Where's Dimitry Today?

• What has happened to the deployed units of the Russyan Army(Green Men)? Let's look: 
• Korenovsk
• Rostov-on-Don
• Persianovkiy
• Boguchar
• Soloti
• Pogonovo
• Marshala Zhukova
• Klintsy
• Pochep
• Volgograd
• Crimea(of course)
• Korenovsk

     So, all the targeting data has been entered into all NATO weapon system.  No hiding these build ups of potential aggressors.  Mad Vlad knows we know, but he's into theatrics and posturing, like all mad dictators.  (remember the Little German dictator?).  Mad Vlad is nervous, so he must be treated with kid gloves lest he fly off the handle.  Our diplomats, unlike his, are more adept at diplomacy where as the Russyans position is rthat of the neighborhood bully: bluster and make a menacing pose.  Hmmmmmm.  So, it reinforces the opinion as to Russya's ability to join the community of nations of the world:  NOT YET READY FOR PRIME TIME!  Welcome to the new COLD WAR.

Test Results: Negative

     Well, the Mayor joined the chorus of test takers recently.  After information was forwarded to the office that it is likely he was exposed to an infected person, it became necessary to take a test.  The Binaxx home test or antigen test was available immediately and the result:

NEGATIVE1

results obvious:right side diagram

Putin v. World

    Well, Mr. Putin has given opinion writers more fodder for their columns on the little dictator from Moskova.  He is rattling around the Kremlin, stirring up his minions, provoking commentary around the globe.  He has reinforced the attitude among many world leaders that he and his Russyan associates are incapable of joining in the world community:  they are profoundly crippled in humanistic qualities.  They cannot advance their personal positions to accept a modern approach to global community.   Time and again, for centuries, the Rus have failed in one area or another.

      Putin is just the modern face of the same old, same old Rus: deep, dark mental problems covered in ice and snow, the frozen steppes, the diminished sunlight, the drugged state of alcoholism,  the lack of contact with real people, and the sense of loss as the population wanders across 6 time zones, searching, searching, searching for a way out, a way forward, any way from this hell on earth.  Mr. Putin is not that way: he is the "Old" way, the Stalin Way, the Czarist Way-the FAILED WAY.  I don't have much faith in this "WAY".

Russyan Bear

Fiona Hill on Putin Today

    The respected American, Fiona Hill, has written an assessment of conditions in the US, Europe, and Russya after the Kremlin sent troops to the Ukraine border in the eastern sector of the country.  Ms. Hill is a recognized expert on Russyan politics, leadership, and Mr. Putin in particular. She speaks and people listen, especially those in Washington, D.C. who we taxpayers hire to pay attention.

        She has done an admirable job analyzing Russyan politics(not the least Mr. Putin's long career) and placing his actions in context of the nation's modern history since the breakup of the old Soviet Union in 1989 or 33 years ago.  Most recently, the US and other diverse nations have had to contend with a new situation in China: a large country with global ambitions and an economic powerhouse flexing its world position across the globe.  For several years, through the Trump years and reaching back to the Obama administration(and Bush II), the US has danced around crises where we found them: Afghanistan most recently, Crimea in 2014(Russyan provocation/invasion), Syria(Middle East again), Sudan, Lebanon, North Korea, and the Covid Pandemic(not a complete list). Trump's disastrous administration only served to illuminate the muddled world of US party politics.  The bizarre mechinations of the entire Trump family(including the Kushner family) served only to expose the many divisions found across a broad political landscape in a diverse population such as one finds in the USA, whether north, south, east or west.  As Washington confronts Mad Vlad, again, we must not lose faith in the White House and its occupants.  As media outlets try to keep abreast of statements and news from Europe, our leaders are doing their jobs of informing the vast Federal apparatus charged with international affairs.  Operating this massive nation is not unlike turning the proverbial leviathan(large ocean vessel here) onto a different course: it takes awhile.

        Having been a participant in the long post WW II "Cold War", the Mayor knows from first hand experience that there were many hot spots along the path to the end of the Cold War.  Viet Nam  was just one of many flare ups.  Now, we ask the question: what have we learned along the way?  Ms. Hill identified many facts relating to Vladimir Putin's personal history, and his strategic and tactical moves made to move his agenda forward.  Ukraine is only part of the plan.  She believes that Putin's goal is to drive the US from Europe completely so that the Russyan Federation will have free rein across the west and the NATO allies will crumple against a resurgent population from the east(to the Ural Mtns. and beyond.) Now what?

