3 Gorges

Yangtze River at 3 Gorges Entrance Pass

 

 

 

 

Well, the Yangtze River looks pretty good right now.  The Mayor enjoyed the cruise last month as our ship navigated the narrow gorges upriver from the dam at the 3 Gorge Project site.
    The cruise line operator has done a fine job making all passengers comfortable during the trip during April, 2019.  As one can see, the weather was perfect.

Toronto Raptors Move On

      In a close contest in front of a home crowd, the NBA team from Canada advanced to the finals for the first time.  They won 4 straight games over the Milwaukee Bucks.  Not bad in today's style of play.  The Bucks did not rollover.  They were ahead on score several times and for awhile it appeared the match up would go to a seventh game.  So, the Raptors will have the privilege of playing, you guessed it-the Golden State Warriors, a team of some repute.  We'll be watching.

Which Way, Huawei?

      Trouble.  Big trouble for Chinese electronics firm, Huawei.  Google Europe announced that they will not provide support nor sell Huawei products in Europe after the US notified companies of sanctions against the telecom/manufacturing Chinese giant.  Welcome to the trade wars, 2019-style.

Don't Cry for me, Venezuela

       Well, what is going on down south these days?  Any signs of improvements?  No.  US Senator Lindsey Graham wrote a piece published last week that called for the US to do something about the situation in Venezuela.  He suggested a strong military move that could render the Maduro government useless and force regime change.  In so many words, the Old Coot called for armed intervention.  Has this pathetic has-been ever fired a weapon in anger?  Has he ever led troops in the field?  Has he ever experienced the results of foreign policy gone awry?  It's embarrassing enough to have a Draft Dodger in the Oval Office, but we don't need another fake politician in the Senate calling for military action.   This is shameful, and the idiot from North Carolina should pack up and go home, back to the land of grits and tobacco, where Duke and NC play hoops for the locals, giving them the appearance of modernity in a tidewater state bound to the Old South.
     But, I digress.  The US. Dept of Justice is about ready to slam Venezuela with some charges relating to a financial conspiracy that involves stealing money from a food program designed to alleviate the starvation going on in the country caused by Maduro's policies.  The case involves quite a few disparate players.  One individual is a notorious Colombian businessman with ties to maduro's military supporters.

Tahoe: The Memorial Day Weekend

      Well, it's not supposed to be like this at the beginning of "OUR" summer.  It's supposed to be warm, and sunny, with highs in the 70's.  But, no, we have highs in the 40's with rain and snow.  What a disappointment!  Oh, well, we can talk about the weather, but can't change it.  The entire week will have rain showers, low temps, thunder and lightning, and lots of other unpleasantness.  But, it's the Sierra= normal.
      Many visitors opted out and stayed home.  Can't blame them really.  Despite our high hopes, folks would rather stay at the backyard BBQ and relax, instead of dealing with chaos on Interstate 80, etc.  But this will change soon enough, and all but forgotten as we lurch toward the 4th of July weekend- the "new" start of summer at The Lake.
     By the way, the latest water clarity report on the Lake indicates that the disc was sighted at 70.3' when last observed.  Good news all around.  Something is working, but what?  Some are of the opinion that there was less runoff last year, hence not much sediment clouding the depths.  Hmmm.  Have an opinion?  Share, please.
     See you on the beach.

real summer

fake summer

Ukraine and the United States: Something in Common

       When America thinks of the White House occupant(s) today, what do they think?  Calm, thoughtful deliberation?  Temperate forethought?  Round table discussions on every weighty problem?  A steady stream of intellectual Nobel prize winners offering the opinions of genius?  No, none of the above.  They look, then turn away, promptly.  It's too painful otherwise.  And in Ukraine.
What up?
       The nation had an election earlier this month, and, it ended with a surprise: a new face emerged on the national scene: a man, no less.  A man without any political experience(sound familiar).  But unlike his Peer in the USA, he is not a former business man- he's a comedian.  Yes, it's true, not "fake news".  The citizens voted for change: they wanted somebody new, different, un-corrupted.  They wanted somebody who could, by some method, bring the country out of its malaise.  They want a future untainted by the Russyan oligarchs who seem to pop up after every springtime shower, especially in the Donbass region of the East part of the country, taken over by little Green Men who speak the dictator's Russyan.  Some might call this an invasion-it is.  The USA considered it such and imposed sanctions on Russyan and many individuals.  This backward nation, Russya, run now for over 20 years by former KGB colonel VoVa Putin, seems to have squandered its opportunity to join the nations of the world in promoting peace and prosperity.  No, the little colonel wants to turn back the clock and revive ancient history, the history of Stalin and his henchmen.  But the future is here, and there's no going back.  Russya has only to look south and see its Asian neighbor as it streaks ahead.  As the population of Russya continues to shrink, and the citizens drown their sorrows in vodka provided by Moscova , it's only a matter of time before Moscova starts selling off part of their land to China, in hopes of reversing this decline.  Won't happen.

