Book Review: "The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust in California", by Mark Arax

       Well folks, let's look again at California: a one-party state run by Democrats bent on making this place a 3rd world country come hell or no water(drought).  Now that the OLD JESUIT, Jerry Brown, of the infamous Brown Family, has retired with his long-suffering wife Ann Gust, to the Sacramento Valley fringe near Willows,  his successor,  San Francisco's former mayor Gavin Newsom, has the reins.   Where this teamster driver is likely to lead the State is anybody's guess.  Early indications are such that nobody is privy to Mr. Newsom's vision(other than the White House w/i 5 years).
       Author Mark Arax, a valley native born into a family of Armenian immigrants, has written an amazing study of the San Joaquin Valley:  it's history, its context in the larger realm of California, its land, and its water.  Like Mr. Arax, the Mayor is a California native son.  That fact does not contain much cachet anymore excepting among certain archeological students.  Over many years, osmosis of history and current conditions affords us natives with a perspective often absent among recent immigrants.  The Mayor's ancestors on both sides were immigrants, a few arriving just after the Civil War, some at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.  Some arrived by ship, some by train, and a few by unknown means(horseback or on foot?)   They were not farmers, and avoided the fertile fields of the Central Valley, settling in cities where opportunities presented in abundance.
     Mr. Arax' focus turns on water:  where it is and where it was; who owns it now; how the State of California seized some of it;  how the federal government seized some more of it; and how a few individual land owners got most of it in the end.  It's a fascinating story.  Mark Arax studied the issues for over 9 years, traveling the landscapes of his youth, crisscrossing the almost-flat valley floor looking for linkages among the many participants in the quest for more of the precious commodity most city dwellers take for granted.   Since much of that commodity is controlled by a few individuals, he made the effort necessary to interview these important players to include their views and opinions about the agricultural interests that dominate so much of the San Joaquin Valley today.  He was not on a vindictive mission to expose these men and women, but to write a fact-based compilation of what he saw through the eyes of a very experienced journalist.  He wrote for many years for the Los Angeles Times newspaper, covering California.   His book is timely, given that former Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a legal right of the counties to take control of groundwater found within their respective boundaries.  The counties were given 20 years to make the local rules that most certainly will affect ag interests wherever they are codified and imposed on all landowners,, big and small.  This same effort came to naught over 20 years ago, but legislators in Sacramento backed down as those well owners came out of the proverbial woodwork to protest any attempt to remove an accepted right.  Now it's different.  Many current owners will pass away before this happens, reducing a tradition of protest against a taking.   The progeny of these owners no doubt have left the dirt and dust to settle in some faraway city known as a Tech Hub.  Corporations will no doubt be the opponents of rules that will continue the decline of small owners and small people without the clout of investment banks and Wall Street types who have been very successful in usurping the rights of landowners to stay on their land to live close to the dirt they grew up on.
        Mr. Arax does a fine job in portraying the current masters of the land: the owners of the almond orchards; the owners of pistachio orchards; the owners of tangerine groves; and the owners of vast water rights to state, federal, and groundwater sources to irrigate their vast plantings.  We are educated on plant genetics; agronomy; biology, and other factors included in the hierarchy of modern farming.  The University of California at Davis receives considerable attention for its role as the academic basis for much of the changes wrought by the farmers.  The ag worker and his and her plight is accorded appropriate space to expose the ongoing conditions that remain a challenge for all involved parties.  That chapter is not a pretty picture even today. 
       I recommend this book as one of the best regional efforts on California in many years: a story told by a veteran reporter who knows his subject intimately, warts and all.
5 Stars
*****

