Armenians Look Over Their Shoulder At Russya

     So, peace-loving Russyans are now advising Armenians. Ha. WHat good will come of that?

Sen. Feinstein Dies In Office

        90-year old US Senator died this morning after serving in Congress for decades. The former Mayor of San Francisco served many years and was well respected by both parties. She was a formidable opponent and a formidable supporter of democratic principles.

      Now Gov. Gavin Newsom has an opportunity rarely faced(although this is his 2nd opportunity after Sen. Kamala Harris was elected VP and Newsom appointed now serving Sen. Al Padilla, former CAlifornia Secretary of State and author of the gift proposition- -Prop. 19- that gifted billions to the National Assoc. of realtors who contributed $42 millions to the campaign to pass the law, gutting tax laws meant to protect homeowners in the State.

    The question: who will Gov. Newsom appoint to fill the seat? A Black woman as promised? Watch this circus act as it unfolds.

Trump Attacks Gen. M. Milley, Chairman of Joint Chiefs

        The ridiculous "American" who never served in any military service organization, made a statement yesterday on his web site that" in days gone by," Gen .Milley would have been executed for speaking with Chinese military leaders 2 days after Trump's supporters stormed the US. Capitol on January 6, 2020.

     Gen. Mark Milley served in the US Army for over 44 years. He missed the US military actions in Vietnam, but was involved in everything since. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he oversees all military branches. He is also the Number 1 advisor to the POTUS & Co.

     So these statement(s) underscore Trump's mental derangement and the extent of it. Gen. Milley knows there are among Trump's supporters, considerable numbers of like-mined deranged individuals. Gen. Milley is now forced to confront the obvious threat to himself and his family. His replacement will also have to acknowledge threats to his new position.

      Now Trump's real estate "empire"  is under threat and a Judge will determine his guilt sooner rather than later. HIs legal team is being looking at Trump's finances as his expenses soar. It seems like Humpty Dumpty is on the brink of a "Great Fall". As he should.

Mr. Maduro: Send us a few More

       So, the migration continues, and the migration adapts to conditions. Recently, an upsurge in applicants( that would be recent illegal arrivals in Texas) have originated in Venezuela. You remember Venezuela? Home of Chavesimo? Now it's Madurismo, the successor to Hugo Chavez. He has been flying under the radar since Covid and the invasion of Ukraine have overtaken problems caused by a tip pot dictator south of the border. The problem is these Venezuelans are jumping the line ahead of those others who are waiting, patiently to enter legally. But wait, some claim that the process is too slow. That's right, our process  is too slow. That sounds a little like chutzpah to me.

     Ans we have all the others from central America: Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Nicauragrans, Mexicans, Chinese, Egyptians, and on and on. So, they all are fleeing something, they say. Are Americans saps? Libs say we should accept all. Eric Adams is liberal(just ask) and he says: "Enough". Gov. Abbott sas take some, please. And so it goes back at the ranch.

PG&E Wants More Money

      That would be YOUR money, Justin. So, there's some political move being made to tie a fee on your household utility bill relative to your household income. Repeat: your California utility company(that booked billions in profits this year) wants you and yours to pay a "fee" per month based on your household income amount. Does that sound like a fee? Or does it sound like a TAX?

      The boobs at the California PUC probably don't know the difference; and those at PG&E certainly don't know the difference. Whether the California State legislature knows the difference is doubtful. So, in a manner to promote equity(as some say), poor people would have their monthly utility paid by those at the higher income levels, to ensure that they can stay in their homes in California without sacrificing to pay PG&E's exorbitant(read out of this world) rates for gas and electricity.

     The boobs in Sacramento profess equity, but whose equity to which they speak? Yours? Mine? His? Hers?  If PG&E already has the highest rates anywhere, why do they need more? Frackers are producing gas in abundance; costs of natural gas have plummeted. But wait? We in California still pay more than----everybody? Hmmmm. Oh, well, monopoly does have its merits.

     A household making $180,000/annum would pay an extra $92./month. Does Diane Feinstein have to pay that, too? And Ms. Nancy Pelosi also? What about Mayor London Breed? Or Gov. Newsom?  Or US Senator Allex Padilla? (he maintains a residence somewhere in CAlifornia).

