Russyan Workers On Leave

       Working today?  Nyet, spasyba(thank you).  The Kremlin told me to stay home.  There are too many Russyans dying in Mother Russya of COvid-19.  How is this possible?  We in Russya have Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin handling the reins of our government.  And he loves us.  Hmmmm.  Perhaps that love is only a wish, or maybe a dream.  What comes from the Kremlin is more manure than love.  So, the workers will sit in front of their allowed propaganda outlet(TV) and swallow more of the same as Mad Vlad pulls more levers to manipulate opinions and sell his dictatorship to the vodka-swilling Slavs, Tatars, Cossacks, etc., who are stuck on the Steppes for at least another winter.   Hope the permafrost doesb't melt under my hovel this year. 

Josh Hawley: Opinion Writer and Trump Acolyte

       How sad: the editors of the New York Times gave the Ok to a piece by Trump's yes-man, the Republican Senator from the State of Missouri, Joshua Hawley.   This elected coward is probably dancing in the streets around the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. for the information coup he succeeded in bringing his byline to the American public.  The RNC is probably holding his hand so he won't trip on a curb stone, fall, and damage his cowardly hide.  He could be/he is the new Party face.

      This disgusting human being wasted his education(degree in History from Stanford U.).  He seems to have been educated at Liberty U., or some other bastion of conservative thought.  Or maybe he should have enrolled at the University of Phoenix, the diploma mill that siphoned off billions in government loans to students who where conned into thinking they were being educated and told their diplomas would open doors to a career that would reward them handsomely.  That didn't happen.  But getting back to the NYT.

      On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal published a "letter" signed by Donald Trump.  In this fabricated piece, he repeated allegations that the 2020 presidential election was a fraud, and in Pennsylvania, there existed the biggest fraud.  And why did the editors think this was a good thing: to print these patently false statements again?  What was the thinking?  Fairness? Certainly not.  Truth telling?  ditto.  Balance?  Please.  Trump is the ultimate coward, hiding behind a Constitution that he rebukes at every turn.   Rex Tillerson, Trump's appointed then fired Secretary of State, said it very succinctly:  "Trump is a moron".   All published letters are scrutinized, analyzed, fact checked, reviewed, and then reviewed by editorial page reviewers.  Then a decision is finally made.  Perhaps the editors have rolled over: we need more money from Big Corporations.  See the full page ads in the WSJ.   Hmmmm. Can we accept that the media thrives on dollars alone and content is an after thought?  It seems so.  As the internet has turned journalism into a blood sport, the results are easily grasped: instant communication without scrutiny or judgement results in chaos and mob mentality.  Congress is finally being forced to accept this new information landscape.   Facebook, too.  It has just changed its name from F-book to META.  Why?  Too much bad press; too much negative thinking around the old flag name.  Zuck has been told:  "Put up a screen"; the press will become confused.   As an example, Phillip Morris, the nicotine seller / lung cancer purveyor, changed its name awhile ago and the company still is in business despite its product(s) killing hundreds of thousands of innocent victims each year.  And now they are selling 'smokeless" nicotine products called vapors to vapers.

       So, the history professors down on the "Farm" in Palo Alto will hide their faces today, avoid the faculty lounge, and pray that Hawley doesn't remind his constituents, again, that he was a history major at Stanford University, which has a tree as its mascot instead of the former mascot, the the Indian.

China Telecom: Go Home

        The White House finally has begun to turn the screws on Beijing.  After several recent events-Hong Kong, Taiwan, Covid-19, Tibet, Uighurs, coal, climate, South China Sea rocks, Evergrande, Australia, submarines, aircraft carriers, flyovers, Apple, Facebook to name a few,   Joe Biden felt he must do something-now.

      China Telecom is a big company; it has been in the US for decades, operating alongside other American companies, albeit in the background.  It has been closely observed by various intelligence agencies as a focal point of Chinese government operations.  Now the company will be banned from all operations in the US.  The company has been given 60 days to discontinue operations here and to eventually shut down all US business.  The reasons given: the Chinese government has used the company as an information gathering point to collect data on all US customers and gather local information useful to the Chinese military.

       We have already seen what can happen when a company over steps normal business practices in the case of Huawei.  The company flagrantly ignored sanctions imposed on Iran by the international community; and the company refused to allow international clients access to technical data that would help clients identify data gathering systems attached to their products.   The US will now inform other international clients on the dangers of doing business with China Telecom, an identified arm of the Chinese military.