75th Anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima

     Last Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of a major battle of World War II: the Battle of Iwo Jima.  Iwo Jima, or Sulphur Island as known to the Japanese, was a tiny piece of lava rock marked by a cone-shaped mountain along its southern shoreline that stood about 540 feet high.  The rest of the island, ringed by sandy, rocky, loose soil, was relatively flat.  The Japanese military deemed this place strategic to the defense of the home islands and had constructed to airfields and were building a third to hold aircraft that could intercept American planes enroute to bombing missions over Tokyo.
      No harbor exists along its shoreline.  There are not any trees, no water features beyond the shore, there are no civilians, no towns or cities.  It is essentially a desert.  The Japanese began fortifying the island in 1942 as a defensive position.  They made every effort to conceal and protect all their positions to ensure survival when the air attacks that would be necessary begin.
     The invasion was a well-planned amphibious operation: the most difficult of military operations because of the need of specialty water craft(landing craft);   naval delivery ships(troop transports); armed fleets to defend from air and naval attacks; air cover by aircraft carrier groups; leadership roles among often first-time leaders(Captains and lieutenants); and logistical support to sustain an operation of open-ended time frames for the numbers of troops involved.

How Are Things Turkish?

      Well, let's say you're accused of plotting a coup against a sitting national leader(here, Mr. Recip Erdogan).   So, you are detained; held without bail, without any rights.  So, then you finally get your day in court.   Then, to your surprise, you are acquitted by the court.  You have been a successful buinessman, and now you are free.   Hmmm.  Wait a minute.  Not so fast, Buster.  Despite a celebration in the streets of Istanbul,  a few hours after the acquittal, the prosecutor has you picked up and held on a charge that maybe you helped the plotters of a coup.
      Prosecutors claim he was part of the Gezi Movement which government officials say were plotters against the rule of Mr.  Erdogan.  So, back to the cooler.  No freedom for you, Senor.  We are not finished with you yet.  You must be taught a lesson- a strong lesson.  This could mean that the Turkish Court(s) have lost all independence from the executive.  Mr. Erdogan has ruled Turkey for 17 years already(has it been that long?)
     How long can he hold up?  Nobody is betting on a replacement anytime soon.

Rosneft: Pay Up the $50 Billion Award

     Well, sometimes in court, you win.  Some times you lose.  In the court of public opinion, you can lose a second time.  A Dutch court reinstated an order that Russya pay $50 billion to shareholders of former oil giant Yukos, which was headed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a critic of Mr. Putin.
     Yukos went bankrupt in 2006 after a disagreement with Kremlin and ordered to pay taxes.  State oil company took over the assets of the company and Mr. Khodorkovsky went to jail for 10 years after being arrested in Moskova.  This decision overturned a earlier decision in favor of four plaintiffs, none of whom were Mr. Khodorovsky.  Russyan officials say they will appeal.
     Oh, well.  Better than nothing,

Ukraine: What Now?

       Has anybody paid attention to Ukraine of late?  Are the little green men still running around the Donbass region shooting the locals?  Who is speaking Russyan to the populaTION?   Are there any Ukrainians in the Donbass?
      What is the FSB doing down there?  Where is the Supreme Leader-  Mad Vlad?  Does anybody care?
     Stop, Look, and Listen.

State Dept. Raps Chinese News Agencies in US

         So, the Chinese government sends its news gathering minions into the US to promote Chinese government interests.  Now, those agents will be required to register with the US government to identify those same agents and also they must identify all property owned or leased in the US.  The agencies are Xinhua News, China Radio International, China Global Television Network and the distributers of China Daily and People's Daily.  They will be considered foreign diplomatic missions.  This is just part of the response to China's targeting and harassment of US diplomats in China.  Sec. of State Mike Pompeo said this is reciprocity for China's actions against US diplomats.   " It is just fairness and basic common sense.  This is not an onerous restriction put on China." said Mr. Pompeo.  Perhaps this will continue to influence decisions made in Beijing cincerning China's continuing efforts to spread influence across the globe as the Communist government pursues globla leadership at any price.
      The spread of coronavirus continues to advance and curtails China's plans of the moment.  In effect, the entire country is on lock  down: no one can leave because no country will allow Chinese nationals to set foot on their soil.
      Enjoy your morning coffee.

