Recyp Erdogan: Typical Tyrant

       Not to be outdone by Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela,  Pres. Erdogan of Turkey calls out Australians and New Zealanders for their lack of a death sentence for the shooter in Christchurch who invade 2 mosques and murdered 50 muslims during services.  As Turks will soon gather to memorialize those Turks who died at Gallipoli in WW 1, he has taken advantage of the time frame to stir the population into a hostile mood.   Reaction was swift down under, calling Mr. Erdogan's remarks counter productive .

Theresa May Calls Out Parliament

      In a terse statement yesterday PM Theresa May told MP's that the failure to reach a consensus on the Brexit is their fault.   They did not take it well, as one might expect.  This speech illustrates a couple of things: humans have intellectual limits/patience: only so much can be expected when business decisions must be made.  Oh the sloths in Parliament beleive they want this or that, but in reality, these so-called elected leaders can't make up their own minds because they are a " Conspiracy of Dunces"(to borrow a title).
      This did not play well in Brussels either.   Mr. Juncker says they will extend the Brexit date beyond March 29, but only if an agreement in Parliament is achieved by the 29th.  Ha.  Those economic cretins have the slimmest of possibilities of deciding when to use the Loo let alone a vote on the issue.
     PM May would do them right by resigning, but she has the people in mind; she assumed her role fully knowing its hazards v. rewards.  She will not resign; but she will stand as a stalwart against the pigheadedness she is confronted with members of Parliament.  She cannot take refuge in her own party, which is also confused; and the Labor Party in opposition has little to offer its own members either.
     The people continue to suffer as the UK slides toward inconsequents.

La Primavera or Springtime in the Sierra

      It's official:  Spring has arrived on the West Shore.  Beautiful weather has created those ideal spring season conditions:  cold nights with sunny days, no wind, no life lines, no chains required.   Highway 89 is open all the way to south shore, making locals happy that have to go alllllllllll the way to Placerville to conduct some county business with that recalcitrant authority: El Dorado County.
    But, come on, it's Springtime!  That big light bulb in the night sky-a full moon.   Ahhhhh, after a winter like we've had, it's nice to see Spring.  Celebrate.   Take a swim in the Lake.   Hook a Mack', cook a steak outside(where's the Weber-under the snow?)
     We should see a lot of visitors this weekend.  Welcome to Lake Tahoe in Spring.

Space X Scores Again

       Working in partnership with N.A.S.A., Space X Co. launched a rocket with an unmanned capsule on board that was designed to link up with the international space station now in orbit.  The effort was 100% successful as the two-man capsule completed a linkup as planned.  This was a test flight of the capsule to ensure success as designed.   After numerous tests were conducted, after 4 days the capsule separated, and began the brief journey back to planet earth.
      The capsule splashed down in the Atlantic ocean and was recovered by waiting ships.  The capsue will be examined and all data recovered from the effort will be analyzed by Space X scientists who will then program the next effort to be launched in June, 2019.  That mission, will carry two astronauts to linkup with the ISS and live aboard for some time before returning to earth.   The Space X launch cost far less than other N.A.S.A. vehicles which had proven too expensive to continue participation in the ISS mission.   Mr. Elon Musk is delighted with the company's success rate.

