Nice Fall day, but it rained the last two nights and staying in the upper 30's to lower 40's. A lot of low fog, but upper mountains were smacked with deep snow, while lower elevations took a bath. The mountains are truly in their alpine best, but even with all the rain the rivers and lakes remain low. We are in fact still hauling water, but hope to have this procedure end by the end of the month. We are all feeling a bit like the Indian character "Gunga-Din"...see the movie with Cary Grant or better yet read Kipling's poem about the old Indian Hindu character recognized as a true hero. Some believed Kipling based it on a true character he met over there in India, be that as it may, it still made for a great movie script. Three decades later, the story was transformed to the Old West, with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. Sammy Davis Jr. did a great job playing Gunga Din, under the movie's new title of "Sergeants Three". Hilarious western, with the Rat Pack. But of the two movies I prefer the 1930's version.
NEWS BRIEFS:
Denmark: Russia dould be preparing for an invasion of Europe, according to the Danish Defense Intelligence Service. Denmark has raised concerns, when they spoke of a simulated attack the Russians had made on the Island of Bornholm, a Danish Island, during a period this last June. Danish Intelligence reported the Russian war games were reportedly the largest exercise carried out over the Baltic Sea since 1991. This Intelligence report only came forward after Russia began testing NATO defenses in recent weeks. In 24-hours, Russia had dispatched 19 combat aircraft to test the defenses of neighboring countries and also launched an ICBM missile into the Barents Sea, an arm of the Arctic Ocean. Russian military has also broken its treaty with the Ukraine-again, by moving (32) tanks, mobile artillery and short-range missiles into rebel-held Ukraine. If Putin was to invade a NATO country, such as one of the Baltic States- Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia , which have Russian speaking minorities, then NATO must eith invoke Article 5 to protect any and all NATO countries, or NATO dies. With Ukraine, NATO took them in under their umbrella after Russia joined with pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine's Civil War. But now with the new Russian Invasion, NATO is not appearing to show presence of force. President Putin is looking over at a Cowardly Lion and without question, a courageous Dorthy is needed, if just to drop a house on the Elderly Putin Tiger's desire to give rebirth to the old Soviet Union. Putin has not come to realize how that was Old Mother Russia grasped tightly by the Beast Stalin, while Putin's Russia is young and desires to see their version of democracy. No, not America's democracy or England, but their own and if Putin doesn't catch on, he just may need to go find a different palace to live in. The Russian Army will support him to a point, but when a couple million youth stand-up to dictate their terms, half of that Army will turn to protect them and not Putin.
Middle-East: In most of the world, especially in the west, just about anyone can insult Christianity, the name of Jesus Christ or the Jewish people. You can slam our Father, our God, and say Jonah and the Whale is a fairy tale. The most you'll get is ignored, a talk, or maybe a heated argument with some threatening a Bible thumping. Sometimes a black eye may result. We do occasionally lose our temper, but it ends there. But in the Christian and Jewish worlds we do allow for our women to speak openly, to wear nice decorative clothes, make-up, to drive cars and work in what used to be termed- "a man's world". We let them choose the man they are going to marry, but desire it to be at an appropriate age, like 18 or older. Now this is not so in the Muslim world. Here, women remain silent, they have no rights in Islam and they have become voiceless. Child brides made be taken as early as 7 years old. The Prophet Mohammad, who wrote the Koran and began Islam, was said to have had a 7 year old wife. The former President of Turkey took a 15 year old bride in the 1980's. Also, in Muslim countries, to speak out against the Koran or Islam usually brings quick execution. One man in his late 30's spoke out against the Prophet Jonah and the story of the whale- saying it was simply a fairy tale and he was hung for this by the government. Turkey's State Statistics show that between 2002-2009, the rate of murdered women had increased by 1400%. There were also 181,000 child brides taken in Turkey in those 7-years.
