Putin's Pussy: not a Riot

      Vlad the animal lover.  The Moscow press/media machine likes to portray its boss as a lover of all animals, especially endangered species such as the Siberian tiger.  You know the one: big head, big fangs, claws, whiskers a foot long, piercing yellow eyes, fast afoot, stealthy, dines on humans.  That's the one.
     The species was almost extinct due to hunting and poaching.   This particular big cat guy does some border jumping, getting into Chinese spaces, across the Amur river.  Our cat, called Kuzya, was recently released in the Russyan Far East in May of this year.  Their Far East is our Western Pacific, capisce?
    So the cat has territorial ambitions, like his ace benefactor, Mad Vlad.  He wants some Chinese real estate in which to roam around, maybe find a little pussycat.  But, alas, poachers are afoot in Sino territory where a tiger pelt can fetch $10000.  So, let's track the feline, keep him safe.   Scientists responsible for keeping tabs on Siberian tigers are nervous about dealing with Chinese border guards.  It will take some deft diplomacy to keep the peace while the striped animal moves about HIS chosen habitat, borders notwithstanding.
Tiger power: can he sell it?

Russian Shipbuilder Without a Ship

      In another act of "business, Russiya-style,   the government forced Sergei Pugachev to sell his two shipbuilding firms to United Shipbuilding, headed by Igor Sechin, one of Mad Vlad's closest associates and head of Rosneft, the Russiyan state oil company.  The price was at about 1/4 of its estimated worth according to the accounting firm BDO.
    Mr. Pugachev told the Financial Times that the rule of law has been suspended in Russya, pending Putin's next popularity poll.   He also complained that businessmen have become "serfs" in his country.   These actions come after another businessman, Vladimer Yevtushenkov, head of conglomerate SISTEMA, was placed under house arrest, accused of money laundering.  Ha.  He was also head of Bashneft, Russya's 6th largest oil company.   After a court hearing, his shares in the company were taken over by the government.
    Lovely doing business in Siberia, etc.

Shades of Pussy Riot: Kremlin at it Again

       The Russiya FSB, your friendly Putin thugs, are at it again.  This time they're after a very well known singer/artist, a man of considerable reputation, a man well known by Mad Vlad.   They sat together at a Paul McCartney concert in 2003.  This musician/singer, Andrei Makarevich, 60 years old, is the front man for the rock group Mashina Vremeni or Time Machine, who played a concert for refugees in Ukraine in an area controlled by the Ukrainian army.   This did not sit well with Raz-Putin.  The Kremlin immediately began a campaign to bring discredit to the group and Mr. Makarevich in particular.
     And so it goes in the Novorussiya of Mad Vlad.   With the media under government control, the citizens of Russiya are fed a constant stream of lies meant to undermine Western influence, especially the US.  At the same time, the media is whipping up nationalistic fervor among the gullible population.   Soon, one after the other of Mr. Makarevich' concerts around the country have been cancelled, owing to false excuses bordering on the absurd.
     All of this comes at a time when Russiya's economy is in freefall.  Since Mr. Putin took over in 2012, growth has slowed to a halt and foreign investment has stopped.   The economic sanctions imposed by western nations have further crippled the domestic economy.  Can Mr. Putin's popularity really be at 86% positive?  If he's doing the polling, of course.
      The value of the ruble is another little economic issue for Raz-Putin.   Since July, the value of the ruble has plummeted from 34/$1 to 40.33/$1 on Friday, 10/10/14.  This factor piggybacks on the price of oil which is under $90/barrel.   Moscow relies heavily on the sale of energy resources abroad for  foreign exchange.   Hmmm.   Bad planning here.   Maybe Putin should rethink the incursions into Crimea and Ukraine.   Winter is around the corner; Russyians are pulling their furs out of storage, getting ready.  Could be cold for more than a few locals around the Kremlin.   Maybe Vlad will see Russyians being harassed in Kiribati, or the Seyschelles Ils. and make another move.
We'll keep you posted on Vlad's next mad move.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Again

     This weekend, more smoke will float across the Lake, thanks to another nearby blaze.   This time, the fire is near Interstate 80, in the vicinity of Applegate.  CalFire says its about 30% contained, which translates into "no containment" yet.
     As temps climb due to the stationary high pressure zone on the coast, conditions will hamper containment efforts.  So, if you have respiratory issues, slow down, cancel the hike, watch a little baseball(NLCS-5pm).
     Look out for marauding bears, enjoy autumn, even if a little smoky in the Basin.