      Sell your stock.

Lake Tahoe: East v. West Vaccination Rates

        So, here we are- approaching the end of the year, or the 4th quarter.  How is the vaccination going around the Lake?  Let's look at current stats:  This will allow those who live inside the Basin to get a grip on those folks most likely to be encountered when out and about, whether working, playing or just hanging out somewhere(eg. skiing).

On the California side:

     per cents                             12+         18+         65+

Nevada County                       63           64           72

Placer                                      69           70           85

El Dorado                               64            65           80

On the Nevada side:

Carson City county                67           69            91

Douglas                                  52           54            70

Washoe                                   67           69            85

           How do these numbers compare?   Well, two counties in Nevada-Carson and Washoe have equal or better percentages with Douglas county is way behind all the others, including those in the California side.

In California, Placer county is the local leader with superior numbers across the board.  El Dorado county and Nevada county have decent numbers, but are less than the rest excepting Douglas County in NV.  We know there are a numbers of reasons for any difference among the counties which include population, density, health department organizational leadership, and education levels among the adult population.  All can do better; all will do better as vaccines become approved for children 5-12 years of age.  The FDA and the CDC say that approval of at least one vaccine will work to reduce the overall rate of infections.

Wear your mask; be respectful of others, especially senior citizens.

Russya Tells Workers :STAY HOME

       Well, our friends in the largest country in the world have decided that it's better to stay home than go to work, contract the Covid-19 virus, and die.   So, Kremlin being the Kremlin, ordered all workers to stay home.  The Goal: reduce the number of new infections and possibly slow the death toll, now in excess of 1000 dead Russyans EVERYDAY!

      Well, now :  will Mr. Peskov make a statement?  ANother statement, maybe like the one issued that informed the world that the Kremlin can't stand NATO anymore.  Oh, the winds of change.  WHat's is the Little Dictator thinking now?  Who cares?  Maybe he's focusing on Afghanistan and the Taliban.  The Kremlin hosted a confab where they invited some Taliban murderers to sit at a round table(not on a dirty old carpet in a tent in Tora Bora).  A dozen or so showed up, some may have showered in the month before.  Russya claims that it is interested in dialogue with these novice diplomats and administrators of their fledgling gang operations in the forlorn wasteland they call home.  This is a country that has no police force, only gand members who decide if the locals comply with Shariah Laws , despite none of them able to read or write.  Ah, modern life in the rat's nest of Central Asia.

Golden State Warriors Return

      So, sports fans, COVID-Weary citizens, Tahoma residents, Californians, Soon-to-be-Texans, and Homeless folks, the NBA has returned!  Get on it, get with it.  Last evenings opener in LA-Warriors v. LeBron and company gave us an indication of what's-to-Come:  great games.   The Warriors, as usual, started slowly as LeBron-led LA muscled their way to an early lead.  The Dubs, as they are called locally, passed the round ball with their efficient style but failed at closing the basket.  Long-range shots bounced off the rim, caromed off the backboard, or was picked off by a defender.  Hmmmm.  Where is this going to end?

      The Golden Staters kept it close and the score was almost even at the half.  As the second half opened, the Warriors surged, briefly, taking the lead with a combination of defense and aggressive moves in the paint.  LaBron was rested and the Dubs took advantage.  The lead was traded many times through the third and it appeared at this point, it was anybody's game.  And then, the 4th quarter opened.

      LA appeared stunned as SF started one run after the other.  Half way through, the Warriors took command.  LA stumbled, unable to reach the hoop; unable to control the offensive efforts of Steve Kerr's charges.  Time and again, the Golden Staters crashed the defense and made the locals pay.  With less than 5 minutes to play, the score was SF by 16!  The LA team was finished.  Nothing could erase the deficit and the Dubs would notch their first victory of the season against a touted club with impressive stars at every position.  Coach Kerr commended his "new" youthful members for their tenacity, their endurance, and their overall efforts against a rival team of veterans.

      It will be a good year for Warrior fans.

Russya: COVID-19 deaths Surge

        The poor vaccination rate in the largest country in the world has contributed greatly to a new record of deaths.  The published death rate has exceeded 1000 per day(1000/day), 1000/day above normal.  However, we also know this figure is false.   Evidence indicates there are far more daily deaths due to the COVID-19 virus than acknowledged by Mad Vlad's cronies.   Russya has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world, somewhere around 22% of the population.   Most of those vaccinations are given in Russya's far west, vic.  MOskova and Saint Petersburg.   I would expect this as this is an area where the vaccines are available.  The rest of the citizenry has to travel to get a shot.