But if you be Christian, Jew or even an atheist remarking on the oppression of Muslim women, he or she would be called a "Racist" or "Islamophobe". But it is the Islamophobes who are oppressing and killing their fellow Muslims. Yet called progressives, in Muslim-rich countries women are forced live under the fear of such ancient Muslim punishments as- beheading, stoning, domestic violence, honor killings, female genital mutilation, official legal inequality, home confinement, child marriages and in Saudi Arabia women are prohibited from driving- But today Saudi Arabia announced it is considering a change in this driving law. If the law is changed and the ban is lifted, it would be only for women over 30-years of age, wearing NO make-up and driving only during the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days.
I had a friend who was courted by an Iranian Prince, in a time before Shah was deposed and our Embassy was taken over. They met in college and fell deeply in love, but when they returned to Iran...he became a monster. She was beaten, confined and thankfully, with help, she was able to make her escape. There were no children, so this did not become an issue, for in Iran, the Father has all rights to the children and when foreign women have tried to take their husbands to Iran court for spousal abuse they soon realize she has lost the battle from the time she made the charge. This is Islam, yet why do so many American women turn toward it?
China: President Xi Jinping of China addressed APEC ( Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) attendees in Beijing, which attracted 1,500 businessmen, women and political leaders from 21 APEC member economies and 17 other countries and regions. "We are duty-bound to create and fulfill an Asia-Pacific Dream for our people, XI said. He added that the dream is about staying ahead of global development and making contribution to the well-being of mankind. He pledged China will stay focused on managing its own affairs and endeavor to bring more benefits to the Asia Pacific and the World. China is now ready with other countries in promoting the building of the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road", pushing for the early operation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and getting more engaged with regional cooperation, he said. China pledged $40 Billion US Dollars for the Silk Road Fund.
China: APEC okays Graft Treaty. Countries from Asia-Pacific Region have agreed to endorse Beijing's "Anti-Corruption Declaration", which is set to establish a joint network between countries to crack down on cross-border corruption.
Israel: 5,000 Arab protestors took to the streets of the Arab Village Kafr Kanin in Northern Israel and were met by Israeli Riot Police. Protest turned violent over the shooting death of 22-year old Khair al-Din Rouf Hamdan, by Israeli Police. Police tell one story, but video footage obtained by Israeli Media shows a far different story. In any case the protestors in the streets threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police, waving the Palestinian flag, burning tires and burning Israeli flags. Arab leaders in Israel have called for a general strike. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu backed police and said Israel would not tolerate any disturbances and riots. "We will take action against stone throwers, those who block traffic arteries and those who call for the establishing a Palestinian State in place of the State of Israel." Adding, "Whoever doesn't respect Israeli Law will be punished to the fullest extent."
Israel: Palestinian protestors and Israeli Police engaged in heavy clashes in Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. Tensions had soared in recent weeks and at the Shuafat Refugee Camp, Scores of Palestinians youths threw rocks at police, burned tires and trash bins, as police fought back at tear gas canisters and stun grenades.
Mexico: Thousands of protestors laid siege on Mexico's National Palace, protesting over the suspected massacre of 43 students, reportedly at the hands of gang members hired by local mayor and his police force. Groups of protestors used metal barricades as battering rams in an attempt to break down the palace doors, but were unable to get in. Trucks were set afire and Molotov cocktails were also thrown at the palace doors, but the spark of flame was short lived. Someone spray painted the words, "We Want Them Back Alive", on the outside wall of the 16th century palace. Though 3 gang members confessed to killing the 43 students, the protestors no longer trust the government and they've demanded DNA ID confirmed.
India: India has test fired its nuke capable missile AGNI-II from an island of the Eastern Indian State of Odisha Coast.
North Korea: Spy satellite detects new nuclear weapons plant in North Korea, which would enable the recluse Asian country to double its uranium-based nuclear warhead. The new satellite is capable of using infra-red cameras, which are able to sense heat emissions released by gas centrifuges - essential in separating Uranium -235 isotopes from the predominant Uranium-238 isotopes, which constitutes over 99% of natural uranium and cannot be weaponized. Information gained from the satellites indicate North Korea has activated a new centrifuge facility inside the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, located 60-miles north of the Capitol City of Pyongyang. South Korea believes North Korea has capacity for up to 5 nuclear warheads, but in agreement with Washington, does not feel North Korea has the capability to miniaturize such a warhead to fit one of their ICBM Missiles.