Pointe du Hoc: Today

        It has been 75 years since the Allies landed on the beaches at Normandy in France.  Thus began the long, deadly campaign to rid the Continent of the Nazi plague.  It was the 6th of June, 1944: known as D-Day.   Thousands of troops were put ashore with a mission: establish a beach head that could be exploited by those following.   It would prove to be a most difficult mission.  The weather was marginal, with strong winds whipping up the surf as landing craft approached the beaches and were met by murderous fire from scores of Nazi gun emplacements.  One location in particular was especially well defended by concrete gun emplacements:  Pointe Du Hoc.
       This position on the coast jutted seaward into the English Channel.  It was perched on top of a bluff on the Pointe du Hoc.  It could cover with accurate fires the landing beaches north and south of its position.  It had to be neutralized for any chance of making a successful landing.  Two battalions of infantry were given the task of destroying the position and silencing the guns.  They were Ranger battalions with special skills and special equipment.  They used ladders and ropes to scale the steep cliffs protecting the position.  Despite their numbers, only a few rangers could climb at anytime.  They were not to be denied and they completed the mission, despite suffering heavy casualties.
      The photo is a recent picture of the location:  not much has changed.

The Coast of France Today

             In the center of the photo, one can see the concrete emplacement that overlooks the beaches.  To the rear of the point is another emplacement that protects the other.  The beaches were not so tranquil 75 years ago, on June 6, 1944: D-Day.
         See the column today in the Wall St. Journal wsj.com by noted writer Peggy Noonan.  She writes about Memorial Day, 2019, especially one when she joined Pres. Ronald Reagan at the site to commemorate the event.     

Pandas on Parade

      Have you seen a "real" live panda bear?   Maybe in the national zoo?  Maybe in the wild somewhere?   Hmmm. Not many folks have seen a panda in the wild.  By the way, are there any known to be in the wild?  I don't think so.  But, China has taken great pains to promote the species so often connected to their natural habitat in Sichuan, China.

Tahoe Ski Resorts: OPEN-Big Weekend

     Memorial Day weekend starts day after tomorrow.  Normally, visitors would be towing their boats up the hill or taking them out ofnstaorge for a big day of water skiing, wake boarding, and tubing.  But not this weekend.  With 28" of new snow in the last week, skiers will have the advantage.  Heavenly Valley in South Lake will remain open throughout the weekend.   Alpine Meadows will remain open and Squaw Valley with 5" of fresh powder overnight will be open through Monday.  Squaw will go to a Friday-Sunday schedule after Memorial Day until July 1st.  Then it will open on July 3 through the 7th, then close for the season.   It's been a banner season for Lake Tahoe resorts.  Lots of money in the till.   Lots of happy locals who remained employed through the spring, normally the 'tween time of the year.
      All West Shore folks will remember 2019 as a banner winter season.  Now, summer.

Warriors Head to 5th NBA Final in 5 Years

       Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors' defensive leader, put the team on top with a 3-point shot from the corner and drove the final nail into the coffin of the Portland Trail Blazers.  The Blazers fought hard; they led by 15 points at one time; but they could not overcome the determined efforts of a team used to fighting hard until the final buzzer.  Up by 3 games to none, some other team may have yielded the momentum to the Blazers, and taken it easy as they waited for another of 3 more opportunities.  But no, the Warriors did not slack off.  They wanted this win badly.  They wanted to close it out and take a well earned rest as Milwaukee and Toronto battle it out in the East.
       Steph Curry played the entire second half.  Bench players came and went, each contributing valuable points and valuable support.  Coach Kerr appeared relaxed as usual, but rarely took his eyes off his team.  He called for time out when he needed to bring his team together for new late game tactics as Portland struggled to gain the upper hand.  Coach Kerr called for increased defensive pressure and the effect was immediate.  The Blazers could not connect and missed basket after basket as their shooting fell apart.  No matter what they tried, the Warriors had an answer.  As the Blazers pressured the 3-point line, the Warriors drove the lane and took two points.  These added up, and the Oregonians became desperate, taking frantic shots that went for naught.
       At the end,  the Warriors were satisfied, but they knew they played an excellent team.  Portland had given battle, but it was not enough.  For them, next year will come.  For Golden State, the Finals in 9 days.