      Meanwhile, the Kremlin is basking in the glory of a surge in energy prices.   Oil and natural gas prices are rising daily, and nobody knows when it will stop.   The Climate Conf. in Glasgow, Scotland, will begin on October 31.   Hmmmmmm.  What will the talking heads say?

Snow on the Ground,Finally

      It sticks!  That is, the snow that fell last night.  10" in some areas around the lakeshore.  This comes as reporters write of the lake's diminishing size and its drop below the rim level that precludes any flow into the Truckee River from its headwater.

      So, we have the first efforts of winter.  Perhaps this is a harbinger of a winter season with average or better rates of precipitation that would bring joy to large sectors of the forest managers, water managers, firefighters, homeowners, and fire insurance folks(those incredibly hostile insurance folks who raise rates despite evidence of low payouts in most areas).

      Will skiers and boarders emerge from their long slumbers?  Will ski resorts start hiring and promoting their assets to the moneyed class?  The moneyed class is that which can afford to even think about going skiing.  The rest of us will have to be content to look at TikTok videos and imessages on our phones.  I was shocked when I heard that a "Day" pass at the Jackson Hole Resort is $180.  Who pays that?  Moneyed class members, to be sure.  And, as locals in Jackson and vicinity have found out, second home buyers there could care less about the effect on the local economy when they head back east to their established residences and leave the 2nd home vacant or at best, on AirB&B.   Much of the criticism heaped on the moneyed classes is well, deserved.

Snow tires mounted yet?  Now do it; save yourself and us.  Bye the way, vaccinated yet?  Save yourself and us here, too.  Thank you very much.  Don't become a permanent member of the stupid class.

The Pandora Papers

     Well, now, here we are: a paper trail throughout the modern world of the financial records of many of the world's most nefarious financial dealings involving political leaders who have cheated their citizens of trillions of dollars of moneys.  However, the key issue found in the documents is the role of establishment banking institutions that have facilitated the funds that are hidden from scrutiny; those funds made available to the families of these polical figures who loot the treasuries of their countries and hide the money offshore.

        Where are the moneys held?   See tax havens.   What banks are involved?  See the City of London list of banks, and the banks listed anywhere in Switzerland.  These holier-than -thou locations are mere facilitators for thievery on an unimaginable scale.   Hidden accounts?  No problem.  Moving money across the "Dark Web?"  Easy as pie.   Dictators looking for a financial hiding place: we have plenty-just ask.

      The Pandora Papers underscore the work of honest investigative reporters whose efforts are starting to bear fruit,  See the international agreement to have a minimum corporate tax(at 15%).  This is seen asa first step to identify and tax corporations that have used various means to shelter their profits from taxation by host countries, or, as it has been called: the race to the bottom for taxes due.  You and I have to pay; and why do corporations escape the long hand of government cost structure?  Lobbying; canny lawyers, paid accountancy firms with dubious methods for sheltering profits, etc.

     Perhaps Congress will act; perhaps not.  Keep your eyes open, Bunky.

Game 4: Dodgers Prevail 7-2 Over SF

    So, now back to San Francisco for the 5th and final game: win or go home.  Everything is on the line-careers will sour, some will end.  Stats will also end for the losers: post season play will be clipped at the division playoff series-best of 5.

      SF pitching was the obvious culprit in their loss.  For LA, the obvious strong point was just about everything: pitching, hitting and fielding-signs of a winner.  There's now a travel day, the end game tomorrow in Fog City.

    Tahoma fans will be watching, hoping for a good outcome that will send the Giants on to greater glories, ala 2010-12-14!😆

Giants v. Dodgers: game 3

       Well, sports fans, Game 3 of the Nat. League division series is in the books.  The game, held in LA at Dodger stadium, was played before a near sellout crowd of 50k.  It was a windy night in the southland, and the wind did not favor the long ball, or any flyball as the wind was blowing into the infield and essentially knocked down anything hit into the air.

