Hold on to yuh hats- weather is happening. After the East got blasted last week, it's West COast Time. A big blow will dump on the entire State of California starting tomorrow morning. Unfortunately for Tahoma, very little snow will fall. But, on a high note, 1" of rain = 10" of snow. So if we get 3-5" of rain, that equals 2 1/2 ' of snow. Small consolation. Perhaps we'll avoid a record LOW lake water level. Maybe not.
Drive safely.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Diplomacy Tried in Ukraine
Secretary of State John Kerry met with Pres. Poroshenko of Ukraine today, along with western Allies France' Francois Hollande and Germany's Angela Merkel. They are attempting a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine government forces and separatist rebel units in the east area known as Donbass.
Secretary Kerry made direct comments that the Russyan forces on the ground that have violated Ukraine territory will continue to violate the Minsk Agreement signed just last year. In unmarked uniforms, these Russyan troops fool only themselves and Mr. Putin(aka Raz-Putin). Mr. Putin thinks he's fooling everybody because he's done it before.
Next stop will be Moscova. Maybe Mr. Raz-Putin will trot out his pet leopard for the visitors to pet. Maybe he'll serve lunch in his dacha. Maybe he'll tell some Russyan folk tales to entertain his honored guests. We here in Tahoma think that Mr. Putin will huff and puff and blow wind out of his hind quarters. He has such class. I think he should get a hair piece to cover the comb over- it's looking a little too much.
Maybe the diplomats will lay out the next level of sanctions, maybe not. I'm sure Sec. Kerry will extend some suggestions from his boss in the White House. Old mad Vlad won't listen. He'll ask how they liked the Sochi games, caviar, and vodka, of course. So, the 3 will go home with nothing to show but a touch of frostbite from Red Square.
Secretary Kerry made direct comments that the Russyan forces on the ground that have violated Ukraine territory will continue to violate the Minsk Agreement signed just last year. In unmarked uniforms, these Russyan troops fool only themselves and Mr. Putin(aka Raz-Putin). Mr. Putin thinks he's fooling everybody because he's done it before.
Next stop will be Moscova. Maybe Mr. Raz-Putin will trot out his pet leopard for the visitors to pet. Maybe he'll serve lunch in his dacha. Maybe he'll tell some Russyan folk tales to entertain his honored guests. We here in Tahoma think that Mr. Putin will huff and puff and blow wind out of his hind quarters. He has such class. I think he should get a hair piece to cover the comb over- it's looking a little too much.
Maybe the diplomats will lay out the next level of sanctions, maybe not. I'm sure Sec. Kerry will extend some suggestions from his boss in the White House. Old mad Vlad won't listen. He'll ask how they liked the Sochi games, caviar, and vodka, of course. So, the 3 will go home with nothing to show but a touch of frostbite from Red Square.
S&P: Pay up Time!
So, just when you thought it was over, up pops another casualty of the recession. Another "Big BanK" you think? No, a bond rating firm. Huh? They don't make loans, they don't invest in property, what gives? Well, unless you've been asleep, bond rating firms carry way too much weight in the financial world. And they get paid by the companies who ask for the rating. Hmmm. Sounds like a business that thrives on fuzzy relationships and inherent cross purpose and opportunity for fraudulent behaviors.
So, to put an end to this little bit of bad publicity, Standard & Poor's, the venerable company, decided to settle with the Justice Dept., accept a little fine, and move on. Little. Ha, ha , ha. To you and the Mayor, little is $1,000. To Standard & Poor's, little is $1.5 BILLIONS!
The Crime
Some of the Wall Street Investment Houses that we've come to loath at their very name were packaging(bundling, mixing, stacking) mortgage-backed securities for sale to other entities in the retail bond and securities business. This means brokerages, small municipalities, and pension funds of various stripes. These packages had to be rated for purchasers so they could accept the proper level of risk involved per investment amounts. S&P failed in this endeavor, failing in their role as unbiased 3rd party. They rated vast amounts of these bundles that were sold far and wide. They consisted of real estate mortgages and S&P was to examine the quality of said paper backed by the soundness of the real estate involved and those who had mortgaged their property. Sad to say, but the management of S&P admitted "mistakes", but not wrong doing. Thus, $1.5 BILLIONS.