Venezuelans Can't Read in the Dark

      But, they might have to learn to read in moonlight if the electrical grid continues its broad failures.   So, life goes on in Caracas, such as it is:  criminals abandoning their craft in favor of looking for food and water; doctors abandoning patients who arrive at hospital because there are no medicines available for them;  citizens packing a little bag of food, hoping to get to Colombia before the food runs out or rots or both; Madman Maduro blames a cyber attack by the US for the failure of the country's electrical grid; and China and Russya veto a UN resolution to certify the presidentcy of Mr. Guaido.
     It's obvious to international community members that Russya and China are unworthy to be members of any international community.  Those country's leaders are nothing more than self-serving dictators bent on keeping the masses docile and accepting of punishing central government policies.  Then one has to acknowledge that Cubans are at the helm in Caracas and that support keeps Madman Maduro in the top spot in the oil-rich kleptocracy trying to maintain Chavesimo long after the old Commie died as a result of Cuban medical intervention.
      Perhaps the army of Brazil will step up and intervene on behalf of the citizens of Venezuela.  Maybe not.   Maybe Argentina can bolster the candle supply of Venezuela as locals inventories are depleted by recent outages.  Perhaps Chile and Peru will send aid; then, they'd need leadership which is somewhat lacking south of the Rio Grande.   Then maybe our dear neighbor, Mexico, will mount out a battalion of aid workers to assist in Caracas. Maybe not.  Or our northern neighbor, Canada, might offer something.  Oh,  Trudeau is struggling against his own ineptitude.  Maybe Bolivia will help?  Maybe Uruguay? Or????????
      Too bad for you, Venezuela.  In the end, the Venezuelan military will stand trial for Crimes Against Humanity at the Hague with Raul Castro.
Have a nice Monday, folks.  

Italy: Up Against It-Again

       Well, the Italian economy is continuing its slide into big trouble.  The numbers provided to the EU  Central Bank indicate that the possibility of growth is extremely remote.  The Parliament cannot figure out how to shake up the country's moribund growth.  Nothing seems to have come out as planned.   All the speculation surrounding Italy's myriad problems indicate that none of the political parties running the government can make sense of what's happening, much less come up with plans for improvements.
      Let's do the numbers:
GDP % chg from a year ago  +0.7
Consumer prices  1.1 Dec.
Unemployment     10.5%
Current Acct Bal     2.6
Budget Bal(%of GDP)-1.9

Interest rates  10yr Gov bds  2.6  chg a yr ago, bp   57.0
Euro currency chg f. yr ago   -8.0

MARKETS
FTSE/MIB    -9.5 from 12/29/17
      Figures released indicate Italy slipped into recession in second half of 2018.  Not soooo gooood.  The economy shrank in the  final quarter of 2018.   Italy's government is perplexed:  they are confronted by pressure from the ECB and Euro zone economic rules.   Even Greece, recently the bad boy of the South EU Zone, exceeded the growth rate of Italy.  Italy's economy is much greater than little Greece, but apparently, bigger is not better.

Huawei in US Court

       Huawei had a day in court in the US.  Company representatives plead "NOT GUILTY" your honor.  The copany responded to a 13 count indictment by the DOJ for bank and wird fraud; violating sanctions against Iran; and obstructing justice.   Huawei is the world's largest maker of telecom equipment.  They face potential fines in the billions of dollars which would essentially put the company into bankruptcy.   CFO Meng Zouchou is being held in Canada waiting for extradition to the US.  She is fighting the order in Canadian courts while suing the US government in US courts.
      Huawei is charged with deceiving HSBC with a phony company called Skycom.  The US maintains it was an unofficial subsidiary used to conceal Huawei's business with Iran.
      China's other big electronics manufacturer ZTE was put on notice by the US and then saved from financial collapse after President trump allowed a lifeline of funding to be extended and also to allow some US companies to continue to do business with the company.
    Ahhhh, China.   How about the South China Sea this week?  Any more islands taken over?  Or should we say any more rocks built on this week?   Any more Uighurs taken to summer camp for "training".

