Leonardo Does Grant

             That's Leonardo DiCaprio,  who produced a recent mini-series  about U.S. Grant for the History Channel.   The series was in 3 parts and began last Sunday night at 9PM.   That was the good part.  The bad part(s) was the seemingly endless run of some of the worst looking TV ads we've seen in a long time.   More about ads later.
          The series received some good reviews in media the week before.   It caught the eye of a few history buffs, the Mayor included.  For many mature Americans, and some immature Americans,  the Civil War continues to grasp the collective mentality.   Many of the social problems thought to have ended with the victory of the Union Army continue to this day. ( Big city rioting/looting/and violence is occurring as I write this).  U.S. Grant is a major figure from the period, especially in his role as general of the Army of the Union Forces that defeated Gen. Robert E. Lee, leader of the Army of Northern Virginia as the Confederate forces were called.   Taking a clue from Ken Burns and his early historical masterpiece on the Civil War for TV,  while the focus was on Grant, it included a number of live interviews with noted historians, military officer academics, and custodians of historical sites, battle fields, and places of import during the life of Grant.
        Author Ron Chernow was a co-producer of the series and provided insights into Grant's life and career, from beginning to end.  With his mastery of the subject-Grant, Chernow was able to explain many facets of Grant that have been subsumed to modern interpretation of his life and his presidency.
When the war ended, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by J.W. Booth, a disgruntled Southern sympathizer who led a group of co-conspirators that night in an attempt to disrupt the government and make an effort to reverse the fortunes of war.   Grant, himself, was targeted, but fate intervened, and he escaped the plot.   VP Andrew Johnson succeeded Lincoln and essentially began the four year 2nd term of re-elected Lincoln.  What was supposed to be the beginning of Reconstruction, turned into a feeble attempt that quickly came to be a chaotic program that lacked leadership and results.
        Grant's life began in rural Ohio, son of a tanner.  His life then was a step behind the Western movement of the country.   He developed into a talented horseman, which would serve him well later.
His father applied for a position for him at West Point, and to Grant's surprise, he was accepted.  He graduated and received a commission, assigned to logistics or supply.   And then, the Mexican War broke out, and his training was put to use.   That war was followed by years of turmoil and included a period of civilian life after he left the army.  He tried many ventures, including a spell working with his father in the tannery.    During this period, he began the process of learning about the position of slavery in America and what it meant to those hard bound victims of this national disgrace, recognized by the Founders but still in existence in 1860.   And then, in 1861, the Civil War began.  And Grant began his climb to greatness and the White House.
        The series did an admirable job with the Civil War chronicle, explaining the early Union efforts and Lincoln's frustrations with the leadership of Union forces in the various departments.  As Grant matured on the battle field, it became apparent to Lincoln that here was his leader: a man who personality, experience, and age was an exact match for the president's desire to win the war in the field.  Key battles were explained with many details discussed.   Dramatized events captured the viewer's interest and flavored the historian's explanations.   The actor in the role of Grant captured his personality quite well:  decisive, relentless, and driven to succeed to achieve victory over all rebel forces.
       The final part dealt with Grant as president when he served 2 terms.  This period of Reconstruction was explained as a period of confusion and diminished results, with voters tiring of efforts to rein in Southern efforts to turn back the clock.   In the end, Grant lost his financial under pinnings and with the help of Mark Twain, finished his memoirs days before he died in 1885.
Thank you, Ron Chernow.   Excellent show.   However, too many advertisements disrupted the flow, again.   Maybe streaming is the answer, but viewers should be wary of the "new" History Channel". 

Huawei Legal Problems Continue

       So, the Canadian court has ruled on the law concerning the extradition request by the US Dept. of Justice that asked the Canadian Government to arrest the daughter of Huawei founder, who was boarding a plane for China in Vancouver when she was arrested and jailed.  She was subsequently allowed to stay at home under detention while her case was under judicial review.  Her lawyers will appeal this decision, but she might decide it's better to waive extradition and go to the US legal system and take her chances.
      However, with the Trump White House taking a decide turn against the Beijing Government, her chances for a quick win are slim.   In her role as CFO for the company it's hard to believe that she was not involved in the financial manipulations that sent funds to Iran for oil.  Given her status in Canada, she probably doesn't want to leave the home she has had to occupy for the last 16 months.  And, as the US turns the screws on Huawei, it's also probable that there won't be a Huawei in the near future.   How to kill a company: deal with Iran when it's against international law.

lunch

British Columbian Totem Pole: Vancouver

Minister to Return to China and East Asia

      Our loyal Minister of East Asian affairs and the Western Pacific will return to China in June to evaluate the Covid situation.  His most important mission will be to provide the most current assessment of how the government in Beijing has responded now that the economy is restarting.   A problem is known to exist in the northeast of China along the border shared with Russya.  Restrictions are in place and it appears the government will continue to prevent border access to citizens of both countries.
       We will be able to get daily briefings from our Minister who has developed considerable expertise since he was dispatched over 2 years ago.  The value of his input is incalculable.   Only in Tahoma is the information available.
      We'll keep updating our information as it is made available to the Mayor's office.

