Artemis II Splashes Down

       The manned space capsule holding the 4 person crew returned successfully minutes ago off the coast of southern California. The Navy recovery vessels were perfectly positioned and were moving in on the floating capsule.

       The 3 parachutes worked their magic and the capsule survived the re-entry period without incident as the heat shield absorbed all atmospheric friction encountered as it entered the earth's atmosphere. The ceramic shield deflects and absorbs heat generated as the capsule encounters air cover. This an exciting time for NASA and all space vehicles and private companies involved. The new government/private efforts appear to have worked, setting a new page on extraterrestrial investigation and exploration. Despite obvious comparisons with China, the US has made a significant leap ahead of the Communists in Beijing.

     Followup interviews with the 4 astronauts will enlighten all involved and open a new era of space travel interest in the US. While not the same as things were in 1972, this is definitely a revolutionary moment given the technological improvements in the last half century. One could say that 1972 was the Dark Ages of space exploration, before computers were resized to a fraction of the sizes used in the late '60's and '70's.Now, simulations can reveal much about designs and execution of plans long before liftoff.

      This a "hats off' to all involved in this effort that we know started many years ago. Hear, hear to the crew. 

Goodbye Pam, Hello Todd, the New AG

    So, after 14 months at the helm of the DOJ, Pam Bondi is out. Was it the Epstein Files that did her in? Of course not. It was her failure to toe the party line and support the Narcissist -in-Chief. Her replacemnet is already at the helm of what only could be called a "rudderless" ship in stormy seas.

     Just what the United States needs in these time: a DOJ without a competent leader whose only qualifications include bootlicking and toadying to the Puppeteer in Charge of the circus. Great news for all those criminals out there who were worried that a new AG might come after them. Now they know that the DOJ is only interested in illegal immigrants, DACA members,  and memappening folks.bers of the military who are too woke.

       So, off we go for another round of thrills and chills as we standby helplessly hoping for some normalcy . Not h 

Avalanche: California Style Tragedy

     It made headlines; it was a tragedy in nature; it was caused by natural forces; it killed 9 people, mostly middle-aged women.  Given the magnitude of the event, the number of deaths, and the location, it was bound to be reported broadly by media outlets.

     The New York Times covered the event in depth with photos, maps, and interviews of survivors, of which there were six. Three of the six were dug out of the snow mass by 3 other survivors who escaped the tide of displaced snow. The nine others were unable to be rescued in time to save their lives.

   Growing up in Northern California, one hears of the fate of The Donner Party. The story is a pioneer story of immigrants moving to California, chasing the dream of a new, more prosperous life in a land of plenty, a beautiful, magival place with giant trees, endless farmland, a bountiful ocean shore, peaceful indigenous tribe members, and empty space. Most hadn't heard of Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, or the Sacramento River. But they did know of the Sierra, its heights and crests and what could be bitterly cold winters with huge amounts of snow that stays around for months.

      So, off they go, risking everything: California or Bust. And they missed the window and got caught by the winter snow. They were stuck in  the Truckee area, near Donner Lake. They couldn't move-not east to Nevada nor west to Sacramento valley. They were at the mercy of elements. Some died. Some survived. Some resorted to cannibalism. One survivor, Mr. Reed, arrived in the Santa Clara Valley where he prospered,and lived the 'dream'. He gave his name to Reed St., near San Jose State College.

    The group of skiers were guided by Blackbird Mountain Guides, a local organization that specializes in back country ski experiences. The skiers had done similar tours and were not inexperienced. But, they relied on the hired experts who had training in alpine skiing in fresh powder, the goal of the group. They were targeting Frog Lake, alpine puddle of sorts, above '8000'ft.  When they arrived, the guides and party members realized that the storm would dump several feet of new snow. The guides decided it would serve all members well to leave the cabins and return to the parking lot where they started. Ample warnings had been issued.  

Russya Sending More Missiles to Ukraine

    As the world turns away from Ukraine and focuses on Iran, the Kremlin is nervous: the Rus might just be forgotten and relegated to second or third tier position. Mad Vlad(VOVA) doesn't like being ignored. He likes to be well known and well positioned for status and renown. Bagh, his Bromance partner, strumpie has moved on, was expected. He doesn't focus well anytime. Plus, he's old, older than Mad Vlad, can't focus, short term memory issues

     So, the Rus generals have new orders from the Onion Tops of the Kremlin: more missiles, more drones, more harassment of the eastern regions of Ukraine, the city of Kharkiv specifically. Another apartment building was destroyed yesterday. It will be noted that international orgs will keep a record of this assault and h old the Kremlin responsible. Nobody will forget these crimes against humanity; this bold, illegal aggression, now 4 years later, will be front and center after VOVA kicks the bucket.

      It is not unusual for dictators to assume there will not be a reckoning.  Recent events have changed the equation. So, will Putin be held accountable? Of course; he'll be put on trial and convicted of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He'll be noted as another failed leader, forever. His children will live with the stain, aka the Scarlet Letter.  

