Gold in Venezuela

       It has become public that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, the tyrant who replaced Hugo Chavez, and continued his oppression of the country, has been financing his efforts by selling the country's gold reserves.  This information came to light when it was revealed that shipments were being airlifted to Africa for processing and ultimate sale on the world market.  These shipments came in the form of gold bars marked with the stamps of the Venezuelan government.  Some of the bars were defaced in an attempt to conceal the bar's origins.
      There's a refinery in central Africa that can assay the material, verify its content, and mark it as such for international sale.  An investigation into amounts processed indicate Maduro has liquidated over $200 millions of the country's wealth, and has used the proceeds to fund his military support by paying them directly with the proceeds, but not in essentially worthless 'New' bolivars.  So the tangled web of his quasi-government teeters on the brink of total collapse, only sustained by depletion of reserves that could be used to rescue the economy of the once wealthy nation.  Maduro, supported in large part by Cuba, has seen his Russyan friends begin their exit from the country where about 1000 Russyans were on board to support the regime; but now, in the absence of any economic payments for the support troops, they are being recalled.
       Will this hasten the removal of Maduro?  As long as his military continues to give him protection, he will remain in power.  The missing link is the moral fiber of military leaders: they have none.  The Western hemisphere awaits a new government, and continues to observe the human rights violations that occur daily.  

platoon

Amanda Knox Revisits Italy

      After avoiding the country of her incarceration, Amanda Knox returned to Italy to attend a conference and to speak out against the media that spread lies and innuendo surrounding her arrest and conviction for murder and her eventual exoneration.  The local paparazzi could not stay away as she landed at Linate airport on her way to Modena.  The 31-year old walked with  confidence as she was followed by the very same throngs that attended her every move from the time of her arrest to her imprisonment as a 20-year old college student attending university in Perugia.
        While many Americans might question the wisdom of returning to the source of so much personal grief in her life, others suggest this removes a constant burden that has hung over her life ever since.  Using the conference as platform, she pointed the finger of abuse at the nation's media.  I would suggest that her focus be elsewhere, namely, the country's archaic judicial system and its prosecutors of same.  The name most relevant to this charge remains Giuliano Mignini, the corrupt prosecutor responsible not only for the outrageous descriptions of the crime, but for the leaking of inaccurate details that fed a voracious appetite among reporters hungry for lurid details that add to their salacious stories.
       While Mr. Magnini's recent history is not well known, his despicable reputation continues to live on.  This small, small man, desirous of a larger career and reputation, easily made it known in Firenze that he would not stop at lies and falsehoods to stir up the populous and to make him seem as the legal beagle he isn't.   The career of this hapless little man has taken many turns, most of which would cause observers to take a moment to assess his abilities and motives.  After being indicted in Firenze for professional misconduct, this phony advocate was allowed to preside over a case which he saw as a pathway to a new, cleaner reputation.   But, alas, all it did was to sully an already tarnished legal
reputation.   Ms. Knox, displaying a streak of humanity and character missing from Mr. Mignini, mentioned that she would be available to meet him again face-to-face, to demonstrate her strength and resolve to continue a life interrupted by 4 years in jail for a crime she did not commit.
      As an adjunct to her plight, the entire judicial system of Italy has been exposed to the world as a system in desperate need of change and complete overhaul.   The pathetic economy of Italy, one of the worst in the EU, shows little signs of improving anytime soon.  Many economists focus on labor laws; others on banking; still others on corruption and union power.  In reality, the problem is much deeper, much more ingrained.  It is the country's legal system.  In a nutshell: the problem is the Rule of Law.  How can an economy function without the rule of law?  The simple answer is: it cannot.  Businesses need a foundation of law, a system that is not only encoded by agreement and statute, but also by implementation.  In other words, a plaintiff must have a belief that the courts will offer redress to pleadings   " in a timely manner", not in the present system that cannot reach a decision on anything in a timely manner.  The current system rewards only lawyers and their support staff.  The system is a disgrace.  Without change, Italy will continue its role as the main drag on the EU and the citizens of the once proud nation.
      Thank you, Amanda, for your efforts.  