        Pres, Biden has mentioned more sanctions( he must have a long list drawn up by the State Dept. and DHS).  Here's hoping that he doesn't wait any longer-start today.  What the Mayor would like to see:

• Freeze all Russyan assets in Europe, especially the UK.
• Cancel ALL student visas in the West, which number 75,000, and send them all home where they belong.
• Cancel the Nord Stream Pipeline despite its near completion.
• Cancel all contracts for Russyan energy products-oil and gas
• Cancel all flight landing rights for all Russyan airlines that may land in the West.
• Block all tourists from Russyan controlled territory
• Block all exports from Russya to the West
• Block the sale of anything and everything to Russyan -controlled businesses
• Stop drinking and selling vodka and caviar
• Start talking about the Famine created in Ukraine by Stalin
• Start talking about the Kremlin's closing of Memorial
• Start talking about Navalny and his imprisonment
• Have a discussion about Russyan troops in African countries
• Stop all trade in Russyan-sourced diamonds(Ural mines).
• Pre-position US Navy ships in northwest Pacific areas and provide more resources in Alaska areas, most notable as Russya's eastern doorstep.

Provide more details known to intelligence gatherers of facts regarding Russyan capabilities.  Providing any of the above would at least let Putin know it's different this time: Trump is gone, and rational thinking has returned to Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.  Thank you to Fiona Hill and editors of the WSJ for publishing her account of current trends.

Aaron Rodgers: Cheese-Head Loser

    The CheeseHeads of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, are going home tonight, cold and miserable.  Their beloveds, the Packers, under the leadership of veteran Aaron Rodgers, the unvaccinated liar, were whipped by the Cinderella Team of 2021- the San Francisco 49ers.  The '9ers, as they are called locally, have no right to be in Green Bay.  Somehow, the improbable has occurred.  This win tonight makes their post-season look like a set up for a Hollywood movie.  Over thrown passes; sacks, fumbles, tied scores, comebacks: it's all there in these 3 victories.  Was quarterback Jimmie Garaffolo the inspiring leader?  hardly.  It seems that it has taken every player on the roster to contribute something to get to the final next week where they will play the winner of the Rams v. Buccs game.

       Tonight's game featured an opening drive by Green Bay that ended up with a touchdown, 7-0 Packers.  The score stayed that way until the 9'ers scored a field goal, 7-3.  Then the Packers answered with a feeble field goal, 10-3.  Hmmmm.  What's a matter with Green Bay?  Then it started to snow, as expected.   Fumbles and take-aways followed each other.  Then the miracle: as Green Bay attempted a punt from their own end zone, a 9er got a big hand on the kick in the air; the ball was loose and nobody saw it at first; then a SF defender saw it bouncing around in front of the goal line where he picked it up and ran 2 yards into the end zone for a touchdown, game tied:10-10.   Oh those fans are nervous.  This was not the scenario envisioned by the faithful.  Yes, it's cold, but a sure win warms one's heart enough to carry on.  Packers drive is thwarted, again and again.  SF marches down field as the clock ticks away. Back and forth, and then the 49ers have the ball, less than 4 minutes to play.   Green Bay tries one more time, turnover on downs.  SF has the ball: 1 first down, then another, then another. Time out SF.  Green Bay is out of time outs.  1 run, two runs, clock at 3 seconds.  Field goal kicker Gould arrives in position; ball is down, kick is good, game over.  Good by Aaron and your  Cheese Heads: see you next year. Start planning tomorrow, you have time.  Are you cold, too?  

Russya Added to USA List of Homeless National Visa Applicants

     So, the Kremlin has upped the ante on diplomatic relations.  This move came about 3 months ago.  Russya decided that the US Embassy could not hire local nationals to work in US consular or embassy positions in the country.  This,in turn, forced the US to cut back on visa application processing.  Hmmmm.  Apparently, the Kremlin doesn't want to allow any nationals going to the US, for any reason.  This approximates what has happened in China.  Now Mad Vlad can feel comfortable among his Asian peers.  He'll need that communal spirit when he arrives in Beijing in a couple of weeks for the Olympics.opening ceremonies.

