Be careful what you wish for, always. So, here it comes, falling down bigly. Late winter, almost spring. Spring skiing this year will be remarkable-one of the best ever. rarely does it snow like this in March, but we are only catching up to normal.
Several feet of new powder have fallen in just the last 36 hours. This will push the most recent storm totals to well above 8' above the 7000' elevation. Resorts in the basin are happy, happy, happy as the Easter break/Spring Break/ Ski Week approaches. Just when you thought you could put the boards back in the closet, you must break out the wax and get to work.
Resorts will chalk up the changing conditions to "mountain weather": hard to predict, and always changeable. We welcome the latest developments as they give hope to long term residents that their decision to stay and enjoy a winter wonderland was the right one.
Thank you , Mother Nature.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Italian Elections: Winners and Losers
So, what to make of this vote: national elections were held as scheduled. The results were as predicted, somewhat. There was no clear victor among the candidates whether in the Senate(Upper House) or the Chamber(Lower House). Let's look at the parties and compare results for each.
% of Vote change from last vote
1. 5 Star 32.22 +6.62
2. Democratic Party 18.8 - 6.50
3. La Lega 17.69 +13.59
4. Forza Italia 13.94 -7.66
5. Fratelli d'Italia 4.35 2.35
6. Free & Equal 3.38 ------
None of the parties commanded more than one third of the votes cast. The 5 Star Movement, the right wing party founded by the ex-felon Beppe Grillo received the most votes of any party. They succeeded mostly in the southern 2/3's of the country and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In southern Italy, unemployment among the youth reaches almost 50%. The 32% is significant, representing a 6.6% improvement over the last election results and almost double the closest rival. This is a party that was founded by a comedian who made hay ridiculing politicians across the field.
The Democratic Party(former Communist Party) reached 18.9% this time, a drop of 6.5%. This could be the end of former Premier Matteo Renzi, the former Mayor of Florence in Tuscany. The party was able to reach voters primarily in west central Italy, its traditional roots. renzi will have to negotiate a coalition using his best efforts, but not many pundits agree on that outcome.
La Lega(The League), formerly the Northern League(Lega di Nord) expanded its reach across the Po River plain, overwhelming all other parties in the industrial part of Italy where jobs are plentiful, and unions are not entirely in control. Its improvement of 13.59% make its standard bearer, Matteo Salvini a significant player in any coalition negotiations. His anti-immigrant position carries far in the south and in those areas directly affected by the sudden influx of refugees and illegal immigrants from Libya, Syria, and sub-Saharan Africa. He was able to point to the failures of the EU in Brussels to provide any meaningful solution to the problem. Just yesterday, the Italian navy seized a Spanish ship operated by an NGO that picked up a boat load of migrants that had set out from Libya, and had refused to return them to Libya as per an agreement with Libyan authorities.
Forza Italia, the party of former premier, Silvio Berlesconi, took a beating, garnering only 13.9% of votes, a drop of 7.66%. This will force the party to join another conservative/right wing coalition to maintain any suitable bloc in the parliament. Mr. Berlesconi is still unable to run due to his conviction on tax evasion a few years ago.
The Fratelli d'Italia Party gained ground but not in double digits. It improved only 2.35% to 4.35%. This ultra right wing group is still considered a fringe player among careful watchers of the elctorate; but its improvement indicates frustration of even that body of voters, small as it is.
Last and least is the Free & Equal Party that showed with only 3.38% of the vote, its first significant collection since its founding just a few years ago.
The Possible Coalitions
La Lega and Forza combined would bring a third of electors together, matching the 5 Star party by itself.
The 5 Star M. and La Lega, both right wing conservatives and anti-immigrant could combine which could bring a 50% controlling bloc. Many differences exist between the two, and it's not as simple as it might appear.
A large bloc consisting of Forza/ Lega/ Dems/ and 5 Star could possibly be formed. This would total almost 80% of the votes. While possible, it would be too much to hope for among the disparate members of any coalition.
Or, President Marterella could call for new elections, a distinct possibility.