Boeing JET 737Max 8: Grounded Across the Globe

       So, the US/FAA finally got the message.  Available radar data publicly available indicated that the Ethiopian Airliner experienced control problems immediately after takeoff from Addis Ababa Airport.   The experienced pilot radioed to control asking for a return vector and permission to land the aircraft immediately.   The plane was then lost to ground radar as it plunged into the ground after less than 4 minutes of flight time.  All aboard died in the crash.
       Why did the FAA delay grounding of the Boeing aircraft around the US where the popular center aisle-aircraft is in use with major domestic carriers United/Continental, Southwest, and others.   Hmmmm.  Too cozy with the White House?  No guts in the FAA?  This is a shocking decision that placed many American lives at stake.   Countries around the world did not need flight data recorder information to make the call.  They were told about the Lion Airways crash in a similar situation 5 months ago.  Result: system wide groundings in Europe and in most other nations.   Our FAA failed miserably.  It is telling that Boeing, the world leader in manufacturing aircraft for the commercial market did not make the request for grounding on their own.  
      Shame on Boeing's leadership.  Shame on Boeing's engineers.  Shame, shame on the record keepers.  This is an unvarnished assault on the reputation of American industry.  All other aviation experts should chastise this breech of integrity by the world leader.  It proves the point: profits over lives.
Shame on Boeing; shame on the FAA.

Mark Zuckerberg Likes Xi J P

         Since Facebook started to generate ad revenues, the company focused on its ad market.  Who do you think showed up with millions of yuan/dollars to spend?  Why the Beijing government whose leader is Xi J P, that's who.   In addition to spending heavily in the print media(NYTimes, Washington POST, etc), the Chinese media types like to get involved with American social media channels.  Of course, access to said channels are BANNED on the mainland.  Can you imagine the results if Chinese citizens were allowed to access Facebook and Twitter at home?  They might be inclined to communicate with their FRIENDS.   Oh, well, Mark Zuckerberg is in business to make a profit, not friends in the classic sense.
      CHINA DAILY, the state controlled rag that spews government content in the English language buys inserts  in American newspapers, including the New York TIMES.   This is a well funded campaign by Beijing to influence American public opinion.   They are wildly successful.  Americans love all Chinese people, especially those Chinese citizens who visit the West coast which has a large Asian population that has lived here for 7-8 generations.  San Francisco has one of the largest concentrations of Chinese citizens in the Western hemisphere.   There are also many Japanese, Vietnamese, and Koreans, and Filipinos in the Western States(WA,OR,CA,NV, AZ,ID, NM,WY, and MO).   The US DOJ has requested that CGTN make a filing under FARA-the Foreign Agents Registration Act.  This is because there is no doubt that the American based outlet is run by China Central Television, which is the main propaganda organ of the Chinese government.  The organization was set up in Washington, DC, 7 years ago by Ma Jeng to provide "publicity for Xi J P."  The organ is controlled by Communists.   Ms. Ma wrote that CGTN is a separate organization from China Daily.  One can hear the laughter in the halls of Foggy Bottom all the way to Capitol Hill.   Can you imagine?  The Chinese government has quite a bit of chutzpah to think that the DOJ beleives one word of their propaganda arm that pumps out drivel on a regular basis.   I like the one where they claim that the Uighurs like being placed in educational settings to learn more of Asian culture.  And the Dalai Lama enjoys governing from abroad.   Tibet?  Tibet?  Tibet?  North Korea?  Venezuela?  Venezuela?  How about Africa?  Dangerous reef?  The Spratleys?  South China Sea a Chinese Lake?
 Huawei a benevolent competitor without any nefarious intent?  Oh, my.

Chinese Admirer

Chinese Friends

Seattle: We have a Problem

       Sadly, a Boeing passenger jey crashed after takeoff in Ethiopia, killing all passengers and crew on board, 157 people.   The aircraft was identical to another Boeing plane that went down 5 months ago because of flight control issues with the onboard computer.  The plane that crashed most recently
was only 4 months old.  The FAA in the US decided not to ground the existing model in current use in the USA, while other authorities around the world have grounded all of the Max 8 models of Boeing, a workhorse of modern aviation.
More to follow.