Report From China Mainland

      Our Minister of Asian Affairs informed the Mayor's Office of Asian Affairs that there was another media service interruption this morning.  While watching a morning news program, a news person mentioned "Tiananmen Square Incident".  The monitor immediately went dark without any announcement or message display.   While blackouts are common, a blackout without an explanation is rare.   This occasion left viewers questioning their service provider who offered nothing more than "technical difficulties".   So, there you have it:  Beijing does not want anyone to know any more of whatr happened on June 4, 1989 in Tiananmen square.  Why start now while young Chinese residents of Hong Kong are in open revolt against Beijing policy of extradition.
     People are watching and waiting, and asking questions: will it turn violent?  Will officials relent and back down?  It seems that Beijing is drawing a line in the sand.  Young people are beginning to suspect that Beijing is testing them:  will they accede to more centralized control in 20 years as agreed to in 1997?  The world is watching and waiting while China deals with a changing American position on trade and tariffs.  My, my.  Pres. Xi has his problems.

Do Not Spend in Hong Kong

      Well, Hong Kong is in a bit of turmoil.   Critics of government leader are asking that she resign immediately.   Hmmmmm.  When there are about 7 million citizens in a place and 1+million take to the streets in protest, there's a problem that locals want fixed.  How to fix it?  

Won't Spend in Hong Kong

Won't Spend in Hong Kong

Won't Spend in Hong Kong

Hong Kong at Night

Hong Kong street trolley at night

View From Victoria Peak

Repulse Bay view

        The city of Hong Kong has changed much over the last 20 years.  From British colony to modern Chinese financial and trade center, catering to the globe.  The Mayor of Tahoma visited twice in 1991 and '92 for business.  He returned just recently to see what has happened in the intervening years.  To start, a new airport has been built and put into operation.  This grand temple of modern transport is appended to the city on an area of landfill.  It is accessible quite easily and functions as per design to facilitate all the passengers who travel internationally(including from the mainland).  From Chengdu, it is an international flight, requiring passports and id cards for all Chinese passengers.  Interesting.
      Another sight that catches the eye are the high rise apartment/condo buildings all over the place: on the island and on the Kowloon side.  Now tunnels connect the two for faster movement.  The Star Ferry is stillin operation, but mostly for the quick trip for shopping in the center.
The shoreline is now dotted with office high rises, sprinkled among some older British buildings waiting their turn.  These great architectural giants are truly hallmarks of the 21st century and its business.  But today: protests of a different kind-political protests by the local citizens against an apparent Beijing move to stifle dissent in whatever form it happens to be.  No surprise here.  Beijing can't stand the thought of some of its citizens thinking outside the lines of Communist thinking.  What did they learn at Tiananmen Square 30 years ago?  Not much.  This time the world might not stand back and await developments as before.  We can't afford to stand back, can we?

Book Review: The Aviators: Eddie Rickenbacher, James Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the Epic Age of Flight

         Author Winston Groom focuses on a well known trio of American aviator heroes who somehow managed to survive an incredible number of near disasters, crashes, wars, and relentless media attention.   All three were recipients of the Medal of Honor; all three were accorded the status given only to classic heroes for their accomplishments.   Author Groom, a novelist as well as an historian, weaves his accounts together as he chronicles the events of each pilot as they advance the young science of aviation through its difficult, formative years: the teens and twenties and thirties of the 20th century.
        Eddie Rickenbacker is the first and oldest.   He is well known for his WW I exploits as a fighter pilot against German airmen over the battlefields of France and Belgium.  Jimmy Doolittle is remembered for his epic flight over Tokyo in 1942 when he led US bombers from an aircraft carrier to Japan to make the first strike against the homeland city.   Charles Lindbergh, of course, remembered for his record-braking flight across the Atlantic Ocean, alone, without any significant navigational aids other than a compass, landing in Paris over 31 hours later.
       Author Groom has done his homework, flushing out the characters of each; filling in the blanks of long careers in aviation.   These heroes were not single event heroes, but men who continually exceeded all limitations of performance in many areas, including aircraft design, mechanics, navigation, experimentation, training, and the propagation of new advances across the field of aeronautics.  That they lived long lives testifies to their own prowess as pilots, leaders, and thinkers of all things aviation.  He describes Charles Lindberghs travails as a media darling who turned against the same relentless people who created his heroic status.   He endured the kidnapping and murder of his first son; and he endured the rigors of over 50 combat missions in the South Pacific in WW II.
Jimmy Doolittle is given credit for his his ability to organize and complete a one-of-a-kind raid against all odds four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.  Somehow, he was able to survive that ordeal and perform again in Europe against Nazi air forces over France and Germany.  Trained as an engineer, Doolittle was able to incorporate many technical advances directly into the  cockpits of aircraft during production.
        This book is an essential compendium of the development of modern aviation in the 20's and 30's.   For those with an interest in the era, this is the book.

