Chinese Members of PLA Indicted

Zhao Kaikai-AI student @ Indiana Univ.-PLA soldier

Song Chen- PLA-indicted

Tang Juan-PLA-indicted

       The DOJ has identified 4 Chinese military personnel who were in the US on visas that were issued to them as students who had signed statements that they were not members of the Chinese army.   In due time,  evidence was gathered that these Chinese nationals were not students but members of the PLA sent to America to spy on institutions that were involved in critical research that the PLA was most interested in to advance knowledge in military subjects.
     Nothing new here.  We know for a fact that duplicity of purpose is the usual method of doing business with Chinese nationals.  Our Minister of East Asian Affairs sent reports indicating the same: dealing with the Chinese PLA is a constant effort at uncovering their true motives and true missions.
Point: when the Dept. of State informed the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas in June, 2020, that the office(s) would have to shut down w/i 30 days and all staff members would have to return to China immediately.   The Chinese government retaliated by ordering the US Consulate in Chengdu to shut down w/i 30 days.  All personnel were declared Persona non Grata and therefore could not be transferred to other diplomatic posts within China(Shanghai, Beijing, Wuhan, Hong Kong, etc).

      All of this continues the tit-for-tat approach to modern China-USA relations.  As the current US administration takes a hard line approach to Chinese aggressiveness in trade, in military moves in the South China Sea, and human rights violations within its borders against Tibetans and Hong Kong.  The new National Security Law imposes a life sentence on protestors in Hong Kong found guilty of disruption of good order in the autonomous city of Hong Kong.  Oh, wait.   The Chinese signed an agreement with the UK that they would maintain a status quo for 50 years.  Oh, sorry, we tore it up in June.

Repulse Bay, HK

 

Poisoned: Again

        Well, folks, we didn't have to wait too long after all.   Mr. Navalny was poisoned while traveling in Russya, his native land.  Who poisoned him?  Why, his countrymen, of course.   No doubt Kremlin lackies of the Dictator in Chief: Mad Vlad.  The old Colonel just can't stand to have an opponent who refuses to keep quiet( so aggravating!).   Now Mr. Navalny was not waltzing around the 'hood; he was in the Russyan Far East, aka Siberia.   His political activities include supporting other opponents of the current regime.  He had been there to appear on behalf of candidates in an "election" that could help his party in opposition.  While returning, he stopped at an airport tea cafe for a hot drink before the long flight to European Russya/Moskova.  Soon after takeoff, he took ill, seriously so.  The pilot decided to make an emergency landing to get the man to a medical facility asap.   He landed in Omsk, where Mr. Navalny was transported to a hospital, now unconscious.  His traveling assistant immediately notified his wife and his organization headquarters in Moskova.
       Their response: get him immediately out of Russya and away from any Russyan medical staff.  Hmmm.  And why was this the insistent strategy of the opposition?   Doesn't take much consideration, given the track record of the FSB.   Maybe this time they would give him a lethal dose of whatever the poison of the day is today.   Polonium tea?  Maybe.
        So after some struggles with the Kremlin, Mr. Navalny was transferred by plane to Berlin.  Yes, Berlin.  Can you believe that ?   You are sick and you want to be somewhere else?  Hmmm.   What does that tell you?   Russya continues to be a country without a moral spine.   It continues to evade responsibility for its own actions, and the actions of its leadership.
       Will Mr. Navalny survive?  His future is in doubt.   If he should survive, it will be a miracle.
Good luck.

