Book Review: Grant, by Ron Chernow

        Have you looked at a $50 bill lately?  I haven't seen one in quite awhile, actually. But the image of General Grant that graces the front is really unforgettable.  The stoic stare, eyes wide open, no smile, no giveaway smirk, just him, there to appreciate.   We all learned in our high school history lessons that he won the Civil War for Abe Lincoln.  Finished, end of story.  But, oh, there's so much more.

     With a little bit of inspection of the $50 note, one can see the lined face of a middle-aged man, no doubt a little over weight, and perhaps anxious or depressed and sad.  This is the man in the late period of his second presidential term, 1872-1876.   He had 8 years of the White House where he sat besieged by office seekers, lobbyists of the day, a Father who traded on his son's fame, a Father-in-law who maintained that the South was cheated of victory(sound familiar?), a spouse who exalted in Washington, D.C. as the No.1 socialite hostess, and, most telling: the problem of how to support oneself after leaving office(no pension for presidents yet).  What to do?  Take a trip.  A trip, indeed.

         Shortly after his departure from the White House, he and Julia, his social climbing wife, departed on a world tour that would consume the next 2 years and 4 months of their lives.  Yes, he left town for the globe for 28 months.  He visited his daughter in England, the wife of a British nobleman( a loser/ cad).  The story of their travels is a good one.  It seems the world wanted to see the man who saved a nation.  He was feted wherever they landed.  Crowds appeared whenever news noted their arrival.  It was a most remarkable excursion for a man who had limited experience outside of his military assignments.  Grant was one of the most apolitical politicians in American history, rarely campaigning at all before or after his election(s).  He only began campaigning when he sought the nomination once again in 1880( he lost the nomination at the Republican convention).

more later

NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies v. Jazz

      Utah was favored.   The Memphis team the under dog.  At the start, it looked like a walkover had begun.  But then, The Bears went on a tear, and were soon ahead 48 to 43.   Then they played like they were going to win.  They looked like they could win.   And, win they did.  The 4th quarter was challenging to say the least.  Utah did not go down quietly, keeping it close to the very end.  Memphis will be a suitable opponent for any and all teams during the playoffs.

Old Age Not a Golf Handicap

       Phil Mickelson set a record today: the oldest golfer to win a major golf tournament.  He did it by winning the P.G.A. tournament at Kiawah, South Carolina on its Ocean Course.  The low slung "barrier island was designed  a couple of decades ago by the famous couple-the Dents.  It was essentially wiped out during a hurricane a few years ago, and its return has been called miraculous.  And so it was selected as the site of this years P.G.A. Tournament.  Much was spent on the redo, bringing in live trees to replace some that were lost during the storm.  Of course, play at most golf courses around the United States and most other countries was terminated due to the pandemic of 2020.

        Some professional golfers had to do with play at their home course(s) by special permission.  Many played little, if at all, during the height of the 'lockdowns' for most of the year.  It wasn't until late last fall that some course became playable, albeit, limited hours, no foursomes, no fast play or play-throughs.  So as fans anticipated today's tournament, P.G.A. directors held their collective breath as some of golf's best players came out of hiding and dusted off their putters for 4 rounds of televised coverage and roving galleries of walking fans, gathered during the late spring weekend.  Phil Mickelson did not let his fans down.  His early lead began to sink in among observers.  His play was thoughtful, steady, and without major disasters along the way.   Contenders in the top ten of the leader board seemed poised to take advantage of any slip as he drove off  tee after tee with long, straight drives, avoiding water hazards and bunkers lurking near the beaches that line the course.   The sandy ground, found on any barrier island, gave the impression to the viewer that this is a beach resort hotel that happens to have a golf course adjacent.  No, that is not the case.  The classic ocean course was designed to challenge professional golfers on each and every hole.   Lacking anything resembling a "landscape", the course offers deceptive approaches that can become serious drawbacks to par: hidden hazards lying in wait can pose as little more than speed bumps until the unwary golfer starts looking for a ball gone missing.   Yes, the pros scout the course before the tournament begins; yes, they confer with their coaches and caddies, and they review strategies as play develops and weather is factored in.

        At age 50, "Lefty" Mickelson has been around, and he's been around golf most of those 50 years.  Since no one that elderly has ever won a tournament on the tour, it would be unlikely for him to ever win another major.  But he did.  Flashing a winning smile as he raised the Wanamaker Trophy signalling a victory, he basked in the glory of entering the record books via his win at Kiawah, SC.