Visit to Hong Kong: Really

       Well, now.  More protests on the streets of the great East Asian metropolis.  Protests against Beijing's intrusion into local government in the form of extradition laws that would undermine the City's "freedoms" as they currently exist.  Hundreds of thousands of protesters were confronted by armed police who used tear gas and rubber bullets to halt the movement of the crowd.   Hmmmmm.
Fresh on the heels of the 30th Anniversary of the Tiananment Square incident of June 4, 1989, Beijing Communists have no desire to replicate those events in any way, shape or form.  Too messy; too public; too, too , much.  Since reversion to China in 1997, Hong Kong has been able to coexist with Beijing on its own terms, based on the signed agreement with the UK.  Now it seems, Beijing is getting nervous about what 'could' happen in another 25 years:  a rejection by Hong Kong citizens of the terms of the agreement that was between the UK and Beijing without much local participation at all.  It could get messy.  Communists don't like messy, unless it's their mess on their terms.
        So, the streets of Hong Kong are choked with locals today, locals who recognize the heavy hand of Communists and their agents.  They are educated enough to know that Communism, by definition, means government without freedom; without hope; without human rights.  It truly is the worst form of dictatorship ever foisted on a population.  We expect the protests to continue, unabated.  The history of Tiananmen Square aftermath reverberates to this day.  Having recently walked across the pavement of the Square, it doesn't take much to absorb the scene as soldiers mill about, eyeballing the movements of all who walk through the notorious zone.

3 Gorges Project-April, 2019

Bill DeBlasio: Presidential Candidate 2020

       Well, now, isn't this interesting: acting Mayor of NYC announces as candidate for President of these United States.  He does have more experience than the sitting president-that's a plus.  But, he enters a field already crowded with 22 other Democrats hoping to unseat the Republican holding the office at least until January, 2021.   How does he look in this lineup?  Not sooooooo good.
        He bounces around New York City like a pingpong ball, tapping random surfaces only to ricochet to another nearby target.   His current ratings among New Yorkers is less than grand.  His support base seems to have melted away in the late Springtime warmup to Summer.
       He had hoped for a few key endorsements, from whom, nobody knows.  A small town in South Carolina did confess support.  Labor organizations?  Sorry, Bill.  Not happening.  Joe Biden has jumped into the race and has already become the front runner.   The press/media can't relate to your actions or your motive(s), whatever they could be.  My, my, how the tide has turned.  Perhaps you'll think about dropping out of the race, thereby giving yourself some hard won recognition as the FIRST to go.  (Please, don't wait until some primary vote casts you out ).
        New York-so much to offer, so little to give.  Bill: Go Home. 

75th Anniversary of D-Day: Normandy

      Leaders from around the world gathered among a few survivors overlooking the beaches of Normandy, France where Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen converged to take part in the largest amphibious landing in history against the Nazi's Atlantic Wall.  The weather was terrible on that day, 75 years ago, and most of those who landed were seasick after being launched toward the shore from the landing ships.   They were greeted by a most inhospitable population of 3rd Reich soldiers who were quite surprised by this intrusion, brought ashore with the aid of over 5,000 ships and watercraft.
Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech which told of the significance of the efforts of all involved and the role played in saving democracy for the future generations that have enjoyed its freedoms ever since.
President Trump added some words.
       A few American veterans participated; one actually making a parachute jump to mark the event.  These few are in their late 90's and will be lucky to see another event like today.