     Well, come on. It's not that much, and most of those folks plan to move elsewhere anyhow. Let's get 'em going out the door. Nobody will miss Richie Rich and family.  Yea, more fees; more money to spend. Wheeeeeeeee.

      How will PG&E know how much you bring home? They'll ask. But we know what happens then: verification. Then the knock on the door: Hello, we're from PG&E. How much do you bring home and can you prove it? Or else?

     Sunny, funny California. Bye. 

Your Giants Win One

        With less than 9 games left on a very disappointing 2023 season, your San Francisco Giants won a game tonight-a Monday nite game. They defeated the San Diego Padres, 2-1. Logan Webb, one of two SF starters, went the distance, his second complete game of the season. It wasn't easy.

    The Pads outhit the Bay Boys 9-7. Fortunately, when in trouble, the defense responded making good moves, including  a play at the plate in the top of the 9th when the Giants were up by only one run. So Webb protected his slim lead and retired the side finally, winning a close game at home. Padres again tomorrow.

    Your Giants are almost plying .500 ball. Almost.

Russyan Navy Feels the Heat

        It was just another sunny day way down south in southern Ukraine. In the port city of Sevastopol, Russyan sailors were set about their duties in the Crimean port seized during the initial 2014 invasion of neighboring Ukraine. And then, Oh no, air raid warning sirens announced: missiles inbound. Defense installations responded, aiming to deter the missiles. Oops, didn't perform up to Kremlin standards. Some evaded the defensive fires.

       So, a naval base was hit successfully, causing numerous casualties among the invading forces. Ukraine defense officials claim that the Russyan admiral in command of all Crimean naval forces was among the dead. This has not been verified, but Russyan media have reported the attack and the destruction of facilities and damage to naval vessels. This is a terrific blow to occupation forces deployed in Crimea by the Kremlin.

      Simultaneously, a Russyan attack on the city of Odesa damaged port facilities that handle Ukraine's grain shipments to the outside world markets. In attempt to keep these agricultural products flowing to many countries dependent on Ukraine's grain, officials in Kyiv have done their best to keep the port up and running despite the Kremlin's efforts to halt shipments.

      Control of Crimea and eastern Ukraine has been contested now for over 20 months. The Kremlin strategy of "long war" to wear down Ukraine's resolve doesn't seem to be working. With the dissolution of the Wagner Group and its leadership, Russyan forces and their commanders will come under closer scrutiny as the war drags on. Meanwhile Mad Vlad gets older by the day and winter will soon be here, again. Oh, the Russyan winter.

South China Sea and: CHINA

        Hmmmmm. Seems like our friends in East Asia are fomenting unrest across the ocean, or sea if you please. It has been ongoing now for several years off the coast of China: the PLA began building up military bases on rockpiles found in shallow waters between their coast and the Philippine Is. These rocks are now islands, improved with airbases capable of handling modern aircraft. The sovereignty of these "rocks" is in dispute, somewhat. The aggressive posture of the PLA puts these rocks in focus around the world, especially those maritime nations whose ships transit this section of the Western Pacific.

        The nations involved are all significant trading partners of the US, to wit: South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philipine Is., Australia, and Indonesia.  Mid East oil is probably the most valuable commodity that regularly moves through the South China Sea, much of it used to go directly to China and North Korea. Sanctions imposed caused disruptions in deliveries, especially if the oil originates in Russya, which is under severe international sanctions due to its invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

        So, Slippery Xi JP, dictator of Communist China, has allowed his PLA to step up efforts to divert the world's attention from the financial and economic woes at home. The real estate implosion brought on by central government control and decisions, has forced China to retreat from its immediate past including the highly touted Belt & Road Program designed to financially encumber 3rd world countries, especially in Africa. Pres. Joe Biden recently made a tour through the Western Pacific, visiting among others, Vietnam, mortal enemies of China. Two monetary leaders of the US also visited China recently in attempts to advise Chinese policy makers that business and trade will only suffer if China continues to impose restraints on trade between the two largest economies of the world. Is anybody listening in China?

      Apparently not, or things would look differently in the South China Sea. Media reporters recorded PLA ships confronting Philippine ships in international waters, blocking passage, creating unsafe situations, focusing blinding lights, and deafening horn blasts. These are not friendly gestures. The PLA has been building up naval assets for years and those assets are now being put to use. Pres. Biden will meet his National Security Advisors and put countermeasures to work immediately. He has few options at this point.