       So, Russya joins 9 other countries in this category which allows certain foreign nationals to apply for a US visa while in another country due to difficulties at home.  Included are Venezuela, Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, Eritrea, Iraq, and Cuba.  Nationals from these countries can apply for the visa while abroad. Russyans decry being added to such a list.  They call it unfair.  Perhaps they feel that too many Russyans would bail on the country after Putin's moves of late at the Ukraine border.  The little Green Men are gathering for a winter party in the Donbas, again.  After the invasion 8 years ago, maybe they think the world forgot.  Old Man Vlad will be 70.  He's anxious about his historical reputation.  His goal to restore some renown is primary.  Maybe all the Ukraine locals, tired of 8 years of foreign occupation, will be willing to knock  down a few Russkies as they cross over. Meanwhile, diplomats tried and failed to come to an agreement over the Ukraine situation.  Too bad; the Ukrainians deserve better.

Just Another Day in Paradise

January 18,'22, looking south, Heavenly Valley  on left(Gunbarrel)

          Well the local temps on the West Shore nipped 44 degrees this afternoon w/o a breath of wind.  A few clouds floated on by this afternoon, but the clear sky reopened at about 3 pm.  We opened the doors to let in some fresh air as we did a little house cleaning around the cabin.  The Mayor even washed some windows, removing a little snow dirt left behind after December's record snow fall.

       One would be hard pressed to find a single water craft on the surface of the lake.  Temps on surface: about 41F.   Even hardy folk aren't quite ready to test the water.  Yes, there are fish out there, waiting.  But, despite an open season, nobody has the inclination.  Maybe in a month or two.  Maybe not.  The MLK holiday weekend has come and gone.  Reports by local retailers indicate a good financial return.  The slopes were seriously crowded.  Even our local resort @ Homewood was almost full to overflowing.  Parking monitors were located at all entrances to assist guests as they arrived.  It seems management anticipated the parking problems, and managed to prepare.  The south parking lot took some overflow, and there didn't appear to be renegade parking around town.

       Tahoma market reported good business with many in-the-know guests lining up at the deli counter to order their well known sammies.  We ate one for lunch yesterday-mmmmmmm, good: turkey and swiss on pesto bread!  Outstanding.   We noted that the Market has a "Help Wanted" sign at the entrance, indicating that the job market is even strained here(as always).  There's no significant weather changes for the next week, so skiing and skiers will be seen everyday, enjoying the landscape on the West Shore.

Wendy and Serguy

      Well, talks have ended in Brussels.  Was the negative impact worth it?  Mad Vlad thinks this is a high stakes game of one upmanship.  He can fool his at home audience to believe whatever state TV tells them.  Most citizens in Russya know from experience: don't believe most of what spews forth from "official" sources-it's propaganda.

     Recently, the Kremlin Office of Official Propaganda has said that NATO must be stopped before it encircles the entire country.  The largest country in the world is worried that somehow the West(Europe and US) will contain every little bit of the EurAsian nation.  Hmmmmm.  Is Putin worried about the Dragon Nation to the South?  That is China.  Remember China?  They brought the world a pandemic.  Now they want to showcase their country via the Winter Olympics.  Mr. Putin will travel to China and Beijing to attend the opening ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games hosted in Beijing(no snow).  Mr. Putin will also have meetings to discuss politics in light of recent developments in international trade and military issues.  It was announced yesterday that Russyan troops who had been invited to quell an insurrection in Kazahkstan are returning to home soil after a brief stay.  Maybe these are the same troops who were in the process ofmoving to the eastern Ukraine border region where mad Vlad has massed 100,000 troops and a bunch of tanks poised to go shopping in the Donbas Region for ???

Maybe they will look for spies or gypsies or Roma or Eskimoes or worse: US Peace Corps volunteers. Whatever.  Mad Vlad will say and do anything.  He's soon to be 70 years old.  He's worried about his personal future: how long can I keep it up?  When should I go?  Trump is 77, I've got more time than him.  Maybe I need a new girlfriend.  I still look good for my age.  I feel good most of the time.  Yes, my schedule sucks, but hey, nobody said being a lifetime dictator would be a piece of blini.

     So diplomats Wendy Sherman and Serguy Ryabkov will go home empty handed, as planned by the Kremlin.  The message has been sent.  Joe Biden has options as dictated by the little Dictator.  The ball is in your court, Joe.