Who Wants to Work in Italy?

     Lots of folks, especially the youngest workers.   With an unemployment rate north of 40% for the youngest workers, Premier Matteo Renzi has his work cut out for him.   Apparently, Angela Merkel of Germany recognizes the impending recession throughout the EU.  She now supports spending by central banks in an attempt to get the economy moving again.  Renzi of Italy has to deal with his moribund Parliament, a cesspool of lethargic decision makers who have been unable to change anything of note for years.  The poor Italian worker who is unemployed looks to a very bleak future, a future that as yet has not been identified.
      Renzi, of the Partita Democratica, was elected from the City of Florence by voters hoping his youth would conquer the Parliamentary stalemate.   He's trying, but it is an uphill climb as labor unions, older workers with contracts, and pensioners do not want changes that affect their income streams.  Sad, but true, the Italian economy will never achieve growth without the necessary changes to the ancient labor laws that restrain hiring.  What business will hire a worker that he can't fire or lay off without going through the process required by archaic labor rules and contracts?  Combined with a legal system based on a mishmash of codes that resemble a foreign language, the odds are against any hiring.
     As an example, we have FIAT, the Italian auto maker.  Where is Fiat's new focus: America.  Yes, Sergio Marcchione purchased Chrysler and is now making money while Italian operations languish in a sluggish market beset by unions and labor laws.   He would shut down all Italian plants, fire all the workers and call it a day, if he could.  But he can't.  So, he accepts the status quo in Italy, and seeks success from American operations, which are expanding amidst an improving economy throughout North America.
    Good luck, Sergio.   Good luck Matteo Renzi!

Putin: The Store

     America; What a Country.  So, a guy says, "I'm going into business.  Maybe a week, maybe more".  What's your product?  Putin products:  T-shirts, hats, photo mugs, tattoos(temps).  The former Lithuanian, now American feels that there's a market for Putin memorabilia.  Why?  He's a headline grabber of the 1st order.  He has a following, that's for sure(even if ordered to be a following).
     So, this is a Pop Up business.  By its very design, temporary.  Here today, gone tomorrow has a new meaning in NYC these days.  It's different from a food cart/truck: they move about the hood, but they have a long term outlook, long term life.  Plus, a food truck has an investment of considerable dollars.  Not a pop up, usually.   Quick in, quick out.
     Now about Putin's Place, or whatever it's called.  Will it have legs?  Will it go the distance?  Like any business, time will tell.  Or maybe the headlines will tell, or not.   Where's Mad Vlad going next?
Liberia?  Hmmm.

Bears, Autumn Bears, In Pairs

     Neighbors around 89 and Pine are chatting about the recent bear sitings and the recent bear break-ins.   sad to say, it's that time of the year again; Autumn.  Bears front load on food, which means they'll pretty much eat anything.  Oh, there's a house=Food Safe.
     A house in Meeks Bay was the scene of a bear break in this week: a sow bear and two cubs.  Black bears all.  If you the home owner have 1st floor windows, board them up.  Bears now consider the first floor an accessible place with food generally available.  Even more distressing, the bear (s) turned on the stove!  Fortunately, no fire resulted from the caper.
     Things could get interesting around the West Shore until a real winter sets in. Pray for snow, get an electric fence.  They are cheap insurance.
     Have a bear in the house: call the Sheriff @ 911.  He's only a few minutes away from Tahoma at any time, 24/7.