Warriors Do It in 5: New NBA Champs

       There were smiles all around last night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland(Oaktown), California, as the Golden State Warriors clinched their 2nd NBA title in 3 years by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in convincing style.   The Cavs came ready to play, hoping to repeat last year's effort when they overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the next 3 straight.  Not this time, LeBron.   The first quarter started quickly, with the Cavs hitting 3-point shots and playing defense, forcing turnovers by the Warriors.  At one point, the Cavs were up by 8.   And then, the Warriors woke up.  By the early minutes of the 2nd quarter, the score was tied, briefly.  Then the Warriors surged ahead, making an array of shots of all types: 3's, layups, dunks, put backs, foul shots, and time-tested jumpers.  With a minute to go in the half, the Golden State team had a 17 point advantage.   This was quickly reduced in the final seconds by back-to-back 3 pointers by the Cav's Irving.  Half time had the Warriors up by 11.   The fans were pleased and looked forward to more of the same in the 2nd half.
       In the 2nd half,  the Cavs were able to close the gap, reaching as close as a 3 point difference.  Lebron James continued his impressive efforts, hitting 3's, and driving the paint for 2 when open.  But the Warriors were not leaving the game to chance and responded in kind with their own amazing shots: Kevin Durant began his torrent of 3's and kept the Warriors with a good lead going into the 4th quarter.   The tension peaked now as two players faced off over a perceived slight.  Technical fouls were assigned, and the game continued a pace.   Warriors Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were in foul trouble in the early 4th, with 4 fouls each.  But Coach Kerr kept his balance and let them play on.   As the clock counted down the roar of the crowd increased, sensing a championship in the offing.   Despite LeBron James 41 points, the Warriors prevailed in front of their home fans and coasted to victory.
      Kevin Durant was awarded the Bill Russell MVP award(presented by the 83-year old Mr. Russell himself).   He had a terrific game and a terrific post season, answering his critics who debated his moving from Oklahoma City Thunder last summer.   Good move Kevin.
    Congratulations all around the Warriors who played most of the season without a head coach who was on the DL with his chronic back problems.
     Can't wait til next season starts.

Protest: St. Petersburg Style

       Alexei Navalny, erstwhile candidate for high office in Russya, led protests that occurred countrywide yesterday.  He was arrested in St. Petersburg along with a number of his fellow protesters.   This was predicted and expected and Mr. Navalny was not disappointed by the police. Decked out in typical riot gear fashion, police units waded in among the youthful protesters and dragged them off to waiting vans to then be taken into custody.   Seems normal routine.  But here in St. Petersburg not much is normal these days.   The old city is attempting to re-establish itself as a European-style cosmopolitan hub of western, or European Russya.   This is not a new quest.  A quick look at the history of the place indicates that these efforts go back to the time of the Czars, when Russya had some culture or a semblance of culture.
      It is common knowledge that the sitting president of the Federation, Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, was the deputy mayor of the city less than 20 years ago when he also served as a KGB operative designated as the political watchdog of the mayor.   From that position, somehow, he ended up in Moscova and, lo and behold, next stop the presidency/prime minister/top oligarch/top despot/top military officer/top lion tamer/top judo expert/top international bon vivant/top horseman/top leopard trainer/ top election manipulator/top Trump handler/top China negotiator/ and top interview subject(Oliver Stone subject).
     So, the Kremlin fake news office is working hard now, pumping out drivel to pacify the everyday Russyan consumer of Kremlin fake news/alt facts.
     Ahh, life in Russya, it's different; just ask anybody who lives there.

Trouble in Kiev, Again

    This time, the trouble began during an assassination attempt that ha an unusual ending, of sorts.  The assassin was wounded by his two victims.  Both the targets were slightly wounded but escaped with their lives after minimum hospital treatments.  The assassin, meanwhile, is still hospitalized.  he'll be facing intense questioning when healthy enough to do so.  Hmmm.  What questions will asked of this well known individual:  (1) who sent you, (2) why were these two targets selected, (3) how much were you paid, (4) are you stupid, (5) where did you learn French, (6) who will pay your legal fees(7) are you a friend of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, (8) etc.
      The story is something a gifted writer would have trouble putting together:  a French newspaper reporter befriends a couple who live in Kiev.   They are known vocal opponents of the Kremlin and all things Putin/Kremlin.   Now the time comes to activate the assassination: but wait, one of the targets has a gun, bigger than your gun and knows how to shoot it.  You, the professional hitman, get whacked yourself.  Oh, my.  Can this really be happening? 
      Such is life in Kiev.   It really is a wild frontier these days.  People running around claiming not to be Russyan, but just a Finn who has lost their way.   My. my.  Not easy to get around in the DonBass region in eastern Ukraine.   All these uniformed soldiers making outrageous claims.  Oh, for a little peace and quiet.  Why Crimea?  Why the DonBass?  Why SYria?   Why did they have to shoot down an unarmed Dutch passenger aircraft?   Hmmm.  Maybe we'll find out the answer to that one during Oliver Stone's interview(s) with Mr. Vladimir Putin.   Not easy being Putin.  Or actually, not easy being an opponent of Putin.