Well done.

       

CALIFORNIA: Fantasy Island

         Well, Sports Fans, get ready for the new "Big Game".   The Single Party State of California has entered into the modern world of  "Fantasy Politics".   Lets define fantasy politics, that is: a period of political activities run by imagined methods and laws based disproportionately on unrealistic goals paid for with dream-like tax revenues enhanced by funds created by outside parties(Feds) who agree or support all the programs dreamed up by politicians who owe debts to voters in their respective districts who have lobbied for financial budget considerations in their favor.  Whoo, What a definition, a real mouthful.  Not exactly Noah Webster, but close.  It's only Tuesday, but the week's list of those who will receive funds keeps getting longer by the minute.   Governor Gruesom can't sleep at night because his mind is alive with plans to send billions all over the fruited(literally) plains of California.  

       Where to start on the List?   Hmmmmmm. What has been announced.  Let's start at the top.   $100 billion to spend.  Ready, set, go, Gavin.  Schools: a record $14,000 per pupil spending -a record for the state.  State law requires 62% be spent on education-his hands were tied on this one.  That leaves about $38 billions for grownups.   Next: MediCal for all UNDOCUMENTED residents over age 60(get ready ICE).   The state's already stressed healthcare system will need more doctors immediately and health care corporations will have to hire more accountants to tally up the anticipated profits as a result.  Kaiser Health will have to build more hospitals starting this week.

   Next, homelessness will be a large focus, or do you prefer unhoused, as the libs now offer up to their 'woke' pals in Sacramento.   Perhaps SoCAl beaches will be able to breathe again after the occupants of the tents along the boardwalks will be taken to their new condos paid for by the taxpayers(sometime in the future of America).   Perhaps every hotel operating in the red over the period of the pandemic will be bought or leased by the state to house the newly unhoused(recent arrivals by boat/bus/airplane/foot)  Get ready ICE.

     Gavin Gruesom will face a recall soon, so he has decided to placate all voters with:  their own tax dollars.  By law, he must return A PORTION of taxes paid by Californians when the amount excedes a certain percentage. (by 2023)  Yea, we'll get money back.   In addition, middle income taxpayers will get checks for $1,100 by next Monday.  Yea, Gov. Gavin Gruesom, the bestest most loving governor in history.  (poor John Cox, not rich enough to overcome Gruesom's windfall).    I'm going to buy the biggest chainsaw ever to clear "defensible" space around everything, even the doghouse.  I'll burn through chains by the hour.  I will hire sawyers to keep the chain hot for the summer, night and day.   Gavin: send us more chains, please.

       Next:  Want to make movies?  The film industry will experience a resurgent atmosphere in California. Big financial incentives to bring back the business(including the departed porn industry that left the scene over condoms).   Soon, the sound trucks and the dollie movers will begin sprouting like weeds all over LA.  Let the good times roll.  Whoever thought we'd be back to the good times so soon?  Good bye, Donald, Hello $$$$$$$$$$$$$.  Wheeeeeeeee.   Pandemic?  Schpandemic.   Democrats in the White House .   Note the difference.  The Republicans will never recover, ever.  It's over for fiscal restraint.  The Fed will keep interest rates at zero forever.  Inflation?  Forget it.  Gone forever.  Stocks?  New records every week.   Electric vehicles=everywhere.

     I'm exhausted.  It's too, too much.  I guess I'll just have to accept that the rules of living the good life have changed-forever?  Now I have to change, too.  Spending restraints?  Old thinking.  Saving for a 'rainy' day?  Pathetic thinking.  Live for TODAY.  Live. Live. Live.

      Tahoma will become the Queen of the West Shore.  Homes for the homeless,  new businesses will open up:  boom times have landed.  Enjoy the MOMENT. 

      

Xi J P has a Grey Problem

    Not his 'Grey" problem, but China's.   Hmmmmm.   China is aging; its population is in decline at a mush faster rate than predicted just a decade ago.    Now that's a problem when you are trying your best to become the world's only "super" power.   Never mind restricting internal movement or emigration, one province to the next.   Never mind that 60% + of the population is left in rural/farm settings waiting for the economy to reach them with a higher level of living.