Rain: Have You Seen Any Lately

      Well, if you live near the Mississippi River, you've seen more than you want in February.  However, if you live in California, you have seen almost none in February.  The forecast for the next week does not include any precipitation.  It could be a dry February.  That's not really so unusual, really.  Our winter rain patterns include dry spells in between major cyclonic events that bring our rainfall.
     So, don't panic; don't let the media types dictate your impressions of weather, nor climate change updates which media types often claim are related to weather.  It is not related.  Thank you, very much.
      Overnight temps in Tahoma generally are in the mid-twenty degree range.  That alone tells a good story.  Presidents Day holiday crowds were excellent as folks read the weather reports and took to the highway to enjoy a nice ski weekend or the beginning of Ski Week.
      Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.   Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40 day pre-Easter time that is observed by Christian believers around the globe.  New Orleans is trying to celebrate but all eyes are on the River, which might bring some grief to the city which is generally below the edge of the river's bank, behind levees that failed so badly in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina lid waste to a large section of the Gulf Coast.
      Heavy rain has also been a feature of Kentucky, Tennessee, and other states through which the Mighty River passes on its way to the Gulf.  Keep your eyes open.

Huawei Troubles Mounting Again

      Well, the US Dept. of Justice announced that it was filing complaints of racketeering against the Chinese tech behemoth Huawei for a pattern of actions over the last decade that it perceives to be a form of criminal racketeering.  This comes on the heels of other US government actions including the arrest in Vancouver, BC, Canada of the daughter of the founder of the Chinese company.  Additionally, the US government is asking other Western nations to forego adding Huawei technology to their 5G network build up.  The US claims that Huawei is beholden to the Beijing government and could easily inform the company that they should incorporate spyware into their equipment that would then be instructed to gather information from those same networks in place in host nations.  Huawei denies that this is true, but intelligent services indicate that such statements are inherently misleading and factually untrue on their face.
        It has become apparent that more Justice Department actions will be forthcoming in the near term as Trump's trade negotiators continue to press the government on international trade terms that need immediate attention.  As the government in Beijing copes with the coronavirus outbreak, the country is in essence in lock down.   Transportation networks are frozen and intercity traffic has ground to a halt.  Numbers of new cases continue to rise and authorities can only hope that the rate will slow.   Our East Asian Minister has not reported any updated information from his position, and we expect to hear from him soon.
       The cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan, has seen cases of coronavirus grow among its passengers on board who have been quarantined in place.  Some 300 American passengers have been removed and returned to the States.   While the disease has spread, it does not constitute a threat to overseas territories and nations.
More to follow.

Windy Up There in Sierra

Well, folks, it's windy.  The winter seasonal winds descended into the basin, affecting most resorts.
The effects were felt mostly at the highest elevations-above 7000'.  Most ofthese runs were closed while lower slopes were still open for skiing.  Kirkwood reported winds of 209mph, which is a new record for the Sierra.  The local agency is doing an investigation to verify the reported record before confirming the number.  This is extraordinary to say the least.
     Unfortunately, the high winds did not bring any new snow.  There aren't any storms on the horizon and base amounts are barely keeping up with evap rates.  We'll be keeping an eye out for weather.  

Bernie Arrives in California

       Sen. Bernie Sanders has shifted his campaign from Nevada to California.  He arrived to make a speech to a crowd  in Richmond, California.  He touched on the usual topics that his followers like to hear:  Medicare for All;  more taxes on the wealthy few;  reduced enforcement of immigration laws; removal of most supplemental border police;  housing bills to force localities across the country to build more to address chronic shortfalls; and increased education options for all students who wish to go to college.  As the leader in various polls among Democratic candidates,  he is looking to solidify his position come Super Tuesday on March 3rd, a little more than 2 weeks from now.
     Pundits question his staying power as more primary voters turn out across the country.  The real question is: can he appeal to the broad middle of voters who will propel the candidate to the nomination and then the inevitable confrontation with the Republican candidate, the sitting incumbent?   This is the question that causes great consternation among the DNC party leaders.  Is this the candidate who can win in NOvember?  Hmmmm.   If we could see into the future......
      The RNC is starting to look at Mike Bloomberg's campaign efforts as he continues to spread his millions around the country.  He even contributes directly to other Democrats who count on his largess to fund their campaigns.  He is playing a game of campaigning heretofore unseen.  His name is on the ballot in California and he is going for all the marbles.  If he places in the top tier in California a n snares a significant number of convention delegates, he could sweep the table by summer.  If he were to be the DNC candidate, it would give the electorate a choice bewtween two New Yorkers, bot claiming to be billionaires(one is, for sure).  What a race!
It will be interesting as time goes on.