Putin and Xi JP

       Mr. Xi visits Moscova this week to ink some trade deals to foster more binding relationships with Mr. Putin's retro Russya.  The deals focus on some existing partnerships, and also points to Russya's wish to have a 5G communication system in the near future which will involve China's Huawei Telecom giant under pressure currently by Mr. Trump and the US Dept. Of Homeland Security.  It's nice to see the next door neighbors conversing over trade, especially as Russya's economy continues to stagnate and China's moves towards recession.  While Mr. Putin has maintained his grip on the political agenda at home, Mr. Xi has personally grabbed all the power he needs to push the Communist Party agenda onto China.   The 1.4 billion Chinese citizens will remain under the thumb of the Party for sometime to come, despite the resurgent memories of June 4, 1989 which were commemorated this week around the world.

Matthew Turner: Haul Out Complete

     Well, after 2 years in the waters of San Francisco Bay, dockside at the Army Corps of Engineers' pier in Sausalito, California,  the ship, MATTHEW TURNER, was hauled ashore for a bottom inspection by the US Coast Guard prior to certification.  She was hauled at the Bayside Marine yard and work was accomplished in time to meet the June 8 gala celebration date.  She was slid back into the high tide at approx. 11:30pm Monday night.  A walk around the hull showed her to be in fine shape with few blemishes to her exterior below the waterline.  Shakedown cruises will begin shortly to test systems and to train crew members.  She will afford a beautiful addition to the marine views all around the San Francisco Bay to the delight of all the lubbers who come to enjoy the Bay Area from all over the known world.

on ways

Stern/rudder and twin bronze props exposed

bow on shot

Director Alan Olson changing zincs

Port quarter

Hong Kong Serves Up a Special Dish For Beijing

      Well now, members of the Communist Party in Beijing got an eyeful yesterday as thousands gathered in Hong Kong to pay homage to the dead, victims of the massacre in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.   The candlelight vigil was orderly and appropriately solemn.  The mostly young crowd gathered late in the evening to send a message to Beijing:  We Remember the Victims of PLA Murderers from that event.  Yes, you can rewrite history to reflect your lies and your cover up; but enough witnesses have survived to put the truth against your lies.  In your face, Mr. Xi.

 

Woman Dies at Eagle Falls

     A Lake Tahoe visitor died over the past weekend when she slipped on the edge of Eagle Falls.  Witnesses say she stepped back to capture a better site line for a photo, slipped on the wet surface and plunged over the falls to her death.  It is a sad commentary on the need for greater care when visiting the beautiful landscapes we take for granted in the basin.  Lake Tahoe is surrounded by natural beauty; the most attractive locations offer opportunities found nowhere else in California.   Eagle Falls is well known and is high on the list of tourist stops when driving around the lake.  Emerald Bay is at the foot of the falls and folks most often combine a hike to the shores of Emerald Bay with a stop at Eagle Falls because it is readily accessible along Highway 89.
     Erecting more barriers, signs, guards and caution notices would detract from the natural beauty.  Reasonable people are aware of the obvious hazards associated with the site and take precautions.  However, it's difficult to rein in those aggressive care-free types who want the "best " picture possible.  Hmmmmm.  There's another lesson here:  be prudent, be safe, be smart, be careful.

President Xi Meet Senator Marco Rubio

        Pres. Xi is still digesting the worldwide events of yesterday that commemorated the events of June 4, 1989 when the PLA murdered thousands of Chinese protesters in Beijing under orders from Communist Party leaders feeling threatened on their thrones.   Now he has another unpalatable morsel to digest, and this could be even more distasteful for it involves finance and money.   US Senator Rubio is a Republican and hails from the State of Florida.  A former candidate for the presidency, he now represents his home state.  He announced yesterday a new bill that will cause a stir among Chinese company executives whose businesses are listed on American stock exchanges.  There are over 100 of these companies,  11 of which are state-owned enterprises.  It seems that domestic companies here at home must adhere to certain accounting rules and disclosure rules that make their dealings transparent so investors have confidence that the business plays by the rules and follows accuracy in reporting results.  Currently, the Chinese companies play by their "OWN" rules.  When a Chinese owned company is asked for data, those requesting the information are confronted with Chinese domestic rules and regulations that diverge greatly from US rules.  One rule in China requires all data to be kept at home.  If a request is made, the requestor must go to China and find the answer, which is most often impossible, despite Beijing's offering of full disclosure.
      Mr. Rubio says it's time for Beijing to play by the rules; if not, in 3 years' time, the company(s) will be de-listed from the stock exchange involved.   Well, it's about time somebody in Washington made this move.  Why did it take so long?   China joined the WTO almost 20 years ago.  Enough is enough.   No more Mr. NICE GUY.  Play ball or go home.   Oh, and if you restrict tourism and students moving to America to study: YOU LOSE, not us.
      Well, Mr. Xi J P, enjoy your morning: coffee, tea, Pepto Bismal, yak butter tea, or whatever beverage you take with your noodle stir fry.

