India's prime minister Modi will meet with President Obama today in Washington at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. They will talk about the future of American/Indian relations and discuss economic development and trade issues. A current topic will be H1B visas and the numbers alloted for professionals, many of whom have come to the US from India. Mr. Modi will want some assurances that the "brain drain" will not remove these well educated Indians from the subcontinent economy.
Mr. Modi will stress the need to have these folks work and play at home is essential for the future of India's growing middle class. Mr. Modi seems to have taken strides to move India forward on the world stage, in anticipation of a larger role in world affairs. he also is sending a message to India's neighbor, China, that India will not sit back and allow the Chinese government to run roughshod over the border areas in dispute along their common boundary.
Viva Modi!
Monday, September 29, 2014
King Fire Almost 100% Contained
CalFire reported significant gains in halting the spread of the large King Fire in El Dorado County. Firefighters have taken advantage of cooler weather and light rain to gain control of the blaze. Some property owners have been allowed to return home, or what's left of their homes in certain areas that were burned out.
Some local pols have asked for funds for more fire prevention, noting that the state of California has collected millions from local El Dorado property owners in the last 3 years for prevention steps. Ok, Jerry brown: where's the fire FEE? Where's the money sucked out of my wallet by the one party in power in California? The fire fee, which is being challenged in state court, is an annual fee assessed on rural property owners only to the tune of $150/ann. Could it have prevented the spread of the King Fire?
CalFire has some 'splainin' to do.
Some local pols have asked for funds for more fire prevention, noting that the state of California has collected millions from local El Dorado property owners in the last 3 years for prevention steps. Ok, Jerry brown: where's the fire FEE? Where's the money sucked out of my wallet by the one party in power in California? The fire fee, which is being challenged in state court, is an annual fee assessed on rural property owners only to the tune of $150/ann. Could it have prevented the spread of the King Fire?
CalFire has some 'splainin' to do.
Iran, Russiya, and USA
The nuclear talks between Iran and the US and European Union countries continue to drag on. Iranians are unserious negotiators, stalling for time, even as they watch the Europeans and US become engaged further in the Middle East. The use of airstrikes against the IS murderers does not indicate any abandonment of the area soon. Iran has been backsliding on its much publicized statement of "We are ready to sign a deal". Really, the Iranians are playing the waiting game. But this waiting game only intensifies the Western anxieties coupled with a nuclear capable Iran. The Israelies certainly are growing more anxious as time goes on.
All of this brings us to the topic of Russiya's involvement with Iran and its nuclear power needs for domestic use. Russiya has been supplying sufficient fuels to Iran for some time. And why would Iran develop a production capability that is both expensive and unnecessary? Who wants to answer that one? Please, don't all stand at once.
The outcome is fairly clear: severe sanctions are in the offing and Iran will join Russiya as international outlaws, cutoff from western civilization, again.
Will the Ayatollah lose any sleep? Hardly.
All of this brings us to the topic of Russiya's involvement with Iran and its nuclear power needs for domestic use. Russiya has been supplying sufficient fuels to Iran for some time. And why would Iran develop a production capability that is both expensive and unnecessary? Who wants to answer that one? Please, don't all stand at once.
The outcome is fairly clear: severe sanctions are in the offing and Iran will join Russiya as international outlaws, cutoff from western civilization, again.
Will the Ayatollah lose any sleep? Hardly.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Italy and the Oligarchs From Russya
Italy's government announced this week that two Russian oligarchs with property in the country have had their respective assets frozen in the bank. Complaints were immediately forthcoming, claiming sanctions on Russian businessmen did not include assets held in Italy. Of course, this move will provide serious money for Italian lawyers, judges, court clerks, and news media types looking for material. Maybe the Italians got this wrong; maybe not. But it will send a message back to the Kremlin. Is anybody listening(besides the FSB)?
Italy obviously operates on a different wavelength than other European countries. It appears that Italy and its prime Minister Matteo Renzi are trying to change a culture of inaction. Not easy after so many years of entrenched interests holding sway. Can things improve? They must.
Message here: outside investors be wary. Perhaps that is why Mr. Marcchione has been so successful at FIAT. He has taken FIAT to America, and he is making huge profits.
Tahomans like Ram pickup trucks. This helps FIAT's bottom line.
Italy obviously operates on a different wavelength than other European countries. It appears that Italy and its prime Minister Matteo Renzi are trying to change a culture of inaction. Not easy after so many years of entrenched interests holding sway. Can things improve? They must.