8 Ball Piggy

United Airlines: New Leader -New Era

On Glide Path Over the Bay

A Friendly Flight

       Well, now, airlines have seen passenger traffic drop by over 90% since January.  No airlines are exempt from the covid pandemic effects on the public perception of safety on board a jammed seating situation.   Oscar Munoz, the outgoing CEO will drift off into the sunset and hopefully will never darken the doorway of a United Airlines office or aircraft.  The old scumbucket had  no love of passengers or their needs and concerns.  All the bastard liked was the bottom line.   For over ten long years as profits soared thanks to ever accelerating fees for every little thing much to the annoyance of EVERYONE.  Want leg rooms?  Extra fee.  Want another bag?  Extra fee.  Want a moveup in cabin class?  Extra fee.  Want to change reservations?  $200.  Want to add a flight?  $200.
      So, the new CEO will have his work cut out for him.  He sent out a mass email to all customers stating that passenger safety is the most important part of his license.   First link up : with Clorox.  Really?  Everybody gets a bottle of bleach to take along for the ride in case you see a virus lurking nearby.   Oh, you want to use the on board toilet?  Raise your hand and ask the flight attendant if she can clear a path to accommodate your wish.  Oh, the rum pot sitting 2 seats over starts coughing his/her head off.  Now what?  Take her away and isolate hew in the coughing section.  Can I take a mask off to eat?  No, feed yourself with mask in place.   Oh, the fun that awaits us all.
      Thanks to United Airlines flying will never be the same.  Cabins will have to be reconfigured to make space for those on board.  really, there's not enough to make social distancing viable and have a flight that makes a profit.  So what will United do?  They will lie and cheat and steal to get you to fly.  Sure lower fares will start to be advertised and all the algorithms will analyze and compute and in no time things will deteriorate back to Oscar's business model:  screw them all, charge more fees.  We have a monopoly on our routes and Congress is in our debt/pocket."  Fly on.
       737 MAX?  Who cares?  We don't give damn about that old bird anyway.  What a blessing to have the FAA ground them all.   We aren't alone and BOEING is paying us to keep them grounded.  Hurray for Boeing.  Hurray for the  737 MAX- a boon to the world.  (Unless you were flying on one of those 2 aircraft).
      No more Friendly skies, Matey.  Maybe Virgin will come back.  Maybe not.  Carry on.

Hong Kong in the Sights of Xi JP

      So, the pandemic of Covid-19 has been brought under control in China. Maybe, maybe not.  Regardless of facts pertaining to the virus,  Beijing and Xi signaled a new crackdown on Hong Kong and its pro-Democracy movement.  In the interest of national security, Beijing issued a new statement regarding law and its administration in the 'Special" province of the City.  essentially, the Hong Kong people will feel the full weight of the Chinese Communist government now and for the future.  No more Mr. Nice Guy.
       Mr. Xi has had his authority questioned as a result of his handling of the virus outbreak in Wuhan in December/January.   Now it seems he has some room to go after the students and their followers in Hong Kong.  He must feel confident that the world is preoccupied with dealing with public health and the containment efforts made by all nations against the spread of Covid.  Hmmm.  So, we have the Chinese hacking problem; we have the human rights violations problem; we have the South China Sea problem; we have the money lending efforts to vulnerable 3rd world country problem; we have the Belt & Road policy problem; we have the military build up along the Pacific Rim problem; we have the economic decline problem ; we have the lack of consumption in China problem; we have the quality control problem; and lets not forget the virus.
     Have a nice day.

