Alexei Navalny: Found

Town of Kharp in Arctic Russya

      Our Minister of Asian Affairs has informed the Mayor's Office that opposition leader, the imprisoned Alexei Navalny, has been located. He is in a penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Siberian region of the largest country in the world, Russya, Land of Rus. Kharp is home to two penal colonies: Owl Colony and Polar Wolf.

       Well, now, peoples, where is this 'town'? Siberia: we've heard of it, supposed to be cold there. It's vast: stretching from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean in the east Asian rim. It's north of the Arctic Circle(63 degrees N latitude) and at this time of year is dark, receiving a hint of twilight twice a day. The nearby Sob River(no, not filled with tears) remains frozen about 9 months of the year. Locals are Nenets people, indigenous herders who eek out a living in this region as they move with their herds across the landscape to find forage for the animals. While appearing as nomads, they practice transhumanse: seasonally following weather/climate conditions suitable for this practice. Harsh conditions prevail year round.

      So, in keeping with Kremlin practice of isolating opponents, two penal colony prisons were established some time ago; places where the guards and support staff share the environmental conditions meant to convey government control of individuals. The Czars used this method to great effect. The modern Czar, Putin has taken up where the Romanovs left off. One of the most recent new residents is the well known dissident Alexei Navalny, one of the thousands of Russyans who despise the former KGB colonel, ex-deputy mayor of St. Pete's, and former friend of the late Yevgeny Prighozin, assassinated leader of the Wagner Group.

      Kharp town is located on the Sob River, a tributary of the massive Ob River which flows from the southern Urals north on the eastern edge of the mountains to the Gulf of Obskaya, a 500 mile long body of ocean that is a finger of the Arctic Ocean. The western shore is the Yamal peninsula, a mountainous space almost completely uninhabited for every good reason.

       The guards and staff have state provided housing, and receive about 50K rubles/year median salary, plus a bonus if they stay during the winter(Ha!). The inmates suffer through the year with minimal protections from the environment: enough heat and clothing to survive without contracting the usual diseases found in the region: ample respiratory infections. Alexei has a 19 year sentence to carry out, and at 47 years of age will be close to retirement age when he is released. This should happen after the former KGB operative goes to his reward somewhere.

     Merry Christmas, Alexei.

Gina Raimondo: Tough on China

      US Secretary of Commerce announces a new approach to trade with China: tough stance in light of the record. Chinese emporer Xi Jin Ping has been glad handing world trade representatives in various countries as he parades the 'feel good' approach to other nations. At the recent Climate gathering he stated that China was onboard with actions to address this 'global' concern. China is moving toward all electric,says XJP; and then announces that more coal-fired electricity generators are being built at a record pace. Hmmmmm. Is there a disconnect Xi?

       Ms. Raimondo has made trips to China to negotiate with her peers there. A major issue is the production of modern computer chips necessary for the vast uses now found in almost every new product, and every new military tool/power train/ship/missile. This awareness coupled with the fact that Taiwan is the world's premier chip maker brings this issue to the fore.

      Ms. Raimondo is an excellent negotiator and has been a boon to trade for the USA; and not so muchn for US/China trade as she has informed Pres. Biden's cabinet that more must be done to protect not only the domestic industry but also to protect the technology developed here in the USA. JOe Biden is getting the message. 

Can a Bird Fly on One Wing

       So, now we have a little more of the story; the story that has drifted past our consciousness due to Gaza, Jack Smith, Jimmy Lai's trial; Evan Gershkovich's detention extension, Mad Vlad's decision to run again for president; and climate change. When the Wagner Group leaders boarded a plane in Moskva for a short trip to St. Petersburg, those 10 men were very confidant  of their aircraft, the pilots and crew: they were among friends. However, they were unaware of the work of Kremlin henchmen-those doing the bidding of a Tyrant-their boss: the Tyrant running the largest country in the world-Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, former KGB colonel and deputy mayor of St. Petersburg.  A small bomb had been attached to one wing.

       Tyrant Extraordinaire decided that the Wagner Group was no longer necessary to work with in the political sphere of the Land of Rus, aka Russya.  His key fixer/assassin hatched a plan to take care of this extrajudicial group run by the now famous Russyan Yevgeny Prighozin, former chef and businessman, former friend of Vlad(FOV). Yevgeny had the audacity to take matters into his own hands; he wanted to upstage his military rivals and fix the " Ukrainian Problem" immediately without delay. He staged a coup near the DonBas region of Ukraine and began a well-publicized March to Moskva and this action set the world a chattering. Was this the end of the invasion? Was this the insiders' revolt Volodomyr wished for to end the war? In a matter of days, the assault troops of Wagner stalled south of Moskva. Quick actions contained the Wagner Groups' efforts and negotiations began in earnest. Prighozin was to be harbored in nearby Belarus as a house guest until further instructions came from the Kremlin. After a few minutes, Yevgent returned to Russya to firm up his power with the Tyrant. However, his death warrant had been signed.