Brexit Looms Over the Continent

      So, Prime Minister May of the UK is making a desperate attempt to avert disaster for her fellow Brits.  As Parliament continues to promote discord and ineptitude, the EU delegates in Brussels indulge PM May by listening to her pleadings.  She begs for more time, which she might attain.  Chances of changes are dim, if at all.  The EU cannot go back whereas the Brits can do whatever they want: vote, no vote, crash out, slither out, or absolutely implode.  Then there's the Irish border question: will a "wall" be installed again across the UK/Northern Ireland border?
      The poor woman PM is probably hoping to wake up soon from this nightmare which punctuates the disturbing turns in modern politics not only in the UK, but also across the EU.  Yes, immigration is at the forefront of many arguments; yes, mixed opinions have continued to be discussed without any consensus excepting that too many refugees came into the belly of Europe without a cooordinated plan to accept and distribute the millions of asylum seekers from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.   The net result is rebellion against the EU's lack of policy and a lack of uniformly accepting equal numbers, placing undue burdens on Mediteranean coastal nations of Italy, Greece, and Spain.  Turkey also played a role, albeit an unseemly one fostered on the EU by the scoundrel in Ankara Recep Erdogan, a completely incompetent dictator hiding in the guise of a leader.   mr. Erdogan has arrested upwards of 75,000 Turks who somehow were thought to have been involved in the coup attempt in 2017.   Life in Turkey has suffered as a result.
     The crystal ball gazers have not been able to detect the end results of Brexit.  Who needs them?  The rest of the world knows that it does not bode well for either the UK or the EU.  It will extinguish most of the benefits of a union, even as the EU commits to carrying on.  Perhaps allowing the British pound to coexist with the Euro was not the best idea during the creation period.  At best the pound will be sharply devalued, as it should be as bankers in Europe try to balance their books with even more uncertainty.
     Good Luck, Theresa May; you need all you can get.

Chinese Government Sponsors News Broadcasts in US

      Hold on here: the Chinese government has a media outlet in the USA.  Their mission is to provide news and information to the American population who have TVs.  This "news group" claims that they only provide news from the mainland sources that are not generally available to viewers in the US.  Duh.
      They also provide coverage of China's president, Xi Jin Ping, in the course of his duties as the leader of the country that is the second largest economy in the world and a competitor and trading partner of the USA.  What can one expect to see and hear on the media outlet?  Is it factual information?  Is it "fake news"?  Who edits the content and who makes the decisions about what is covered and what is left to gather its own following?   Hmmmm.
       How is news from America presented in China?  What outlets are available to Chinese citizens?  How does the Chinese government view American subject matter, such as political party politics; Congressional sessions; presidential moves and policies?  I'm sure that these topics are well covered, but where , exactly can this data be found-the library?   Tahoma wants to know.

Squaw valley resort Extends Season to July 4th

      It was only a question of when, and now we know: Squaw Valley will host skiers through the July 4th summer weekend.  With record amounts of snow "on the ground", it's a natural to offer the chance to ski while basking under the summer sun.   Always looking for a draw to the location at the end of winter, it seems this is a chance to do just that.
     Keep your gear handy after Memorial Day; folks will be skiing locally in the morning and rafting on the Truckee River in the after noon, and wake boarding on the Lake before 5 o'clock cocktail hour.  Viva California.

Daylight Savings Time Begins

      Well, did you remember?   Did you advance your clocks/watches/iphones?  Oh, not necessary with iphones-it's done at Apple HQ to make it easy for your calendar to keep you alerted to your events and appointments.  Did you show up on time for your ski lesson?  Oh, it has already finished.
My. my, my.   Seems like we just turned the clocks back.  Well, get used to accelerated time frames for life in general.
 Highway 89 at Emerald Bay remains closed to all traffic until further notice as snow continues to fall.   No date has been set for opening after avalanche control and plowing as necessary.

     Homewood season Passes go on sale tomorrow at 11:ooam.  All locals are advised to get there early because dynamic pricing(just like airline tickets) will cause price increases as tickets are sold.  What a rip off!  It was never like that in the old days.  Now greedy owners try to milk every cent from the few skiers left who are willing to arrive at Homewood.  Oh, well, that's progress, of a sort.  More snow fell overnight so today's conditions will be the same as the last week:  flurries on top of a few inches of new snow with overcast skies=  perfect I say.
Enjoy, drive safely, be careful in deep powder off trail.