     Oh, and Joe, don't forget the immigration issue, or the fentynal issue.

Have a nice day.

Ste. Malo: PArt II

       The planners of the D-Day Invasion decided early on that logistics would prove the success or failure of the endeavor. Supplying hundreds of thousands of ground troops would require massive amounts of supplies, not just ammunition. A deep water port would be required near the landing zones and beaches. Ste. Malo on the Brittany coast offered just such a place: a deep water bay with a large river basin in the center. This could be one of the solutions to this requirement. As a result, Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army was assigned the task of capturing the city and port of Ste. Malo.

     Intelligence gathered warned that the port was over seen by a well placed fortified position the Nazis had been building since their own invasion in 1940. The site of a medieval fort was remade to be a "modern" gun emplacement complete with underground living and working spaces. German engineers did a credible job ensuring that the fort would be a difficult if not impossible to defeat strongpoint as the southern anchor of Hitler's Atlantic Wall on Europe's West Coast. One of the features of the fort was the overhead protection of massive concrete rooftop structures. In some places, the concrete was 18'(6m.) thick, thick enough to offer protection from large aerial bombs.

       The engineers drew on current design engineering, including steel rebar reinforcement. Heavy steel doors secured various entry ports, and all observation posts offered secure closures against gas attacks. Mechanical ventilation systems were built throughout to exhaust fumes and to circulate air electrically. In event of electrical failure, all venting could be done by hand cranking.

      In addition to exterior antiaircraft guns, well-placed cannon offered significant capabilities in the defense. 105 howitzers offered substantial arms and were mobile. The underground system allowed men to be shifted where need was most urgent during an attack, which more than likely would come from the south and east section of the city below. Strategically placed were machinegun 'pill'boxes of a unique design. On the surface was a steel cap, approx. 8'/3m. in diameter and 9" thick cast steel. The caps weighed 47 tons each. They had gun ports every 60 degrees around the circumference. Below the cap were two floors holding positions for interior support crews and equipment. The machinegun itself could be hydraulically rotated to the optimum position during the defense. Expended shells were collected and disposed downward to a subfloor.

Diagram of the machine gun position

Corporate America Loves Europeans

Avoid these ATMs-forever

Avoid this American Corporation at all cost

     The Mayor was recently traveling around western Europe and the southern areas including Portugal and Italy. In Italy, Tuscany and Firenze were our two locations for a stay. Our group spent a week in the sun in the hills above Lake Trasimeno, the shallow lake that provides ample water for the many farms and ranches in the Montepulciano area in eastern Tuscany.

      After leaving Italy, the Mayor left the group and flew to Brussels; a first visit in this famous country: Belgium. It was not far from Brussels where a battle occurred during the First World War: Passchendale, where tens of thousands of Allied soldiers died  in a very short time, a matter of days during the trench warfare at the site. However, we could not venture far from Brussels despite our good intentions. Brussels Airlines cancelled our flight and we had to alter our plans. We left 2 days early; spent a night at the Brussels airport; then spent another night at the Firenze airport. Then after a week, we left for Lisbon, Portugal.

      Another first in this coastal country that nudges up to Spain's western reaches and touches the Strait of Gibralter and its famous "Rock". While traveling within the country, the Mayor needed some Euros, and these are found not just in banks, but most conveniently at ATM machines which these days are most abundant. And now the heart of the story. Having been a frequent traveler in these parts, the Mayor is aware of various charges related to exchange rates and fees applied to any foreign transaction(withdrawing one's own cash from your own bank). But it had been a few months since the last transaction, and we were in a civilized western European country with a fine reputation. We were located in the city of Lagos, on Portugal's southern shore. It's a lovely city and is a destination for many Portuguese and many Europeans of all nationalities. While walking about the beach areas, one can find numerous ATM machines, sprinkled like flowers all over the neighborhoods frequented by beach goers and tourists. The most numerous are those owned and operated by EURONET. This is not a banking company. This is not a European company. This is an American Corporation, headquartered in the USA, in the midwest. It was founded several years ago when two enterprising Americans decided that Europeans would greatly appreciate access to ATM machines no matter where they were vacationing, whether in large cities or small resort locations. These two also figured out how much travelers trusted ATM machines because they were used to their bank's ATMs at home. They also found that travelers didn't like to waste time, especially if the area was crowded with travelers. 