         So, the Wagner folks boarded the military jet suitable for its passengers and took off on their journey: their "last" journey. When the aircraft reached 28,000 feet altitude, videos show an explosion on one of the wings; now the plane began its death spiral with only the remaining wing. In seconds,, the impact caused a small explosion and fire and it was all over for the passengers and crew: those innocents who had no idea what awaited them when they boarded minutes before takeoff.

        Remains were identified and the largest nation in the world accepted the news that Yevgeny got what he deserved from the Tyrant: assassination. Some things never change and the actions of tyrants remain the same across the globe.

      And what of the future of the Wagner Group? How about the Wagner operatives in the Central African Republic where they guard the President and his cabinet when they are home?  Who will guard the gold and diamond miners who need security from rebel assault? These issues will be dealt with by the Tyrant who is in the process of mounting his reelection campaign for March, 2024.

Merry Christmas to All from the Mayor

Where is Alexei Navalny, Mr. Putin?

 Not here, not there. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Chinese Home BUyers Subjected to Beijing Threats

       Real estate problems in China have been exposed for the last few years. Overbuilding and extensive use of credit saw massive building of residential apartments throughout the Chinese landscape. Buyers would line up to buy a condo in a high rise building that may or may not have been completed. Most buyers bought a shell or unfinished unit which they began making payments on while they funded the finish: doors, windows, kitchens, heat, AC, doorknobs, toilets, lights, locks, etc. Often this could take 4-5 years of saving before occupancy.

      Beijing ordered a slow down, maybe even to the point of destroying some condos already built. What of those who paid money upfront? And the developer stopped building or never began? Left holding the bag(snipe hunt), citizens complained on line. Bad in China. The Communists monitor online chatter. It has become so prevalent that Xi JP had to act. He ordered the PLA watchdogs to shut down any site that hosted complainers. Done. 

     So, if your real estate deal went bust: don't say a word: only positive responses are now allowed in China on social media. 

     Welcome to State-run government(s). In this case: COMMUNIST.

Have a nice day.

Harvard Grad Upgrades Sitting President and the University Corporation

       It's been 2 weeks since 3 Ivy League presidents testified and answered questions about anti-semitist activities on their respective campuses. Harvard U., Yale U., and M.I.T. have had issues as a result. The furor has not abated, most recently when the Harvard Corporation Board announced that it will retain its sitting president, despite her words in response to questions posed by Congressional representatives.   

      The former student, Dan Sullivan, is not atypical of a Harvard grad: he's accomplished much since departing the halls of ivy. His resume is replete with significant accomplishment in further education and professional attainment. Additionally, the man has joined and served in the USMC and is now a colonel in the reserves. He has served in Afghanistan. Now he lives in Alaska where he has a family.

      His recent column in a national publication(WSJ) states his discomfort with the state of university education at his alma mater. In his considered opinion, the students now enrolled are getting what they have paid for: a classic liberal education that examines all ideas. He claims that these students are being fed a diet of political opinion in line with today's ultra liberal bias found in the Ivy League. His thoughts are not alone as other alumni have voiced similar sentiments about their alma maters. Bill Ackman for one.

    When will the cause calm down? Will the US have to wait for the end of Israeli IDF attacks on HAMAS rat holes? Probably. The students will have to endure more opprobrium through the time frame and the winter months. Good luck.

Giuliani: A Disgrace to his Italian Roots

        A judge awarded plaintiffs $148 million in damages in their lawsuit against former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani. This sad, sad human being, age 79, has disgraced himself and his profession: lawyer. How? By hooking his life and career to fellow New Yorker: Donald J. Trump. Prior to signing on to the Trump train, Mr. Giuliani had a modicum of support and appreciation left over from his days as Mayor of NYC when the Twin Towers were brought down by Saudi Arab terrorists. While never exposed to the dangers faced by first responders(firefighters and police), Rudy seized the moment to squeeze as much publicity as possible with some success.  