Next Up
Moody's Investor Services
They will probably get slammed as much if not more for their role in the recession. They were more heavily involved in the mortgage back security ratings game. I predict they'll have to pay upwards of 2 Billion dollars.
Waiting in the wings: Fitch.
So, to put an end to this little bit of bad publicity, Standard & Poor's, the venerable company, decided to settle with the Justice Dept., accept a little fine, and move on. Little. Ha, ha , ha. To you and the Mayor, little is $1,000. To Standard & Poor's, little is $1.5 BILLIONS!
The Crime
Some of the Wall Street Investment Houses that we've come to loath at their very name were packaging(bundling, mixing, stacking) mortgage-backed securities for sale to other entities in the retail bond and securities business. This means brokerages, small municipalities, and pension funds of various stripes. These packages had to be rated for purchasers so they could accept the proper level of risk involved per investment amounts. S&P failed in this endeavor, failing in their role as unbiased 3rd party. They rated vast amounts of these bundles that were sold far and wide. They consisted of real estate mortgages and S&P was to examine the quality of said paper backed by the soundness of the real estate involved and those who had mortgaged their property. Sad to say, but the management of S&P admitted "mistakes", but not wrong doing. Thus, $1.5 BILLIONS.
Next Up
Moody's Investor Services
They will probably get slammed as much if not more for their role in the recession. They were more heavily involved in the mortgage back security ratings game. I predict they'll have to pay upwards of 2 Billion dollars.
Waiting in the wings: Fitch.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
New Italian President Sworn In
Sergio Matarella, the Italian President was sworn in yesterday and spoke briefly, noting upcoming efforts on part of Matteo Renzi, PM, to impart changes in Italian labor law, taxation collection efforts, and reduction in administrative/bureaucratic obstacles to the creation of new businesses across the country.
Bravo, Signore Matarella!
Bravo, Signore Matarella!
Monday, February 2, 2015
Putin's Upcoming Punishment
It's all on the table: the entire Federation, that is. Or, the future of the "current" Federation political makeup. Recently, a noted think tank(McCain Institute) published a paper on possible new sanctions directed against the Federation, its leaders, and its gophers/oligarchs. Let's list them because they are so spot on:
1. Mr. Obama should provide more intelligence information to the Ukraine's military leadership
2. NATO and the US should release more information concerning Russya's military moves into Ukraine territory. Hard evidence will help sway fence sitters not only in US Congress, but those Pentagon officials who believe enough has been done to aid Ukraine.
3. Gazprom, the Russyan state oil company, and its head, Alexei Miller, should be added to the sanctions list. Listing Gazprom would end its ability to strike deals with in other countries.
4. This is the best: Russya should be excluded from SWIFT, the the global settlements system. This would effectively cripple the banking system in the Kremlin world.
5. All high ranking Russyan officials should be listed and added to a visa ban and an asset freeze. It would have to start at the top, with Raz-Putin, who has $40 billions stashed(according to NY Times. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov should be included. Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu should also be added.
With these and other new sanctions, Mr. Raz-Putin can lead his Federation and its Lemmings over the cliff, but without Ukraine.
1. Mr. Obama should provide more intelligence information to the Ukraine's military leadership
2. NATO and the US should release more information concerning Russya's military moves into Ukraine territory. Hard evidence will help sway fence sitters not only in US Congress, but those Pentagon officials who believe enough has been done to aid Ukraine.
3. Gazprom, the Russyan state oil company, and its head, Alexei Miller, should be added to the sanctions list. Listing Gazprom would end its ability to strike deals with in other countries.
4. This is the best: Russya should be excluded from SWIFT, the the global settlements system. This would effectively cripple the banking system in the Kremlin world.
5. All high ranking Russyan officials should be listed and added to a visa ban and an asset freeze. It would have to start at the top, with Raz-Putin, who has $40 billions stashed(according to NY Times. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov should be included. Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu should also be added.