         Hmmmmm. How could this scenario be a source of profit for an American company.? The Americans figured out that foreign exchange rates were not easily understood by retail bank customers. There are 5 basic rates: inter bank, wholesale bank rate, atm rate, kiosk rate, and retail convenience rate-the highest generally @ 5%. Then there are fees on top, and these vary, too. EURONET over time figured out that when it comes to immediate cash, the retail customer rarely studies the rate or the fees: cash is needed, and they trust the machines to be like a "bank", which in EURONET's case, it is not a bank. Bottom line: these despicable businessmen lure the average European to their machines which can be located steps from each other depending on the foot traffic known in the area. The machines are attractive and look much better than some bank machines: bright colors-blue and yellow, and they are easily spotted from a distance. The tourist walks up, puts in his/her card, taps the PIN and is confronted with language choice(s), then an amount choice, and then it gets a little fuzzy. One can option for another screen with another rate or not. Somewhere buried is the actual rate, and the actual fee, and then the actual mark up on the total requested. With EURONET, this can soar above 21%. Yes 21%. And thousands upon thousands of Europeans have been getting bilked of their hard earned money by unscrupulous American corporations for years. How much you ask? How about in excess of $500 million Euros in one year. That's right: almost one half a billion Euros flows directly to Wall St. in the USA. They bankers there applaud Europeans for sending these euros into our country. And President Biden then sends some of it back to aid various small nations there. Goldman Sachs, Bain, Berkshire-Hathaway, they are all in. Thank you, Europe.

        Several European countries have sued EURONET for falsification of transactions. However, The European Central Bank has not seen fit to kick these interlopers out of the Eurozone. Think about it: Blackrock, the Wall Street Giant, owns almost 8% of the company. That says it all.

     So, on your next trip across the pond, avoid EURONET like the proverbial plague, or else it will cost you big time.

Saint Malo

       The Brittany coast of France is well west of Paris; it is an agricultural hub, growing cereals and grains for animal production and vegetable oils, among others. Fields of sunflowers line the back roads and offer their seedy heads to the sun while coloring bright yellow an otherwise green landscape of corn and wheat fields. 83 years ago, the port city of Ste. Malo anchored the southern end of Hitler's Atlantic Wall-the hard shell defensive line meant to thwart an invasion of Germany's now western edge that included France.

      The port is on the north side of the peninsula, looking across the English Channel to the UK's south coast with its White Cliffs of Dover. 18th century occupants determined that this port should be defended with appropriate fortifications and such a fortress was constructed on a high promontory over looking the harbor which included the river delta of the Rance river. The harbor is well protected from the north seas, with approaches protected by various islands and rock outcroppings. When the Nazis arrived in September of 1940, the occupiers immediately decided that the old fort could be improved upon, and with zeal, the engineers set to the task. Given the range of modern naval guns and the size of shells used, the engineers had many issues to contend with during the design phase. Additionally, the real threat of aerial bombardment was probably paramount. Given its 200+ feet above the harbor, the position was also ideal for an antiaircraft installation.

      After the Allies invaded on June 6, 1944, attention to Ste. Malo came into focus. While not in the direct path of the advance beyond the beachhead, the southern port was recognized as a logistical hub much needed to support armies on the move eastward. Gen. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander, ordered Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army south to capture the port. On August 14th, '44, the US Army began the attack. In no time, the defenders realized there was no way out, and no help would be coming to lift the siege. Surrender of the garrison soon followed and the 400 Germans were captured. On August 14th, 2023, the Mayor and company went on a guided tour of the Nazi fortress, including the interior living quarters; the gun positions, and the communications centers-all under ground, capped by 18' of reinforced concrete.

       The Nazis installed a network of gun positions, offering mutual support against an attacking force. One key element was the placement of protected machinegun pill boxes placed on the perimeter. They were engineered to be occupied by at least 2 gunners and supported from below by a crew that could pass ammunition up to the gun; retrieve and remove spent rounds; direct fire by a periscope that could view 360 degrees, and also afford repositioning of the gun hydraulically 180 degrees in both directions. One feature included was a steel cap over the 18' tall cylinder-shaped enclosure. This was the cast steel exposed top, placed on the concrete base. It weighs 47 tons and is about 10 inches thick on the top and sides. It could hold up against all small arms fire and some armor piercing projectiles. We were able to exam one very closely; one that had been targeted and hit by at least 50 rounds.