China: Pakistan and China signed 19 agreements and memorandums of understanding to further boost the bilateral ties between the two countries.
London: Campaigners have just three months to raise the needed 600,000 British pounds for a new London statue of the Indian Hindi peace leader Mahatma Gandhi.
Israel: New wave of violence in Tel Aviv and West Bank leaves 3 Israelis stabbed and one woman killed at a bus stop. Prime Minister Netanyahu told attackers and violent demonstrators they should move on to the West Bank or Gaza Strip. "Believe me, we will put no difficulties in your path." The soldier who was stabbed by a suspected Palestinian assailant at a crowded train station in Tel Aviv took place before the woman was murdered outside the West Bank settlement. Police said a car drove up, attacker stepped out of the car and stabbed three people, before he was shot by a security guard. He was listed in serious condition. The attacker was Arab, from the West Bank City of Nablus, traveling in Israel without a permit.
US: For those of you who might not have caught this story when it originally came out in October of 2013, it is running again via NBC News. But most likely on a back page. However, on October 13, 2013, our US Pentagon and the Department of Defense made a startling or more like "stunning admission". The government has been staging "phony" ceremonies at Pearl Harbor/Hickam Air Force Base Joint Command to honor Fallen US Soldiers...for YEARS! Pentagon said the dramatic repatriation ceremonies have been fabricated to make it appear as though the flag-draped coffins, supposedly holding the the remains of fallen US Soldiers were arriving that very day from old battlefields in Korea and Vietnam. But in reality, the remains had already been sitting in an American lab for months. The aircraft used for the ceremonies were often defunct and non-operational. Officials admitted the so-called staged events began in 2006. The events were pre-planned to be "ceremonial", but this had not been conveyed to the public very well. The transfer of flagged draped coffin to the lab was to "symbolize" the arrival home of the fallen service member. Even family members, veteran buddies, viewed these transfers as the real thing. Critics refer to these ceremonies as "The Big Lie", and how they have now brought renewed emotional grief back upon wives, parents and combat buddies. Pentagon announced these ceremonies foe the fallen would hence be known as "Honor Ceremonies".
South Korea: Warning shots exchanged at the border as 10 North Koreans troops got a bit too close border fence they share with South Korea. Fired upon by South Koreans, the northern troops returned fire as they retreated. No reports of casualties, but tension level was raised between the two countries. With border troops being the best of the best, and South Korean troops being some of the best trained in the world now, it is surprising they did not hit one of the 10 North Koreans. We they ordered to shoot warning shots and were the North Koreans ordered to only return warning shots? Was this a staged incident for the APEC meeting in Beijing... Questions. Soldiers should never have to play political games, it confuses us and we might end up shooting one of our senior officers. Only majors and above, that was our rule in Vietnam.
China: New military Y-20 Heavy Air Transport and J-31 Stealth Fighter to make their debut at tomorrow's 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. China's new J-10 fighter jet aerobic team will also perform.
Russia: President Putin is supporting China's efforts to promote globalization international use of yuan as the world's reserve currency.
China: "China will no longer be passively involved in globalization, but instead should be taking the lead in pushing for globalization. Be it government or enterprise, an active involvement in globalization should be a must," said Guo Guangchang, co-founder and chairman of China's Fosun International, during the APEC summit.
US: Military build-up in rebel held Ukraine has the US "very concerned", by intensified fighting, the White House announced. EU also calling on all parties to avoid re-escalation of hostilities in the Ukraine.
