: On the Brink

       The University of Hong Kong campus has been surrounded.  Students who don't give themselves up to police face prison detention.  Mainland Chinese students have been allowed to leave and go home to their respective cities.  Classes have been cancelled.  It's no longer business as usual.

Hong Kong Evening Light Show

Winter: Finally

      Forecasters see rain/snow next week: a White Thanksgiving weekend.  Unfortunately, not much snow will fall in time for wide open ski runs in the basin.  Perhaps some agressive resorts, such as Heavenly Valley, Squaw Valley, and Alpine Meadows will charge up the snowmaking machines and get a few diehards who can't wait(and who have season tickets).
     This long autumn season will end, finally.  With the end of autumn will come the end of the fire danger, at least the type of fire that wipes out whole cities.  This year's Kincade Fire was the worst, consuming hundreds of structures, including scores of single family residences, and sending hundreds of folks into a homeless situation.   Just yesterday in Napa, Solano, and Mendocino counties, PG&E shut off electricity because of high winds that endanger the surrounding area.  The power should be restored today.
      So, Tahoma folks, make sure you are prepared for winter- most of you who live in our fair town know the drill:  drive carefully on winter road conditions-ALWAYS.   Expecting guests from down the hill?  Instruct them on the particulars of driving while crossing into the Sierra-it's different up here.   Extra batteries, portable radio, lanterns, generator, extra water.   Got it?  Get it.  
Be prepared.
Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 2-Anniversary of Flight of Spruce Goose or C-4 Hercules

       Many innovations and inventions marked national efforts across the globe before, during , and after WW II.  Many came from the Axis Powers(Germany, Japan, Italy), while more came from the Allies: America, United Kingdom, France, and many more.  Aviation was one area where research and development produced outstanding advances in aeronautics and flight in general.
      In one area in particular, the focus on troop transports was the driving force.  Henry Kaiser, the indomitable ship builder decided a large transport could solve the problem of moving large numbers of troops across great distances quickly.  He teamed up with Howard Hughes, the renowned aviator, inventor, race car driver, to design and build such a plane.  Due to metal shortages, the prototype was built of various light weight wood frames and members.
      Henry Kaiser, used to getting things done in a hurry, lost confidence in Hughes whose management style differed greatly with his.  It was a government contract and then the war ended.  But Hughes continued to ensure that he produced a flying prototype to satisfy the agreement.  On November 2, 1947, the plane, with Hughes at the controls, lifted off the water(it was an amphibian) in Long Beach harbor and flew to a height of 70' and covered about 1 mile, more or less.  It never flew again.  It sat in a warehouse, decaying slowly but surely, until sold to a museum of historical aircraft.
     It was taken apart very carefully, put on several ships and taken to Portland, Oregon.  From there it was put on barges and taken up the Willamette River, to a location convenient to the Evergreen Aviation Museum where it was reassembled and restored to its original glory.  Now, well maintained, it is a unique piece available to museum goers and students of history.  The Mayor spent a day at the museum and toured the interior of the aircraft and had a photo taken in the cockpit that Howard Hughes sat in in 1947 for the first and last time.

Roger Stone: Trump Insider-Convicted on All Counts

       Well, finally, an aging dirtbag, Trump supporter, Trump insider, notorious liar, has had his day in court.  Unfortunately for the old trash-talking purveyor of "dirty tricks", his court time did not come out well for him.  He was convicted by a jury of his peers on all 7 counts against him.  After 8 hours of thoughtful deliberation, the jury foreman announced to the court: "We find the defendant guilty as charged on all counts".
     The prosecution asked the judge to confine him to jail until his sentencing in a month or so.  The judge allowed him  to be free on his own recognizance until then.   The crimes are various, and 6 of 7 carry a maximum of 5 years of prison each.  The witness tampering charge, the most serious, carries a 20 year maximum sentence.   It appears the old liar will finally have to pay for his criminal activities after a lifetime of remaining free to engage in his lowlife activities and his obvious disdain for truth, morality, and ethical behavior.
      The legions of contacts who have encountered this scumbag can enjoy some schadenfreude as he spends his last days of freedom before getting cuffed and led off to the Old Bailey where he will set up permanent residence.
      Smile, Roger, you are on camera, but just briefly.