Mr. Putin and His Army

 

Mr Putin's Standing Army from Siberia

Dog and Bear:Update

        Tahoma's latest tavern restaurant, the Dog and Bear, is closed until further notice.  The hand made sign at the door mentioned health conditions as the reason for the temporary closing.  This comes during a big holiday weekend when perfect weather for all winter sports is being enjoyed by the entire Lake Tahoe community: north, south, east, and west.  Too bad; perhaps the owners(locals) have contacted the virus, or the workers have the virus, or some other condition related to normal functioning of any business during the pandemic.  The business opened just a couple of months ago with high hopes, but the Omicron variant arrived and has spread like the proverbial wildfire.(we know wild fire here).

       The Mayor's office hasn't talked with the owners, but will continue to update the community on the status of the business.

     The coffee house: Where We Met has suspended services as noted for the winter season.  It has been sublet to 525 Sushi, a successful operation that ran last winter with great success.  They are closed for the week and will reopen after the holiday(MLK).

     Driving conditions are good: Highway 89 is generally dry, but there are a few patches of ice at night.  Snow piles pushed around the parking lot have limited space without causing much inconvenience for visitors and US postal patrons.   The Norfolk Woods eyesore is a snow depository.

Djokovic the Joker: Go Home

        Well, another spoiled athlete got his comeuppence: Mr. Djokevic of Serbia was sent packing after attempting to enter Australia to play in a tennis tournament there-the Australian Open.  As a foreigner, upon entry, the government requires a health questionnaire to be answered, honestly and openly, and a presentation of vaccination(s) records from a competent authority.  Mr. D thought it an infringement of his individual freedoms, wherever they came from(not from his hitting rubber balls over a net).  So, he lied.  Lied about travel movements, lied about vaccinations, lied about everything.  Hmmmmm.  Did he take an IQ test before the entry attempt?  Maybe that should also be required.  Then it would be easier to deny him entry: insufficient mental competency to compete fairly in the tournament.  Then room could be made for "competent" competitors from wherever.

         Let's not overlook the media role in this "affair".   Here we have a raging world wide pandemic that is entering year 3 of the virus attack on the human population.  First page news items have included the count and the amount(s) during the entire period.  The death toll among nations has been extraordinary, almost 850,000 deaths in the US alone.  China, on the cusp of the 2022 Winter Olympics, has announced that no event tickets will be available to Chinese residents- too hazardous.  Lockdowns are a feature of China's strategy for containment of the spread which originated in the city of Wuhan, approximately 2 1/2 years ago.  So the media(pick one) fell all over itself to report on the trials and tribulations of an international tennis star who ran into a bit of a political problem because of his own incompetence.  Was the blanket coverage justified?  Hardly, but, the media sometimes(all the time) misinterprets its audience/readers.  Does the world really care about these overpaid nobodies who parade around the world to entertain the elites wherever they are found?  I doubt it, and I'm just a small town politician dependent on a few interested parties trying to make a living in a harsh environment(elevation 6200').

   Oh well, the pandemic continues to affect millions across the globe.  Our own Minister of East Asian Affairs tested positive last week.  He is over the ill effects, but has not cleared the virus(this week).  He'll be fine, fortunately, and will return to his post soon enough.  

       Will I watch the Australian Open on TV/streaming?  No, in a word.

Sergey Ryabkov: Putin's Wooden Dummy

         So, talks in Brussels are going nowhere.  Diplomats are discussing the weather, the price of oil, NordStream 2(and Nordstream 1), natural gas prices, etc.  Ukraine- maybe tomorrow, but not today.  So, the Dummy spouts Kremlin bluster.  Now Mad Vlad says he might deploy troops into the Western hemisphere: eg. Cuba, Venezuela,  Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, etc.  Maybe he should throw in Alaska.  Think of that:  it used to be a Russkie colony.  I'm sure Putin knows a few Alaskans who speak Russyan, or thought they remembered somebody north of the Yukon River who spoke Russyan.  Recall, the Tsar was fooled into selling the territory to Secretary of State William Seward, who worked for Honest Abe Lincoln.   Maybe Putin will stir up some sympathy among the indigenous tribes there, who want to be Russyan.  Then he could send in his minions of Little Green Men who would protect the interests of those Russophiles who live in igloos and under reindeer-hide tents on the tundra.

         So, poor Sergey:  he's made to look like the Fool.  But, he's an insider, has a thick skin and will say what he's told to say without causing any trouble for Vlad and Co.  Good boy, Ryabkov.  Here's some more state vodka for you.  Drink up, be happy.  Get ready to denounce sanctions, again.

