Culloden: The Battle

      I wouldn't call it a battle, more a skirmish, really. Two opposing forces meet head-on across a flat piece of ground in broad daylight. When the shooting was over in 45 minutes, the hopes and dreams of the Scots were dashed forever(or so). The redcoats claimed victory, Bonnie Prince Charlie went into hiding in the Highland glens until he could escape to France and oblivion.

      Have you viewed any of the OUTLANDER series on Netflix? There's the story, made for TV, from the fictionalized history created in a story by writer Diana Galbadon. It's a time -traveler epic: from the 20th century back to the  18th century. Skillfully depicted is the romantic history of Scotland with the love story of two characters who participate in emotional events surrounding the bitter end of the Scottish clans that ruled the Highlands for centuries.

      Most recently, the Mayor did a tour of the Scottish Highlands, the Land of Lochs and Glens, Tartans and bagpipes, kilts and swords, wind and rain, and more than a few castles. It was revealing, to say the least. It was summer in the Highlands, warmer weather, to be sure, but plenty of wind and rain, and green, green fields over the low hills.

Putin Rant Declares Ukraine East as Russyan Territory

       Bombast over DonBass is what I call the latest Kremlin provocation. The Little KGB colonel announced that with the "elections" over, the locals in the DonBass region of Ukraine are now "Russyans Forever". This is akin to Mexico declaring Texas is now part of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Or Canada declaring the State of Washington is now part of British Columbia. Or New Jersey declaring that New York is now New Jersey. You get it. The Mad Men of the Kremlin are looking more and more like those they often rail against: NAZIs!.

       The West has been treated to news from Russya that demonstrates that Putin is losing his grip. As his security operation, as he calls it, in Ukraine continues to falter, the consequences at home are starting to pile up. Military recruiting has begun to look like an impressment operation against the poor villagers in the Siberian hinterlands. Attacks have occurred at recruiting centers. Eligibles are fleeing the country in droves, stacking up at the borders, creating embarassing photos. My, my. The two spokesmen, Lavrov and Peskov(Curly and Moe), are losing sleep as they create "spin" control of the Kremlin's statements to the world.

       So, President Zolensky of Kyiv petitions the West for continued support as he deals with the existential crisis in his country. The U.S. Congress passed a new law that includes an additional $12.3 billions in military aid to his country. It's the least we can do. Yes, sure, it's a proxy war(remember Vietnam? Iraq? Afghanistan?). Hmmm and Korea,too? Sad that such a situation exists but the alternative- a world war- is not a modern option. Soon, Ol'Man Putin will age out and his sad constituents will move on, sell off Siberia to China, take the money and run.

Russyans Trying to Escape Russya

      Well, now. We have the pictures: Russyan young men(and not so young men) heading for the nation's borders to escape the enforcement force of the Kremlin's draft thugs. The Kremlin's call for 300,000 draftees has caused the support groups to press the 'no' button.  Has Mad Vlad reached the point of no return? How would you respond to draft that exists in a " security operation" ongoing in a foreign country down south? Hmmmm. Has the Little Dictator miss calculated? have all the Kremlins "yes" men ducked away from the the Little Dictator's view? Has Putin reached the limit of his power? Time will tell, and the clock is ticking on his "securityz' operations in the DonBass.

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

The Judge At 61

    That would be Aaron Judge, a baseball player. No, he's not 61 years of age. But he has hit 61 home runs this season, tying Roger Maris' record for American League players set a long time ago. There are few games left in the regular season, but Aaron could hit 1 or 2 more. Could he do it? Possibly, but odds are not great.

Stay tuned.

Queen Elizabeth II-70 Years on the Throne

       The beloved Queen of England, Elizabeth II, was buried in the family tomb at Windsor a week ago. This marked the end of an extraordinary period of national mourning for the people of the United Kingdom and all members of the Commonwealth. Even members of former colonies took time to recall this longest serving regent in Great Britain's long history.

        The Mayor was in Edinburgh, Scotland when her death at Balmoral was announced. That she was in Scotland was coincidental to her annual stay at the family's estate there where Elizabeth had spent countless summers during her lifetime. She enjoyed the environment, the peace and quiet, and the comfort of surroundings most familiar to her. She had a final act to pass the Prime Ministry to the latest  official, Liz Truss.