William Barr: On the Road

         William Barr, a well known political appointee in the Trump administration, has been traveling abroad of late.  Where to, Mr. Attorney General?  Why, down south, where else?  So, we see his photo strolling through a jail in San Salvador, capitol of El Salvador.   Why here, why now?  We are told that he is investigating the efforts of local law enforcement to cope with the vicious gang known as MS-13.  This gang of murderous psychopaths has been terrorizing the country and its citizens for years.  They have even established cells in the United States where they have recruited members in various Latino neighborhoods populated by migrants from El Salvador and other Central American countries.
        Mr. Barr's presents in Central America underscores the concerns of the Trump administration as it copes with tens of thousands of migrants who are arriving at the southern border of the USA daily.  The largest percentages are from Central America; many are families or unaccompanied minors, claiming and seeking asylum under various pretexts.   Seeing is believing and Mr. Barr is getting an eyeful as he views those prisoners recently arrested and held for trial.   Will his visit affect his DOJ policies?  Time will tell.   How many unaccompanied minors are susceptible to MS-13 recruiters who know how to appeal to those lost in a new country without family support?  Perhaps this visit will lay the ground work for a new direction in dealing with these most recent immigrants who have recently arrived in Texas and Arizona and presented themselves to Border Patrol agents. 

PIMCO Stung by College Admissions Scandal

       Give the chief perp of the admissions scandal credit for chutzpah: he knew a target when he saw one.  In this case, chief executives of ALLIANZ group subsidiary PIMCO of Newport Beach, California.  William "Rick" Singer was able to weasel his way into the company by offering "assistance" to executives who deemed his services of advice when applying to top tier universities who be just the thing to satisfy the parents' desires to enroll their offspring into 'appropriate' campuses around the USA.  Former CEO of PIMCO, Douglas Hodge, was charged along with dozens of other parents in the federal investigation dubbed Varsity Blues.   It has become the largest diversion at PIMCO since the departure of Bill Gross in 2014.   Mr. Hodge has pleaded not guilty and will defend his position.  Many others, including Mr. Singer have pleaded guilty as charged.  Mr. Hodge stepped down as chief executive and was replaced by Emmanuel Roman who has made efforts to cope with fallout from the ongoing investiagtion.  many current employees attest to the fact that the investigation has been a diversion for them on the job.

Deutsche Bank Stock Reaches New Low

       Well, no surprises here.  The renowned banking institution has achieved special status among its peer group:  its stock price has reached a new low: E6.65.  The annual shareholders meeting is scheduled for Thursday of this week in Frankfurt, Germany.  UBS Group AG analysts downgraded the stock to "sell" from "neutral", citing a lack of strategic options and that the investment bank "has been losing revenues in absolute and relative terms."
     Share holder advisory firms have urged investors to " punish" the bank's top executives en masse by withholding confidence votes from the two  main boards.   Bank executives have been meeting with investors recently trying to persuade them that recent changes have been made to improve performance across the board.  critics have commented that such moves have not been anything more than changes on the edges.   Furthermore, recent allegations of money laundering in Europe has tainted the entire banking sector, going back to revelations concerning Dansk Bank and one of its Estonian branches that has laundered funds from Russyan sources on a daily basis for years before a whistle blower from the UK finally got someone to listen about the activities of this tiny branch that was channeling $250 millions PER DAY through its branch. Hmmmm.  Bankers: gotta love 'em.
     Germany's biggest lender by assets, Deutsche Bank, has improves a bit: in 2018, it recorded a profit for the first time since 2014.   The investment bank section of Deutsche has not been very profitable as contributions from the section has been in steady decline for years.   Maybe it's time for a thorough housecleaning from top to bottom.   Maybe it's time to scrutinize executive pay packages: really-does an individual really "earn" E8.6 millions?