% of Vote change from last vote
1. 5 Star 32.22 +6.62
2. Democratic Party 18.8 - 6.50
3. La Lega 17.69 +13.59
4. Forza Italia 13.94 -7.66
5. Fratelli d'Italia 4.35 2.35
6. Free & Equal 3.38 ------
None of the parties commanded more than one third of the votes cast. The 5 Star Movement, the right wing party founded by the ex-felon Beppe Grillo received the most votes of any party. They succeeded mostly in the southern 2/3's of the country and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In southern Italy, unemployment among the youth reaches almost 50%. The 32% is significant, representing a 6.6% improvement over the last election results and almost double the closest rival. This is a party that was founded by a comedian who made hay ridiculing politicians across the field.
The Democratic Party(former Communist Party) reached 18.9% this time, a drop of 6.5%. This could be the end of former Premier Matteo Renzi, the former Mayor of Florence in Tuscany. The party was able to reach voters primarily in west central Italy, its traditional roots. renzi will have to negotiate a coalition using his best efforts, but not many pundits agree on that outcome.
La Lega(The League), formerly the Northern League(Lega di Nord) expanded its reach across the Po River plain, overwhelming all other parties in the industrial part of Italy where jobs are plentiful, and unions are not entirely in control. Its improvement of 13.59% make its standard bearer, Matteo Salvini a significant player in any coalition negotiations. His anti-immigrant position carries far in the south and in those areas directly affected by the sudden influx of refugees and illegal immigrants from Libya, Syria, and sub-Saharan Africa. He was able to point to the failures of the EU in Brussels to provide any meaningful solution to the problem. Just yesterday, the Italian navy seized a Spanish ship operated by an NGO that picked up a boat load of migrants that had set out from Libya, and had refused to return them to Libya as per an agreement with Libyan authorities.
Forza Italia, the party of former premier, Silvio Berlesconi, took a beating, garnering only 13.9% of votes, a drop of 7.66%. This will force the party to join another conservative/right wing coalition to maintain any suitable bloc in the parliament. Mr. Berlesconi is still unable to run due to his conviction on tax evasion a few years ago.
The Fratelli d'Italia Party gained ground but not in double digits. It improved only 2.35% to 4.35%. This ultra right wing group is still considered a fringe player among careful watchers of the elctorate; but its improvement indicates frustration of even that body of voters, small as it is.
Last and least is the Free & Equal Party that showed with only 3.38% of the vote, its first significant collection since its founding just a few years ago.
The Possible Coalitions
La Lega and Forza combined would bring a third of electors together, matching the 5 Star party by itself.
The 5 Star M. and La Lega, both right wing conservatives and anti-immigrant could combine which could bring a 50% controlling bloc. Many differences exist between the two, and it's not as simple as it might appear.
A large bloc consisting of Forza/ Lega/ Dems/ and 5 Star could possibly be formed. This would total almost 80% of the votes. While possible, it would be too much to hope for among the disparate members of any coalition.
Or, President Marterella could call for new elections, a distinct possibility.
Monday, March 19, 2018
65 year Old Dictator Reelected
Vladimir Putin was reelected, again. Why? Because he's Russyan and the vote was made by Russyans. Case closed.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Protests Rock Iran
Hmmm. Seems the poliziei in Tehran have their hands full. Full of youthful protesters who are tied of the sinking economy, tired of the lunatics in charge sending money to Syria, Lebanon, and other regimes while the unemployment rate at home is north of 24% and the future is looking grim if you are a young, educated Iranian with high hopes for a position that reflects their training and education. A dozen deaths have been reported among the protesters. This could be the beginning of the unraveling of the dictatorship overseen by some prehistoric mullahs who can't tell which direction the sun rises or sets.
Meanwhile, the whole world is watching. more or less. Depending if you live in Canada or saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the whole world is watching. more or less. Depending if you live in Canada or saudi Arabia.
