Infantino Must Go

      International football is reeling after FIFA leader Gianni Infantino posted a proposal to sell off a 20% interest in FIFA to private equity investors(Kushner? ).  The revolt was not only staggering in scope, but the swiftness in the outcry says it all. After watching the meet up of Chump and Infantino at the World Cup final, leaders across Europe were of the same mind: enough of this bastardization of soccer. We don't need sTump nor do we want the sTump.

     A universal position of a boycott of the women's World Cup in Brazil caught the bald- headed idiot by surprise. His no. 1 advisor quit in protest, outraged by Infantino's move to sell off a portion of FIFA.

 Maybe football doesn't like corporate attachments beyond ssponsorships and bootlicking to the Oval. Football doesn't need FIFA like FIFA needs it.  UEFA and Concacaf have already agreed: no sale of FIFA to Wall St. Obviously, there's too much money sloshing around banks, investment groups, and billionaires looking to hide some untaxed money.  So, this should play out soon: Infantino must go. Now.

Pavel Durov: Man On the Run

    So, the former Rus billionaire is now in the sites of the FSB, the Kremlin's henchmen/strong arm, assassin corps.  The founder of the site Telegram left the Rus country of his birth after it was made clear he was no longer the 'Golden Boy' of the new Rus tech industry. So he did what most Rus do: hit the road, Jack. Where to?

   Why Western Europe, the place most Rus would like to live if they could afford it, or afford to leave the deprivations of the Federation run by a megalomaniac who loves war first and foremost and everything else is secondary. So Pavel Durov hides in the open in Paris and sometimes in Dubai, the other hidey place familiar to the Rus money class.

    Mad Vlad's FSB wants Durov to be put on a wanted list. Now let's see: what wanted list would put anybody on the Kremlon's wanted list? North Korea, maybe. China: doubtful. Cuba: sure send more Rus oil.

     The reach of the FSB is global but it has flubbed operations in the past because of faulty intel and poor comm. So, Durov just has to keep moving; stay off the cell and the internet and he should be fine. He could probably start another reverse operation to cripple the FSB/Kremlin operators. Hmmm. Hello, Pres. Zelensky, this is Pavel. Can I help you zero in some of your weaponry? I have access to some intel.

Anotherr pathetic attempt by thje MOskva Madness. 

Odyssey: It's Here, There, and Everywhere

 Quote:

"Of all the creatures that breathe and walk on the earth

there is nothing more helpless than a man is,

of all the earth fosters; for he thinks that he will 

never suffer misfortune in future days, while 

gods grant him courage, and his knees have spring in them.

But when blessed gods bring sad days upon him,

against his will he must suffer it with enduring spirit.

 For the mind in men upon the earth goes according to 

the fortunes of the Father of Gods and Men,

day by day, bestows upon them.(18:130-137, The Odyssey) 

Russya Continues Assaullt on Kyiv/Ukraine

       So, 170 Ukrainians died per day this month.  Died under assault by Russyan arms: missiles, guided bombs, and drones armed with explosives. Capitol city Kyiv has been the target as Mad Vlad in the Kremlin continues his manic attacks on his sovereign neighbor. Volodymir Zelensky, president of Ukraine leads his country's defenses which have expanded and improved steadily as it counters the attacks by its northern beast.

      As has been reported, Ukrainian counter attacks have been inching closer to the Kremlin in Moskva. Armed drones have targeted Wildberries, the Rus version of Amazon warehouse commerce. Wildberries has sufferd the loss of several of its distribution centers and customers are waiting for insurance payments which may or may not show up.

     Way down south in Crimea, Ukrainian forces have targeted infrastructure such as bridges and port facilities. This region has not been a target until most receently been added to the targets list. As Ukraine defense manufacturing improves, the scope of attacks against Russya will grow wider as the country bleeds the Rus economy which is based on oil exports. Wider international sanctions will add more grief to the lives of Rus citizens who have endured the conflict for over 4 years with no end in site.

    Gas lines of cars waiting to fuel up have become common place in Moskva, St. Petersburg, and other cities. In the Far East, few if any reporters even venture to these outposts on the Pacific Rim. Does Moskva even care about the Far East Federation member(s)? Doubtful. The pain suffered by Rus civilians is hiding in the background, but it is there  nonetheless. 

     Does Mad Vlad care? No, he can't even think about outcomes of national policy. Not in his lifetime. 

        

World Cup Trophy Goes to Spain

        Well, sports fans were anticipating a titanic battle in the FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey. As the Mayor will attest to, the game was a snoozer as both teams tried and failed to find the net until the end.  So, no repeat for Argentina. Despite going into the contest as the world's No. 1 ranked team, they came out only 2nd best this year.

    What happened to Argentina? How did Spain put so much pressure on the Blue and White? Where was Messi for 90 minutes? All good questions; all answered with : the best team won. Next time, Argentina; next time without Messi. Maybe a new coach. Maybe not. Time will tell. 

A Deal by The Deal Chump-in-Chief

    So, the timing: his 80th Birthday amidst a Fight Club Party at the White House in D.C. The Showman. Always looking for 'free publicity'-that is his specialty.

     The detail will follow, of course. He claims that the wording has already been finalized and the Iranian negotiators have announced a deal also.  Maybe, just maybe, some truth can be gleaned from such statements. We've heard it all before.

     Among the statements: The Strait of Hormuz will reopen to all(but a "fee" will be imposed, not a "toll", that has different implications/meaning. So, maybe the squeeze worked; but let's see the small print; the detaails as they are spelled out, word for word.  Maybe the IRGC leaders blinked. Maybe the new head of the Fed Res said no to an interest rate reduction until........?

    Meanwhile The Show must go on: World Cup Fever(now that the Knicks are off the front pages of both newspapers).   The 'mericans even scored 4 goals-the most ever for a team from USA. They looked good, too: fast, aggressive, skilled and young. It's group play so no shootouts, and ties are recorded with points given to both teams. The last game of the day between New Zealand and Iran ended in a 2-2 tie. The Kiwis had both goals by a scrappy forward-Just. He added to his international goal totals. Tomorrow's slate looks good and games will start early.

Watch 'em. 

Chinese Shut Out of Largest IPO Event

    By order from above, the SpaceX IPO was unavailable to Chinese investors whether from HongKong or Shanghai.  This clear indication that the treasury Dept., The White House; Homeland Security, and the State Dept. are squeezing Chinese foreign investments.

     This widely publicized stock offering by Elon Musk's company set a record for numbers starting with volume and price.  Many retail investors were shut out completely ; many insiders were gleefully counting their good fortune to be an insider, seeing long awaited pricing for their paper holdings over the last 15 years.  Many fortunes will be made, some now, some later.

And then there's Elon. His wealth is hard to comprehend. Oh, well. He makes a lot of people wealthy, that's for sure.  But not the Chinese.