LockDown: Over or Not? That is the Question

      So, relief from isolation appears to be happening in various states and countries.  Covid cases appear to be declining and testing is increasing in most locations.  The question is: is it too early to relax  restrictions on movement, on gathering in large numbers, in business settings requiring close contacts?   Many states believe now is the time to relax those strict controls, primarily to get people working again.   Recent unemployment numbers of 36 million recent applications for benefits underscores the vast numbers of workers affected by business closures.  A decline of 16.5% in retail sales is the worst on record over such a short time period.   Airline traffic has declined over 90% since January.  Hotel occupancy has also been reduced dramatically in the same period.  Auto sales are another sector that has shown sharp declines.
      This past week, Tesla Motors has agreed with Alameda County in Calfornia to open under certain conditions.  This after CEO Elon MUsk sued the county to reopen his plant in Fremont, California.  Workers had complained that the factory was not safe for line workers who could not observe recommended social distancing guidelines.  Restaurants and other purveyors of prepared foods have been particularly hit by closure requirements.  Many of these operations will never reopen, despite efforts to do so.   Workers find it easier to remain at home and accept government checks to cover lost wages.
        Counties with few cases and very small populations have been lobbying Sacramento for a lifting of state  closure rules.  Perhaps they have found a sympathetic ear in the Governor's office as Gavin Newsom is ready to lift some closures in those areas.  Meanwhile, hotspots in Los Angeles and San Diego will have to wait longer.
       El Dorado county has few cases and many local towns are asking for closure relief, but at the same time, asking visitors to stay away until better prevention methods are in place around the state.  

Huawei: US Commerce Department Target

       Well, now, it has become the poster child of the US effort to curtail China's global ambitions.  The giant technology company, a global leader,  will now have its supply chain interrupted again, thanks to the efforts of the US.  This past week, the Department of Commerce issued new orders that affect many us companies and many more foreign companies that supply Huawei with components for their products.   These supply operations make chips/circuits utilized in cell phones, computers, and data storage facilities found around the globe.   These companies will now be prevented from selling/supplying their products to Huawei.   This will put the company at a strict disadvantage among  tech competitors.   While holding a commanding position among tech giants,  Huawei follows the dictates of Beijing and its goals of achieving a global leadership position in all areas: commerce, politics, and military superiority.  The US has finally begun to aggressively counter this threat.
      A recent paper from the Pentagon discussed a new strategy for the West Pacific Rim.  The US Marine Corps Commandant outlined a new strategy:  a widely dispersed force of Marines with sharp capabilities focused on technology and advanced weaponry that can be utilized effectively by highly trained small units.   Essentially,  the Marine Corps will preposition detachments over a wide arc, north-to-south that will exist as a counter force to Chinese efforts to advance eastward from the Asian continental mass.  Over the past decade, China has aggressively moved into the South China Sea, claiming hegemony over this section of the Pacific that has many other regional claimants, including Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others.   While specific details were omitted, it is clear that strategic thinkers and planners are adjusting goals in light of China's rise to global leadership, economically and militarily.   It has been building up its naval forces to extend its reach eastward.   The building of air bases on disputed islands is clearly the most aggressive display of Beijing's intentions.
      The Covid-19 spread out of China has brought justified examination of all things Chinese.  While a serious situation, the sharp efforts by Beijing to control the virus has served to highlight just how willing the government is to exert control over provincial governments within its borders.  In Hong KOng, things are a bit different.  More about Hong Kong later.

Xi JP

China: Hackers, Hackers, Hackers Everywhere

       So, wondering about our Communist friends in Asia?  Concerned that they are opening back up after meeting the ground zero of the coronavirus that began in Wuhan, Hubei Province and then spread worldwide to begin the pandemic now wrapping its tentacles around 7 and a half billion people?   Well, now.  Wait no longer.  Beijing and its operative elements are trying desperately to hack into the computer systems of all major scientific research facilities conducting vaccine research on the coronavirus.   No surprise here.
      China needs information.  It will not attempt to find a solution without tapping ALL sources of information, no matter where the information lies.   Could be at UCSF.  Could be at UC Davis.  Could be at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, or the University of Michigan.  Or the Univ. of Pennsylvania.  The Chinese want it and they will make every effort to capture that data no matter law or obstacle to its quest.
      So, no surprise when the US government announces that the PLA(Peoples Liberation Army) is working hard to source the vaccine data at these and other institutions in the US.  Yawn.  It really is getting to be a bore-this bald-faced effort.  Oh, please. spare us the denials Mr. Xi Jenping.  It really is getting old.