      Pitcher Max Sherzer was on the mound for LA and delivered excellent results, holding the sluggers from San Francisco to only one run.  It was a long ball off Sherzer that Evan Longoria got under and into and it defied the winds as it sailed into the center field seats.   For the Giants, it gave them the lead.  For LA, it put them into a corner as they, too, had problems hitting.  Giants defense was again superb, especially late in the game when shortstop Brandon Crawford leaped into the ozone to steal a hit from Dodger Mookie Betts that could easily have tied the game.  Giants starter Wood went 5 2/3 innings and didn't allow a run.   Closer Duval followed the middle reliever with 2 innings of shutball.

Giants Win: 1-0.   Series at Giants 2 w 1 loss; Dodgers 1 win 1 loss.  Tomorrow night, the Giants could win the series with a victory.

Go Giants

Giants Sting Dodgers in Game 1 of Division Playoffs

        Behind the stellar pitching performance of Logan Webb, the long-ball hitting San Francisco Giants slapped the L.A. Dodgers with a shutout loss in front of a full house in Oracle Park.   Buster Posey, the All-Star catcher, started things off in the 1st inning with a 2-run blast to the opposite field.  Pitcher Webb then focused on the strike zone as he baffled his opponents with a mix of pitches they were want to hit.  Try as they might, they could not bring bat to ball.   Posey's homer was followed by two more: one by Brandon Crawford, and another by Chris Bryant.

       Tonight will see a rematch for Game 2 of this historic meeting of the two top teams in major league ball.   The teams amassed the best records during the regular season: Giants at 107 wins, and the Dodgers with 106 wins.   These two teams have never faced each other in post season play. 

      SF fans are off to a good start.

Go Giants, as we say in Tahoma💪😆😆

Global Tax Accord Reached

      Finally, after years of discussion, after much negotiation, global accord was achieved yesterday as the world's nations, large and small, rich and poor, agreed to a global tax on large multinational corporations. Most of the world's finance ministers have signed on to a 15% tax rate on earnings of companies making $750 millions or more and sell goods and services in the host country.  This 15% is less than what Pres. Biden wanted, but it was an acceptable compromise.  The EU must sign off collectively to have it in place. Hungary, Ireland, and Estonia needed some last minute adjustments to agree, given their low corporate rates in place to attract investments.

       Janet Yellen, U.S. Secretary of Treasury, called the agreement an effort to prevent a rush to the bottom on corporate tax rates as powerful giants searched locations to maximize profits at the expense of those countries where they may have started or had major headquarters.  A few countries decided not to sin on, namely, Pakistan.  Hmmmmm.  No surprises there.  Pakistan is not our friend.  Note their duplicity over the last 20 years as the U.S. became mired in neighboring Afghanistan.

      This agreement will spread the wealth that has flowed around the globe to countries that offered essentially "tax havens" for corporations to shield profits.  Facebook financial officials said this is a long sought goal of their company.

      Now, Joe Biden must get Congress to pass the agreement.  Republicans, those somewhat Americans, do not like the agreement.   But the Dems will have the votes at least for another year.  This agreement must be passed.

Stormy Weather Due

     In what will certainly be a huge relief to all folks on the West Shore and Tahoma;  a 'real' winter storm will dump snow on the higher elevations this weekend.  Many roads will close, but Highway 89 will get little if any white stuff.  Time to switch tires; time to ensure your wood supply will be good enough; remember a cord of wood = 128 CUBIC Feet!   So, 4' X 8' X 4'======128cu. ft.

       Most suppliers fudge to some degree on their version of the 'cord'.  Since most of the wood sold at Tahoe comes from the Valley, wholesalers cut out old almond orchards then cut the wood to dimensions, hoping to get close to 16".  3 X16= 48" or four feet.  Plug that into the above formula and you get the approved cord.   The reality: most cut their pieces to 15"-the size of the gap in their saw buck stand, or prepared cutting notch.  The results are logs 1" less than proper size.   Or  45" wide stack v. 48" stack, or about 5% less than one pays for.  This unacceptable, but has become routine in the business.  Be aware, especially when the truck rolls up and "dumps a load".  If it is not stacked in the truck, there's no measurement available.  A word to the wise!!!!

National League Wildcard Game: Dodgers Win, Cards Go Home

        It was a walkoff:  bottom of the 9th. Cody Bellinger draws a walk.  Next batter-a nobody named Taylor.  Ball, strike, ball, and then---------a crushing home run deep into the seats.  A bench clearing scene so popular with fans and players.  The exuberance and the displays of comraderie warm the hearst of all fans: in the stadium and at home in front of the flat screen with High Def.