     And then Trump arrived. And Rudy took the bait: sign up now and rise to the national scene. He did. And what a price he paid. When the Orange-haired Baboon tried unsuccessfully to overturn the presidential election of 2020, Rudy was among those sycophants who agreed that the election was stolen according to the Donald. It's been down hill ever since for the former Federal prosecutor of NYC. The financial award to two election workers clearly indicates how craven Rudy's actions were: he not only criticized these two women, but accused them of altering ballots, removing ballots, and organizing records to thwart a victory  by the former president. His words created a living hell for these two innocent victims, and he has the gall to appeal and continue the lies he has spewed since 2020. The man has serious mental health problems. His health obviously has been compromised by drinking too much cool aid.

     While the amount of money sounds significant, plaintiffs will not see that much and will not see any money for a long time.

Not Justice. Goodby, Rudy. Please, please don't come back again.

Houthis Strike Ships in Gulf

       Houthi rebel forces, armed by everybody's favorite Muslim country-Iran, has begun firing missiles at ships transiting key straits in the Gulf of Aden. The civil war in Yemen has been ongoing for several years with considerable loss of lives among Yemenites. The Houthis, a proxy force for Iran, is confronting Yemen which is supported by Saudi Arabia. So in essence: Arab v. Arab, westerners keep out. However, shipping in the area consists largely of oil tankers headed to China, Japan, and Africa, among others. It is a source of dollars for the Saudi royal family currently run by MBS, the crown prince.

      So, British warships and US warships have shot down numerous drones fired from Houthi emplacements in Yemen. Large shipping companies(Maersk, etc.) have sognaled they will no longer send ships through this area until further notice. Given developments in Israel/Gaza and Ukraine, the world and the West does not need another armed conflict on the agenda. However, the importance of ship traffic here as part of world trade/economics necessitates focus immediately.

     Serious long term approaches to Iran's leadership and its foreign interventionist programs cannot be ignored any longer. As along time supporter of HAMAS/Hezbollah, Iran must be brought to heel. Israel cannot be used as a proxy in this fight: the West must step up to the plate and hit the long ball against this evil regime that for decades has been a source of religious zealotry with Islam at its core belief system. Religious fundamentalism has no place in politics, then and now.

     Can the EU and the US get together here? Will the UN finally be shown for what it is: a shell game of overpaid jaw flappers?

FBI Agent Convicted of -------Spying

        There's always a few bad apples; even the much-vaunted F.B.I. has a few, or maybe more than a few. Recently, a member of former Director J. Edgar Hoover's modern crime stopping organization was convicted in court of passing State secrets to ------Russyan agents for----$$$$$$. How crass. What about the man's character: did he mask his true self for all these years? He's 55 years old, married. We know he rose through the organization and his last position was head of counterintelligence in the New York District where spies live and work like the rest of us. NYC is the site of the United Nations, the organization that hems and haws over Israel and Palestinians. Naturally, many of those attending this session or that are foreign agents, ie. spies.

      These spies don't ride the subway to work. They're too smart: they know there's no point in rubbing shoulders with work-a-day schlubs trying to make a buck on Wall St.,etc. They hang out with Mayor Eric Adam's gang of "reformers" and NGO drones asking for money. And, since 2 Southern governors are shipping  immigrants to this northern 'asylum' city, lots of folks stand out with their hands out asking for anything and everything.

      This senior F.B.I. manager was no doubt oblivious to the asylum seekers situation. He was more concerned with Russya and the Kremlin's operatives seeking intelligence. The largest country in the world has been at the spy game longer than just about everybody, save the Pope and the Vatican City. Our home grown spy was the a senior agent charged with-------counterintelligence in the New York District. Hmmmm. Who selected him? And who turned him? That spy deserves a raise and probably a medal- Hero of the State. Was it the money? Probably.

      He will spend a few years(4) in the federal pen somewhere reading second hand news, catching up on Ohtani's exploits, and trying to figure out if the wife will split and take up with another agent or maybe an NFL player or coach.

       Occasionally he will look in the mirror and ask himself out loud: "What was I thinking?" Such is the fate of those who engage in 'self' destruction. All his former friends will absorb the lesson and move on with their little lives, hoping to avoid anything that resembles the fate of their former friend-The Spy.

       Mr. Charles McGonigal was convicted of aiding a Russyan oligarch who aided the Rus in his contests with another oligarch. One could say this is low level activity that doesn't involve state secrets like those of recently deceased master spy Robert Hanssan, However, McGonigal used his position to circumvent the law and as a result, he'll be serving a 4 year sentence. Have a happy "rest of your life, criminal".