Moving to Shanghai? You Need a Certain Document

      That document is a piece of paper, actually a diploma.  To become a resident of this big Chinese city, famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and coast wise setting, you must be part of the ducated class: those Chinese who are privileged to have been given a slot at a university, a place not universally available to all citizens.  Maybe it's a demographic/population control issue.  Too many people make any city uncomfortable.  Shanghai, with its 12 millions +, might have problems if the government practiced the open door policy allowing any citizen with a will to move and live there, they'd end up like Rio De Janiero with vast shanty towns(favelas) that house hundreds of thousands of poor citizens and lack basic services such as sewer and water service.   Shanghai does not want to end up like this example.  Even Hong Kong has cleaned up the live aboard bay dwellers that have existed in the harbor for centuries.  Maybe we could learn something from this policy: limit the free movement of citizens until a given location can handle the increase in population numbers.
     Ok, you want to move to NY CIty and get a job.  Hmmmmm.  No, not enough space.  We'll put you on the waiting list.  Likewise, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fresno, Bakersfield, Reno, Las Vegas, Seattle, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and on and on.  Planners would sign on, maybe McDonalds would not.   More documents needed.
Not.

Positano: Then

kids/brothers/dog

Warriors Win Big at Oracle

      Portland Trailblazers stunned in loss after blowing a 17 point lead.  Steph  Curry stepped up big, again.  Despite his brother's good effort for Portland, it was not enough as Golden State's bench again proved they will not be denied.  Klay Thompson provided 24 alongside Curry's 37.  Draymond Green had a great game and showcased his defense prowess as he repeatedly made terrific moves and stopped runs by the 'Blazers.
      Now it 's on to Portland where they will play two games.   Warriors are a good road team-ask the Rockets.  Things are looking up for Golden State.   Isn't that nice?

Who is Du Fu?

     Chinese poet of Tang Dynasty.  Called by some 'the greatest' of all the Chinese poets.   He wanted to be a civil servant and serve the people, but that quest didn't work out too well.

Snow Go-Away: The White Stuff is Back

      Enough, already.  Winter is long gone.  We have enough water/snow to last until 2022.  Global warming?  remember?  It's too warm to snow/rain.   Liars, liars, pants on fire.  The forecast:  snow overnight until 10am.  Then a break, then:  more snow-3 more days.  I switched out my tires: put on the AT's instead of the snowflake specials that I need during the W-I-N-T-E-R.
E-N-O-U-G-H.

Book Review: Before the Deluge, The Yangtze River and Three Gorges Dam, Deirdre Chetham, 2002

      Are you interested in modern China?  Have you read a newspaper lately?  Are you alive?  Do you care about air pollution?  Do you understand geography and geopolitics?  Have you ever read a book?
Hmmmm.  These questions cover a bit of modern discussion world wide.  As the US and China square off over international trade and its universal benefits, it behooves the modern reader to take a look at some history, specifically, the history of China at the turn of the 21st century 19 years ago.
Author Chetham has been studying and visiting China for over 20 years.   She has focused almost exclusively on the Yangtze River or Chiang Ching river(Long River).   The third longest river in the world after the Nile and the Amazon of Brazil, has played a significant role in Chinese history since time began ther almost 5000 years ago.   Long regarded as the access to China's interior regions in the West, it remains to this day as the super highway for commerce from the South China Sea to the largest city in China: Chiong Qing(Chungking in Cantonese).

Looking at Mao in Tiananmen Square

      Well, if you're in the neighborhood, why not take a look?  So, the Mayor was walking through Tiananmen Square in Beijing recently, and despite its size,  the tomb of Mao is very obvious.  One must pass through security check points( a few) before entering the crypt.  Mao's remains are on view under glass, guarded by PLA soldiers and PLA security persons.   The crowd must keep moving; yellow flowers are often placed in front of the casket(avail. at a kiosk in front of the entrance.   After a glance while in motion, visitors exit the crypt on the side opposite the entrance.  No photos are allowed during the transit of the enclosed space.  No photos are allowed of security personnel.  The crowd was not the usual crush; it was a week day and the Square was not jam packed.  So Chairman Mao and his remains are a reminder of those years when he was in Beijing, dictating to the hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens who lived under his rule.  Such as it was.