Manafort Sentenced

      Campaign manager Paul Manafort, 69, was sentenced today to 47 months in prison.  A slap on the wrist.  He'll be out in no time.  Then he'll write a book.  He'll tell all, and then get back into his consulting business advising foreign office seekers how to hoodwink their opponents. 
    At least we won't haave to listen to this stupidity any longer.   Goofy right wing wingnuts will milk this act for all its worth, but that effort will decline soon.
     Next up: the Mueller Report-due any day.

Who Was Felix Dzerzhinsky?

      Hmmmmmm.  Could he be a Russyan(given his name and its spelling?)  What type of Russyan?  White, Red, or in between?   He worked for Stalin-that makes him R-E-D.  Beyond a doubt.  So, old Felix, as he was called by those he imprisoned, tortured, censored, or murdered.(Oh, they couldn't talk, they were dead,) ran a little office for Stalin that focused on the enemies of the Kremlin and its Communist leaders after the Revolution of 1917.   This office was the headquarters of the unit that went by the name of Cheka.
      Cheka- just the name could instill fear among the general public of Russya during its hay day.  Even after Felix left this world for the next, the organization that he established continues on long afterwards.  It exists today, under different names, of course, to confuse enemies and observers.   Maybe the KGB was a stepson of the Cheka because it carries out the same mission.  That is to engage opponents of the Russyan or Soviet state using hybrid warfare techniques honed to perfection over the last 100 years.   Many of the usual operations actually were started under czarist Russya when the czars held sway among those folks from the steppes.  What are those techniques so favored by Russyan secret service members?
      Let's start with something well known: propaganda directed at potential opponents.  Throw up a smoke screen of disinformation that  confuses the enemy.   Make claims that have no basis in fact.  Repeat it over and over.  This is very effective.   Censor all publications that originate in Russya- this intimidates all local opposition and serves up a screen to actual rrality that could find its way outside the borders.   Use sabotage to create fear and instability among enemies and potential enemies.  Who is responsible for that-the client state of the opposition?   Repression is always a winner: keeps the locals looking over their shoulders night and day, keeps them off balance, and sows doubt among group members and their leaders.   But, last, but not least, plain old murder, carried our wherever and whenever necessary.   With little moral depth, this methodd is always used to execute those most successful opponents, usually individuals who have turned against the leadership of the country.
      Who do we know provides this picture of Russya?  Why, one of our own, a man with excellent credentials; a man who not only studies Russyan history, but lived and worked in Russya for 27 years.  He's John Sipher, a great man and a great American.  he has taken it upon himself to inform the American people and the leaders of America that some things never change.  In this case, the Russyan government.  It contonues to act as it has since its formation 102 years ago.  All the current efforts of Russya are nothing more than the continued operation of customary business practices as Russya has practiced since the start, since the days of Old Felix the Killer.
      So, take his word for it, the word of an expert: when in doubt, believe that Russya is conducting same old same old business as usual.   Nothing has changed; the country cannot shake off its history, the burden is too damn heavy.
      Every December 20th, Russya celebrates Cheka Day, to remember who they are and what they have done in the name of the State: censor, repress,  sabotage, and murder.   Ahhhhhh, Russya.   The home of "reflexive control", an effort to manage perceptions of adversaries so they would be fooled into acting against their own interests.

I.C.E. Gives New Figures on Illegals Arrested at US Southern Border

      In an effort to bolster the White House request for funds to construct another 215 miles of border wall/fence/moat along the Mexican border with Texas, Homeland Security announced that over 33,000 arrests were made last month of illegals crossing said border.   Most all were families coming from Central America.   This is the largest number of arrests in 10 years.  Some may argue this is not an emergency or a cause of such a declaration by the sitting president, but it certainly seems that something has changed in that particular zone of the border.
      It is common knowledge that information regarding current goals and abilities of border police filter down south, and that such information affects decision making by those seeking to come to the US.   Most of those apprehended were members of family groups.  They do not attempt to evade the border police, but, unlike their many predecessors, seek out border personnel to turn themselves in, and to seek asylum here under any pretext they think will work.   Since holding units were not designed for families, but rather single, male workers seeking jobs, most of these families are left in a limbo-like state without any coherent idea of their status or their future.  Most (+90% will not be granted asylum and will be forcibly returned to their homelands wherever that may be.
     Perhaps Congress will address this most recent uptick in arrests.  Perhaps not.