With these and other new sanctions, Mr. Raz-Putin can lead his Federation and its Lemmings over the cliff, but without Ukraine.
Patriots, Italians, Russyans, Oh,my: Sports Wrap
Well, sports fans, it's been quite a weekend. Super Bowl XLIX is history. It was some contest, with an unpredictable outcome that kept viewers and fans in their seats up until thee last 18 seconds. Just when you thought it was over, it wasn't. That 4th quarter of play: what a finish! Patriots scored 14 points to take the lead with a few minutes to go. Then, Seattle came back and went ahead, 28-24. Then, the miracle catch: a Wilson pass to Kearse on the Pats 5 yd. line-1st down and goal to go. Then Marshawn Lynch carries to the 1 foot line, just short. 2nd down. Then, Wilson passes over the middle-INTERCEPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Patriots rookie, Butler, stepped up on the goal line and caught the pass intended for a touchdown. Not to be. Patriots, 1st and 10 to go from their own 1 foot line. Brady does a hesitation call and draws the Seahawks line off the ball, 5 yard penalty! Brady, takes the snap, kneels, Game over! Then, Bedlam. Final: Pats 28, Seahawks 24.
Australian Tennis Open
Serena Williams rolled up her 19th Grand Slam victory by defeating her perennial rival, Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 7-6. Maria accepted her runner up trophy with silent assent. Serena mentioned that she still has to win 3 more titles to equal Steffi Graf's 22 Slam victories.
Russians Light Up World of Figure Skating in Stockholm
Defying the odds, 3 Russyan women took the podium for a threesome, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals. Gold went to Elizaveta Tukamysheva, the silver to her teammate, Elena Radionova, and the bronze to Anna Pogorilaya. Nice to see some charm among Russyan athletes who have to contend with the international scorn heaped on their President, Mad Vlad Ras-Putin.
Italians Dominate Men in Australia
Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli became the first all-Italian team to win a Grand Slam event since 1959. They beat Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4,6-4, in the Australian Open Final in Melbourne.
Dubai Golf
Rory McIlroy extended his lead at the Dubai OPen Desert Classic to 4 strokes with a six-under-par 66 in the 3rd Round at Dubai.
Hope you enjoyed some events over the weekend. Pray for snowmaybe next week.
A Patriots rookie, Butler, stepped up on the goal line and caught the pass intended for a touchdown. Not to be. Patriots, 1st and 10 to go from their own 1 foot line. Brady does a hesitation call and draws the Seahawks line off the ball, 5 yard penalty! Brady, takes the snap, kneels, Game over! Then, Bedlam. Final: Pats 28, Seahawks 24.
Australian Tennis Open
Serena Williams rolled up her 19th Grand Slam victory by defeating her perennial rival, Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 7-6. Maria accepted her runner up trophy with silent assent. Serena mentioned that she still has to win 3 more titles to equal Steffi Graf's 22 Slam victories.
Russians Light Up World of Figure Skating in Stockholm
Defying the odds, 3 Russyan women took the podium for a threesome, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals. Gold went to Elizaveta Tukamysheva, the silver to her teammate, Elena Radionova, and the bronze to Anna Pogorilaya. Nice to see some charm among Russyan athletes who have to contend with the international scorn heaped on their President, Mad Vlad Ras-Putin.
Italians Dominate Men in Australia
Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli became the first all-Italian team to win a Grand Slam event since 1959. They beat Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4,6-4, in the Australian Open Final in Melbourne.
Dubai Golf
Rory McIlroy extended his lead at the Dubai OPen Desert Classic to 4 strokes with a six-under-par 66 in the 3rd Round at Dubai.
Hope you enjoyed some events over the weekend. Pray for snowmaybe next week.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Hubble Foto
.JPG) |
| Hubble Foto |
This image cannot be seen from Tahoma. So, don't try. But, glance at the night sky, remember where you are and, maybe, where you fit.
Thanks to our Minister of Latin American Affairs for getting this up.
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