Golden State Warriors Move Ahead

      Poor Houston:  can't beat the Warriors.  Even the great James harden couldn't pull a win out of  his hat for his team.   The game seesawed back and forth, then the Warriors took control late in the 3rd quarter as a sleeping giant, Steph Curry, found his shot.  In typical Curry fashion, the nemesis of the NBA, after being held scoreless in the 1st half, found the basket.  He scored all of his 33 points in the 2nd half.  How does this happen?  How do the Rockets collapse on defense against this super star?   Did they forget to guard this man?   Keep in mind, Warriors' star Kevin Durant was not on the floor or even suited up because of injury.  The Rockets didn't even have to think of this threat.  The warriors' bench?  Given up for dead-the Warriors have no bench as the pundits put it.  Now they play with only 4 regulars-not enough thought the Houstonians.
       Wrong, again.
       Let the bench fire away at the 3-point line; they'll miss 80% of the time.   Hmmmm.  Bad idea; big mistake.   As Coach Kerr rotated his bench into and out of the lineup, the effects were subtle, lulling the Rockets into a stupor as they prided themselves on holding Curry to 0 points in the first half.  "Our strategy is working, " they thought.  Did they not see the bench players working the ball inside, taking their time, finding an opening, keeping the team in the game while Curry worked on his moves to counter the thugs who pushed and shoved him all over the court in the first half?
      And so, James Harden and Company go home, defeated, again, by the Warriors.  For all of Harden's greatness, his tactics could not overcome Golden State 'Greatness'.
     Tonight, 6pm: Warriors vs. Portland.  Enjoy.

US Stock Market Takes a HIt

      The Dow Jones market figures continued to slide as investors grew even more cautious over China/US trade policy amidst ongoing talks.  No final agreements have been reached, and none appear imminent.  The stock market lost 617 points today, enough for brokers to notice.   Investors are saying "We don't like the uncertainties; we want to move on".   Will talks resume in Beijing?  Nobody knows.  What about the meeting of the G-20 Group?  Hmmm.  Will Trump meet with Xi while they attend the meeting?   Where is Dr. Kissinger when we need him most?
Stay tuned.

China Invites US Negotiators to Beijing

      Hi, we're Chinese trade negotiators and we'd like to continue to discuss issues.  Your President trump has imposed new tariffs on $200 billion of trade items which we believe will have a deleterious effect on the Chinese economy and perhaps force us to retaliate.  Our retaliation could come in the form of stealing trade secrets; hacking into US corporate data systems; instructing our sophisticated PLA cyber teams to infect Dept. of Defense servers; and perhaps upend the electrical grid and even your media servers.   Oh, you're right: we already do that.  Well, if you persist, we might continue as we have in the past.  So there.
     Mr. Mnuchin is a busy man.  Can he just board a plane and show up for dinner?  Hmmm.  What will he think about this?

Book Review- "On China", Henry Kissinger

      Elder statesman, Henry Kissinger, former national Security advisor and Secretary of State, wrote a detailed account of modern diplomatic relations with Mao's China when he, along with then President Richard Nixon, entered into discussions with Mao and his Premier, Zhou En Lai. 1972 was the year Nixon went to China to reset the relationship with "Communist" China, as opposed to the Nationalist government(Koumitang Party) of Chiang Kai-Shek now set up on the island of Taiwan, aka Formosa.  The US only recognized the Nationalist government as the legitimate representative of China.  This could hardly be the political center of China, and Nixon was no fool.
      After his victory in 1968 when he bested Hubert H. Humphrey, Nixon set out to make his mark in foreign policy.  Enter Henry Kissinger, now a respected actor on foreign policy and an acknowledged expert in international relations.  However, the immediate foreign policy problem was the continuing war in Vietnam, underway for over 5 years with casualties mounting everyday.   Against this backdrop, Nixon wanted to engage Mao and Zhou.  By the late 60's, the Chinese Cultural Revolution was in full flower, and its disastrous results were felt around the globe as China withdrew into herself to follow Mao's 'Little Redbook' and its precepts for modern living under a Communist State.  The Russian Bear to the north also caused much anxiety in Beijing, and Mao's solution was to accept Nixon's offer as the third leg of the power stool of late-20 century power separation.  Mao knew he was the weakest of the 3, but could bluff his way to the table by insisting that he was as powerful because he had the most people.
      Kissinger gives the reader a concise history of the fall of the dynasties that ruled China for several millennia.  In 1912, the modern revolution became the changing face of the people.  When the Russian revolution occurred, it spread to Mao and others who would then roll up the countryside and adopt a new governing method as invoked in Moscow as the Czar and his family were purged by the Bolsheviks.  The Chinese struggled for democracy, but after the end of WW I, the concept as professed by Americans did not find a home in East Asia.  Chiang Kai-Shek and Mao fought for control  of the country, and before it could be settled, Japan attacked the country and laid claim to northeast China- Manchuria.  The new common foe united the two warring parties, and along with help from the USA, the Japanese were defeated and sent home.  Then hostilities were renewed between the factions.
      We understand how it ended: Taiwan occupied by Chiang, Mao in Beijing, and the US a bit player for the next 35 years.  Then Nixon was forced to resign in August, 1974 as a result of the Watergate Scandal.  Then Mao died in 1976, to be succeeded by Deng Xiaping(with help from Zhou).  Power struggles continued, and Dr. Kissinger relates the history of the infighting among Mao's successors up Xi Jing Ping.  His story is compelling reading as he sheds light on the facts that often elude journalists who are forced to listen to secong hand reports.  Dr. Kissinger sat in on all the negotiations.   In light of current trade issues with the US, China must be understood within its own modern politics, warts and all.