Chinese Detainee Sues U.S. from Canada

     Ms. Meng Wahzhou, CFO of tech giant Huawei, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against the U.S. government.  Her lawsuit contends that issuing an arrest warrant for here in Canada is against international law.  The suit contends that she has done nothing that can she can be responsible for as the CFO of a large Chinese corporation that does business world wide.
     Since she is under house arrest in Canada, her options are stictly limited while Canadian courts determine their response to the DOJ in  the U.S. that she be extradited to the USA to answer charges that she violated international law by sidestepping sanctions against Iran placed intoo effect bythe government of the US.   Ms. Menghas already taken this same approach to deal with the arrest in British Columbia where the courts have ruled that there is sufficient evidence to hold an extradition hearing for the U.S, request.  She is able to stay in one of her two homes in Vancouver, B.C.

Chinese Hackers Identified by Accenture

      My, my, my.  As trade talks between the US and China continue, a new revelation has been made public that throws a little dirt in the face of Chinese trade negotiators.  It seems that several Chinese organizations have penetrated the data systems of more than a few US institutions that conduct research on undersea systems that pertain to stealth operations by various US military units.  Not only have these hackers penetrated university networks, but also private research institutes such as Woods Hole in Massachusetts.
       The iDefense company has listed several known Chinese hacking groups that have been consistently involved in these state -sponsored operations.  These professional hackers conduct their efforts on behalf of military intelligence groups within the PLA-the Peoples Liberation Army.  Their goals include the research efforts of military contractors in the US so that the PLA can develop counter measures and to fund specific programs to thwart those same objectives.   Hmmmmmmmm.  Could this in anyway be connected to the national Chinese policy of taking over the world in 5 years?  Hmmmmmmm.   Maybe we should look at statements of one of the Chinese nation's leaders:
Premier Li Keqiang made a 100-minute speech to China's legislature but did not mention Pres. Trump's criticism of the state-sponsored program to make China a global tech leader at the expense of US industry.   This policy has been his go-to program during the past 3 years of similar speeches.  He listed emerging industries- next-generation info tech; high-end equipment; biomedicines; and new-energy automobiles(electrics and hybrids) all to be 'Made in China 2025 and part of the "Buy China" goal.
       Under pressure from Washington, China will replace the "Made in China 2025" program with another that will foster more access by foreign companies to the Chinese market.  However, there is little evidence of this even beginning in 2019.   Subsidies by the Chinese government continue to state-owned companies in these areas of industry.
      Hackers continue to focus on American research efforts in sensitive military research facilities.
Given that universities are willing to share information among various related research facilities, Chinese hackers exploit these data sharing efforts.  One hacker is Temp.Periscope and has been a subject of concern for the US Navy.   Two schools are the Univ. of Hawaii and Penn State University.  Both declined to comment on the findings.  Not a good sign.  Temp.Periscope has been tagged APT 40 or Advanced Persistent Threat 40 as a known hacking enterprise.  Howard Marshall, who leads iDefense cybersecurity efforts, says that the Chinese have expanded their military hacking efforts.  FireEye researchers have confirmed iDefense findings.   They both say these government subsidized operations continue despite the discovery of the techniques and methods used.
       Well, now, how will these revelations affect trade discussions?

