Australia: Problems Down Under

     Last week we noted that Australia is a fun place to live:  lots of opportunities for the government to separate citizens from thier hard earned cash via the one-armed bandits known as slot machines.  Well, guess what?  Economists have shed some light on recent financial developments that should come as no surprise to observers:  consumer spending has taken a nose dive(as in a high dive into the abyss).   Consumer debt has risen sharply over the last few years and now spending is slowing indicating that consumers have shot their wads.   Household debt has risen to 212% of income, the fourth highest after Norway, Denmark,  and Netherlands, and higher than the U.S.'s 143% at the height of the pre-crisis level in 2007.  The savings rate, a key indicator, fell to 4.7% in 1st qtr, a level of a 10 year low.
     So, Mr. Government of Australia leader: is gambling good for the economy?   We can wait for your response, but try to have it by the weekend.  meanwhile, enjoy the last week of autumn.

Turkey Insults Amnesty International with Arrests

      The Turkish government made yet another attempt to display its contempt of international decorum by arresting a group of lawyers who were investigating recent government actions regarding Erdogan's moves in response to last year's attempted coup.
      Taner Lilic was detained along with 22 others on suspicion of using encrypted devices allegedly used by followers of Fetullah Gulen, the cleric tied by Erdogan to the failed coup attempt.
     Mr. Kilic is not a member or follower of Mr. Gulen.  Who makes these decisions?  Who else:  Tritip Erdogan, head of the Turks.

Former FBI Director Lights up TV

     James Comey, the recently fired head of the FBI, testified this morning in front of a Congressional committee.  The media covered every word of his testimony.  It was a feeding frenzy, to put it mildly.   Of course, most of what he had to say was already known via various reports, etc.  So, it gave the pundits a topic that could resonate with the few citizens who would actually care about the topic:  what did Trump know and when did he know it regarding the pesky Kremlinistas and their interest in the 2016 presidential elections in the US.
      So, we can move on now.   This part of the tele-novella is behind us.

Minister in Manaus: Exploration of Amazon

      Our Man on the ground in Latin America, our indefatigable Minister of Latin American Affairs, has gone off the grid, exploring the darkest region of South America: the Upper Amazon River basin.  His goal is to investigate reports of:(1) deforestation by illegal loggers/harvesters,(2) to investigate reports of illegal gold mining that have persisted for many years resulting in pollution of ground water and surface waters in the region, (3) to observe, if possible, indigenous peoples and their contacts with encroaching populations from external areas.  All of these topics are currently under investigation in Brasilia, the OAS, and Washington, D.C.
     His last communication came into Tahoma last night, as his flight from Sao Paolo landed in Manaus.  He immediately sought a TV to watch his beloved Warriors whip Le Bron and his Cavaliers in Cleveland, their home court.   He went to sleep with a big smile on his face.
     We will eagerly await his next dispatches which we anticipate will occur in about 4-6 days, when he is due to resurface in Manaus, the old city constructed at the height of the rubber boom fueled by Firestone to meet the demands of the fledgling auto industry that reshaped the modern world over 100 years ago.
      Our advice: Look out for snakes and crocodiles.

Round the Lake Bike Race

     Sunday saw a thousand bikers on Highway 89/Highway 50/ West Shore Blvd as they mad their way around the lake shore. The 72 mile ride is a well organized exercise in back-to-nature experience.  For the most part, the riders are a serious bunch of competitors, decked out in traditional garb featuring the usual bike shorts, tight jerseys, and crash helmets of all sorts.  Many of the helmets were capped with personal statement treatments: icons, legos, talismen, cowpies, and ?'s.  Hmmm.  Californians?  Of course.

Rubicon Peak, Sunday Morning: 7am

Turkish Thuggery: Where Erdogan Goes, Thugs Follow

      Well, isn't he special.  That is, Turkey's Pres. R. Erdogan.  So, he visits America.  And he brings his entourage of bodyguards.  No problem with that: he's a head of state and deserves a little security when on the ground.   As he approached the embassy in Washington, DC, he was followed by a small crowd of demonstrators who held up a few unflattering signs protesting his visit. 
      Now we know what happens at a demonstration today: the iphones come out and all is recorded and posted on social media.   Simple reality.   So then what?  Erdogan's bodyguards rush the crowd and start pummeling members, and kicking some while down on the ground.  Lovely.   How does this happen?  Well, it must be a conditioned response.   Instructions are given, and the guards act according to plan.   And this is not the first time.
      So, when Recep moves, trouble follows in the form of an unruly coterie of thugs who know how to deal it out in the street.  Just like back home among real Turks, or Kurds, or some other dissidents.
     For a little extra spice, the Turkish government tried to silence a follower of the Gulenists.  An NBA player on a tour in Australia was warned that he was the target of Turkish investigators.  he decided to leave and head home to the States.  Just in time.  he found out later his Turkish passport had been cancelled and he was ordered to Turkey.   Too late Recep; cat out of the bag.   Can you imagine?  You are on vaca, and you arrive at the airport for the next leg of your journey.   Then, you are told your passport is cancelled.  Now what?  You cannot move: stranded, left by your government to wait for its next move -against-you.   Not pretty.
    Welcome to modern-Ha-Turkey.

Russyan Hacker to be Extradited

     Czech authorities have announced that a court ruling will allow the extradition of hacking suspect Yevgeniy Nikulin to the U.S.  He was arrested in Prague  on October 5th in cooperation with Interpol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Russya also wants him on a separate charge of internet theft in 2009.  He is wanted on other charges of stealing information from  LinkedIn, Dropbox, and other companies.  Judge Jaroslav Pytloun ruled Tuesdat that all necessary legal terms have been met by both countries.  
    Good luck, Yevgenie.  We hope you have good lawyers working on your case.   Where you get the best shot at justice is debatable.    Your appeal will likely be heard in the U.S. soon.