Chinese symbol; Chengdu

 

Book Review: Fire in Paradise, Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano(Norton)2020

       Many stories evolved from what became the state of California's worst wildfire in 2018.  What began as a spark-induced grass fire, soon developed into a raging unstoppable beast that consumed over 200 square miles of the foothills landscape and claimed the lives of 85 citizens in the old mining town of Paradise.  Two reporters were sent to get the story of the aftermath.  Their goal: put a human face on the tragedies that multiplied as the fire swept the town, perched on a ridgetop, not far from the state capitol of Sacramento.
       California has a multiplicity of climate areas:  high Sierra or alpine; coastal marine from Monterey Bay to the Oregon border; the central Valley from Redding to Tejon Pass/the Grapevine; the Los Angeles Basin; the high desert of Riverside county;  the county of San Diego; the eastern Sierra; the Modoc Plateau of the northeast corner; and the southern Cascades.   All together, we have a wide variety-north to south; and east to west.   Most of the state's 44 millions live in large metro areas.   But a sizeable number prefer less congested, more scenic areas, such as the Foothills of the west fringes of the Sierra, also known as the Gold Country for it was here that gold was discovered in 1848.  At the western foot of the ridge upon which the town of Paradise was built lies the city of Chico- a college town, home to State University at Chico, which straddles the Sacramento River, here a tail water below several dams built in the 20th century surge of big hydroelectric water storage facilities.
        The over all climate of California is called Mediterrenean: long dry summers, short wet winters, lasting about 4-5 months.   There's not much fall or spring as the rainy season ends abruptly in April.
As the long summer hot spell pulls the moisture from the ground and its cover, conditions become ripe for wild fires which have plagued the state for centuries.   Millions of dollars are spent annually to keep the fires from engulfing encroaching urban development.   It's been a losing battle these past few years with devastating results: billions of dollars in losses to insured and uninsured residents.  In 2018, conditions in the foothills were tailor made for an extraordinary event of fire.  On the night of Nov. 7-8, there was a wind shift, bringing hot. violent winds from the Great Basin of Nevada westward toward low pressure areas near the Pacific Ocean.   Then a P.G. & E. powerline failed, jumping its clamp on a tower, falling into dry grasses below.   Within minutes, flames were fanned by high winds and the fire began its climb out of a canyon up the hill to the top of Paradise Ridge.  By 7:57a.m., the city of Paradise issued its first mass evacuation order to the residents.  Maybe half of the locals received the warning.   By the time it was under control, over 200square miles were charred and 85 locals lost their lives, many never got out of the house,
       It's makes for a great read with tension and anxious moments as the authors help recount the personal stories that form the basis of their narrative.   It identifies the myriad problems with evacuations that occur all at once with a plan that never figured that the entire town would ever be ordered to leave together.   It didn't work.  Many died in their vehicles, stuck with no refuge from the flames that engulfed the cars and trucks.
       This fire will always be the new "worst case" fire used as a reference for future fires, sure to come.
5 Stars-excellent read

LA Basin: April 2020-the new clarity

Need Crude Oil?

The world has too much.   Do you have an empty swimming pool?  Rent it out- the Saudis need more storage space.   And so do all the other producers.   Please help.
      So, OPEC, such as it is, decided that the Frackers in the USA were an undeserving lot of over extended nobodies worthy of no respect, much less cooperation.  So, we will pump away and drive those dirtbags into bankruptcy.
     So, on the run up to the COVID pandemic, the price of oil was driven into the toilet.  WTI oil went negative on the futures market for a first in pricing history.  Brent crude also took a dive, creating a a panic among oil drilling nations, especially those whose economy depends largely on oil prices.   The Saudis knew that there would be some short term pain, but, no problem, we can handle
it.   Russya, not so much.  Iran, "Oh, it hurts.  Iran: oh, please reconsider.  The USA:  we can be a major export nation, or can we.  And then:  Covid-19 arrived in Wuhan, then Italy, then the UK, then the USA(Seattle and NYC), then Korea, Japan(cruise ship), Canada, France, Germany, and on and on.   Then: Lock down.   No driving; no flying; no moving around at all.  Fuel consumption reduced by 80%.   Hmmmm.  We don't need anymore gasoline; we don't need any jet fuel, we don't need diesel,  we don't have a market anymore.
     Ninety per cent of airline flights have been grounded.   More than 50% of all commercial aircraft are parked on the aprons at various airline hubs around the world.  Remember the 737 MAX?   Who needs it?  Nobody.   MAX can be written off the books.  There's no need for it anymore---anywhere.
We live in a new world; a different world.

Doctors In Russya Acting Up

      Well, now.  What next in the Land of Putin.   We have reports that three medical doctors committed suicide by jumping from windows to their deaths.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  Why could this happen?  Yes, there is a definite outbreak of the virus in Russya.  Yes, their healthcare system is suspect outside of Moskova.  Yes, doctors everywhere in Russya are underpaid.   But suicide?
      Now, we hear that certain medical staff are complaining of conditions in hospitals:  no PPE, inadequate staff, inadequate equipment to treat patients arriving in respiratory distress.   Sounds like New York City 2 months ago.   But maybe Pres. Putin thought that somehow his country would be a special case; maybe an exemption would prevail among the citizens.   But maybe, if you protested too loudly, you would have to commit suicide to clear the record.   More information is necessary.