FSB: At It Again-Will Alexei Survive

      So, the opposition leader flies well east into Siberia to help with local politicians and their efforts to overcome the Kremlin's choice candidate.   After a brief visit, Mr. Navalny went to the airport to catch a return flight to Moskova.   After having a cup of tea at the airport, he boarded his flight and the plane lifted off for the west.  Shortly after reaching cruising altitude, Mr. Navalny became violently ill.   An on board emergency was declared and the plane was cleared to land at the city airport in Omsk.   It was met by an ambulance and a crew and he was ruched to the E.R. at the local hospital.
       His assistant who traveled with him notified his support group and his family.  His condition became grave and he was unconscious.   His supporters did not want him left at Omsk for treatment, and immediately pursued a transfer to a hospital in Germany.  After much delay and confrontations with the medical facility staff doctors, Mr. Navalny was released and a flight was arranged to carry the patient/victim to an awaiting hospital in Germany.   Minister Angela Merkel issued a statement that Mr. Navalny will receive the best available care and his condition was said to be stable, although he is still unconscious and cause has not been determined.  A poisoning has not been ruled out.
      Does all this sound familiar?  Yes, too familiar.  The world beyond Moscova and its FSB headquarters has treated the international community to one poisoning after another over the years.  Many have been on foreign soil, and many at home.   The common theme: all the victims have been opposition leaders against the Putin Regime. 

I like all felines except Pussy Riot

Air Quality Index: Emergency Conditions

     Well, if you don't know it , here's the facts:
Smoke all over the basin= AQI 196: heavy pollution levels:  unhealthy for all humans, especially most vulnerable-infants, elderly, and immune compromised individuals.
Fires near Loyalton have spread smoke over Lake Tahoe.
Wear your mask-twice!
Spread the word

Beirut-Hezbollah-and the Explosion

       Well, the protests continue in Beirut.   Protesters want the government to change.  This means that the corruption of the existing leadership cannot continue.  The economy is plunging toward depression.  The majority of the population is on the brink of poverty with all its ramifications: no food, no shelter, no hope.
       Add to this a court verdict in the trial of accused assassins who were responsible for the death by car bombing in 2005 of President Hariri.  The murderers were found to be agents of Hezbollah.  Now is not a good time to be a member of this coalition labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S.   The explosion at the port of Beirut 2 weeks ago has disrupted a population not accustomed to local disasters.  Now, after burying over 145 victims, the 300,000 left homeless will not rest until the politicians do something to assuage the feelings prevalent among them: they have been abandoned, and left to their own devices.

TRPA to Hold Virtual Public Forum

      The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, that agency akin to God, has announced a meeting on the future of our beloved Meeks Bay, an icon of the West Shore, and a historical relic from ages past.   Just a few year ago, the agency, with the help of various others, shut down the yacht harbor at the mouth of Meeks Creek between the Meeks Bay Resort and the State Park campground.   This well-used recreation center adjacent to the resort campground with its docks and launch ramp provided good access to the lake, of which there are precious few on the West Shore.
       Consequently,  these public meetings will provide information for all local residents to grasp the basic plans in development by the Feds.   With such limited numbers of concerned locals, the meetings could be nothing more than an exercise in bureaucratic methodology: schedule the meetings,  post information related to bullet points of the agenda, and move forward with the "plan" as put forward by the involved agency(s).   This could happen here in our own backyard.
     The Mayor's recommendation:  get involved by attending the "Zoom" meeting this Wednesday from 5:30 pm-7:30pm.   The announcement can be found on the TRPA website and an agenda is attached.  If you have a computer and WiFi, get on it.   It will be worth the effort to be informed as to the plan for the future of the West Shore.

Meeks Bay at Dawn

New Kids on the Block

      Well, Lake Tahoe is seeing something of a population boom.  This summer's boom or boomlet can be assigned to certain families and their collective anxiety about local schools in and around the Bay Area.   The Governor,  Mr. Newsom, has decreed that schools will not open(K-12) in the fall.  Classes will be online or "virtual" as they are called.   Needless to say, this decree has disrupted the 'normal'.   Since all school districts control themselves, the local school boards can only adapt as best they can.  This will exacerbate differences among them all.   Some will emerge as successful experiments in this new era of education.
       All of a sudden school districts around the basin have seen an unprecedented surge in student applications from residents.   These are, in most cases reported, from families who own 2nd homes at Lake Tahoe.  Rather than take their chances in the Bay Area, which promises more chaos than stability, these folks are betting that smaller is better.   Without the usual population problems found in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland, the schools in the Basin remain islands of stability.  Who can afford to live inside the basin and raise a family?  Very few people actually.   Seems most folks are singles or couples without kids.   They participate in the local economy by working several seasonal jobs:  winter ski resorts, summer lake sports positions, restaurants as necessary.  Those with college degrees often find steady work in various professions and work in supporting roles among them.   However, when one adds children to the family, a whole new dimension occurs.  How will this play out?  Again, it's new territory: no one knows where we are going or where we will end up.  We do know a costly outcome is inevitable.
       Stay tuned for updates as the school year 2020-21 unfolds here and across the state.