Roger Stone: Part III

      Well, the child-like performance of the former political advisor has reached a new low.  This sad spectacle of an adult behaving like a child is enough for one to elevate child behavior, which in most cases is superior to Mr. Stone's behavior.  The poor man cannot keep his mouth shut.  Given that the judge overseeing his case warned him repeatedly to avoid talking about his trial/case, it is remarkable that he chose to laugh at her judgement: he went "gram".  His defense: He makes his living talking and communicating, as if he is beyond the law.  
     Now we can see how he has led his pathetic life: defying convention; defying society's rules; working the seams of acceptable behaviors; and generally living and working like an idiot(no offense to those afflicted persons).   Now it appears he has gone too far.  He will most likely end up in jail where he can live with real restrictions: sharp limits on visitors; sharper limits on communications to the outside world; and horror of horrors-he'll be treated like a common criminal.
     So, after a lifelong charade of acting like he knew what he was doing when in fact he was making it all up along the way, he'll start to learn that, yes, there are rules that the rest of the world must follow, and we do follow those rules in civil society.   Maybe the experience will teach him something.  fat chance.  Idiots such as Roger Stone never learn.

Book Review: "Battle Cry of the Republic: The Civil War Era", James McPherson, 1988

Cover: Union Charge into Confederates

        Many titles (50,000+)dealing with the American Civil War grace the shelves of library after library, public and private.  They occupy space because the works answer many questions about an era that has relevance to today's problems the war was intended to solve.   Historian McPherson presents an overview that includes many of the most well known battles, such as Gettysburg and Vicksburg.  He adds much of the political landscape that is often not of much interest to other historians and readers with questions of American history during that most turbulent era.  He brings Lincoln in to sharp focus as he struggles with sectional differences that cause endless difficulties  in Congress as rebels down South who seceded create existential troubles for the president.
       The author gathers facts concerning the mid-century nation as sectionalism began to boil over not just in Congress, but also in the state legislatures themselves.  Soon, decisions had to be made at the family level: do sons and daughters follow the parents' lead?  Do brothers agree or separate into opponents?  Can the new president keep his unity goal as the goal of all or most all of his party and the Congress?  Widespread support would often waver in the face of setbacks on the battlefield.  Peace Democrats or copperheads, strongly opposed Mr. Lincoln and manuvered to wrest control of Congress in the near term elections.
      Mr. Lincoln's army was not much of one at the onset.  Few foot soldiers had any experience.  Those officers with any experience gained most of that in Mexico 12-13 years before hostilities erupted at home.  Many of those had returned to civilian life(Grant, Sherman for two).  State militias were thought to be those army units that would prosecute the war for the nation with help from the standing army which didn't hold great numbers in 1861.   Gen. George McClelland was given command of the Army of the Potomac and assigned the mission of subduing the rebellion.  The first meeting at Manassas/Bull Run did not go well as the rebel forces drove the Union troops into headlong retreat.  The casual observers on a picnic from Washington, D.C. scrambled alongside those troops to the security of defenses near the capitol.
     Author McPherson then takes the reader on a narrative course through this brief but significant 4 years of American history.   He covers important battles with details leading up to and following the event(s).  He indicates the fallout politically for both leaders: Mr. Davis in Richmond, VA., and Mr. Lincoln in Washington, D.C.  Each had their hands full with nay sayers and supporters.   While not claiming military expertise, Mr. Lincoln knew his goals and knew they could only be achieved by defeating the rebellion in the field.   Gen. McClelland, while respected by his troops and acclaimed for his intellect and training, he was hesitant to attack.  His movement or lack there of moved Mr. Lincoln to replace him, despite his popularity and his membership in the Democratic party.  He needed a proven leader and he found him out west, in the Mississippi River valley.  Gen. U.S. Grant was called east to take over the army and to get it moving to victory.  He brought William T. Sherman with him.   Things changed for the better.   It was not a cake walk, but a series of campaigns that had its share of setbacks in places like Chickamauga,  Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, and Cold Harbor.
        Among topics included beyond active hostilities were the early attempts to provide managed care for battlefield casualties who had been an after thought by leaders of both armies.  Volunteers began to organize efforts to provide first aid soon after the end of a battle.   Efforts were primitive by any account, but even these efforts saved countless lives.  The exploits of cavalry troops merited detailed accounts of their many contributions whether Gen. Phil Sheridan for Grant or Gen. James Longstreet for Robt. E. Lee.   These mounted troops covered great distances and often provided just enough intelligence to the leaders to sway the outcomes of battles.
      Perhaps the author's greatest achievement was to convey in his narrative the uncertainty of the outcome, even as late as 1864.  Yes, the Southern rebel was outnumbered and underfed unlike his Northern opponents; but he fought with determination and obstinantcie when well led which was much of the time.   Union troops, on the other hand, were generally well supplied and ably led, but often lacked the zeal of their opponent.  This can sometimes be ascribed to various recruitment programs that provided a mixed bag of soldiers, many on short term enlistments and recruited from a state with divided populations on the unity question.
     This book deserves to be on the shelf of any educated American.  It should be used as a reference on the era.