Mr. Putin: TV Personality

      Look at his face:  the well known smile, the focused gaze, the impression of knowing the answers.  And this is just the preview.  The notorious film director/ producer/screen writer, Oliver Stone, has out done himself.   He has produced a TV special that will run far longer than one can imagine- 4 hours of Putin?  Oh, my God(OMG).   Why?  At this time, when we can't get away from Russya in the media, all the media, all the time.  Basta, cosi'. Enough already.
      Now Oliver, an aging Vietnam veteran who scored big rewriting history to fascinate conspiracy theorists which abound now that we are fed a steady diet of fake news on the internet,  has been in the shadows of late, waiting for another aha moment.  Aha has arrived.
      Mr. Stone could not have been more precise in picking his moment.   Mr. Putin is rarely off the front page of every major newspaper in the USA.   From the NYTimes,  the WSJournal, the Washington Post, to the SFChronicle, all endeavor to cover his dealings or alleged dealing with President Trump and the president's minions and family members who have been in contact with the Kremlin for who knows how long.   Mr. Stone is getting a bit long in the tooth, at 70 years old or so, he's in the twilight of his career.  But this move means he is not retiring.   He even looks like his old nemesis, Richard Nixon, aka "Tricky Dick", who controlled the White House at the height of the Vietnam War: jowly, bent over, dyed hair(piece), and suitably shabby clothes, Hollywood-shabby.
     The trailers shown on TV recently do not say much nor offer any tidbits of information that might illuminate the direction of the interviews.  However, Mr. Putin's Kremlinistas will  certainly gloss over Crimea and Ukraine and of course, Syria.   What might he say about Gary Kasparov?  or Mr. Navalny, who is expected to challenge the arrest that has made his candidacy doubtful.   Maybe Mr. Putin will talk of the need for stability in the Middle East-at any price.   Maybe he'll focus on cooperation with OPEC and the price of oil.   Maybe he'll talk of the good old days when he was just old Colonel Putin, KGB advisor to the mayor of Stalingrad/Petrograd/St. Petersburg/Etc.  Or maybe he'll talk about his lack of a real relationship with the USA President.
     Oliver will tease it all out.   Not quite like his friend, Michael Moore, the unrepentant documentarian/expose artist/ego maniac.   There doesn't seem to be much anticipation for Oliver's latest work.   This could be his last hurrah.

France Votes For New Party

       Voter turnout in the recent French elections clearly decided that a new party is their desire.  Mainstream/old line parties suffered sharp decreases across the spectrum of voters.   The Socialists got slammed, receiving barely 10%.   Mr. M acron, the newly elected president, appears to have been able to reach out to the electorate and establish a base of support across France.  For him to establish his agenda of change, he needs a strong legislative majority in the parliament.  It appears to be within his grasp.
      Perhaps this is a sign of sentiment that desires to improve the European economic outlook across a wider range of economies that aren't German.  This could bode well for Italy, Greece, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.   Austria and Poland can  also be added to the list.   This vast market needs structural changes that can address problems relating to labor issues, social welfare benefits, and the need for improvements in the business world that needs more business formation.
    Good luck, Mr. Macron.

Michel Temer: Can He Survive?

     So, we have the ongoing investigation of corruption in Brazil involving the sitting president and the recently impeached president.  Sounds normal.  Corruption is the day job of most politicians south of the border(between US and Mexico border, ie. Rio Grande river).
    The claims of the diversion of illegal payments to the sitting party's campaign funds has embroiled the government for several years.  And it appears that the revelations will continue.  Even the sitting government is not immune.  Mr. Temer may be gone in the next few months. His replacement:  nobody knows who will emerge or from where he/she will emerge.
    Our minister will be there to keep Tahoma informed.

Ahhh, China

    The U.S. Pentagon released a report on China's military efforts beyond its borders.   Immediately, the report was criticized by China, citing its contents as over wrought and inaccurate.   The report indicated that the People's Liberation Army would likely expand in areas outside of mainland China.  The port of Djibouti in east Africa was named as the site of some expansion.    The military post in Djibouti is the first of its kind outside of the mainland.   The report also indicated that naval militias are being dispatched to the South China Sea where Chinese operations have developed bases for air operations and naval operations to intimidate regional players in the Philippine Is, Vietnam, Taiwan,, and Australia.  This comes at a time when the US is re-evaluating its position in the Paris Accords regarding Climate change.
     Hmmm.  How many fishermen can be employed in the South China Sea?  We'll find out soon enough.  The U.S. Navy sent a destroyer through the area last week.