Beirut: Anatomy of a Failed Government

Friend of Lebanon

       How bad is corruption in Lebanon?   Walk to the seaport of Beirut.   Take a good look around.  One will find the results of what happens when Hezbollah is the main influencer in local politics.  This terrorist organization has managed to lead this country into the abyss of sectarian control by corrupt individuals and corrupt organizations.   The visible results speak for themselves:  a disaster of incalculable proportions.  In addition to the 140 lives lost,  the loss of house and home to another 300,000 locals will be enough to bring the economy to its knees and has already resulted in the collapse of the government as the leader resigned as did the entire parliament.   So the scum or minders of the country are gone.   Who will manage the reconstruction of the port, the country, and the economy?
      Sadly, nobody knows who will handle the job.  If the Syrian civil war is any example, one can see that outsiders could easily fill the void.  Not only are the near neighbors willing to take over, but folks out on the periphery will be more than willing to jump in.  Look for non-state actors to attempt a takeover with promises of financial aid and material to assist in rebuilding homes and propping up the failed economy.  Estimates are that 50% of the population will slip into poverty with little ability to improve the situation on their own.   Businesses have not only failed, but their physical structures were completely destroyed in the blast.
        We know that ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer widely produced and utilized as an agricultural amendment.   The storage of 2500+ tons in a dockside warehouse for several years is a clear indication that all politicians had a hand in this disaster.   They knew, but did nothing.  They gambled and they lost.   They should all be imprisoned, but that won't happen.   Not in the Middle East, the Land That God Forgot.   The tribal sects are entrenched, and cannot agree on anything, anytime, or anywhere.   The countries involved, and we know them all, continue to leach any value from the population and the countries themselves.  For over a hundred years, since the end WW I, only turmoil and infighting has been the standard output of this region.  The prospects for change are slim(see Saudi Arabia).   Overlay the situation with the coronavirus and one can see the future of the region and its inhabitants is grim.
      Welcome to Lebanon. 

Golf: People Watching at Harding Park Course for 2020 PGA

      Well, Ok.  sports.  We like sports in Tahoma:  skiing, wake boarding, ice skating, hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, bear hunting(I'm kidding, really).  There are a few courses around the lake basin, one right in Tahoe City, owned by , yes, you, the water rate payers.  As the Tahoe Water and Sewer PUD explained, the purchase of the golf course was in the best interests of locals, that is, it would prevent a developer from coming in and building something like housing.  Who needs more housing anyway?
     Hmmmm.  Back on topic, sports.   A young lad barely 23 years of age, was the winner Sunday of the 2020 PGA Tournament in San Francisco.   Before a crowd of 2, the lad performed brilliantly, especially on the final round when the leader board became quite crowded, with many a hopeful focused on the prize($2 mill).   Collin Morikawa, did not bend under the pressure.  On the par 4 16th hole, he hit a tee shot that rolled within 7' of the pin.  He sunk the 2nd shot for an eagle 2.  It was his day and he extended his lead to 2 strokes going into 17.  He pared 17, and birdied 18 for a clean win over 2nd and 3rd place finishers.
      The day at the Lake merced course was typical mid-summer in San Francisco:  cool, foggy, with hardly any sunshine excepting in the Mission dist./ Hunters Point.  The UC Berkeley grad has been playing golf since he was 8 yrs. old.   When at Cal, he was an All-American for 4 years, in itself an amazing accomplishment.   He received his bachelor's degree in business from the famous Haas School of Business.   So, he might make some good investments, hopefully.   Maybe he owns Tesla stock which announced a 5 for 1 stock split today(keeping up with APPLE).
       Best wishes to a new star on the links.  Additionally, the match on Sunday had the largest audience for a PGA tournament in over 10 yrs.