Meng in Canada: Hearing Approved

      Ms. Meng Wenzhou, CFO of Huawei, is still cooling her heels in Vancouver, B.C.  After 3 months under arrest, she will continue waiting for a court decision regarding extradition to the U.S.  The company has continued its publicity campaign around the world to counter the perception that the company is nothing more than an aggressive intelligence gathering arm of the PLA, or Peoples Liberation Army.   Ms. Meng's Father, founder of Huawei, was a former officer of the PLA working in intelligence areas.   Many countries around the world have moved to block the Huawei company as it tries to build 5G networks on foreign landscapes in efforts to sell products that are believed to contain components that gather data from users that is then stored and sent back to China.  The U.S. has been aggressive in its moves to contain these activities.
     Ms. Meng was arrested in Vancouver as she prepared to board a plane to return to China.  The request for extradition came from the US Dept. of Justice.  Initially, she was incarcerated in jail, but has since been released with monitors and her passport has been taken.  She owns two properties in Vancouver and has been living in one of them.
     Media outlets in the US, to include the Wall Street Journal and the NY TImes, have printed ads featuring remarks by Huawei to deflect criticisms of the country.  This is the country that has rounded up hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and placed them in compounds for "re-education".  This tactic by Communist governments is well known.  It is used extensively against opposition groups that have fallen out of favor or who oppose policies of the central government.  In this case, they oppose the power grab tactics of the leader for life: Xi Jing Ping, head of all things Communist in China.
      The Judge in the case has issued a decision that said there is sufficient evidence to hold the extradition hearing requested by the US.  This should happen sooner rather than later. 

Canada: Our Northern Neighbor: Mr. Trudeau Has a problem

       Elections are 7 months away in Canada but that does not mean discussion of outcomes is not a hot topic.  Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, will stand for reelection.  At this moment, that effort is the subject of great debate.  The issue is centered on the Minister of Justice in Canada, Ms. Wilson-Weybould.  She had begun an investigation into the actions of a large oil services company, SNC- Lavalin of Montreal.  The company was involved with a contract with former dictator of Libya, Moammar Khadafy, now deceased.  Apparently, money was paid to the regime to award business to the company, an illegal act.
      An investigation was launched by the Ministry of Justice.  Mr. Trudeau and company, thought this investigation might spook the SNC-Lavalin office in Montreal and cause a closure of the office and with it, the thousands of jobs would go bye-bye.  Meetings were held; the investigation was discussed with the Minister of Justice-10 meetings or more.  She did not flinch under the gaze of the Young Prime Minister.   Investigation continued to go forward; and the Justice Minister was demoted and reassigned.  And now, the fallout.
     The reputation of Mr. Trudeau is now being questioned by the opposition Conservative Party.  It is asking him to Resign.  How harsh is that?  The young man has stumbled into-----POLITICS.   Hmmmm.  How does this happen?  Hmmmmmm.  Maybe we could have predicted this.   Maybe Canada is different.  Maybe Liberals are different.  And maybe not.
      This three act play has a ways to go before the final curtain.  With an election 7 months away, there's lots of time for more drama up North.  Watch it.