Funding Madness
64 teams are given invitations to the tournament of the NCAA championship. This is one of the biggest money machines in sports anywhere. Hundreds of millions of dollars are collected by the NCAA for their coffers to distribute as they see fit. How nice! Unfortunately, none of this money makes its to the actors involved-those young men and women who spend years developing their skills, hoping to beat the odds. The NCAA falls back to the position that the member schools offer valuable scholarships to these "student athletes". Hah, nobody believes this charade at all.
NCAA is nothing more than an "Old Boys" network, engineered to put $$$ in the pockets of academic elites and their cronies who administer the funds that allow campuses to put up ludicrous sports facilities to make generous alumni comfortable during the season du jour. Paying coaches salaries in 7 figures is routine, while adjunct professors will never have a tenured position nor a salary they can live on. Teaching assistants are routinely dealt with by working them to the bone while they hope to complete an advanced degree that will then admit them to the system they have grown to despise. The NCAA sports machine generates almost a billion dollars to the organization. It competes with the NBA, the NFL, and MLB, to name a few. And all this wealth comes on the back of a very few talented young men and women who get nothing for their efforts except promises, promises, and more promises. While in the clutches of these programs and their ministers, the players are subject to threats and intimidation. " You must practice on your time when I say so", goes the order. If not, "No more scholarship, and you will be sent back to the poverty you left so willingly just a short time ago". How many hours a week are required to "keep" the scholarship? 20 hours? 40 hours? 60 hours is closer to the norm. How much time is left for classes? For fun? For serious contemplation about the future? Not much at all.
All the libs that populate academia hardly give it a thought. They enjoy the reputation of "their" institution as it hits No.1 in the conference standings. They love the "spirit" displayed by the undergrads who flock to the contests on or near campus. "It's what college is all about". Or so they think. It is a sad statement of affairs across the landscape that has become increasingly foreign.
NCAA is nothing more than an "Old Boys" network, engineered to put $$$ in the pockets of academic elites and their cronies who administer the funds that allow campuses to put up ludicrous sports facilities to make generous alumni comfortable during the season du jour. Paying coaches salaries in 7 figures is routine, while adjunct professors will never have a tenured position nor a salary they can live on. Teaching assistants are routinely dealt with by working them to the bone while they hope to complete an advanced degree that will then admit them to the system they have grown to despise. The NCAA sports machine generates almost a billion dollars to the organization. It competes with the NBA, the NFL, and MLB, to name a few. And all this wealth comes on the back of a very few talented young men and women who get nothing for their efforts except promises, promises, and more promises. While in the clutches of these programs and their ministers, the players are subject to threats and intimidation. " You must practice on your time when I say so", goes the order. If not, "No more scholarship, and you will be sent back to the poverty you left so willingly just a short time ago". How many hours a week are required to "keep" the scholarship? 20 hours? 40 hours? 60 hours is closer to the norm. How much time is left for classes? For fun? For serious contemplation about the future? Not much at all.
All the libs that populate academia hardly give it a thought. They enjoy the reputation of "their" institution as it hits No.1 in the conference standings. They love the "spirit" displayed by the undergrads who flock to the contests on or near campus. "It's what college is all about". Or so they think. It is a sad statement of affairs across the landscape that has become increasingly foreign.
Election Day in Russyan Federation
Who cares? The Kremlin? V.V. Putin? he only cares if anybody shows up. Rumors on the street indicate that the Navalny followers will stay away. This will not affect the outcome one bit. The outcome is a foregone conclusion: VoVa will be the winner of his next 6 year term, putting him in power for another chance to redeem himself. Fat chance. Now he has to deal with his former friends in London. The Old geographer, Theresa May has expressed displeasure with the FSB's recent murder attempt of a British citizen(ex-Russkie)/spy by gassing him in Salisbury, UK. His daughter was also given some nerve agents, rendering them both incapacitated and hospitalized in critical condition. Nothing new here. Putin thinks it's still 1985 and he works for a fully functioning KGB. He suffers from some of the same maladies affecting President Trump in North America.
Pollsters in polls conducted by various kremlin -controlled outlets predict an 80% margin of victory if everybody shows up as predicted. Hmmmmmm. I guess the elcetorate likes what he's doing to their country, that is, making it an international pariah. No matter where he leads these self deceived folks from the Steppes, they always seem to step in it.