James Webb Telescope Unfolding

        It's been 2 weeks since NASA's most recent space telescope was launched.  In that time, controllers here on the "Blue" planet have been overseeing its deployment of onboard equipment.  This package of high tech modern rocketry is, at its minimum, the most advanced telescope ever launched.  A multinational consortium of space agencies collaborated on its design, construction, and launch.  The effort took over 10 years to build.  The results will not really be known for some time as the equipment must be tested and contact must be established with the onboard programs and instruments.  This telescope will replace the famous Hubble Telescope, launched over 25 years ago, and repaired after failures of some of its systems.

       The Webb will have greatly increased capabilities and its core feature will be its ability to gather images in the ultraviolet/infrared light spectrum, something Hubble could not do.  While Hubble could gather amazing images, it could not delve into the realm of deep space.  The Webb will look back in time to the "Big Bang" era or simply the beginning of the universe perhaps 13 billion years ago.  Very exciting to contemplate.

       The onboard solar array has unfolded and this system will power the entire satellite.  While the core instrument is much smaller, the solar panel is quite large.  Additionally, a heat shield was necessary to protect the communication systems to ensure their longevity.  Clearly, our earth scientists have created a technological marvel, and gathered the expertise of scientists from around the world.  It's an example of cooperation that should serve as a model for international organizations.   Will it, in fact, do so?  Hmmm.

History doesn't offer much confidence in this area.  Soon, we'll start to "see" some results.

Georgia 33, Alabama 18. Game Over

        National championship game: a good one, if you are from Atlanta.  Not so good if from Birmingham, AL.  The Crimson Tide is running red, as in blood red: their blood, not Georgia's.  The Tide was soundly whipped by a better team.  Alabama's coach acknowledged same in the post game congratulatory salute to Bulldog coach Kirby Smart, a Georgia alumni.  How could Georgia lose with a quarterback named Stetson Bennett the 4th?  Couldn't.  He was amazing.  And he whipped the Heisman winner himself.  It was an exciting game to watch as fumbles, interceptions, dropped balls, and close calls all played their part.  It was closer than the score indicates with field goals playing a big part in the first half.  And then things changed.

Putin's NATO Problem

      Well, now.  Putin's lackey in Geneva is carrying the burden of MAd Vlad's recent pronouncements about the expansion of NATO members from today's numbers.  He is throwing up yet another smoke screen to shield his ambitious geopolitical positions on territorial grabs on Russya's vast perimeter.  We know about Chechneya; we know about Georgia, we know about Armenia; we know about Afghanistan; we know Putin is small and suffers the "small man complex"(or Napolean complex).  I know harboring any sympathy for Mad Vlad is a "no go", but, he didn't choose to be small.  So he buys shoes with high heels. But, let's look at the Geneva talks(talkers).  

      Wendy Sherman will not make nice with the Russky.  She'll impart the US position clearly and neatly.  The fat old Steppe Pirate will cough and gargle his way through a repetitive statement directly from the Kremlin.  This is a form of Russyan diplomacy: put up a fat man to repeat policy from Putin.  Will the US give ground on NATO?  Hmmmm.  Can Joe B. risk it?  The future of European relations, the future of the organization depend on this outcome.  History tells us that giving in to Russya doesn't yield positive outcomes.  So, we'll go through the dance of the Steppe Peoples and face another decision when mad Vlad decides its time to squeeze Ikraine once again.  Then the fun and sacntions will begin, again.  When will NATO countries stopair travel?  When will London close the teller window to Russyan depositors?  When will the Visa window shut down for students, tourists, spies, thieves, scoundrels, moles, and hookers?  Can you imagine the screams of the hookers who've enjoyed the benefits of servicing wealthy Arabs and American tech geniuses?  Damn it will be loud.  Oh, well.  Such are the results of diplomacy n a tech world.

     No, VLad, you can't dictate the rules of NATO.  Go back to the dacha, do not pass go, do not collect $200.  

Putin's Population Problem

        The ex-deputy mayor of Saint Petersburg has been shuffling around Moscova and the western reaches of the Euro-Russyan environs.  What's he looking for? Why the man is taking a census, again.  He knows the birthrate among fertile Russyan mothers is abyssmal=B A D.  Bad for Russya's future role in the world.  No Russyans= no P-O-W-E-R.  For a dictator, no power equates with no testosterone.   Woe the Russyan male without testosterone.  No bueno; mui male.