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

    Can you pronounce this name? How many letters are involved? 24 letters total for 2 words to describe a breed of dog or canine house pet. Hmmmm. And why do we know about these rare animals? Recent publicity. Yes, when odd animals are associated with famous or infamous individuals, these pets become a loci of points, points of interest; points of discussion, and points of finance.

     Let's start at the top. That would mean providing the owner's name: Shohei, as in Shohei Ohtani, the most famous baseball player in the world. Hmmm. He's Japanese and plays his game in the USA. He also commands a significant salary, north of $700 millions. How much is that, really. Well, the figure is a lot closer to 1 billion than 1 million.

This "Decoy"

                   
     The Los Angeles Dodgers are going all in on the future and they are paying the price: $700 millions over the next 20 years. So, Ohtani could retire in a couple of decades and live quite comfortably with a nice cushion.

Play ball, woof, woof.

TRPA Lists Housing Plans for Worker Housing

      If one goes to the TRPA website currently, one can see what looks like some future locations for housing as identified by planners at TRPA. As might be expected, there's not a lot of "there" there. With the area on the West Shore identified, one sees that Tahoma has a large section covered on the map. Most of the zone is located north of Pine St, adjacent to Highway 89 and is included in Placer County to the north. A small section extends south into El Dorado county and encompassess downtown Tahoma where we know a few old motel units still stand. These properties are held in private hands and consideration by TRPA as sites for worker/low income housing are fantasies. SOme of these properties are owned by a church group that will soon start operating as meeting places. Already a caretaker is living behind the Norfolk Hotel property and the old Log Cabin is also being lived in a a new tenant(lights on!).

       The Tahoma Meadows is now owned by the Homewood developers, thinking ahead for their work force. Good luck, as they are stirring up the locals with their plan to make Homewood resort a private club. Locals are on the march to prevent a change to approved plands from Placer County and TRPA. When will plans be finalized? Who knows. Nothing moves quickly in Tahoe.

Tahoma Christmas Party Saturday Night

       Wondering what to do this Saturday night? Come to the town party at Marie Sluchak Park in Tahoma. Our bit of public space, complete with seating, stage and backdrop screening, is the site of a holiday affair for the public. Starting at 6:00pm, entertainment will perform and food will be available. Cult Burger will be open as will nearby restaurant Dog & Bear serving fine food.

    Here's an opportunity to socialize before a series of storms arrive Sunday night and will effectively open the ski season for the end of the year. There could be as much as 2' of new snow which all local skiers will welcome. What remains from the dinky storms of late is hardly enough to encourage active efforts to hit the slopes. Man-made snow is Ok, but hardly for this time of year.

 See you there. and weather is forecast to be very nice for mid-December.

Putin Announces Another Run

         Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin will seek reelection next year in March 2024.  24 years at the helm of the largest country on the planet is not enough. The former KGB Lt. Colonel needs another power boost to bring back the old Soviet Days when the Rus had respect in some places outside the borders. Let's see: was that in Europe? Was it in Africa? How about the Arctic? or Antarctic? or Australia? Or Bulgaria? or --------POLAND?  

      Putin doesn't read history he makes history or you go to jail in the Gulag. Where is Evan Gershkovich, the American journalist in jail waiting a "show trial" in a kangaroo court run by a fake judge in a fake judicial system that uses fake laws and fake lawyers making fake claims against defendants? This is Putin's own legal system designed by the KGB/FSB.

       This is the world of today's Rus peoples who live the Russyan modern nightmare: that dark world run by an invisible hand from the Kremlin where faceless, nameless Rus exercise complete control over a population of humans who live under constant threat of arrest. Don't look, don't touch. You live in Russya where black is white and night is day and today is tomorrow. 

        The state -run media spews fake news to the masses who consume prodigious amounts of state-sponsored vodka at prices anyone can afford. Prisoner Paul Whelan, an American citizen,  "convicted of espionage by the Rus Court, languishes in a Rus Hellhole as the largest country in the world dangles his body in front of American diplomats waiting for the right offer for his release. This is modern piracy. This is a tactic the goes way, way back. Recall when Jimmie Carter was faced with hostages taken by Iran in '80's(400+ hostages); negotiations lasted until Ronald Reagan was elected president and the Ayatollahs smiled, assuring themselves that they mattered in the political world of international politics. Little did they know that they would then be branded FOREVER as pirates. Down south, in the Middle East we have more piracy.