Book Review: From Cold War to Hot Peace-The Inside Story of Russya and America, Michael McFaul

       The State Department has been receiving lots of press and media coverage lately.   Many career diplomats have been requested by Congress to answer questions related to their positions in the Foreign Service, some were ambassadors, some were in high administrative posts, and some were long serving professionals who had been engaged with various politicians who had questions about performance in distant capitols.
       Michael McFaul is a former ambassador to Russya where he served at the behest of former President Barack Obama from 2014-2014.  As a young college student, he began studying Russya, its history, and its post war actions leading up to the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.  He was well acquainted with the fledgling movement toward representative democracy.  He listened to those advocates who wanted to emulate the politics and policies of western Europe and of course, America.  He went on to study politics and especially democracy and its components.  After receiving his PhD., he joined the Stanford University faculty to teach and write about political science.  In 2008, he was offered a position on the campaign staff of candidate Obama.  After some discussion, he decided he could help this man become the president of  the USA.  After Obama's election, McFaul was asked to join the NSC as anadvisor on the questions surrounding the politics of the new Russyan Federation.  He was able to meet many of his former friends from his college days, and learn about the new movements going on inside Russya.
      While not meeting personally with Vladimir Putin, he did meet Boris Yeltsin and many of his supporters and his detractors.  He also had opportunities to meet with then Prime Minister Medvedev, who worked under Putin.  In time, the roles were reversed when Putin decided to allow Medvedev to assume(elected) the office of President.  Then Pres. Obama asked McFaul to take over the position of Ambassador to the Russyan Federation.  He accepted and began a 2 year service representing American interests in the new democracy.
      His book is both history and memoir related to that time, and before and afterwards.  It is the guidebook for those who wish to understand how Putin thinks and how his archaic vision for the future of Russya mixes in today's world of geopolitics.  As a student of post war Russya and its geography, I have found this book to be a guide for observers of the current state of the relationship between the US and Russya.  Donald Trump notwithstanding,  the state of affairs betwen these two superpowers is fraught with difficulty and misunderstanding, whether over Syria, Iraq, Israel, or the Baltics and NATO.
        This book is a must read if one is to understand what is happening in Russya today, as Mr. Putin grasps more power and maintains pressure on all opponents within Russya's borders.

More of Venice: October 2019

Front elevation St. Marks

Palazzo Ducale

Palazzo Grande Canale

Canale con vista ponte

Venice: October Version in Pictures

Classic gondola profile

Classic Gondoliere

From the canal

Venice: Water, Water, Water Everywhere

        One of the great cities of Europe has been inundated again by wind-driven high tides.  Although not a new phenomenon, this event over the last 48 hours falls just inches short of the record high in 1966.  Locals were seen struggling through the thigh high water that caused  considerable damage to many structures, water craft, including the fabled gondolas, and ferry boats.  The Mayor of Venice declared a state of emergency as most water borne craft were unable to pass under the many bridges linking canals with the islands and the mainland approaches to the city.
      The Mayor of Tahoma was just in Venice only 2 1/2 weeks ago.  The weather was beautiful, warm, and pleasant in all respects.  Stacked duckboards were in evidence around St. Mark's Square, looking like remnants from a concert stage recently taken down.  This time, they offered little relief from the tides.   The much touted "gate system" has not been completed as per the design.  The rumors include reports that the design is flawed and won't accomplish the goals sought by the government.  Time will tell if changes will be made, or the project will be abandoned as it stands.  The high costs will certainly warrant discussion about the future of the design as tides are expected to continue to rise over the next 100 years.