We need information now

Waiting for Disclosure statements

Not Beijing

we're in the global boat together Xi

Queen Elizabeth Hosts POTUS

      Must have been a long day in London town.  The Trump Family entourage descended on the city to meet with the Prime Minister, Theresa may before she steps down in a couple of days.  After 3 years of attempted brexit efforts, she decided that enough is enough.  She tried her best and failed.  She'll leave the next phase to her successor(s) whoever that may be.  POTUS called her efforts excellent.  He actually supports  BREXIT and he said so, among other statements, some a little weird.
So, poor Queen, she endured, but she had her son there for moral support.  Not easy being a Queen in the UK these days.

NY Times Journalist: 30 Years After June 4, 1989

       In addition to renowned historian, Orville Schell, another renowned author happened to be in Beijing on June 4, 1989.  None other than Nicholas Kristoff.  He was the Times Bureau chief in Beijing at the the time.  He was aware of the protests that had been going on for several weeks.  He was also aware of the Communist party leaders and their discomfort with the most massive protests in China in 40 years.  The opinion of the leaders was that it would not last.  As time went on, they realized this was not going to end anytime soon, unless they took action.  They did, and it ended shortly thereafter.  Mr. Kristoff was an eye witness to the carnage.  He climbed a pole to get a better view as PLA troops, backed by armored tanks filed into the Square.  Infantry troops gathered about the tanks and began firing their weapons into the crowd, often at point blank range.  People began to drop as the firing increased in tempo.  Then the crowds began to run in all directions to escape possible death or injury.  In a short time, overnight, the protests were broken, people were arrested, people were hospitalized or left to their own aid methods.   But the Party leadership acted to preserve one party rule.  And thank you, Mr. Kristoff for telling your story.  Yes, we know the New York Times is banned in China.  Yes, we know that you have been denied a visa as so many journalists have also been denied.  And we know that access to the NY Times website  is blocked by the government(PLA Military cyber center).  We also know that the Party is rewriting the history of that time; putting in alternative "facts", creating an alternative historical universe that younger generations have comed to know as history(history by Party).
       Things are changing in China as we see.  And the country is preparing for the Olympic Games in 2022.   Hmmmm.  How is that going to fly?  Maybe trade deals will hinge on the Olympic Games: accept a deal or face a boycott or cancellation of the games in China.  Hmmmm.  Sounds interesting.