     Will Putin get reelected? Ha. Will their be an opponent? Ha. This is a boiler plate election. Putin will win 99% of the votes and those who vote for the opposition will go to the GULAG. (Navalny territory).

Stay tuned.

Need Money? Try Rewards For Justice(RFJ) Program

       Chances of winning the lottery are very slim.  Chances of stumbling across a bag of gold are even slimmer.  But finding a Russyan hacker are much better. Find the right one, and the US State department will award you as much as $10,000,000. for information that produces an arrest of certain Russyan hackers. That's right, 10 millions. And Christmas is coming. What are the specifics, please?

       This week the F.B.I. announced that Russyan hackers attacked a European oil  refinery and infected the computer system that controls the safe operations of the production machinery. Worse, they masked the malware so that it would appear to monitors that all systems were operating normally. Hence the severity of the breach and the chaos that could result if the operations failed. It was also disclosed that said hackers tried and failed to attack and infect American companies with their malware. These Russyans work for the Kremlin. They Work for Mad Vlad. They work for the Rus peoples of Siberia and nearby lands of Asia.

     So, who are we looking for today? Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh. He works for-ready- Russyan Ministry of Defense Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics in Applied Development Center. (Big names make more money). The F.B.I. does not know where Evgeny is hiding; but assumes he is in Moskva along with other team members. He is part of the FSB and Defense Dept. of the Russyan army. You know, the Russyan Army fighting in Ukraine with former Wagner Group ex-cons who are digging in for the winter down on the Dniper River.

      For the $10 million, the RJF will cut a check for your bank account, in dollars, not the worthless ruble spread around Moskva.  I could use $10 mill, but I don't know what Yevgeny looks like much less where he's hiding. But, more than a few Rus know the facts of his whereabouts and could contact US agents in the embassy or send an email to Foggy Bottom with a few facts. It's kind of similar to a computer game with real prize money.

Good luck.

Gruesom Governor Has a Budget Problem

    It's a big one: about $68 Billions. Hmmmm. Recall just a few years back the projected budget shortfall was about $9 Billion and the 66% Democratic legislature decided some changes needed to be made. Old jerry Brown figured he could raise some taxes and fees and voila, a budget surplus. Now Gavin the candidate has some real challenges ahead: what to cut; where to cut; how much to cut are just a few. Tax revenues fell short as business and personal income levels fell. The FED raised interest rates and delivered a body punch to home buyers, mortgage lenders; small business; and borrowers of all stripes. Incomes went south and so did projected income taxes.

      When will the cut list come out? In time for Christmas? hardly, that would be an amateur move; bad timing. So, maybe January, about the beginning of the campaign season of 2024. How exciting. Watch the squirming in Sacramento. Old Dan Walters loves to cover these issues- very amusing as the pols trip over themselves explaining why this cut is more deserving of that cut. Antics. Maybe the Sandwich King Kevin McCarthy will ride in from the Valley and throw a lifeline to Gavin. DOubt it. 

San Francisco Reaches for the Stars

         So, a developer wants to create new housing in San Francisco; by the Bay, in the Financial District, 71 stories tall, or 20+ stories above the Bank of America bldg. It will be similar in height to the nearby existing Salesforce tower. It will be designed for market rate apartments, bypassing some "old" conditions now thought to hinder residential building.  Hmmm. Yes, the state legislature finally realized that there's not enough places to live in California, much less in San Francisco.

     Bayhill Ventures(cute name for a builder-makes you wonder if they're serious) announced their plans to build this "skyscraper", that old, old, descriptive term used by old people. Those who might live on the 71st floor will probably want parachutes as part of the appliance mix. It would add 1250 units to the City, hardly enough to change the needs of the town. However, the Census Bureau announced that the City lost population in the last couple of years: from about 854,000 to 717,000, or quite a number drop. Thus rents have stabilized somewhat. The rush out has continued, and is nowhere more apparent than the Financial Dist. where office space vacancy are north of 25%. Those former commuters are loving their conditions working from home. Who wants to take a gamble on B.A.R.T. where the "fare jumpers" slide in among the techies and often cause deep anxieties among routine passengers. The BART police dept. is understaffed and over stretched, usually sending officers out on calls by themselves. When a potential arrest is anticipated, the officer involved will call for a backup and can wait a long time before help arrives depending on locations of both parties. Not a good system at all.

      So, 71 stories, and right nearby a 'leaning tower' is  being remedied due to foundation problems. And there could be a big quake anytime. Bayhill Ventures doesn't really care, it's an engineering problem they can fix. Maybe.