Bernie Bros Making an Effort in Nevada

     The election campaign has shifted to the West.  The State of Nevada is the new site of media coverage as Bernie and Co. descend on Las Vegas to stir up the locals.  The Culinary Workers Union will not endorse Bernie.   Its 60,000 members and 30,000 family additions will not allow any president to eliminate the health insurance coverage negotiated by the union with hotel/casino operators over the years.  This would be another slap in the face of the working man/woman.  Who wants to give up the known for  ??????  A Federal healthcare For All that would take  years if notz longer to implement?   Hmmm.
       The Bernie Bros might have a hard time in Nevada.  It's not New England.  It's not Manhattan.  It's not New Hampshire any more.  Now the message will have to get real.  Ask  Mike Bloomberg.  He knows what is real and what is not.  He's campaigning on reality.

Cruisers Get A Break

      Well, you are on a West Pacific cruise on a Princess Lines luxury ship.  You are calling at numerous popular destinations on the East Asian coast.  You are sharing quarters with 2900 other passengers, many of whom are fellow Americans, some friends, and some new-to-cruising.  While anchored in Tokyo Bay, near Yokohama, word comes down through crew that there's a health problem.  The coronavirus has infected a passenger(no doubt already sick when he boarded.)  Now, all passengers will be confined to quarters UFO.  Now it has become known that this quarantine will last 2 weeks.  Meals will be served in your room(s).  Mercy.  You cannot believe this situation.  What if you have an inside cabin?  No windows.  No deck opening available.  Horrors.
      Now the US government will evacuate all Americans with a flight from Japan to the US mainland.  All those passengers will then be held in quarantine at a military base in the USA-FOR TWO MORE WEEKS.  But you are off the ship.  You are on home turf.  You can call home.  You can get connected immediately.  You can read all about your life=on line.
Welcome Home. 

Skier Jumps Highway 50

      Yes, in the era of YouTube, minicams, iphones, and web sites, it was bound to happen.  And it did.
About a year ago, on Feb. 6, 2019, a local party named Josh Daiek, a professional skier(?), found a likely spot to make a never before jump over a major highway, in this case Highway 50.  He is not your usual skier- he does it for a living, of sorts.  He measured his sites and found just the right one, up the hill from Myers, a number of miles from Stateline, California.   He knew that certain conditions had to be right:  good snow, good prepared takeoff point, and especially, a good landing zone(LZ).  He would also need to make certain parties aware so as not to cause a traffic disaster that could inflict injuries on motorists or truckers who might be on the road at the time.  He also wanted it recorded so that he could make righteous claims as being "the One" who jumped Highway 50.
     On February the 5th, conditions seemed perfect.  He called a friend for help and they climbed the adjacent hillside to pack the snow into a ramp to aid the takeoff portion of the flight.  He then cleared the landing zone that would accept this flying skier in a fashion to avoid critical injuries that might end his career.   On the morning of the 6th, conditions were perfect and he completed the jump without incident.  It was recorded for the ages and his notoriety finally came through with a full page article in the Sunday edition of the san Francisco Chronicle on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
     Don't try this at home.