This will put VoVa in power for the better part of 24 years. Hmmmm. History usually does not treat such characters well. Seems they have a tendency to get a little touchy after so long in power. Folks also lose confidence in such individuals. E
specially if they are Russyans.
Pollsters in polls conducted by various kremlin -controlled outlets predict an 80% margin of victory if everybody shows up as predicted. Hmmmmmm. I guess the elcetorate likes what he's doing to their country, that is, making it an international pariah. No matter where he leads these self deceived folks from the Steppes, they always seem to step in it.
This will put VoVa in power for the better part of 24 years. Hmmmm. History usually does not treat such characters well. Seems they have a tendency to get a little touchy after so long in power. Folks also lose confidence in such individuals. E
 |
| Not that cold here, says Vlad |
The Big Dance: March Madness Continues
So, already: upsets-a #16 seed defeats a #1 seed. Fans cry; fans cry out of joy. Bettors despair; bettors are jubilant. A 98 year old nun thanks the Almighty. Teams pack to go home; teams pack to advance to another venue. The Big Dance- money flows like water; money lines pockets, kids become men after consecutive halves define their futures, the lives they dreamt about; the dreams wrecked on the shoals of game, a game they've played since they were old enough to walk. Now what?
Under a spectators gaze, winners advance in pursuit of stardom; the majority, losers retreat into questions of self worth, self doubts, broken promises and broken dreams. Maybe the freshmen can say to themselves, " I'll be bigger and stronger next season, and I'll return to seek the olive wreath". The crestfallen seniors depart facing an uncertain future, an empty slate, a blank page waiting for the first stroke of a pen to start the "rest" of a life.
Loyola of Chicago: have you heard of it? Loyola graces the name of more universities than any other. The name is sprinkled around the states like confetti: big and small, they continue to crank out graduates despite the increased costs. They follow the dictum of a modern, Jesuit-inspired curricula that provides a foundation for a righteous life dedicated to improving the conditions faced in the world wherever life takes you. Ignatius of Loyola, the Spanish soldier, lives on, guiding/molding, directing the lives of a nation of young men and women. Now those same men and women are engulfed in fandom, books abandoned for the moment as their teams strive for celebrity and intense scrutiny by millions of gawkers and temporary supporters of the under dog. Americans love under dogs. While not just an American breed, Americans cheer the loudest for the under dog, here most often called " a Cinderella" team, named for the little Italian girl who transcended mediocrity and won the lottery at the Prince's ball where she upset tradition and won the final. Cinderella. Who doesn't love Cinderella?
Play on. To the victor..........?
Under a spectators gaze, winners advance in pursuit of stardom; the majority, losers retreat into questions of self worth, self doubts, broken promises and broken dreams. Maybe the freshmen can say to themselves, " I'll be bigger and stronger next season, and I'll return to seek the olive wreath". The crestfallen seniors depart facing an uncertain future, an empty slate, a blank page waiting for the first stroke of a pen to start the "rest" of a life.
Loyola of Chicago: have you heard of it? Loyola graces the name of more universities than any other. The name is sprinkled around the states like confetti: big and small, they continue to crank out graduates despite the increased costs. They follow the dictum of a modern, Jesuit-inspired curricula that provides a foundation for a righteous life dedicated to improving the conditions faced in the world wherever life takes you. Ignatius of Loyola, the Spanish soldier, lives on, guiding/molding, directing the lives of a nation of young men and women. Now those same men and women are engulfed in fandom, books abandoned for the moment as their teams strive for celebrity and intense scrutiny by millions of gawkers and temporary supporters of the under dog. Americans love under dogs. While not just an American breed, Americans cheer the loudest for the under dog, here most often called " a Cinderella" team, named for the little Italian girl who transcended mediocrity and won the lottery at the Prince's ball where she upset tradition and won the final. Cinderella. Who doesn't love Cinderella?
Play on. To the victor..........?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)