Sandwich Maker to Leave The House

        Deposed Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has announced he's leaving the body to focus on sandwiches/and other things. He wants to disappear. His ouster has left him friendless and his replacement, the screwy Mike Johnson, is floundering around, asking for help from anyone who can offer some guidance. Most recently, Screwy Mike visited the Orange-Haired Baboon down in Mar-A-Largo in Florida.

     So, McCarthy will return to his sandwich roots in California and contemplate his future, what ever that may be. Good Luck with that.

Mad Vlad to Middle East

 

Birds of a Feather

 

    Two leaders shake hands for the media. Two-of-a-kind acknowledge their shared interest in-DOLLARS. Yes, Mad Vlad needs dollars and the Arab needs dollars,too. Birds of the Dollar Agreement. The US is not helping either of them as the US is pumping oil at capacity +++. The better to push barrel prices down from recent highs. Both leaders of their respective oil producing nations want to discuss retaliatory strategy to punish the US. MBS likes to play games with everybody, especially dictators, autocrats, Commies, and even folks from the Dark Continent down south.

      Lately, Mad Vlad has been rounding up journalists in his attempt to stifle the truth and conditions at home(Land of Rus Peoples).  Evan Gershkovich, a 32 year old American citizen, has been held in prison in Russya for over 7 months. He's waiting a trial. Despite being approved to gather stories inside Russya, the Kremlin(the seat of dictatorship) decided he knew too much. Evan speaks Russyan and has a knowledge of history and culture few western journalists possess. His insights and stories might stir dissent within the borders of the LARGEST COUNTRY ON THE PLANET. So, jail. His employer, The Wall Street Journal, has been relentless in their coverage of his situation. The US State Dept. is also focused on the case. But, after 23+ years of running a country in sharp decline, Mad Vlad has changed tactics. First, invade a neighboring country, eg. Ukraine. Stir up those living on the frontier. Test the climate and steal a small portion, and watch the reaction from the global community. Hmmmmm. I can get away with this, as folks are afraid to mix it up.(reminds historians of another dictator who tested Europe's reaction to a land grab.)

      As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Putin got a boost in the US Congress which failed to pass Pres. Joe Biden's budget that included millions of military aid for Ukraine's army. Thank you, Republican Party members. So, the former KGB operative took time out from his busy schedule and sat with Arabs to talk oil: prices and production levels. How will this shake out for these two Birds-of-a- Feather? Time will tell as Russyan soldiers continue to die in the Donetsk region in the east. Oh, and let's not overlook some of the local fallout for the Kremlin's policy of offering freedom for imprisoned murderers in Russya after they serve on the battlefield in Ukraine. This week, one of the returnees unloaded his weapon in his old village killing several citizens.  Maybe the Wagner Group will have to alter recruiting goals. Maybe they'll have to go to Moskva instead of Vladivostok.

       What will MSB say to the Old Colonel/Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg? Vlad, reduce production. Yes, that's it, Vlad; we must reduce production. Yikes, Really, Mohammed? But, but, but. No buts.  Vlad Do it. Next.

Harvard Trains Spies and Also Yale

        The F.B.I. announced the arrest of a retired US Ambassador. Hmmm, shocking on its face, sure. This individual held posts at the highest levels in addition to the position of ambassador. Where was he educated? Harvard! Yes, and Yale, too. Oh, can't leave out the Jesuits: Georgetown U. He trained at the Foggy Bottom center for Foreign Service Officers. He joined State in 1981 when he began his career as :SPY. Spying for Cuba and -CHINA. This could be the highest ranking spy in US history. 

       AG Merrick Garland on statements after the arrest, stated that the information divulged by this spy reached the highest government levels of Cuba, China, and their partner, Russya,home of the Rus. Who was he? A man. A man who like so many other Ivy folks, think they are above the rest; too smart to get caught. Hmmm. as he was put into 'cuffs', this pathetic individual started to cry. Why? Because he's smart enough to know he'll never, ever see the light of day again as a free man. He's 73 years old and has , perhaps another 7-10 years of living on this earth. He'll be living, ha-living, in an 8'x10' cell. His career is lengthy and detailed, mostly as an expert on LAtin American affairs, due in part to his home country of Colombia. How many courses on ethics did he attend?