       Let's have a look:  in 1990, there was an average of 4 people per household throughout China.  Ten years later, the number per household dropped to 3.4 persons per each household.   Then in 2010, another drop to 3.1 persons per household.  Most recently, 2020, the number dropped to 2.62 persons per household.   On Tuesday, China announced a fourth straight year of declining births.  Weng Feng, a sociology professor at UC Irvine, states that the population of China will begin a slide as soon as 2025,  "  a decline that sees no end."  On top of this statistic is another, maybe worse:  20% of the current population is over the age of 60.   Births declined 18% in 2020, partly due to Covid.  Much of the decline can be the result of the 1-child policy which took hold in1980.   While this rule has been weakened, the effects will be here for years.

         China will continue to produce great economic gains in many areas, but robots cannot make up the role of the Chinese consumer, a primary target for homemade products.   Maybe the next Mars probe will look for immigrants on the surface.  Their new Mars rover landed this week and sent back some pictures.  Meanwhile, the space junk from one of their orbiting space vehicles burnt up as it reenteredtheatmosphere over the Indian Ocean.  Glad it missed Tahoma.  Keep your eyes open out there.

Scenery

 Mile Rock Light-Golden Gate with Marin Headlands

Local Look

 

How's Your Drought Doing Today?

        Or, Where is your next drink of water coming from?  The dreaded "D" word is becoming the daily demon across all media, especially here in California.   Have you looked at  Tahoe's lake level this week?  Well, you should, it's lower.   The 52 feeder creels and rivers are running a little low.  Not much flow for the month of May.   The dam still is releasing 3 gates full, but that will soon stop.   Then the Truckee River wars will heat up again, as down stream customers start to calculate needs/wants for the next year.  Oh, and then there's fire season.   Tahoma will have to watch the lake: some politician will make headlines when he suggests that the lake could be a source of water for those Central Valley Big Ag customers(Almond growers, grape growers, cotton growers, etc.)   Sound farfetched?   Nothing is sacred in Coastal California where Big Ag accounts for the largest sector of the state's economy.   Recent information has highlighted the various water projects that send water all over the state, from north to south, generally.   Articles note the big water sources:  the Sacramento River, the San Joaquin River, the Sierra snow pack, and the Colorado River.  All, including some water from the northern coast ranges, contribute to the allocation of the resource to where it's needed most- where it isn't.   The Old Hippie Governor, Jerry Brown, thought 2 tunnels under the Delta would make people happy.  Wrong.  It was an obvious tilt to Big Ag.  Now, Gov. Gruesom wants a single, $8 billion  tunnel instead of 2.   Good Luck with that, Gavin.  The Gov showed up in Mendocino county to declare a drought in Sonoma County and Mendocino county.   Publicity stunt, sure.   But he wants to highlight his efforts to put locals on notice: use less or we'll be knocking on your door-the Water Police.   Oh, and fire season is here already.

    Have you prepared your home defenses?  Do you have defensible space around the house?  Can you afford to hire some drought crooks who want nothing more than access to your wallet?   Look out for scammers: they're everywhere these days.   Cut a tree down?  $1500 dollars, please.  You want it chipped and hauled?  Add another thou.   It seems nobody knows what the market will bear, much less how much things cost.   Keep your eye on the stimulus check.  And remember, those workers also got a check.

Liz Cheney: Slapped Down

       Well, what's a Senatorial slap look like?  Ask Liz Cheney, Republican from Wyoming.  She has just been ousted from all Senate power positions after she called out her Party for leading party members down a path to destruction for supporting the Big Lie of Donald trump, former president Donald Trump, the big pimple on the ass of America, in need of draining.

        Given her well-connectedness, it seems the party leaders: Sen. Mitch McConnell(KY),  Rep. Kevin McCarthy(CA), etc.  would respond differently.  But, no, they follow the party line:  Follow Trump wherever he leads us.   No matter it could be off a cliff.   Over 100 Republicans now threaten to form a 3rd Party.  Let the fight begin.  Perhaps this is what Congress needs: a Battle Royal to shake up an institution that has fumbled its role and can't find the handle.  Hmmmm.   It will get ugly as 2022 midterm election dates creep ever closer.  traditionally, the party in power gets bruised and battered in the off year elections.  Republicans hope to continue that tradition.  However, the idiots running the party are foundering on the rocks in front of Mar-a -Lago: home of the Orange-Haired baboon. " How to Ruin a Party", could be the title of a new Republican book.  Pundits will follow the path cut by Liz Cheney for it will demonstrate the goal of the new Republican party.   That is, the party favored by ultra-conservatives in Texas, Georgia, the Carolinas, Arizona, and numerous others who are hoping for a better position now that President Biden has beefed up the bank accounts of most of Americans.