     So what to do?   Hmmmm.  How about we annex some territory where they still have babies.  Ukraine.  I read on the internet that Ukrainian women are very fertile.   Ukrainian men even more so: loaded with testosterone.  So, Mad Vlad sends an army of Little Green Men into the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.  He made claims that this was a local uprising fostered by individuals who consider themselves Russyan(fake).  Then into Crimea; same story: local uprising by people who consider themselves Russyan.  But Mad Vlad doesn't want to admit that Stalin killed off all those sympathetic Ukrainians in the '30(and 40's, and 50's).  They don't live there anymore.  They be "GONE".   How to pump up the numbers?  Hmmmm.  Ok, fake statistics.  "wprk on it, Igor, and report back next week.  The population of the entire largest country in the world is about 130 millions-a pittance when your neighbor has about 1.4 BILLIONS floating around.  And Western Europe(the part you want to be part of) has about 330 millions++++.  With a shrinking population Russya will be the next Japan.  That's it: Russya is the next Japan.  No growth, no new citizens, stagnation,  no growth of economy; not enough workers.  Ahhh.  That's it:  Russya needs workers; but, oh, only certain types.  No muslims, no Chinese, no Syrians, no Albanians, definitely no Africans, even north Africans.  No Malays either.  No Indians(south), no Koreans, no Japanese, no Filipinos.  No Mongolians, no Eskimos, no Indonesians, no Thais, no Myanmarians.  No Turks, no Iraqis, no Iranians, no Kurds.  Maybe a Lebonese or two.  No Palestinians.  Maybe an Egyptian or two(but be careful).  Maybe a Moroccan, maybe a Libyan or two, and that's about it.

     And who wants to go to Russya?  The Chinese, that's who.  It appears that China is about the only country that has a cross border operation in the east whereby local Chinese farmers and workers in ag business regularly come and go around the Amur River.  Actually, the numbers add up into the millions.  What does Mad Vlad say about this takeover?  Nothing.  Nothing at all.  Mum 's the word around Vladivostok.  Vlad what?  Anybody ever heard of Vladivostok?  Is that near Odessa?  Sochi?  Magnetogorsk?  Katerinaberg?  Oh, well.

    Until Vlad can get the population pumped up, he'll be relegated; Russya will be relegated to the minor leagues.  Then Vlad will be replaced in a silent coup.  Some Rasputin will step in and do something useful, which hasn't been done in well over 100 years.  Don't hold your breath , Bunky!

coastal canyons

Historian Tells the Truth-Not Putin the Liar

        So, we know that the Kremlin(aka Putin's Playroom) has shut down the Russyan organization known to the world as MEMORIAL. For those unfamiliar with this well known, homegrown organization, Memorial is a group of Russyan citizens who have made it their mission to chronicle the deprivations heaped upon the Rus people by that most depraved, corrupt, sinister, paranoid, epitome of evil, murderous, vindictive, power mad leader of the Soviet Regime for almost 30 years: Josep Stalin. The members carefully gathered information related to Stalin's crimes against the Russyan people, wherever they could not  hide.   Many were just eliminated by wholesale murder/extermination; many more were sent to labor camps-the Gulag- where they were worked to death, literally.  (the Kolyma gold mines come to mind).

       And now Mad Vlad is resurrecting an alternative historical narrative:  Stalin was good for Russya! Ha!  Can you imagine?  All those victims are now struggling to escape their tombs to speak out against this liar.   Much has been written that tells the hard truth: Stalin the leader? NO: Stalin the murderer.  Need support?  Pour on the fear in ever larger doses.  More fear, less opposition.   Opponents leave the Fatherland?  Murder squads go abroad to finish the deed.   We've seen it before; we are watching a reprise by Stalin's clone: Mad Vlad Putin.

       The writer historian Anne Appelbaum has written extensively about Russyan history during the 20th century.   Her research is a landmark of revelation of facts related to the bizarre history of a country lead by a mad man whose modus operandi was murder, ie. mass murder.  Ms. Appelbaum, among her topics, focused on the Gulag in one book, and on Ukraine in another.  Both underscore the cost of Stalin's repression of the peasants/farmers in Ukraine.  Stalin needed crops to feed other sections of the country; Ukraine was his bread basket and the unfortunate people who lived there paid a price that included their lives, their families, and their food.  The book, Red Famine, tells the grim, sad story of how it happened.  Page after page lists the steps employed by the Kremlin's death squads sent to Ukraine in search of more food for the Kremlin.  Nothing was left for the farmers; all was taken, and all locals starved to death, slowly but surely.  This is the truth that Putin wants us to forget, to hide, to alter into myth to stoke the 21st century with lies.