       His name: Victor Rocha. Again: Victor Rocha. Spy extraordinaire. Who vetted this criminal? Hmmm. Sec. State Antony Blinken will no doubt have to come up with some answers and soon. Maybe it's time to clean house.  It was only a few years ago that critics forced the State Dept. to widen the hiring pool to include westerners(as opposed to WASPS from northeast) and graduates from state schools. It has definitely improved results, but more house cleaning is in order.

      Will Rocha be able to receive mail in Federal prison? Not if left to the guards.

Have a nice time at trial, Victor. Don't waste an email to Raul Castro-he's unavailable.

NYT Prints HAMAS Atrocities From 10/7

         We've all read of HAMAS murderers running amok on Oct. 7 in various locations during their attacks on civilians in kibbutzim and other towns. We've also heard reports of focused violence against the helpless: old women, young women, babies, and disabled individuals. These attacking murderers were trained in Iran by IRANIANS to focus their hate in certain ways to provoke anger and revenge. The results speak for themselves: Israeli army troops will not stop its counter attack until the job is done.

      A columnist for the NYT spelled out the details in very graphic language. Make no mistake: this attack had a focus only monsters could imagine. The details will not be repeated here. Needless to say, muslim men continue to rebuke women wherever they may be. The international response to these facts tells much about the "progressive" liberal leftists: we are not what we make out to be: we are worse.

        Look at the responses from students in our universities, spoon-fed naifs who listen intently to the garbage-spewing academics who spread vicious falsehoods that are swallowed wholesale by these 'children'. A sad time in the US and abroad.

Trump in Iowa: Lies and More

        The campaign of the oft-indicted former President Donald tRump is up and running against one of the weakest group of Republican hopefuls since Lincoln ran in 1860( a long time ago indeed). His campaign message(s): more of the same tired slogans he used to hoodwink potential voters. He says: Joe Biden cannot protect Democracy; He-Biden- cannot run this government; and the biggest lie-his loss in 2020 was caused by fraud among voters and their Democratic lever pullers. 

      Never mind that there's no evidence that supports his outrageous claims and his outrageous lies. He is a megalomaniac-ask any psychologist. Books have been published with all his characteristics labeled and identified. As more media publish his statements, any thinking person can see through the smoke and mirrors he sometimes uses to make his case.

       Sadly, even in Iowa, other candidates have hardly nudged the numbers away from this sad sad American anomaly. The Iowas caucuses are a few weeks away; Florida governor Ron DeSantis has covered all the ground in the state, visiting every county, hoping lightening will strike and his poll numbers will somehow improve. I don't think so.

      Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina seems to be improving among likely voters. Maybe she can overcome her lack of impact. maybe not.

     And the tRump keeps dodging criminal conviction(s). His civil trial in New York is winding down with closing arguments next week and a judge's ruling in January. The State of New York is hoping to recover in excess of $250 millions and seeks to ban the Trump company from doing business in New York State. The Judge already ruled the company is liable; and he'll decide how much.

      Will  a decision sway Trump and family? Not likely.

Agnes Chow: Welcome to Canada

        A 27 -year old woman has arrived in Canada and she has decided to stay: FOREVER. How long is forever? The philosophical question and its answer is always a subject of debate(among those who care!). She is from Hong Kong, the former British colony(colonizer extraordinaire!) and now, after Beijing kicked the formal agreement to follow the British rules into the ocean, a city that is completely Chinese run by Chinese for Beijing's Communist Party. Yes, that Communist Party run by Xi J P. 

     Ms. Chow, formerly of Hong Kong, is a dissident citizen of the city of HK. Since her high school days back in the early days of 21st Century, she along with other like-minded young people protested the heavy hand of Beijing when the Communist Party began imposing new laws against protests and speaking out against government policies and actions against these protests. With Mr. Wong, a fellow student, she was arrested, her travel restricted and she spent 7 months in prison before being released. (Can you imagine a Chinese prison? Our own Minister of East Asian Affairs visited many incarcerated prisoners in various locations and offered first hand descriptions of deplorable conditions, such as restricted spaces, lack of sleeping beds, lack of protection from adverse weather, and serious over crowding. Lovely, those PLA prisons.

     So, Ms. Chow, playing along with Beijing, decided to roll with the plans to repatriate her sympathies and allow her to go abroad to study. Since visas to the US are almost impossible now, she selected next best: CANADA. The police escorted her to a documents station where she was photographed, again, and had passport reinstated. She got on a plane and left Hong Kong. It took her about 10 seconds to decide to stay and give up on Hong Kong and China and everything she has ever known. This came as a result of her dealings with Beijing. Given her youth, Beijing and Xi assumed she would return and could be trumpeted as a "re-educated" youth who had amended her ways. Wrong. She is bright enough to know the difference between freedom and prison. She chose freedom over the Communist Party and the PLA.