Keep watching.

Stimulus CHecks Arriving

       Did you get yours??  Look again.  Seems that if you filed your income tax forms this year, a check(transfer) should have arrived into your bank account.  Maybe you didn't notice $1,400 added to your balance.  Maybe you don't think it's worth looking for because you can't trust the IRS.  Or, maybe you just are tired: tired of lockdowns, tired of bad news, tired of being at home 24/7.   Any excuse could serve your attitude about a check.  But, Tahomans:  get the check and spend it-that's the hope and prayer of the President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden.

        Speaking of the President, he's got a lot on his plate.  Not quite what Abe Lincoln had on his plate when elected President in 1860.  (you remember? Civil War, Southern Secession by plantation cultural adherents?).   Let's see:  covid vaccinations; REPUBLICAN LIARS, possible inflation, housing crises(lack of),  inequality everywhere, joblessness, corporate takeovers, corporate malfeasance, banking malfeasance, Gaza/Israel, China and Taiwan, Japanese Olympics, drought, climate change, higher education, urban decline(again), coastal population counts, voting rights abuses by all Republicans, and a few more.

        Out in California, the Democratic Party will have to deal with a recall election against Gov. Gruesom, Former Rising Star: now just another liberal breaking bad.  The super majority in the Cal State Legislature is starting to look inward as opponents of the Guv line up to challenge his status as the Governor.   He can try to deflect criticism over his handling of the pandemic, but he can't rewrite his own history: Cal Matters won't let that happen.

TRPA: Comments Asked for on Meeks Bay Restoration Project

       On the TRPA website, the Meeks Bay committee is asking for more community input.  Tahoma residents( a few) have posted a comment or two.  Seems that the few think a return to some pristine state would be best. Go to the TRPA website and have a look.

Gruesome Newsom Touts Surplus

     Oh, my.  Rags -to-Riches!  Really?  Can you believe this Empty Suit?  A year ago, Gruesome Newsom was wringing his manicured fingers, bemoaning a projected budget shortfall of $54 billions.  Hmmmmm.  This scared some locals, but nobody with a pulse or a brain.  Maybe Chicken Little, but not anybody else.  The media slumps around, gathering "news", reporting as they are told by GruesomeNewsom and his lackeys in the legislature.

     Now, the Boob says we'll have a $74 billion surplus.  So, let's spend it; let's give it away---Wheeeeeee. Damn the recall, buy my way back to office.  Happy Days are here again, or something like that.  NOw Alex Padilla is gone(to Washington); Kamala is gone(to Washington); DiFi is asleep at the wheel;  Kevin McCarthy wants to get in deeper with Trump, Inc., and Devon Nunes is trying to consult his ouija board, again.  (Use a windmeter).  The drought?  Oh, later for that.  Maybe we'll get some rain next month.  I heard that, too.  A late Spring shower.?  Don't hold your breath.  Water meter manufacturers are gearing up for the big install: every well head(water) will have a new meter very, very soon.  Are you ready to deal with the blowback?   Gavin won't make that announcement until AFTER the recall.  The Dems know about midterms in 2022.  They are scared, very scared, as they should be.  Maybe California will lose the super majority of Democrats.   The damage inflicted on the taxpayers will take awhile to fix.  If the legislature doesn't fix it soon, look for a speed up at the exits.

     Demographers/census folks released the numbers:  California LOST population since 2010.  Yes, lots of folks hit the road during the pandemic, going to places like Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Texas, and even Utah.  Too many fires, too few "new' JOBS.  Only tech jobs for 'qualified' workers.  Hmmmmmm.  And Gruesom Newsom wants to distribute $600 to each CAlifornian who suffered through the pandemic's worst months.  Ok:  show your residency card; show your Covid vaccination card; show your Green Card; show your driver's license; show ANYTHING, and we'll send the check.  (No post Office Boxes please-remember the unemployment payment fiasco of 2020-cost us about 8-10 billions before a few red flags went up).

