The Fire, The Smoke: It's Summer

      It doesn't take long before the West winds carry the smoke and ash from wild fires around the north state into the basin.  It seems that this is the new 'summer' weather we have to endure here in Tahoe.  A big fire near Yosemite national Park has forced tourists and guests to evacuate the park.  Campers and hotel guests were required to leave immediately on Thursday, the 26th.
     Two more fires are burning near Mount Shasta.  Many structures have been burned and 2 firefighters have died, adding to the cost of the blaze.  It is believed to have been started by a vehicle's catalytic converter in high grass and windy conditions.  The Carr Fire has spread to 45,000 acres and is only 3% contained( meaning crews are still being deployed before an attack by marshalled forces can hope to contain it.
Update
    As of August 1, 8am, the fire is now at 115,000 acres, and is 35% contained.  Firefighters have been aided by lower temperatures and a decrease in local winds.  The winds have shifted and the city of Redding is allowing some residents to return to their homes.  According to Cal Fire, 17 major blazes are being fought statewide at this time.

Russyan Military Officers Indicted For Hacking

      This is old news: 12 officers of various ranks have been indicted in the District of Columbia court.  They have been indicted on charges of hacking into computer networks in the USA.  They are the following persons(all are believed to be residing in St. Petersburg, Russya).

1. Viktor Borisovich Netyksho
2. Boris AlekseyevichAntonov
3. Dmitriy Sergeyevich Badin
4.  Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov
5.  Alexsey Viktorovich Lukashev
6.  Sergey Alexsandrovich Morgachev
7.  Nicolay Yuryevich Kozachek
8.  Pavel Vyacheseslavovich Yershov
9.  Artem Andreyevich Malyshev
10.  Aleksander Vladimirovich Osadchuk
11.  Alexsey Aleksandrovich Potemkin
12.  Anatoliy Sergeyevich Kovalev

     All of them are Federation military men.
More later

Italian Settles Issue AT British Open

     Well, it was about time: an Italian golfer finally achieved the Claret Jug(as it is known) as the winner of the 2018 British Open, one of Golf's major championships.  The title has eluded those professionals from the European 'boot' despite the efforts of many of Italy's best professional golfers.
This young man overcame some of the world's greatest players, including the legendary Tiger Woods, who briefly held the lead on the final round yesterday.  The famous windy conditions caused heartbreak and heartache as one after another of golf's best players rose to the top of the leader board only to fall back after contrary winds provided more drama, taking hold of shots and sending them to the fringes of the course at Carnoustie.
      Mr. Francesco Molinari, 35, played steady golf and emerged the winner as he sunk a birdie putt on the 18th Hole.  The hopes of the many were dashed as he elevated his putter at the end of his round.
     Congratulations Mr. Molinari.  You have earned a place in Golf's Pantheon.  Enjoy the moment.

DOJ Hands Indictments to 12 Russyan Officials

" Hi, Vova.  How are things going in Moscova with the World Cup," asks the Donald of Vladimir Putin.  The answer might hinge on the results of top level discussions currently going on inside the Kremlin.  Sergei Lapsov, Foreign Minister, is rewriting his speech that he will give to foreign journalists this weekend.  He'll be making up some interesting comments.  Let's see: 1) the USA is targeting Russya because of the successful World Cup celebration; 2) the USA DOJ is a Trump house organ under his sway, doing his bidding; 3) Hillary Clinton lost the election on her own; 4) the Democrats hacked their own computers and blamed it on Russya, 5) Obama did it first; 6) Boris Nempsov did it; 7) Sergei Magnitsky did it; 8) Boris Yeltsin did it; 9) Theresa May did it; 10) Premier Macron did it, 11) Premier Merkel did it, 12) Pres. Tsipras did it, 13) Pres. Nieto did it; 14) Pres. Maduro did it, 15)  Pres. Ortega did it; 15) Harry Kane did it; 16) Neymar did it,17) Pele did it.
     So, the Russyan people will again suffer through the indignities foisted on the long-suffering population by their cursed leaders who can't seem to shake the mantle of the ignominious past 70 years.   The stain of Communism will haunt the Russyan people for at least another 150 years.
Welcome to Moscova, Mr. Trump.(in Helsinki).