Mexico Offers Asylum to Evo

        In another move that indicates further problems south of the Border,  the government of Mexico offered asylum status to former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales.  Mr. Morales sought asylum in a foreign country due to a rapid change in his legal status in his home country.  After 3 weeks of violent protests in the streets of his country, he decided to call it quits.   He and his supporters claimed a victory in the recent presidential elections.  After significant findings that the election was rigged, people took to the streets.  Then when asked for support by Mr. Morales, his military leaders claimed neutrality.   His goose was cooked.  Time to go, somewhere, anywhere.  And his friends in Mexico offered him a resting roost, at least for awhile.
       Now the fun begins in Bolivia: what next?   Who will be the next leader of this poor country without a coastline on a continent with long, long coastlines?  An emerging leader has not been identified.   Some folks expect the Kremlin to get involved here; or even worse: the Chinese P.L.A. might show up on the doorstep and start throwing money around to grab a little influence, easy to do down South.
      The Lefty ex-leader of Brasile, Ignacio Lula de Silva was just released from prison over the weekend.   He needs a job.   Argentina probably won't offer anything, and besides, he has a court appearance soon on his appeal.   The 74 year old claims lots of support at home, but not much in Bolivia.   So, poor Bolivia joins most of the rest of Latin America as locations of political upheaval and dissent.  We'll keep our eyes open on things Bolivian this week.

Dissidents In Russya Shocked by Kremlin MOves

        Well, protesters  were the targets of Kremlin moves to stifle dissent and dissenters.  Orders were carried out by Russyan banks that held deposits of known dissenters who were listed by the FSB as opponents of the sitting government run by Herr Putin.  In a move that sent a chill through the opposition group run by Sergey Navalny, banks froze accounts of known members of his group.  Deposits were shielded by computers and rendered useless by the owners.  Without access to these accounts, many members of the opposition are now faced with the difficulties of finding cash on which to live.
      Even in a system that alleges a legal system with recourse for victims of fraud and abuse, this move by the Kremlin will cause second thoughts of those who are vocal in their opposition to the little dictator of St. Petersburg who now resides in Moscova.
     NO surprises here: he does what he wants, and as is the habit of those afflicted with paranoia, it could come in any form, anytime. 
     Keep smiling.  Winter is coming.

Rubles, Rubles, Has Anyone Seen My Rubles

       Well, it's been a rude awakening in Many parts of Russya this week.  Citizens who woke up in the largest country in the world who checked their banking statements online were greeted with shocking news:  their accounts had been frozen and or closed, and denied access to the records of amounts on deposit.  This came when they hardly finished the first cup of coffee/tea/or vodka.
      First thoughts of these individuals went something like this: 1) the bastards can't do this, 2) how will I buy food this week, 3) can I recover anything?, 4) the bastards can't do this, 4) the butt heads in the Kremlin are behind this, 5) I'll call Sergey, 6) I called Sergey, 7) I'm leaving this place for good, 8) I'm going to live in London, 8) Vova is a fake Russyan, 9) the bastards can't do this, 10) Medvedev wouldn't allow this to happen, 11) Wait, he's Prime Minister-he must have approved the move, 12) Wait, Mad Vlad doesn't need his approval at all, 13) the FSB engineered this theft, 14) Lavrov is Behind this, 15) Can I borrow money from Dad?, 16) I know some MOldavans, they'll lend me something until I get a lawyer, 17) Wait, I can't trust anybody-the FSB won't let me borrow toilet paper let alone cash., 18) I'm moving to London, Brexit be damned, BoJo be damned, 19) Why am I upset?  Isn't this normal batshit for Russyans?, Of course., 20) Calm down, have a shot of vodka-that's better.  Breathe slowly, deeply-think of Sharapova in a miniskirt-that's it.  Who cares about rubles anyway?  Wallpaper, that's all rubles are good for.  Besides, I'm moving to London.

State Department Warning: Travel to Mexico Not Advised

       The White House has offered the government of Mexico U.S. troops to combat the drug cartels after an ambush near the southern US border left 9 American citizens dead, seven of them children.  This assault on innocent civilians underscores the depravity of the drug games and the inability of the Mexican government to combat lawlessness in its own country.  Until the government can break the chain of corrupt law enforcement officials and local governors, the massacre of civilians will continue at ever increasing costs.  Spend your tourist dollars elsewhere, not south of the border.