Persona Non Grata: US DEPt. of State Employees

       So, the State Dept. is ordered to shutter the Consulate in Chengdu.   On short notice, all official business was ordered halted in mid-July.   The PLA guards were ordered to restrict all attempts at entry into the facility.  Those interested in a visa application or other business were directed to other locations.  The Consul General then began supervise the transfer out of all the American staff and all Chinese employees were discharged of their duties.  All American personnel resided off campus in the nearby neighborhood of Chengdu( near the handball court/stadium).
       Additionally, ALL American personnel assigned to the consulate were declared "PERSONA NON GRATA".   This is a special term that has international legal meaning.   Those so declared can no longer stay in the host country and must leave within a specified time period, usually 30 days.  So, these personnel, many of whom have families in China, and also may have studied the language for a year or more before posting, must leave for the US.   They cannot be shifted to other offices in the country but must leave the national boundaries of China.
      Needless to say , the US State Dept. will incur significant costs related to all the personnel moves.  The CG was slated to return to Washington for another position, but many others were in the middle of 2-3 year assignments and will now be forced to change all plans, with family and with the service.
      More fallout related to China's aggressive posture relative to international relations.

At the dam Chungqing

Wuhan Airport terminal

airport poster

Hong Kong: New Security Law

       Well, the news from Hong Kong continues to be grim.   Regarding those pro-democracy advocates, they received another shock yesterday:  one of their most famous supporters, and one of Hong Kong's most famous individuals was arrested by the government.  His office was raided by national police and he was led away in handcuffs.   Mr. Lai was the owner/editor of the Apple News paper which he operated as a voice of criticism of beijing and the Communist lackies who do the bidding of the ruler for life Xi JP.
       Mr. Lai was a well known successful businessman who parleyed his investments into a personal fortune which allowed him to start up a media empire that is the backbone of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong that essentially aims to hold Beijing to the signed agreement with the British government before the turnover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.   The agreement was to keep Hong Kong as a separate autonomous region with special local political rules that would maintain some of the elements that were in place under the British colonial  government.  However, all that changed when Carrie Lam, the mayor of Hong Kong, decided that the extradition law put in place would require criminals from HK subject to extradition to the mainland for a trial at the whim of Beijing.   This caused a furor among young locals who realized that this would dramatically alter the status of HK and subject all residents of HK to Beijing's laws and dictates.  Since last summer, demonstrations against this rule pushed Beijing to enact a new National Security Law that would place new conditions on all citizens living in HK.   Riots and demonstrations have continued ever since.

HK architecture

HK Opera

MV Matthew Turner: Update

      Well, folks, after 5+ years under construction, almost 2 years of sea trials, crew training, technological additions, safety demonstrations and drills, the U.S. Coast Guard inspector(s) issued a Certificate of Inspection which indicates the vessel can now carry out her plan of carrying passengers around the San Francisco Bay as the Bay Area's own "Tall Ship".   The all wood ship was constructed in a yard in Sausalito, CA under a tent, a rather large tent, a temporary one at that which cost in excess of $75,000.   At 135' long and 175tons, this is a serious ship.
     The ship exists under the banner of the Educational Tall Ship Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to young students who will sail on board under the observation of instructors and crew members who will teach SF maritime history, oceanography, weather, sailing skills, teamwork, and maybe a little food prep in the galley.   Due to the COVID pandemic all classes and cruises have been put on hold as the organization grapples with the reality of social distancing, closed schools, reduced mass transit options, and unemployment figures that came upon the state suddenly in March of 2020.  All passenger vessels have come under increased scrutiny not only because of severe outbreaks on cruise ships around the world, but here in California, the deaths of a number of passengers in Southern California waters while on a dive boat cruise rocked the coastal community.  The investigation continues and a final report has not been issued.  Five crew members survived the tragedy, swimming to nearby anchored boats for assistance.
       The Tall Ship Foundation has its headquarters in Sausalito, and the ship is docked at teh Army Corps pier a quarter mile away.  The Mayor was a recent visitor and chatted with Alan Olson, founder of the organization that birthed the entire project, and supervised its construction.  I took a number of fotos to show her current appearance at the pier.

starboard name plate

Binnacle, motor controls, wheel well

Anchor @ cathead-starboard side

Main mast with radar and radio antenna

Foremast shrouds and halyards, navigation light