        So, today, European diplomats, along with their American colleagues, will sit with the perpetrators of these modern lies and attempt to negotiate an agreement that reflects the world's concerns with the buildup of Russyan armed forces on the eastern border of Ukraine in an attempt to prevent a shooting war between the two sides: one a powerful nation led by  Mad Vlad, the other led by a weak leader held under the sway of his aging predecessor.  Good luck, Ms. Sherman and Company. 

President Biden Gives Putin the Word

       Well, maybe the diplomats have learned something.  rather than wait for mad Vlad to move into more of Ukraine, the US announced that a list of sanctions will immediately apply should Russyan armed forces move into Ukraine, either from the Crimea or the DonBass region of eastern Ukraine, occupied by Russya since 2014.

       Sanctions applied after 2014 have had little affect among the Kremlin leadership, Putin.  Some individuals were restricted as to movements.  Some companies were restricted as to business operations.  But Russya didn't seem to get the message.  Russyan -based hackers penetrated US government  computer systems causing much damage and compromised information.   This came from the government-sponsored hackers in Moscova. Mad Vlad is intent on making waves in his own neighborhood.  Most recently, the president of neighbor state Kazakhstan asked the Kremlin for armed support as his country descends into chaos because of power struggles among the government leaders, and also crushing poverty among the masses despite a veneer of prosperity because of the energy resources providing a source of sovereign income.   2000 plus troops have arrived to assist local security forces dealing with national unrest.

       On the Ukraine border, another 100000 Russyans have been assigned and are poised to move west into the Donbas and eastern Ukraine.  While analysts don not see an attempt to take the capitol city of Kyiv, it could happen.   NATO has also been informed of potential Russyan attacks and could move assets into eastern Europe to member states of the alliance.  All this tension comes at a time when the world, Russya included, is coping with the Covid pandemic.

       Will Putin listen? Will he reconsider?  Will he go to Beijing for the Olympics?   He is about to turn 70 years of age and might be considering his legacy.  Hmmmmm.  He's been running the Kremlin for over 22 years, unopposed excepting by those he's placed in prison or assassinated.  His cronies are all counting their rubles.  Maybe he wants to retire to one of his palatial dachas.

      Time will tell.  Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made statements announcing sanctions already spelled out by Pres. Biden.  Sec. Blinken's deputy Wendy R. Sherman, 72,  will attend a meeting Mondayto help negotiate NATO moves in response to any moves by Putin.  Nobody really believes Putin will alter his plans.  He seems to make up his mind well ahead of any moves, probing, listening for weak moves by the West.  Will Pres. Biden move as announced?  What is going on behind the headlines?  What moves are already underway? Can the US attract support as the US licks its wounds following the Afghanistan withdrawal? Not easy.

Washington,D.C. Riot Anniversary

      Well, here we are a year later.  The Orange-haired Baboon is still off Twitter(like having tape over his ugly mouth).   Trump's silence is golden.  If only the rest of his gang would shut up.  The DOJ will continue to charge those responsible and more will go to jail; more than the few who've already been put away.  Despite the number of arrests(700+), more arrests should be forthcoming.  The message should be loud and clear:  you join a riot; you damage property; you injure or kill government employees-it's over for you, and your days of peaceful protest are done.  You are now a convicted felon and your life will be forever changed.  Hmmm. Was it worth it Jethro?  Worth your peace of mind?  Worth the notoriety to be included among those misguided self-appointed rioters who couldn't stand sitting on the sidelines of activism.   We'll see, won't we?