More to follow

Kim and Vladimir

      It looks like two dictators will put their respective blockheads together to make the usual rockpile. This time, Kim will travel by his favorite mode: the armored train, once favored by his father whom he succeeded. Why the trip? Well, it seems the sanctions imposed by the west as a result of Russya's invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, its neighbor, have worked to stymie the military of Russya from building ample arms to continue to supply the frontline troops in the DonBass region of eastern Ukraine. Mr. Kim has a arms industry that relies on his neighbors in Beijing(the Communist Xi JP,to be exact) for raw materials. Russya has to be careful not to blatantly ignore the West's oversight of Beijing and Russya and their mutual trade in arms.

      So, we have Mad Vlad meeting with Trump's Rocket Man who enjoys thumbing his nose at the west, the USA and Japan in particular. Mr. Kim enjoys playing the role as a man of consequence, a man of substance, a man to be reckoned with these days. Mr. Putin likes his role on the world stage as a man of consequence, a man of singular importance as the dictator who rules the largest country on the globe these days. He also likes publicity, even negative publicity. He survived the rebellion of the late Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin; and his chief lieutenants(airplane accident). Now he will negotiate a deal with little North Korea, the teapot nation of East Asia, the closed nation that has enslaved its citizens for generations as the Kim family imposed isolation on his people(his people???).

      Mr. Kim wants technology, and, oh, food. Mr. Putin wants bullets and bombs/ high caliber munitions to allow his troops to punish the civilians in Ukraine; yes, those poor victims of the Russyan invasion now approaching year 2 of the military operation. The Wagner Group, the mercenary arm of the Kremlin, kept the regular army on its toes; however, Mr. Prigozhin became impatient and tried his reputation on a grander scale. That failed(see films). Now Mr. Putin has to recognize the ongoing struggles in Ukraine. As the renowned strategist, Sun Tzu remarked: a long war favors the defender. Maybe Mr. Putin doesn't remember the results of the Russyan army's efforts in Afghanistan; maybe he does and hopes for a better outcome. He knows better? Hmmmm. We'll see; won't we?

       Ol' mouthpiece Peskov of Kremlin fame, says there's no merit to the reports of a meeting bewtween the two leaders; although the armored train is getting up steam and preliminary moves have been made by staff to ensure no Taliban, Cubans, Queda members are waiting along the route. Our own monitirs will listen in on the conversations in Vladivostok on Russya's Far East coast, that coast favored quite a bit by Beijing.

     More to follow.

Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword

        So, the video shows an aircraft spiraling downward, trailing smoke. It appears to be a classic "death spiral" familiar to pilots and aircraft industry folks. It is not a bomber or a fighter jet, but is a passenger-type aircraft. Hmmmmmm. This video was taken from a ground camera; on the ground in Russya, probably near Moskva. In no time, information began to surface across the globe. This aircraft was part of the Wagner Group air arm.

       Then news was learned that the passengers on board this plane included the highest ranking members of the Wagner Group, including its leader, Yevgeny Prighozhin. Yevgeny led a brief rebellion against Putin et al. and the Russyan army leadership a month or so ago. He ordered his troops to takeover a city in southern Russya, which they did, and began an armed march toward the Kremlin. This charade lasted but a few days until it became obvious to observers that this "rebellion" was not a general movement of large scale, but an irritated segment of Wagner Group troops deployed in the war against Ukraine, the war not going well for Russya or its Wagner group mercenaries. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prighozhin was making trouble for the Kremlin, antagonizing regular army generals and their troops in the field. This rebellion caught the world, USA and Ukraine by surprise. How could this happen? Hmmmmm. Trouble in Moskva? Putin losing his grip? What's next?

         Well, the puppeteer in the Kremlin gave orders and apparently, Yevgeny was sent to cool his heels in Belarus until the action could be remedied by planners in military HQ in Moskva. Then Yevgeny went silent. The president of Belarus stated that he agreed to provide a safe harbor for the rebel(s). He would act to assist the Kremlin in the matter. Shortly thereafter, Putin stated that Yevgeny had made statements regarding the conduct of the war in Ukraine. These concerns would be addressed, and Yevgeny was going to reconcile with Putin.

      After a period of quiet, the plane went down and all on board were killed. Welcome to the New Russya.