So Cal Sunset: Looking West From Palos Verdes

Sunset on Saturday-End of Daylight Savings Time 2019

East Asian Tormentor in China

      We have it on good authority that the P.L.A. has a problem with an operative that had been employed by a US agency in China.  The operative violated standards and after being warned, was fired from the position.  Now we know that the P.L.A. follows orders from Beijing and is very astute in carrying out those same orders.  But sometimes, at the lowest levels of any organization, things often go awry.
        The local gendarmes put the pinch on the perp and then released him after he signed a statement that he would follow the rules.  He promptly broke protocols again.  Now we must wait for action from the police who probably could care less since no obvious crimes have been committed against the citizen.  We wait further development on the issue.

M.A.G.A. Hats: Save 'Em-New Usage

        Well, dust off your MAGA hat Bunkie, we've found a new market for the old dust cover.  Yes, sir, right here in the old Western hemisphere.  Our South American orphan/stepchild/sad case,  Argentina, has elected new chief executives.  Rather, new/old executives.  Who might they be?  Christina Kirchner, the darling of the Old Peronists, has reinvented herself.  Now she's a Modern Peronist, dedicated to the populists who have been rediscovered in B.A. and its environs.  Now the Peronists have identity issues.  Nobody alive remembers Juan Peron or his partner, the well known Evita.  So, really, the only support of true Peronists comes from newly converted supporters of some fabricated ideology dedicated to....?.....?....?  the people, of course, I forgot.
      So, they want to make Argentina Great, again.  Let's make Argentina Great again----with hats!  A great publicity effort on the part of Peronists.  Her partner, Mr. Alberto Fernandez, a law professor who continued to teach during his campaign, has been in government for some years, serving as a minister of this and that.  So, he will commence the "new" reforms of the "old" economy, and make Argentina great, again.   Listen to the cheers, before, that is, the cheers turn to boos, and the voters, both of them, return to the streets to badger the executives who have no clues as to what a leader can do with this pathetic state.  Seems like the public debt has increased dramatically since 2015.  Who can forget the default of 2001?  It was only $100 billion.  And now what?  Kristina Kirchner is still under investigation for events during her last term as chief executive.  Will it be any different this time?  Don't hold your breath.  Her political opponents can be heard, sharpening their their stilettoes in the cantina.
      Maybe they'll sell the country to Trump.  If you see Rudy Giuliani board a plane for B.A., sell all your property in Patagonia, exchange your pesos,  and flee to Peru, or Chile, or Ecuador, or Brazil. In other words, get out of Dodge, Bunkie before the lights go out , again.

Rudy Giuliani

        Good night, Rudy.   Please go away.  You've done enough.  You had your day in the sun and more than your 15 minutes of fame.  Now leave, and leave us alone.  Go find a new wife, please.

Boeing: What's Up?

       Well, the industrial giant has taken to full page ads again.  Now they attempt to advise the public that they are setting up funds for the families of the victims of the two 737 MAX fatal crashes.  Our advice is simple:
DO NOT FLY IN A BOEING 737 MAX aircraft under any circumstances-ever.   Any questions?  Ask the pilots who have flown this bastardized model:  a 50 year old design outfitted with engines never intended to power this model.   The software can't fix a design flaw.
     BOEING exemplifies the problems in corporate America:  monopolies are not good for consumers.