Xi'An: Locked Down-Again

        Well, isn't this interesting: one of China's most well known largest city, has been locked down because of a case of the corona virus.  It's been over 2 years now since the virus emerged to takeover the world's psyche as the No. 1 modern scourge.   Hmmmm.  And the Winter Olympic Games are supposed to start in Beijing in about a  month.  I'm sure a new policy will emerge from the IOC: no athletes will be allowed to participate unless they agree to become members of the Communist Party.  No, wait; that's wrong.   No athletes will be allowed to participate in the Games unless they have a booster within the last 6 weeks after 2 months of their last 2nd shot.  No, wait; that's wrong.  No athletes will be allowed to compete unless they sign a waiver of indemnity rights against the Chinese government in Beijing.   Hmmmmm.   I think we need Desmond Tutu to solve this.  Oh, too late : he's gone to heaven already.  Hmmm.   How about Buzz Lightyear?   No, too busy.  Viktor Orban?  No, in the middle of a campaign.  Tucker Carlson?  No, he's losing his  mind, again.  and too busy.   Gavin Newsom?  Who?  Are you kidding me, again?

Gentlemen: We Have a Problem Today

All company members will be dispatched to nearby clinics

The Special Ops Team Will Guard Tea Shops

       Only the elite government teams will be allowed to walk in the streets; all others must stay home today.   The citizens of Xi'an have been ordered by Party Headquarters to restrict all movements within the city limits.  Emergency orders have come from beijing and must be followed to ensure the virus does not spread further.  The single case of the corona virus will be dealt with by authorities.  Please note that in the above photo of the assigned troops that there is a vacancy in the second rank of the squad:  this individual was late for the formation and is now being chastised by his superior officer for his tardiness which is not allowed-ever.

      Take this as a warning to all recalcitrant citizens: no backsliding allowed.  The Olympic Games M-U-S-T go forward-now.

Finances: End of Year Wrap Up

        So, most of us survived 2021: some caught the Covid virus, suffered its afflictions, and have returned to a somewhat normal life.   Most of us have been vaccinated and boosted, excepting the science deniers and their ilk.   Were you invested in the "market"?  Or were you sitting on the sidelines, again?  However you answered the last 2 questions will reveal your thoughts on the compiled results of all investments made across the board in 2021.

       The Mayor relies heavily on the Wall Street Journal for financial information.  While not the only publication followed, to be sure, it does provide a consistent format tat one can rely on for insight, depth, and credible opinions focused on finance-public and private(there's a difference).

      How would you feel if the currency of the country you lead dropped 44.17%?  The Turkish Lira dropped that much in  12 months.   Pres. Erdogan:  does he still have a job?  And why?   The fool won't listen and the people suffer.

      Maybe you thought precious metals would respond to inflationary moves of interest rates?  Hmmm: Gold -off 3.47%, Silver -off 11.41%,  Platinum off 10.32%.   Now these are commonly followed commodities; some not so common, such as metals used for battery production, are way, way up.  What of others: Copper-up 26.78%; Sugar 21.89%(how sweet is that?); and Corn up 22.57%.   Precious metals ended the year with a slide that marked the largest fall in share prices in over 6 years.  The big miners: Newmont, Barrick Gold, and Van Eck Gold Miners ETF were all down either 3.8%; 10.2%, or 14.5%.  Not pretty.

     And then, maybe you liked stocks a whole lot, or not.  But if you did, then bully for you.  Seems hardly a day went bye without a new record high.  The trend line for the S&P 500 is definitely going up, up, and up.  Wheeeeeeeee.  Apple, the company, tickled an evaluation of over $3  trillion dollars.  The company is worth more than many large American companies COMBINED!!!

Maybe you like funds.   Did you own some QQQ?  Hope so: for the year this long established fund did well: 26.8% for the Year.  Its offshoot, the ProSharesULtraProQQQ: was up an amazing 83.8%.  Good work!  Maybe the Spyder S&P500: 27%.  Nice.

     Or simply old reliables: NOKIA(really?): brought in 59.1%(on a jump of 2.31 for the year).  As we know, the vast majority of investments are made by institutions, pension funds(state and private), governments, and government-run institutions.  Sovereign investments are often categorized separately, but add to the number of institutional investors.  So, private individuals make up less than 25% of investors.

       2022 could be another challenging year; 2022 will be another challenging year.  Case rates are exploding across the country with numbers exceeding 500,000 per day or more this week.   Schools are finding it difficult to open or go remote.  Only time will tell what works.  Traveling has opened again; but difficulties persist as staffing has become a big problem as workers call in sick.

       The Winter Olympics are in China and should begin in late February in Beijing.  Will the Games begin?  It's anybody's guess at this point as athletes weigh their chances of getting infected either at the Games or enroute and have to quarantine according to China's draconian rules.

We'll see.