map with ski jump site:Feb 6, 2019 by Josh Daiek

Travel Scams Continue to Plague Web: FLIGHTHUB and JUSTFLY Scams

       Well, now it has become commonplace to find large internet sites promoting scams.  This week, the Mayor was searching known sites, eg. kayak, looking for fares for planned trips.  After searching and considering information listings, the Mayor selected a posted fare and was directed to a website by the company FlightHub.  The Mayor then went through the ticket  purchase steps, providing details of personal information required, credit card number, phone numbers, etc.  The process was completed in a few minutes.
      An email was received acknowledging the itinerary on selected dates on the selected airlines.  A few hours later, another email was received advising that an urgent response was necessary to access new information.  This email was in turn followed by another with the same content.  It became necessary to contact the FlightHub call center, located somewhere in eastern Canada(really?).  I was informed that the airline had cancelled the flight and new reservations were necessary at this time.  After questioning these conditions, I was offered a new search that could produce suitable results for my selected destination.   When the offerings were made known, it was apparent that significant price increases were part of the equation.  I told the agent(scam artist) that this was unacceptable and ended the conversation.
       The Mayor then began a new search and found the same flight information with the same price on a new site-Justfly.  This is part of the FlightHub family.  The reservation code was not recognized by the airline in question and it became apparent that these companies are no more than bait-and-switch boiler rooms preying on unsuspecting travelers.  This company has stranded thousands of passengers worldwide and have been sued by state attorneys general.  Kayak and its brethren support these scammers because they are paying handsomely for the ad space linked to formerly legitimate sites.  These travel sites are now degrading to become part of the "Craigs'List" phenomena  where respectable offerings become obliterated by scammers and thieves who dominate  the sites and drive out legal/legitimate clients.  In their quest for profits in the short term, these companies compromise integrity for profit-not an unusual condition(see Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, et al).
      So-be suspicious of all so-called aggregators : those travel companies that used to buy tickets at discounts from airlines and resell them and pocket a small profit.  Now they have been stymied by the airlines themselves and have found a substitute business instead:  BAIT-AND-SWITCH.
Do not do any business with FLIGHTHUB of JUSTFLY-they are scammers.  There are more sites doing the same.  The airlines are looking the other way, trying instead to limit comfort animals and over-sized luggage.  Why do anything more with all flights full and the FAA worried about the 737 MAX debacle.
Travel On.

Hackers From China Indicted by DOJ

        Well, just as China begins to wrap its arms around the coronavirus, the US Dept. of Justice threw a grenade into its arms.  Attorney General William Barr announced that he had indicted 4 Chinese members of the Peoples Liberation Army for their collective hacking US company Equifax, a credit reporting agency, stealing the personal data of over 150 million American citizens.  The stolen information includes social security numbers, addresses, drivers license numbers, birthdays, and other private information.  The 4 defendants- Wu Zhiyong, Wang Qian,  Xu Ke, and Liu Lei are alleged members  of the PLA's 54th Research Institute, aka the Chinese Hackers Collective Brigade to Steal everything from the USA.   These 4 are outside of the US and are believed to be in China.  They are unlikely to face prosecution.
        This has been known since 2017, and comes on the heels of other hacking operations by the Chinese government of Mr. Xi.   These indictments follow similar cyberspace attacks directed at health-insurance provider Anthem Inc.  Also, the Chinese PLA was fingered as being responsible for the attack on the US Office of personnel management where 20 million records were stolen that included most Federal employees personal data.  Additionally,  hundreds of millions of records were stolen from Marriot International Inc, the hotel company.   An indictment for that theft is being prepared and will be announced shortly.  Apparently, the Chinese are banking on a tepid response to these clandestine efforts to steal everything American in its quest to takeover the world number spot as the leading economic power, supplanting the US and the West.

Coronavirus: No Let Up

      The Chinese Government continues to wrestle with the coronavirus outbreak in their country.  More deaths and more new cases have pressed the Beijing gang to keep expanding the quarantined areas in an attempt to stop the spread.  health experts are doubtful about these efforts.  Hospitals are now seen as a source of infection.  What are people to do?  Stay home.   Limit movements.  Avoid contact with outsiders.
      Our Minister of Asian Affairs is well.  He continues to monitor media reports and continues working, albeit, under less than ideal circumstances.  That is, nobody can access regular means of transportation.   All movement by the public in China is severely restricted unless you have government authorization.  What next?
Nobody is talking.