     Welcome to a new life, Agnes, may you prosper FOREVER.

49ers Put One on the Eagles

       The San Francisco 49ers are making an impression on the NFL this season. It contnues after today's win n the road against a tough opponent that had not lost at home this season. The '9'ers hung a loss on them, at home with an impressive 42-19 victory. QB Brock Purdy shined as he lead his team to 5 successive scoring drives. While the Eagles were expected to win, the Bay Area gang would have none of it.

     The SF red and Gold team had a slow start, turning the ball over twice before they could put points on the board. Philly wasn't any better with little to show for their first efforts. But then Purdy and his crew found the groove and they took off, putting double figures up and increasing the lead in the 2nd half. Late in the 4th quarter, QB Jalen Hurts was sidelined, possible injury. But he returned and there was a glimmer of hope for locals. But SF remained tough and scored a late touchdown to ice the contest. With a record of 10 and 3, Coach Kyle Shanahan will start thinking playoffs.

Goodbye George Santos, Finally

       News media has had a great time exploiting the single best story from Congress in awhile. A Republican representative elected in New York's Queens and Long Island district, bounced around for over a year before critics were able to publicize that this representative was: 1) a liar, 2) a crook, 3) an uneducated lout, 4) a confused individual without a shred of character, 5) a criminal on the lam, 6) a charlaton, 7) a snake oil salesman, 8) a spendthrift, 9) a talented schemer, 10) and a Republican.

       George Santos, 35, was expelled from the house after a vote by members that finally put a rest to all the allegations and evidence against him. He has become only the third House member to be expelled since the Civil War( a long time ago!). He won't be off the hook for many of his alleged crimes, many of them involving fraud, theft, and other federal crimes. He will probably face a prison sentence by the time the dust has settled.

      The Republican Party will breathe a sigh of relief, briefly, because they tolerated his position much longer than they had to. Screaming headlines over the last year dragged the GOP through the mud of scandal linked to this young man. Not to mention that at the same time, the Leader of the GOP, former President Donald T. was having charges of various types filed against him for much worse crimes. It's been a bad year for the GOP, one of the worst.

      Unfazed by it all, they kicked Rep. Kevin McCarthy out of his role as Speaker; then chose a DoDo bird from the Deep South: Mike Johnson. Ha,ha, ha, ha. Can you imagine? This lunkhead is now Speaker. And then he goes and visits the deranged former President seeking advice. Congress gets sicker everyday. Woe the people.

     So, OLd george Santos can now crawl back to his rat hole of a life and tell stories about what it was like to be an elected member of Congress for a year. He'll spin his tales endlessly, especially when he's behind bars in a minimum security institution.

Another Day, Another American Journalist Arrested in Russya

       Good morning, Madam, we are from Security Services. We have a warrant for your arrest; please do not resist. Get into the vehicle now. Give us your iphone and your documents now. Do not speak, especially that English language which we hate to hear. Don't say anything or it will go against you in our esteemed Judicial system recognized as most fair by wide acclaim in Siberia, etc.

      So, Mad Vlad grabs another headline. He is very upset that HAMAS has stolen the headlines while his troops in Ukraine are bleeding and the winter of 2023-2024 is fast approaching. Yes, his ragtag army of former prisoners, and ex-Wagner Group Green Men is having supply issues and morale issues and lots of other "issues". Ms. Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor and journalist who holds Russyan and American citizenship, was arrested by Kremlin drones(in the biological sense) because the arresting thugs say she has not registered as a foreign agent. Now this identification has been around for awhile; lately, it has become the go-to tag placed on anybody who happens to be foreign. 

     If the Mayor of Tahoma shows up in Duckburg, Russya, am I a foreign agent.? Of course I am: I represent the metropolis of Tahoma and I promote Tahoma. Hence: agent/agency= foreign agent. So deems the mighty Kremlin. 

     So, we have more of Russya doing what Russyans do and have done for a CENTURY since the Bolsheviks ran the Czar(s) and family into history. A lovely place to be from, but certainly not to live in.

     Who wants to live in Russya? Ask all the migrants. Answer: not Russya, any place but. repeat: anyplace but Russya. 

      Ms. Kurmasheva works for Radio Free Europe, and will now spend Christmas, etc. in a confined cell waiting. It's what's happening in Mad Vlad's Russya: home of the SAD RUS peoples.