Catalonians Seek Arrest of Puigdemont

      Hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens in Barcelona demonstrated over the weekend to support the government in Madrid claiming they are Spanish and Catalonia is also Spanish at its heart.  Many of the demonstrators called for the arrest of the provincial governor, Mr. Puigdemont who has been leading the separatist cause.  When the referendum vote was taken, indicating sympathy for a separate state of Catalonia,  Mr. Puigdemont took this as a 'mandate' to proceed with the separatist movement.  However, less than 40% of eligible voters turned out for participation in the illegal vote.
      Apparently, while there is some support for a separate state, the overwhelming majrity of citizens recognize Madrid as the federal government center, and that the population wants to remain part of the nation.  Several corporations have already decided to move from Barcelona to nearby Valencia to avoid European Union legal issues.  More businesses are thinking of relocating to adjust to an independent state of Catalon.
     Mr. Puigdemont has been served notice that the main body of voters wants to remain Spanish.  If he chooses to go forward with his plans, he will face Federal charges and no doubt be arrested.  As he should.   Leaders such as Mr. Puigdemont follow their own dreams and should be held accountable for their schemes and dreams.

Ann Applebaum Interview on NPR

     Distinguished author Ann Applebaum was interviewed recently and asked about her recent book, "Red Famine: Stalin's Genocide in Ukraine: 1932-1935".   Ms. Applebaum has written other books including two involving Russyan gulags, and Russyan Revolution.
     Her latest book delves into the actions of Stalin during his most paranoid stage when he perceived threats under every rock and in every nook and cranny.   He, Stalin,  felt that Ukrainians were not going to join his revolution and that they needed to be brought to their knees and Russified.  His method: mass starvation.  Famine often is understood as the result of forces of nature: weather and climate combine to destroy crops and the production of food stuffs.  This mass starvation was a political  move by the Politburo to respond to Stalin's dictate to expand the revolution into the breadbasket of the southern regions he needed to feed his 'new' revolution.  Much of his methods are being exercised today: disinformation, propaganda, armed agents moving against locals to force them to relocate.
      All of these actions led to the deaths of over 4 million Ukrainians.  4 millions.  4 millions without food.   Many Ukrainians were sent into Siberia into exile.  Their language was supplanted by Russyan; many jobs were taken over by imported Russyans; and Ukrainian culture was obliterated.
More later

Teotehuacon: City of Fire, City of water

shell art

mask figure w/necklace

almeno-house identifier

censor

censor

bird figure bowl

statues-various stone types

effigy figure

assembled figure

      The De Young Museum in San Francisco opened a new exhibition that displays important artifacts from MesoAmerica.  Teotehuacon is the ancient city on the high plain near today's Mexico City megalopolis.  Almost 2000 years ago, this thriving city was the center of the western hemisphere's civilization, incorporating various indigenous peoples into a cultural milieu that advanced its members to new heights in learning and the arts.  It lasted almost 500 years before revolution from within brought it down.  It is Mexico's most visited cultural site.
    It has been excavated and studied for many years, yielding incredible treasures from the era.  Despite knowledge of metallurgy and artistic talent, few pieces of gold or silver ornaments are displayed.   There are a few, and most are simple in design.   Stone carvings, ceramics, religious articles demonstrate the heart of the culture.
       The city center was anchored by two massive pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun and at the opposite end, the Pyramid of the Moon.  It was only discovered in 2003 that an underground corridor connected the two.  It was here that many of the artifacts on display were recovered in 2010.
The exhibition will continue until early 2018.  Don't miss it.

Australia Launches New Ships

    A squaadron of new state of the art frigates was unveiled this week in Australia.  The Down Under Navy needed a new response system to thwart Chinese aggression in nearby waters.  result: new ships.

NATO Troops Report Cell Phones Being Hacked

     What?  My phone has been hacked?   What an outrage!  So, Russyan hackers are into the phones of NATO soldiers while on manuevers.  Hmmmm.  OK, boys, throw all phones into the truck, then, jump into the river with all your gear.  result:  no more phones on the front lines.

Kaspersky Labs Display Significant Improvements

      Official Russyan state hacking machine, Kaspersky Labs, has logged a large feather in its hat.  It has hacked the US N.S.A.'s computers that contain the codes used to penetrate other state computers.  THis is an embarrassment for the US security apparatus.  There is dancing in the Kremlin hallways.  This effort occurred in 2015 and has caused a shake up in the US.
     Now that it has become common practice in the "new" cyber war, computers represent the new front line.  Russyan hackers are dedicated, by Kremlin order, to hacking all manner of US networks.  Oh, well, somethings never change.
     The amusing thing is the Russyan effort to cozy up to Communist China.  This is a sad joke on its face.

George Shultz on Russya

       Veteran diplomat and U.S. Department leader during the Reagan years,, offered his insights into the current state of affairs in Russya, Vladimir Putin's playground and field of dreams.  In response to the interviewer's questions, Mr. Shultz replied that "Putin is playing the weak hand of Russya.  The economy of Russya is suffering deep malaise and does not appear to be able to grow itself out of this situation.  More seriously, the demographics of the country indicate a dismal future generation that continues to decline as the current fertile cohort does not feature any hope of population growth.  Matching and mismatching most of the West's declining birth rate, Russya will not be able to provide replacements for all the upcoming retirements across the economic spectrum.
The future is clouded by Putin's insistence of international forays and intrusions across the globe.  Some things never change.