Cuba: Get Ready

    So, our island neighbor off the Florida coast has enjoyed its isolation for over 60 years. Since the cut-throat brothers, Fidel and Raul Castro, took over by force, a Communist utopia has called the shots with the Communist dictatorship. After decades of financial support, the Rus from across the globe have essentially abandoned the island, leaving it at the mercy of surrounding countries, eg. the USA.

      Over the decades, many Cubanos have fled the "utopia" for more fertile environments, those places where the air of freedom seems better to breathe on a regular basis. As opposed to the stifling heat and humidity of the island hell scape. Yes, the country trains doctors; yes, health care is available. However, most of the trained medicos go abroad where their training is helping to prop up the dictatorship with remittances provided by those same doctors.  Venezuela also is a recipient of Cuban assistance. The Cuban secret police have helped the former dictator(now in US jail) Nick Maduro, maintain control in Caracas after Hugo "Chavez" died in a Cuban hospital. Things were not good in Venezuela either.

     Now we have a new sheriff in the White House(Casa Blanca): sTrump. He's different, obviously.  First Venezuela, next Iran, then----CUBA. First-no more oil/no more gasoline. Economy stops; people revolt, again. Sec. of State, Marco Rubio, could be the next Governor of Cuba. He's a Cubano; a transplant in Florida, an immigrant success story. Trumpie likes the idea of turning the Cubans loose from the yoke of Communism. Wouldn't that be a nice gesture. He might even get an official 'peace' prize.

      The local economy on the island has always been sketchy, dependent on tourism, mostly Canadians, some Americans despite travel bans(via Mexico, ok). Agriculture is another driver but that is insufficient generally(poor soils, too hot, too humid, too steep, too, too, too much). If only......

       Now would be the time, given the war in Iran, the war in Ukraine, the war in Lebanon, the war in Pakistan, the war in Sudan. The world is awash in conflict, again. Here at home, we have our own conflict(s): see White House construction, see Minneapolis, see Texas, see California. And the midterm wars are coming, stoked by biased media and AI. What fun. 

Oh, and the World Cup starts in 90 days. get ready for those "simulated" war games. 

California: Home of the Brave, Land of the Free

      Well, the Supremes didn't take long to issue a ruling for California, Land of Blue. The issue:

Parental Rights, as in does a school have to the right to keep parents in the dark(no info) about a child's 

decision to change sex identity. A local judge issued a ruling that parents must be informed. The 9th Circuit court of Appeals, issued a stay on the ruling, saying it was overly broad(we can almost always count on this "Blue" bench). The Supremes issued a stay on the 9th Circuit, stating w/o signing, that its order will not fly until all the issues are discussed in the lower court. California's Bluest Attorney General, Rob "Listen to Me, Please" Bonta, said that the Court misread the law. Hmmmm. Thank you, Rob. Back in the box. 

      Some teachers decried the law as putting them in the position of being 'gender police', not teachers. The big issue is age -related decision making. Does a child(under age person) have the right to make life altering, permanent decisions?  Reason dictates, as stated in many laws, that children are just that-children, and cannot make those decisions until of age. Ok.

Try again, Rob, and GAvin. 

Wake Up, Hezbollah

   So, the terrorist group, Hezbollah, has been hammered by Israeli forces as the Middle East staggers into widespread conflict. After Israel and the US attacked soft and hard targets over the weekend, other assets were also targeted for destruction.

     In Lebanon, Hezbollah concentrations(weapons, troops, communication sites) were on the list for destruction. Given the situation in Iran as outside actors decided the Ayatollah was stalling as he has, it was time to act to prevent further delaying tactics. The Ayatollah and his unit leaders and defensive unit commanders were wiped out in Tehran when they gathered to discuss the price to be paid for negotiating with the US. The price they are now paying is a down payment for what is to come soon enough.

    The Ali Khamenei Supreme Leader of the past 37 years has played his last card, forever. He has been assassinated and many Iranians welcome his downfall. This comes on the heels of the Iranian government's murderous assault on its own citizens who protested against the regime and its inability to quell inflation as sanctions imposed from outside has ruined the local economy. The Supreme Leader is not an economist, but a dictator clinging to power with the support of the IRGC(Revolutionary Guard Corps.  They murdered thousands of Iranians who took to the streets asking the government to  do something as they collectively struggled to live under these conditions. The Supreme Leader is now gone, forever. Well, he did have 37 years at the wheel. Now, somebody new will take over, if they dare. The life span of the "new" leader will be brief unless he talks with the invading attackers who no longer will accept stalling as their primary tactic. Now, they are learning what a determined negotiator looks like. They aren't used to this type of negotiator. They are now, sort of. And he's not done yet. With aviation assets at his disposal, he can control the hostile environment as he sees it.

     Poor people will suffer, including Iranians who have accepted this regime for 37 years, and the revolution for over 50 years. The time for change has arrived in Iran. 

Good luck.