       Next on the agenda:  San Francisco, winner of 1 more game than the Dodgers-107 v. 106 by L.A.  It's the first time these two arch rivals have met in the playoffs.  It could be one of the best series ever with the rivalry in front.   Long ball SF v.  small ball L.A.

Watch it.

An aside:  

         Recent research on the City of L.A. and the Dodger organization has revealed the "Dark Side" of the city and Walter O'Malley, the long time owner of the organization.   Seems O'Malley wanted a new stadium to be built in Brooklyn, NY.   However, Robert Moses, the influential city planner running all things NY in the '50's, had decided that the Yankees deserved a new stadium at Shea.   The Dodgers would have to wait.  O'Malley's plight became known to the LA mayor who had his own ideas.  The City of L.A. had been awarded a Federal grant of  $100 million to build low income public housing.  The mayor decided that this project would work in an area already housing low income mexican- Americans, many in their own homes.   The area encompassed what is today called Chavez Ravine.   Actually, 3 small communities existed in the area.   The City promised "new" apartments to all residents who gave up their land for the project.  Residents would have to get bye on their own for the 1 year time of construction; then all would return to the new projects.

      Didn't happen: the City of L.A. reneged on the deal agreed upon, and the Latino residents got no compensation whatsoever.   The Dodgers came west, and, as they say, the rest is history.   An cultural historian has done the research and now comes the reckoning.  Will L.A. bury its head in the historical sand, or make those families(and ) survivors whole?   Time will tell, but in progressive 'blue' California, the day of reckoning is at hand.

Provence: Land of History, Romance, and Wine, 2021

      The Mayor of Tahoma decided to get out of Dodge, get out of the Sierra, get out of California, get out of the US of A.   While I've been to France a few times, Paris, Champagne, Normandy, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley(north), and Strasbourg, I've never spent time in the south east province of Provence.  This is the fabled home of the red wine variety that competes with its Bordeaux cousin: Burgundy, aka Pinot Noir.  The press reported that there, too, were wildland fires in Provence.  Fortunately, they were not as massive in scope as those found in California and Oregon in August/September.  

        The Mayor shared this European experience with the Deputy Mayor and two travel advisors who know France very well.   Plans were made months before despite reports that the COVID virus was making a sharp impact across the Continent and in France in particular.  The U.S. Dept.of State issued a travel warning Cat. 4: do not visit unless absolutely necessary.  On advice of our government info source, we continued to pursue plans for a late August departure.   We flew through Chicago, then on to Paris.  From Paris to Nice on the south coast where we were picked up by our travel companions who arrived days before.  We then drove about 3 hours west to a B&B near the hilltown of Roussillon.   For those travelers who've been in the region, they might remember that Roussillon is the home of the Ochre Hills or the red earth cliffs that have been a source of awe for millenia.

        Provence was also the site(s) of numerous Roman military encampments and fortifications.  These grew to be entire cities and cultural buildings and constructions, including stadiums, theaters, temples, bridges, roads, and aqueducts.  Additionally, Romans brought along their various baths and physical comforts.   Many of these ancient structures have been preserved, and have survives two world wars, numerous revolutions, and political changes.  Even the Catholic Church has a history here of significance: Popes relocated here in Avignon for a long period, building a new cathedral and Papal headquarters for the Church.

Yankees V. Red Sox: 1st Game of post Season Begins

       So, we're tuned in to the first game of playoffs: the American League wild card game featuring arch rivals New York and Boston.  Gerrit Cole will start on the mound for the Yanks with 16 regular season wins.   The Sox pitcher didn't hesitate to fire up his pitches in the first inning with successive 97 mph fastballs with precise location.  Cole will work the corners and mix his pitches which include an excellent change -up.  Two fly balls, 2 out in bottom of the inning.  3rd batter Devers has hit Cole hard during past meetings. Now he throws the 99mph heater, but misses inside.  Ball 4, he walks him with nobody on and 2 outs.

      Next up:  cleanup hitter:  Xander Bogaerts, hitting .321 in regular season.   HOME RUN over center field wall with 1 on.  Fans go wild as Bogaerts continues his domination of Gerrit Cole.