Sen. Blumenthal Calls For Breakup of Facebook

      Now the sentiment has a face and a name:  Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator.  He called today for a breakup of the internet behemoth, Facebook, the company that has started it all , calling it a destructive monopoly, harmful to the business world and the economy.   Hmmmm.  Interesting, isn't it?

Chinese Deal :Trade Talks Suffer

      How are things going with US/China Trade talks?  As expected:  Chinese prove themselves Chinese: we've changed our minds about what we agreed to last week.  Let's start over.   Hmmmm.  No doubt Beijing like to talk without much action or any improvement in the situation.  Ho-hum.  Nothing new here.  This is the tiresome policy of the Middle Kingdom and they cannot break with history: too scary to deviate from the past.   Mr.  Xi does not want to shake up his Communist support base.  Heaven forbid.   It's an old Chinese axiom: when in doubt, invoke Heaven.   They even have a Temple of Heaven in Beijing: nice looking building-well designed, well situated, and praised by visitors as suitably Chinese.

Mr. Putin and Venezuela

     Well, Mr. Maduro in Venezuela is still holding on to a thread of his powers.   His military continues to prop up his illegitimate regime as the citizens flee starvation, inflation, stagnation,  and intimidation.   People have had enough of Chavismo by Maduro's henchmen in the secret police and the military.  Those remnants of Hugo Chavez cling to power as if the life ring of the failed government is their only hope.   Apparently, Mr. Putin is seen as that life ring.  He's providing foreign resources to enable Mr. Maduro to continue his unholy reign as the successor to the socialist nut case, H. Chavez.
     Mr. Putin's government of Russya has provided significant arms to Venezuela in the form of individual weapons, fighter bombers, and modern electronic surveillance tools, all in use to suppress opposition forces.   Currently, the main effort of the citizenry is to somehow survive the inhumane conditions wrought by the thugs in Caracas.  With inflation completely out of control, locals cannot plan beyond their next meal.  Electricity is now almost unavailable on any regular basis.   Hospitals cannot continue to operate because they cannot provide proper medical interventions necessary to maintain the health of the citizenry.   But Mr. Putin wants his foot in the door of the Americas and this situation is seen by him to provide an opening.  Can you imagine?  This irrelevant suspect European nation, run by a dictator who believes that his geopolitical policy lends credence to his government,  actually improves anything in Latin America.   Nations surrounding Venezuela offer evidence of what is actually happening:  refugees are streaming across the borders seeking help in the form of food, shelter, and medicines.  The Venezuelan government operatives are driving these desperate people to abandon their homes, and to surrender all their assets to a government bent on holding power at all costs, no matter what.   And somehow, Mr. Putin thinks this is a good thing.  But Mr. Putin is not an unfamiliar figure on the world stage.  He and his operatives have been placing their hands around the world into various situations such as in Crimea, the Donetsk Basin of Ukraine, and in the Middle East(Syria).  These moves underscore the weakness of his regime in the Steppes region of Europe.  His shrinking population appears to be losing control of the vast Russya landscape where his Chinese neighbor seems to be nudging the border with ever more pressure(see Amur River basin).  It won't be long before crisis conditions force Vova to look directly South instead of abroad where he has no trouble but that of his own making.