Drama in South America

      Hey, Tahomans, did you hear about the election results in Argentina?  Yes, last weekend, the few Argentines who bothered to vote elected a new leadership team that will occupy the Pink Palace in B.A. for a few years.  It's de ja vous all over again.  The Lefties, aka Peronists, will get another chance to ruin the country again.  My, my.  What's the saying:   "continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of.............Argentina?"  How sad.   With an economy sinking faster than a lead balloon, Ms. Christina Kirchner, the former president, will move back into her old home from the hovel where she has been mourning the loss of her late husband, Mr. Kirchner.  High on the list of priorities for the new executives will be to negotiate new terms on the existing bailout loan with the dreaded I.M.F., that bain of chief executives the world over.  Hmmmmm.  What will they offer to the executives at the I.M.F. this time?  More soybeans?  Maybe some beef?   Maybe a promise not to invade the Falkland Islands, the perrenial thorn in the country's backside.  Or perhaps an offer to withdraw from Venezuela's local organization that opposes everything north of Panama.
      Don't expect anything new to ooze out of Buenos Aries.  Same old, same old.
       Now, let's skip over the Andes and look into the eyes of Chileans.  Hmmmm.  Protests going on.  Citizens in the streets.   Inequality is the word on the lips of these protesters.  They want something different than what they have:  hope; a future; better medical care; better education; maybe even a responsible government.  Doesn't seem unreasonable.   The government has cancelled an international meeting do to this embarrassment in the streets.   We'll keep an eye on things Chilean as they unfold.

World Series 2019: It's Over

      It's over for the Houston Astros, that is.   They had the lead, then they didn't.   Displaying a talent for comebacks,  the Washington Nationals did it again-they came back in the late innings to record a victory that made them World Champions for the first time.   Down 2-0, it began to look like this score would stand until the game ended.   Astros pitching had limited the Nats to only 1 hit through 6 frames.   Those Nat fans in Houston and in D.C. began to worry:  are we toast?  Is it over?  Well, as we know:  it's not over until it's over.
    It began with a solo homer, a shot over the fence, now 2-1, Houston.   New pitcher for the 'Stros.  Then a walk.   Then a shot down the foul line that carried over the fence.  The Nats dugout collectively leaped to the rail to cheer the latest comeback, now 3-2 Nats.  The locals were stunned into silence, sitting in disbelief, fearing the worst: they would be witness to another remarkable  effort by "The Comeback Kids" of 2019.   It is the hallmark of the Capitol's team: when they are down, they are not out, but get up, dust themselves off, and proceed to swing at pitches with a renewed vigor, a new precision, a new attitude of "can do".
     As the game continued now into the 8th inning, desperation reigned in the 'Stros dugout.  Manager A.J. Hinch went to his bullpen again, hoping for a stopper who could buy the team time for its own comeback.  It was not to be.   Walks, hits, errors became the scenario on the green landscape.  Combines with another blast from the Nats bats, now the score stood at 6-2, Nats.  Despite these pitching changes, the Astros could not equal the tempo of the surging Nationals.  The 7,8, and 9th hitters of Houston only produced 3 more outs.  Going into the top of the 9th,  Nats were up 6-2.  To add insult to injury, the Nats added another run in their half of the inning, making the score 7-2, which would hold up for the final frame and the game.
       So, put it in the books:  Nats win it all in 2019, a team that was 12 games under .500 at the All Star break in July.  The "Comeback Kids" earned the nick name, to be sure.
      Field manager Martinez expressed his opinion by simply stating that this victory is sweet, indeed.
Longest serving member of the team, Ryan Zimmerman, said much the same after enduring 14 seasons as a Nationals player.  Patience is his watchword.
     Congrats to all D.C. fans, even those members of the U.S. Congress who may or may not be aware of the outcome of the Series this year for a variety of reason.

W orld Series: Game 7 Tonight

     Well, now.  The World Series comes down to a Game 7.  This is the epitome of baseball lore:  after 162 league games, a dozen or more playoff games and 6 Series games in the books, it will finally be over some time tonight in Houston, Texas.  The 'Stros won 3 in a row after dropping 2 at the onset.  The Nats were reeling, but not quite ready to concede.  They came roaring back last night behind excellent pitching by Stephen Strasburg, who went 8  and 1/3 innings.  The long ball figured prominently in the Nats victory as a couple of Nationals went long when needed to provide a cushion for the team in the late innings.
      Tonight will be an exciting climax to a great Series.  Watch it.  8:00EDT/5 PDT