Red Sox 2, Yankees 0 after 1 inning

Bottom of 6th Boston 4, New York 1

     So Alex Cora, Sox manager, opted for a pitching change after the starter gave up a 1 run homer to Yankee hitter Rizzo.  He had struck  out 8 before the home run.  So both clubs have gone to the bullpen.  A key defensive play by Boston saved a run at the plate after the catcher caught the relay and placed a tag on the sliding Yankee runner.  In the 6th, the Red Sox added another run on a hit down the right field line that scored the runner from first as the relay throw was late and off line.  Local note: bench coach for Boston is San Rafael, California native, Will Venable.  Will, son of former Giants outfielder, Max Venable, delighted local fans with his basketball skills.  He played round ball at Princeton and started on their ball team on advice of his Dad.  After graduation, he was drafted and played with the San Diego Padres where he played center field because of his strong arm and running ability.  He then started coaching at the big league level.

Top of the 8th: Boston 6, Yankees 1

In the bottom of the 7th, Yankee pitchers walked 3 to load the bases.  Alex Verdugo, a left-handed hitter, took a outside pitch to the opposite field for a 2 run double.  Now they hold a 5-run lead as the Yankees chances become slim and none.

China And The Evergrande Financial Debacle

      So, sports fans, China's big real estate empire ruler has cracked.  It failed to make a bond payment on October 1st.  Hmmmmm?  What is Beijing and Xi JP going to do now?  Well, the first thing they do is:  divert attention from financial chaos by sending jet bombers into the Taiwan Straits.  Over the weekend last, Chinese military aircraft made provocative intrusions into Taiwanese airspace.  This was followed by a warning to the United States to not return the favor as this is nothing more than Chinese aircraft patrolling "Chinese" airspace.   Same old, same old.

      Real estate in China has been driving a large sector of the Chinese economy for years.  Large companies have dominated with the approval of Beijing.  However, now some of the business practices are coming home to roost.  Namely, under performing loans, devalued properties, reduced demand, and a general slowdown in the global economy as the COVID pandemic continues to roil world markets and world business in general.  Couple this with the problem of Hong Kong and the Beijing crackdown on dissidents there, investors are taking a more cautious approach to all things Chinese.   Beijing also faces even more scrutiny over its treatment of Muslim minorities in the far west where a crackdown is ongoing over the Uighur minority that has faced years of mistreatment by Chinese government/military forces.

     The Mayor visited China just 2 years ago.  He traveled extensively from Beijing to Tibet and on to Hong Kong before all the troubles began there.  Included among the many stops were stops at Wuhan, site of the COVID outbreak; stops at the Ceramic Warrior Excavation site, a cruise on the Yangtze River to Chongqing, and a few others.   Observing the landscape revealed vast real estate properties built shoulder to shoulder, covering miles of the urban fringes.  Most of these structures, if not all, were concrete, multistory, condominium apartment building.  And, as we found out later, were not much more than unfinished shells, waiting for buyers and occupants.  We had the experience of talking to a family that had moved into one of the apartments.  We were informed that upon purchase, it was up to the new owner to finish the details.  What details, one might ask?  Answer: all interior finishes, to include windows(exterior), all plumbing, heating, and AC systems; all flooring; all fixtures, all doors, all trims; and all furnishings required for living comfortably.  This family said it took 5 years of saving and spending to finish the apartment.  This is not a normal real estate market but one sold by Beijing as the best case for the Chinese people to climb the economic ladder out of agrarian poverty.  Many have succeded, but many more are in the wings waiting for the opportunity.

Russya in Space

       Well, folks, despite a surge in COVID deaths across the soon-to-be-frozen Steppe, the Kremlin(Putinville) has launched a rocket with a Russyan actress on board to the international space station.  The Mission: To film a movie on site with a star in the cast.  What?  The Kremlin wasting hard-earned rubles on a silly film?  Typical oligarch behavior, to be sure.  This mission was launched from the space port in Kazackstan, formerly part of the old Soviet -era U.S.S.R.(anyone remember that old fossil?).

      

Will the venture capture the imagination of the Steppe inhabitants or will they just rollover and grab the vodka bottle, take a swig, and go back to the stupor?   I bet on the stupor move.  The Russyan Federation, a loosely connected  agglomeration of Rus Peoples caught in the web of a megalomaniac who hands out favors to his fellow kleptomaniacs.  And that does not include the followers of Alex Navalny,, the opposition leader now in jail after he returned from the hospital in Berlin after he was poisoned on a flight from the Russyan east back to Moscova by the F.S.B. agents sent to give him some flavored tea, a timeless Russyan method of poison.