Message here: outside investors be wary. Perhaps that is why Mr. Marcchione has been so successful at FIAT. He has taken FIAT to America, and he is making huge profits.
Tahomans like Ram pickup trucks. This helps FIAT's bottom line.
Baseball 2014: End of the Season
Tomorrow, Sunday, marks the end of the regular season for baseball teams across the country. Derek Jeter,"The Captain", is the most famous player who will play his last game tomorrow after 19 seasons with the New York Yankees. His jersey number 2, will be retired with him, marking the end of single digits on Yankee uniforms.
His illustrious career is the envy of all active players, and his role as team captain enhanced that reputation even more. His play at shortstop was scintalating. His off the field reputation is unblemished. Somehow, over the years, he was able to stay free from scandal or questionable behavior. Who can forget the commercials he made with his former boss, the late george Steinbrenner? His good looks and affable personality has enhanced a few products lately and that role will only increase. His annoucement last year that this would be his final year removed doubts about his future and only served to remind fans that his exit would be graceful and timely, without bitterness or rancor.
Early career photos identify Jeter as a serious, focused young man, poised to take on the role assigned to him in the middle of the diamond, a position that requires the skill of a ballet dancer, the speed of a gazelle, and the heart of a lion.
We are all saddened by his departure; he seems so young still. But injuries begin to take their toll, and the message, while subtle, is clear: athletic skills are finite and time marches on. Youth will be served.
The Baltimore Orioles and their nearby neighbor, the Washington Nats, appear to be well positioned for post season victories. But, October is the month of surprises. Let's see what happens.
His illustrious career is the envy of all active players, and his role as team captain enhanced that reputation even more. His play at shortstop was scintalating. His off the field reputation is unblemished. Somehow, over the years, he was able to stay free from scandal or questionable behavior. Who can forget the commercials he made with his former boss, the late george Steinbrenner? His good looks and affable personality has enhanced a few products lately and that role will only increase. His annoucement last year that this would be his final year removed doubts about his future and only served to remind fans that his exit would be graceful and timely, without bitterness or rancor.
Early career photos identify Jeter as a serious, focused young man, poised to take on the role assigned to him in the middle of the diamond, a position that requires the skill of a ballet dancer, the speed of a gazelle, and the heart of a lion.
We are all saddened by his departure; he seems so young still. But injuries begin to take their toll, and the message, while subtle, is clear: athletic skills are finite and time marches on. Youth will be served.
The Baltimore Orioles and their nearby neighbor, the Washington Nats, appear to be well positioned for post season victories. But, October is the month of surprises. Let's see what happens.
Modi Of India Arrives
Pres. Modi made his first official visit to the US this week. He came to extend and improve relations with the world's No. 1 economic power. His country is the most populous democracy in the world and one of the fastest growing in Asia.
One of his goals is to purchase various military armaments, primarily in the field of aviation. His shoppinglist included fighter bombers, helicopters(Sikorsky), Apache attack helicopters(Boeing), Chinook Heavy lift helos(Boeing), antitank missiles(Lockheed/Raytheon), and harpoon antiship missiles. The tab for these systems runs about $3 billion. Keeps the plants running for a few more months. This list comes a year after India made purchases of $1.9 billion of US military gear, That purchase made India the No. 1 importer of US military items, up from 24th before.
Tahomans welcome Prime Minister Modi and hope he can visit Lake Tahoe if he has a little extra time.
One of his goals is to purchase various military armaments, primarily in the field of aviation. His shoppinglist included fighter bombers, helicopters(Sikorsky), Apache attack helicopters(Boeing), Chinook Heavy lift helos(Boeing), antitank missiles(Lockheed/Raytheon), and harpoon antiship missiles. The tab for these systems runs about $3 billion. Keeps the plants running for a few more months. This list comes a year after India made purchases of $1.9 billion of US military gear, That purchase made India the No. 1 importer of US military items, up from 24th before.
Tahomans welcome Prime Minister Modi and hope he can visit Lake Tahoe if he has a little extra time.
Minister Returns From Caribbean
Our minister of Latin American Affairs has returned from his most recent trip to St. Kitts and Nevis in the eastern Caribbean. This short trip, punctuated by a donkey ride into the mountains, accompanied by a tamed monkey, highlighted a quick trip to facilitate meetings with state representatives from most of the south American nations. Prime topics covered included recent developments in the Middle East, especially Syria and Iraq; the latest Russian/Ukraine moves; bombings in Santiago, Chile; talks with the coalition of western nations with Iran on nuclear developments; and of course, Argentina's international debt and her inflation. Brazilian elections were not on the list.
more later
more later
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