Castle: Familiar :Ludwig's Castle

Ludwig's Castle: Schloss Neuschwanstein

     The Mayor took a nice walking tour of this fine example of late 1880's romantic home building

Back From the Road Again

       The Mayor has returned.  After a long road and exciting trip, the Mayor is up and running.  Lots of things to discuss, amplify, expound on, and otherwise get up to date.
      Most recently, California residents have been again subjected to harrowing images of wildfires, especially in SF Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino counties.  The Diablo winds have returned and were the cause of a rapid spread of fires, possibly begun when PG&E transmission wires failed and sparked the initial blazes.   Media coverage has been extensive, owing to the spectacle of flames destroying structures in the paths of marching blazes. 
      Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to facilitate the response of service providers.   Over 240,000 residents have been forced to evacuate and over 2 millions have been without power since last Saturday.  Welcome home Mr. Mayor.
More to follow.

California Maritime Tragedy: Santa Barbara Islands

       As any sailor will attest, a shipboard fire while at sea is the worst situation for all hands.  All the variables of containment come into play: location of ship, time of day, location of source of fire, ability of crew to fight the blaze with on board resources, and the availability of external help.
A chartered dive boat with 39 persons on board caught fire; except for the 5 crew members situated on the top deck, all 34 passengers perished in minutes as the blaze engulfed the 75' charter boat.
     Crew members dove overboard and swam to a nearby boat to seek help.  Before the help arrived, the charter boat burned to the waterline and sank in 20' of water 20 yards of the beach of Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park.  The Park is world renowned for its clear waters and ample marine life.  Coastal inhabitants have enjoyed fishing and diving here for over 100 years.  As reported, the trapped divers were part of a private group run by a team of scuba divers.  The boat itself is owned by a company long in existence in Santa Barbara, the coastal city about 25 miles north of the islands.
      The US Coast Guard is responsible for certifying the watercraft to ensure it can safely carry paying passengers.  Strict rules are followed regarding life jackets, life boats, fire extinguishers, and the dissemination  of such information when passengers first come aboard.
      Having dived many times in these waters, the tragedy has significant meaning to the Mayor and many of his cohorts.  Endless questions are now being asked as to how and why this great loss of life occurred.  Yes, there are cramped quarters on a small boat; yes, few exits exist from below decks; yes, passengers were asleep and the fire occurred at 3:25am in complete darkness; and there apparently was no sound of an alarm giving rise to the belief that an explosion preceded the blaze.  A complete investigation has begun and the Santa Barbara County Coroner will be in charge.   The US Coast Guard will conduct its own investigation as to the source of the fire and if any violations/procedures were involved.  The entire California Coast community will mourn this tragic loss of life. 

Alexei Navalny: Free at Last

      Opposition politician Alexei Navalny of Russya has been freed from detention by Russyan police.  After more than 30 days, authorities released him.  Many of those opponents of Putin's regime have not been released yet, and pressure is building from locals in Russya to take action.  As the economy continues to suffer under Western sanctions, the Kremlin fiddles away, trying anything to sway opinion to their side.   Good luck.

Hong Kong-The Human Chain

       Well, now, a new form of protest.  Borrowing from another act of protest, Hong Kong citizens added the tactic to their program: the Human Chain.  Linking arms together, the citizens of the city stretched out a long file, a file that covered 25 miles across the city.  This act alone involved hundreds of thousands of locals.  This message conveys new meaning to the term "solidarity".   The protest organizers have proven to be very adept at making changes, adjustments, and adaptations to their plans and tactics.  This does not bode well for a timely resolution to the dispute with the government of Hong Kong and the Communist leadership in Beijing.
       President Xi is no doubt making his plans known among his inner circle.  Those plans have as yet not been revealed to the world.  But the scope of the protests and its duration will cause the mainland Chinese in Beijing to make a move.  With the whole world watching, it will necessitate careful action upon the part of the Communists.
      We'll see soon enough.

Russya: Another Explosion?