The World Cup Final: Who Will Represent Russya?

      So, after years of planning, after millions of Euros spent, after more foreigners in Moscova in at least 100 years, the Grand Ending has arrived.  Little Vova has kept a low profile during all the festivities, shunning the spotlight, allowing the teams to bask in the victories without sharing in the limelight.   Will the Little Dictator let this moment pass?   Maybe his Bro, the TV Lover, will be invited to share a seat at midfield?   Maybe James Comey will be invited(Paul Manafort can't make it, he's in jail).
     Or perhaps the Skripals will be invited, to make amends.   One of the recent poisoning victims has died; she won't be in attendance.   The weather has been great in western Russya, the largest country in the world.  This has helped to keep the locals happy as they flock to the perimeter to enjoy the brief, northern summer.   Observing the games, one notices quite a few fans from all over the continent, giving their team loyal support.  It underscores the economic and cultural feeling that is exemplified by the behavior of those visitors:  no hooligans allowed.  The EU finally put those animals into retirement.
     The world will be watching, Saturday(3rd place contest),  and Sunday, too.   Will Croatia pull it off?   Doubt it; they are too excited just being there.
     All Tahoma will be watching.  And Vova, too.

See you at game Sunday

Adios England; Hello Croatia

      So, the little guy dumps the big guy.  That would be little Croatia putting the boots to Merry Olde England.  Now Cinderella may get to dance with the Prince afterall.  (Not Vladimir).  Moscova, scene of the FIFA finale this Sunday, will feature a team from the smallest country ever to qualify for a finale.  Croatia has barely 4 million folks on the roster of citizenship.   England-lots more.  Yes, it's shocking: watching grown men cry, pulling their hair(s).  Pubs around the heath/green/pitch were suddenly silent as the clock ticked off the final seconds and reality came to take a seat next to the fans from hither and yon.   How can it be?  It was supposed to be the World Cup that defined the comeback of the founders of the game.  But, no, the Croats had other ideas.
    Who are these guys?  They'll get a closer look(s) now from all over the world.  Their lives will be scrutinized; their families scrutinized; their sins recalled; their email hacked; their Facebook page(s) plagiarized; their profiles falsified; their bank accounts tapped by North Koreans; their houses surveilled by Chinese secret service agents; maybe their blood sampled by WADA.  Hmmm.  All because of a victory over England.
    Welcome to fame and, maybe. fortune.  But, we'll see what France has left in the tank come Sunday.
Be There-I'm sure there are tickets to be had.  Go to the back door of the Kremlin,  ask for Vova.

Russya and World Cup Mask Economic Woes

      The World Cup entertainment cycle continues in Putin's Russya.   The 1 million + visitors have had a look inside Russya that hasn't been viewed in generations.  They see a little, but miss most of the largest country in the world.  What they also miss is the economic suffering of the majority of the population.  After over 20 years at the helm of his "novo" Russya, Vladimir Vladimirovich has not been able to resurrect the country's moribund economy.  Sanctions imposed by the USA and followed almost universally by other western nations has had a harsh impact on the country.  With the takeover of Crimea and the invasion of the Donbass region in eastern Ukraines, Russya and Putin have informed the world that they will do anything to establish the country as an international player.  However, it has led the country to be recognized as an international pariah.  Tsk, tsk.
      As the Round of 16 in World Cup competition has played out, the Kremlin quietly announced that retirement age has been increased by 8 years.  Yes, in one announcement, the "boomers" of Russya have been ordered to work for another 8 years.  Shocking, if you are a worker bee.   Meanwhile, the oligarchs continue to march around the West buying designer apartments and designer goods in London and Paris.  The workers toil.
      The quarter finals start tomorrow.   The intensity rises.  The temperature of the local workers will also rise as reality hits home.   Maybe the local team will prevail, against the odds, and ascend the winners' podium.   Fat chance. 
     My money is on Brazil, and yours?