June 4th anniversary: 30 years Later

      Orville Schell is the Arthur Ross Director of the center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society and the co-author with John Delury, of  "Wealth and Power:China's Long march to the Twenty-First Century."    So, it is not surprising that he was in China in 1989.  But it is at least a little surprising that he was a witness to the events of June 4th, 1989, that occurred in and around Tiananmen Square, the showplace of the Chinese Communist Party and the site of the mausoleum of the founder of the communist party in China, Mao Zedong.  Foe the last 30 years, Mr. Schell has lectured, written, and advised leaders on China and things Chinese.  He is a most sought after expert on Chinese history, culture, and politics.  He holds a PhD from the Univ. of California, Berkeley.  He has written 14 books, countless articles in various publications, and serves on the Council on Foreign Relations. He is a regular at the World Economic Forum.  He has traveled to China regularly since 1974.  Tiananmen Square: of course he's there.
         How many Americans have walked the pavement of Tiananmen Square?  3,000? 10,000?  It seems that no matter the actual total, it's very few.  As I walked across the pavement, I was impressed with the actual dimensions of the place:  seems about 1/4 mile wide by about 1/2 mile long, anchored by Mao's tomb on one end and the Heavenly Gate on the other.  Nowadays, the Square is often visited by Chinese citizens to pay homage to the old revolutionary Mao.  One can buy a bouquet of yellow flowers to place next to his glass enclosed sarcophagus, as guards observe all who move through the enclosed space to the exit door opposite the entrance.  Wired plainclothes security guards are perched at key positions watching for the least untoward action by visitors.  For Chinese citizens, I'm sure their effort is based on curiosity as much as reverence.  Judging by the size of the stack of floral gifts, there are a few Chinese still in awe.
        Outside, positioned strategically about, PLA(army) personnel are seen standing on elevated platforms observing all.  These uniformed individuals almost seem like actors on a stage involved in a modern dramatic play as the citizenry performs in the Square itself.  For 30 years, the Communist Party has made the effort to prevent a repeat of June 4,1989.  Once was enough; anymore could be hazardous to the future of one party rule.
       So, Orville Schell can put the experience into his repertoire of Chinese experience on which he can draw as needed as he advises and educates on modern China.  How fortunate we, as Americans, have such a distinguished fellow in our midst who can speak with authority on our Chinese friends.  Has he been called to the Trump White H

number on shirt is date:June 4, 1989

ouse?  What do you think?

Tiananmen Square Incident of June 4, 1989

A Joyous Moment Soon to End

     Well, Beijing, now what?  It appears that some Western news outlets won't suppress stories surrounding the mass murder committed by Chinese leaders and the Chinese Army puppets and the police thugs who unleashed the mad dogs(armed) against an unarmed bunch of young C-H-I-N-E-S-E student protesters who gathered in protest of corruption by Chinese Communist leaders running the corrupt government of the country.   Of course, the New York Times in Number one on the suppressed outlets.  Beijing hates the NY Times.  Because the Times prints stories that paint the Communists with the truth brush.  Communists hate the "TRUTH BRUSH".   It makes the leaders look in the mirror and see the obvious:  we're really Communists who hate freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and just about every other freedom known to man.
     The 30th anniversary of the "Incident" has stirred renewed energy into the suppression by Beijing of events that occurred on June 4, 1898.  All details have been kept under lock and key.  Any mention by any Chinese citizen leads to incarceration, immediately.  But, alas, some of the stories are leaking out.  Some published memoirs are leaking out to the world.  The truth is being spread around like dust on the wind.  World: Chinese government kills its own citizens in pursuit of Communist ideology.  Hmmmm.   Is this a new revelation?  No, we've had that story.  The Western media put the news out back then to a horrified world.   But at home?  No, the story didn't get out.  And now there's a whole generation of 30 year olds who might be hearing/reading the story for the first time.
     Welcome to "OUR" world.

Warriors: Game 2

      Tonight's game in the NBA Finals tournament will be telling:  it is Game 2, with Toronto holding a 1-0 lead.  Yes, it is early.  Yes, Golden State is always dangerous.  Yes, KD might be ready to come off the bench and disrupt the Raptor's offense/defense.  But Game 1 blew away any thoughts of a sweep/walkover by the Warriors.  The pundits were hoping/demanding/ begging for: controversy, arguments, anything provocative that may offer some fodder for their story lines.
      So, tonight 's contest should be that game.  If, and it's a big "IF", the Warriors succumb to the Raptor's 3-point shooters, then, the pundits will have reams of story lines to pick from.  (1) the failure of(and of the obvious)----(2) Toronto's new coaching "genius"; (3)the emerging dominance of a first time-finals opponent; the demise of the NBA; why LeBron won't play for either team; the breakup of the Warriors; the end of the Warrior era; the new Warrior-move anxiety syndrome; Steph Curry's mental health;  Steve Kerr's mental health; Draymond Greene's anger;  Draymond's personality disorder; the Canadian effect; the long Canadian winter effect; the value of the Canadian dollar; Trump's threat of tariff's on Mexican goods; Chinese Army hacking of Warrior locker room banter; AOC's return to bartending; Joe Biden effect; Global warming; Climate change and the effect on a basketball during the first half of the contest; and many more.
6pm PDT- watch, if you dare.