       The vast stretches of Siberia have been colored recently by the smoke from forest fires raging across the taiga, the vast woodlands that cover Siberia.  Moskova has called in the military in an attempt to corral the firestorm.  But, now, something else has captured the world's attention.  What at first seemed to be an isolated explosion, now appears to have been a missile launch followed by a failure.   It also appears from satellite evidence that there was a nuclear device involved in the incident.   Moskova has been quiet offering little comment on these series of events.  Perhaps there is more than meets the satellite's eye.   Experts agree that when Russya remains silent in the face of evidence of problems, she stays silent until a news leak from some source spills the beans.  US intelligence agencies are used to this behavior so are not surprised by the dearth of official news from the bowels of the onion-domed rats' nest, aka The Kremlin.   No doubt, more information will surface as the Russyans attempt to hide the disaster from the civilized world, aka The West.
      Have a nice day,  Vova.

Hong Kong: The Airport

Let's Visit Hong Kong

       Well, it took awhile, but the youthful protesters of Beijing's policies finally arrived where obvious disruptions would cascade across the airline industry.  Thousands of protesters disrupted all operations at Hong Kong's International airport over the weekend.  Over 100 flights were cancelled as passengers were unable to find gates, check-in lines, security queues, or find answers to their innumerable questions.  Security personnel were caught unawares as crowds of protesters flooded the terminal, creating chaos among passengers waiting for departures.
       This is another sign that the organized protests will not go away anytime soon.
Welcome to the new world of China.

Book Review: "Growing Up", author Russell Baker

        The late columnist, Russell Baker passed away this past January.  A number of years ago he wrote a memoir about his early years called "Growing Up".  It won him a Pulitzer Prize.  It was a best seller.  His candid account of a childhood dealing with "The Depression", as opposed to 'depression', clearly touched a generation, often called the "Greatest Generation".  Millions of Americans are familiar with Mr. Baker because he was a writer of columns and articles that were widely published on a regular basis across America for many, many years.   His ability to touch ordinary people was extraordinary.   He could observe a simple act, hear a simple word or phrase, or meet an ordinary citizen and turn that into something extraordinary.
         Most Americans over 40 years of age have heard of the "Depression".  The era has left its mark on millions of individuals and American history.  It was a time that marked a low point in our history, when ordinary people could not find shelter, lacked sufficient food for their families, lost jobs and livelihoods.  It was a time when bank failures were commonplace, farms and homes were repossessed, families were turned into the streets, nowhere to go.   Suffering was widespread, and often the weakest suffered the most: children, the elderly, the sick and injured, and mothers responsible for putting food on the table.  There was wholesale abandonment by fathers who lost jobs and dignity; the same fathers who couldn't cope with failure, and had no hope of improving conditions.  These facts scarred the victims for life, no matter the outcomes.
       Russell Baker began to suffer early on on his life when his father  died young at age 37, leaving his widow with 3 children to raise on her own.  She had no skills, no money, and little hope of improvement.  Sadly, she gave up her youngest daughter to a couple who could offer some hope of a future, a future that included a decent chance by providing a home and sufficient food for all family members.  Russell and his other sister had to follow their Mom wherever she would take them.  Fortunately, she was able to secure shelter with one of her brothers in New Jersey.  Baker's description of life in that home provides details of effects on a family's life as the Depression dragged on for years during the 1930's.   When FDR was elected in 1932, he began his programs that put Americans to work.  Progress was slow, but the effects of the WPA soon began to appear among those suffering the worst.   Baker's memoir touches on the details that a curious child could remember: the importance of a few pennies or a nickel to the welfare of the family.  His descriptions of his Mother's efforts to ensure that he studied hard and that he recognize the importance of education became part of his lasting memory of the period.
       As he matured, his Mother directed him to apply for college; but then, a war interrupted his  plans.   He became a pilot in the Navy and was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war abruptly ended, no doubt saving his life.  He then entered college and completed his degree, ready to work.  With luck and skill, he landed a job with a newspaper and began a life that continued for the next 50 years.  A great life well reported.