New Hampshire 2020

       The very conservative state of New Hampshire is considered "Bernie Country".  That is, because of its proximity to Vermont, Bernie Sanders is a known entity among local voters.  It doesn't mean that voters are drawn automatically to the self-described democratic socialist, but it does mean that for the last 35 years plus, generally, voters have been aware of his reputation and his "Bernie Schtik".
The other Democratic Party candidates are hoping to at least make an impression so they can reasonably carry the results forward to the next primary election site, which is South Carolina, where conservatives hold sway.
      The Democratic Party has egg all over its face.  After the debacle in Iowa, party leaders are running around trying their collective best to find a solution to the question;"Who won the contest?"  It is a fool's errand as the rest of the country has moved on, writing in their voters' handbook that Iowa will have to pay for this failure.   When the eyes of the country are upon you and you fail to deliver(in this case a winner/leader) you will not be easily forgiven, if ever.  Even the Dempcratic Party leaders will take note: Never Again.
     Perhaps the most concerned is the campaign of Joe Biden.  He is currently trailing 3/4 candidates: Bernie, Pete, Elizabeth, and he doesn't look likely to rearrange the positions while in New Hampshire.   All of this could change shortly.  There are two days left of campaigning.  But it's hard core winter in New England and the voter turnout in Iowa was dismal, maybe only 16% of eligbles. 
What does that mean in New Hampshire?  Don't expect big numbers to show on Tuesday.
       Meanwhile, the "other" Party continues to plan. 

Trump Acquitted

     So, Mr. Donald John Trump walks.  The Democrats have indigestion.  Mitch McConnell thwarted their combined efforts to drag the nation through months of bickering over witnesses and their testimony.  Sen.  Mitt Romney(R., UT), vited to impeach, saying he voted his Mormon conscience.
Well, now what?  The campaign for president is under way.  After the Iowa fiasco, it's on to New Hampshire or Bernie Country.  He'll surge after the vote, then head down South where he should get his socialist clock cleaned.  Poor Bernie-the epitome of self delusion.  But at least he has been self deluded throughout his political career.   Although now, he thinks that he can carry the delusion to a new cohort of young voters.  Ha.
     Joe Biden has indigestion, too.  He must rally soon or his moderate democratic voice will be silenced earlier than expected.  And Michael Bloomberg is waiting to pounce on the faltering candidates who lack the money to continue.  He'll come rolling in with his millions and spark the debate among the libs who will be shocked that he can spend so much without losing sleep.  And he has experience, something most candidates lack.  Pete did well, but we know he's un-electable.  So, the march to super Tuesday continues.

Canadian Prime Minister and Ms. Weng

      Well, boys and girls, it seems Ms. Weng will be esconsed in her Vancouver mansion for sometime to come.   PM Trudeau, in a statement said her restriction on her movements will continue as her lawyers pursue an appeal on an extradition to the US to stand trial on charges there that she and her company HUAWEI, evaded international restrictions on trade with Iran by using shell companies to facilitate trade with the country.   She could be held until 2021 or longer.

Coronavirus Continues

       Well, Brothers and Sisters, W.H.O., the international health org, has declared the coronavirus breakout in China a world health emergency.  Restrictions on all things Chinese are expanding exponentially as we speak/write.  Airlines have shut China out of their respective routes and scheduled flights.  Planes departing China face passenger delays at all destinations.  The U.S. placed almost 200 passengers into quarantine in California after landing from a flight from Wuhan, Hubei, China.  They are set to stay in a military base near Los Angeles, CA.  Almost all ground traffic on cross border routes have been closed to Chinese nationals.  Hong Kong has restricted all mainland Chinese from entering the special autonomous zone of HK.
       Over 10,000 cases have been reported, most in or around the large city of Wuhan.  200+ deaths have been reported.  Several cases have been reported in other countries among citizens who came from China, usually from Wuhan.   Chinese government officials and national agencies are cancelling most events in public and have advised locals to restrict all travel plans until further notice.  Public health departments are trying to build new hospitals immediately in preparation for more cases of the virus spreading among the population.
       Large drug manufacturers are sending drugs, some experimental, to China to use to halt the spread.   The last serious restrictions in the USA were in the '60's when the fear of smallpox caused a quarantine of certain areas/citizens.   More news comes out hourly as the story is the focus of the world media.  In addition to BREXIT; impeachment hearings; the Super Bowl; Kobe's death in the helicopter crash; and a few climaten change topics.