     Ahhhhh, California: LAnd of Golden Dreams and financial nightmares, often mixed together in a toxic brew.

Earthquake: Truckee

      So, just when you thought it was safe to go into the mountains, another shaker.  It was the 3rd quake in less than 2 weeks.  The first two at the end of April were focused on Incline Village , Nevada.  Not an uncommon location inside the Basin.  Truckee, on the other hand, is outside the Basin.  Again, it is not unusual for the location.  The Sierra continues to move, continues its uplifting.  Geology and geologic "time" confound many amateur observers.  An earthquake?  Should we run out and buy some insurance?  Well, the California Earthquake Authority would suggest that "now" is the time.  As per requirements, property insurers send out the notices every year.   The CAlifornia Fund has lots of funds, waiting for the next big "One".

    Are you ready?

A Walk in the Woods: Bear Woods

        The weather around the lake this week has been springlike:  warm, sunny days, a light breeze, ripples across the deep blue of the lake.   Perfect for a stroll through the Sugar Pine Point parklands.   The bikepath off the 89 is a good starting point and the Mayor availed himself of such a place near the entrance.  After only 100' of walking, I noticed a lumbering bruin about 75 yards ahead on the path.  I came to a halt; studied the direction of travel of this local black bear and began a slow retreat.  He/she continued west toward 89 where it stopped for traffic.  Traffic stopped, the bear crossed, and the traffic resumed.  The Mayor also resumed his springtime stroll.

Be Aware!

Navalny Supporter Under Arrest

      The Kremlin doesn't seem to be able to help itself as it confronts the opposition.  Namely, confronting Alexei Navalny and his supporters who oppose Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, leader of the largest country in the world(and also history).   Poor Putin: his efforts to hold on to power have made him a pariah around the world.  His geopolitical efforts(eg. Crimea, Ukraine, Sochi Winter Olympics, Belarus, Finland, and the United States) have not endeared him to the international community of nations.  While his laser-focus on maintaining power propelled him into a lifetime leadership role, his ability has been strained of late due to sanctions imposed by the West.   President Biden has made it known that Russya will pay a high price for interfering in the US election process, and also for hacking into cybersystems in government operations and corporate systems.   The FSB, under Kremlin control, continues to expand efforts to interrupt computers in many countries in the West.  For these well-known efforts, the Kremlin makes a mockery of international cooperation.

        Why is this continuing?  Why does Russyan leadership promote itself as a nation to be reckoned with when most of its geopolitical moves serve to antagonize other national governments, save those who depend on largess from the Kremlin?   On the other hand,  when it comes to space exploration and travel, Russyan scientists can be most cooperative with allies when involved in the space station, long a symbol of cooperation.  Hmmm?  Is it epigenetics?  Will more time be needed until the history of Russyan culture can shake off its past oppression of its own peoples?  Perhaps.   Alexei Navalny, the shadow ruler of Russya today, has organized nation-wide protests against the Kremlin regime.  He has support across the vast steppes of Siberia, from Moskova to the Pacific Coast @ Vladivostok and the Amur River.  His visit to the Far East of Russyan territory only allowed him to be poisoned by security officers who followed him and delivered the nerve agent Novichuk that almost killed him upon his return flight.   By chance, he was able to get help after the pilot of the aircraft landed soon after he collapsed and got him to medical staff for treatment.  After recovering in a Berlin hospital, he returned to Moskova and was promptly arrested and jailed.

       A new effort by the Kremlin of late has targeted Navalny's supporters.  On Friday, April 30, '21, police arrested a lawyer in Moskova.  Not just any lawyer, but a very prominent human rights lawyer: Ivan Pavlov.  After the agents of the F.S.B. RAIDED HIS HOTEL ROOM AT 6:40 A.M., THEY ARRESTED HIM FOR DISCLOSING DETAILS OF A LAW-ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION UNRELATED TO MR. NAVALNY.   Additionally, agents searched the offices in St.Petersburg and broke down the door of the the groups technology manager.  My, my: so aggressive, reminds one of the old days when the K.G.B. (and Col. Putin were active).   These raids are examples of an ongoing Kremlin effort to stifle dissent within the country's borders.   It is another step toward control of the population, that sad group of oppressed natives who silently endure a dictatorship that has betrayed efforts to bring democratic principles to the nation.

Pray for Mr. Pavlov