I love all pussy cats

Book Review: Red Card: The F.I.F.A. Scandal

       Football, Futbal, Soccer.  Loved around the world.  Players are rewarded with fabulous salaries; they are revered by millions for their abilities; home town fans are indeed "fanatics".  The 'beautiful game' as it is known among its many followers is run/organized by an international body that is headquartered in Switzerland- in Zurich.  The governing board is ruled by a director who is elected by members from national boards who sit together when votes are cast on established time tables.  One of the key decisions of the director and the executive board is to select the site of the World Cup competition held every four years.  The Cup has been held regularly for almost 100 years, with several interruptions, usually for armed conflicts.  Seems straight forward, other sports have championships, some annually.  The Olympics are held every four years also, often with competing countries looking to host the games which often is used as a show case for the host nation's attributes.
As one might expect, national committees work hard to curry favor with the F.I.F.A. delegates/voting members.    Hmmmmm.  Might this be an opportunity for behind-the-scenes negotiations?   Might there be individuals who might be subject to offers of graft?  Possibly.   There have been persistent rumors over the years that bribes were sought and bribes paid by certain individuals to decision makers and voting delegates.  And now, here's the story of the whole sordid mess and the fall out of the final word.

New Neighbors on West Shore Raise Eyebrows

       Now who would raise eyebrows on the West Shore?  Gavin Newsom?  Hardly.  Lindsey Lohan? Come on.   Nancy Pelosi?  Melania?  Robert Mueller?  Maybe.  Jeff Sessions?  Who?  Secret Agent Steel?  Too secret.  Mark Benioff?  Possible.  How about Jeff Bezos?  No, too much personal baggage right now.  Who's left?   Why Mark Zuckerberg, of course.  So local realtors are all a buzz about his recent purchase in the vicinity of Sunnyside.   We in Tahoma consider Sunnyside the other side of the moon.  Hardly. really West Shore.  More Tahoe City, North Shore, really.  What does the manse look like?

Free Solo: Documentary Film by National Geographic

    It's all about heights-the fear of; and the fear of falling, and dying.   Hmmm.  Not many of us aspire to be rock climbers, and least of all: free climbers.   Free climbers are those special folks who despite the obvious "short falls",  do not use ropes to aid their efforts.   Hmmmm.  What type of people are these folks?   Different we say.  Very different.
      So, Alex Honnold, a free climber and a rope climber, too, decides that he will do what nobody else has done:  he aspired to free climb "El Cap"-that granite face that dominates Yosemite valley in California's Sierra Nevada.  The Yosemite Valley is world famous, known for its spectacular geology and visual feasts in every direction.   Carved by glacial action in a long ago era,  we Californians have been able to admire the views ever since cameras captured the views over 150 years ago.   Ansel Adams even set up a shop there to exploit the the never ending changes in light that cascades across the granite cliffs that hang thousands of feet above the valley floor.  The challenges have captivated climbers for many, many years.   Early efforts were primitive, and those early efforts took many weeks to complete a single pitch(pathway). 
         When the National Park took over, it soon found itself as the regulator of climbing efforts less there be collisions, excessive damage by bolts and screws driven into the hard faces of the cliffs.  As the sport expanded, so did the interest of those who would climb these granite walls, often for 2-3000' vertical feet.  Now what looks flat to the unaided eye from below, is actually a wall riven with cracks, fissures, clefts, shelves, and chimneys.   All of which can be used or avoided by climbers in their efforts.   And once Mr. Honnold made it known that he would attempt a free solo effort,  climbing veterans and experts were brought in for sage advice.  Also, cameramen/women.
       Mr. Honnold began his preparations a few years ago.  He even went to Morocco to work on some rock faces in that country.  The camera crew was there to record his training efforts.  He used ropes during this training cycle: he was practicing certain movements that would be helpful in Yosemite Valley, such as traversing to a different pitch while ascending an overall face, such as El Capitan-The Captain.   The camera crew consisted of experienced climbers who also knew how to shoot film/digital movies.   Essentially, the cameramen would have to be positioned along the route so as to capture the best shots from an angle above, below, and on the same level as climber Honnold.  They would use ropes for their part.
       As preparations were completed, a time was thought through: consider the sun during the climb-maybe starting before dawn was the right time, so as not to get too hot.  Maybe an afternoon slot would be Ok, despite shadows here and there.  After all his pre-climb training and practice, Honnold was now ready.  He false started a couple of times and decided it wasn't right yet.  And then, he found the right day, the right time, and signaled his commitment: he was starting, and it could take 4 -plus hours, if all went well.
     And it did: he completed the climb under 4 hours, in time for lunch.   All observers who were present stood in awe of his achievement: a world class athlete who owned a singular record: the only man to free solo El Capitan.   All on film; winning an Oscar for Best Documentary.