Nice Kitty

Minister Awaits Testing results

      Our Minister of East Asian Affairs has decided to get a test for Covid-19 antibodies.  Why, you ask?  Over 2 months ago, our minister was again traveling in the vicinity of China.  While in the Philippine Islands on vaca, he decided it would be prudent to return to southwest China to await developments in Wuhan, Hubei Province.  His assessment was right on, and while the world watched, he left China for North Africa, departing Asia around February 1.  He traveled through Dubai and Paris, France.   Most of the passengers on all the flights were Chinese nationals fleeing the viral outbreak that they all knew about.   Many appeared to be experiencing some respiratory difficulties.
      Within 10 days, he, too began to experience flu-like symptoms.   No fever, but no energy.  After another week, he felt better.  And all's well.  Maybe he got a touch of the virus, maybe not.  When he gets the test, maybe it will prove out that he had been infected while traveling amongst a largely Asian contingent of travelers on his flights.  It has now been ascertained that the New York concentration came from Europe, basically, travelers who passed through various airports on the continent, such as Heathrow, Charles DeGaulle, Frankfurt, and Munich.   More information is needed, but a test will determine what if any caused his illness when he arrived in North Africa.

The Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower

      One of the many benefits of living in the Sierra and in Tahoma, is the night sky.  Without the glare of street lights, headlights, and porch lights,  locals have the benefit of a night sky that is exceptionally clear for observing stellar phenomena.  So,  we might have a chance to observe the Eta Aquariids, the remnants of the famous Halley's Comet.  The peak of visibility will be Monday night and on into Tuesday night.  Weather on those two nights should be clear enough for a good visual.
     Turn off most of your home lighting, step onto the porch/deck and watch, looking South or generally south.  Best time is around midnight or so.  Use your naked eye, telescopes limit your field of vision.   NASA has a web cam that will do some observing, too.  Or try the website of online network Slooh.
      This might help those of us who need a little more diversion as we hunker down at home.  While the Southern hemisphere will have the best view, we will be able to see a northern version.  Try to find an open space that is easily accessed for a wide view angle.  Also, give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to darkened conditions: your pupils will open wide to absorb as much light as possible.

Our Lake

 

One Column Says It All

     Every now and then a writer hits the bullseye.  Often media types endure the vagaries of the seesaw of events across the world landscape with patience, exasperation, mental stress, and a sense of  frustration that their ideas and opinions don't measure up.  Whether one prefers the NY Times, The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Politico,  or many others, the writers want the truth exposed for their readers.
       William McGurn is a regular writer on the staff at the WSJournal(mcgurn@wsj.com)
His columns resonate with insights born of intelligent ideas, careful wording, timely response to a changing world, and, of course, a more conservative view than much of today's opinion.  So, his column of Tuesday, April 28, 2020, follows his past practice.   It is timely, it is relevant, and it speaks to the truth of the matter.  In this instance, the changing conditions in Hong Kong, China.   Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus in December, 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, protesters were taking to the streets in Hong Kong to protest Beijing's effort to silence dissent in the "autonomous" region.  The region's governor, Carrie Lam, supported by Beijing, was hanging on by a thread.  Despite calls for her resignation, she remains in office.  Since the outbreak, demonstrations have largely gone silent.
        Mr. McGurn writes of a recent action taken against an oldtimer, son of a former Koumintang general who fought the Japanese, and then settled his family in Hong Kong when the Communists prevailed.  The general told his son, "Martin, you can never, ever trust the Communists." McGurn goes on: "the words of the old general ring loudly in my ears".  A new generation is learning the hard way that Communists don't change with time.  It's always about power and keeping it at any cost.  He contends that the modern Communist has traded in his Mao jacket for a Brooks Brothers suit and sent their children to Harvard Business School.  But, while they can change uniforms, the Communist underneath remains the same.  And therein lies the staple message for the day: "Never, ever trust the Communists".  His evidence is real, the Hong Kong police arrested 81-year old Martin Lee, an aging barrister who promotes the truth, which Beijing cannot handle.  Here is a man who would hardly commit a crime at anytime, least of all now.  But Beijing sees a man brandishing a weapon: the truth!
Americans should keep a wary eye out on the machinations of Beijing, especially as intelligence services seek to find the answers to the coronavirus outbreak and its spread over the world.  Did it happen at a Wuhan Lab?  Did the mayor of Wuhan deny details at a crucial moment or is he a Beijing 'fall guy'?  Time will tell.

Airport Offering Wuhan