Earthquakes- last 48 hours: (41) over 4.0, (3) mild ones in Alaska, (13) in Oregon, (12) in Oklahoma, (3) in Indonesia 4.7-4.9 , (1) 4.1 in Japan, (4) 4.6-5.1 in Fiji, (2) 4.5/5.5 in Philippines, (1) 5.4 in Iran - possible nuke test?, (1) 4.8 in Turkey, (2) Avalon, Calif 3.5/4.1
UN: Human Rights Mission to North Darfur Town finds no evidence of mass rapes. ( still, they had over a week's notice and this was plenty of time to remove evidence, victims and witnesses. Such has been a normal practice, when Human Rights Groups could be stalled. When World War II soldiers stumbled upon the Jewish concentration camps, the Nazis were destroying the evidence as fast as they could, but there were simply too many dead and thankfully the living who could tell the world their story of what the Nazis had attempted to do. In those last days, the last moments, the Nazi guards were running for their lives, having been abandoned by their officers. Maybe the investigator in Darfur should be walking over the earth nearby to locate fresh signs of digging. Or recent slave sales. Remember, Muslim women have no value above a certain use and that is to produce heirs. Recently a Muslim man forgave his daughter for her sin, then he picked up a rock and joined in the stoning to death of her. Where is the honor?
United Nation/World Health Organization: As you all know I've been keeping Ebola statistics based on both of these agencies. For 10 Nov, UN confirmed 13,268 cases with 4,960 deaths. WHO reported the same November for the 7th. Yet, on November 5, 13,042 cases and 4,818 deaths were reported for a change of 226 cases and 142 more deaths. Now the UN says between November 7th's report and WHO's November 10th Report, there is no change in number of cases or deaths, over a three day period. But the stats have always been changing day by day. So, is WHO lying on their reports or the United Nations on their Ebola Report. Why isn't the two agencies showing the same numbers. Is this a numbers game to keep the public confused? Deaths cannot differ, but case numbers can with people being cured. But they've been working real hard to keep the number below 5,000 deaths. By keeping it below 5,000 it provides a greater survivability factor. We got to a point that less than 50% we surviving, Now we are up to near 65-67% and climbing. This would provide newly hit regions with a positive outlook, but it is a lie and misleads the people around the world who might stop washing their hands, reduce care on sneezing. So, what is going on involving the death numbers?
Russia: Kremlin launches global "anti-propaganda" media network in 30 languages in most parts of the world, with old message of the U.S. is Satan and Russia Communism is good for the Russian people, as communism is good for the whole world. "We will say what others are silent about. The world is tired of one country thinking of itself as exceptional." Kiselyou, head of the program, said ( referring to America).
Bejing: As hard as authorities in Beijing tried to show blue skies for the APEC Summit, the US Embassy there shows air pollution at 6-times the World Health Organization safe daily limit. (Cough). And I grew up in LA Smog. I could stand in one end zone and not see the goal posts in the other end zone. I grew up thinking skies were brown until I got set up to the mountains for YMCA Camp when I was 7 yrs old. Wow- blue!
Mexico: Riots over the 43 missing students have spread into Acapulco, where a 16 riot police were injured by protester wielding machetes. Protestors in a fury over how the government was handling the case. The students went missing 6 weeks ago. This riot broke out when protestors made a march toward the airport and were blocked by the riot police. Other Mexican towns also on fire tonight, with cars burning and businesses left damaged.
US: 80 Families of US soldiers killed in Iraq together with surviving military veterans wounded by roadside bombs, are suing (5) European Banks for damages on grounds that these 5 banks allegedly siphoned money to Iran that was then used to finance the attacks on American military. More than 200 individuals are pressing claims that have been consolidated into one complaint lodged with the US District Court in Brooklyn, New York, today. The 5 defendant banks are Barclay plc, Standard chartered, HSBC Holdings plc, Suisse Group AG and Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. Lawsuit was brought forward under 1992 US Anti-Terrorism Act, alleges the banks breached international sanctions imposed on Iranian Regime by disguising the movement of money wired through the US to Iran. It then claims about $100 million of that money was channeled separately by Iranian Banks to insurgent groups in Iraq, who mounted attacks against US Soldiers.
You just never know what you might find out there. The NBC Story on the faked military ceremonies I had never heard about, so I thought there might be others like myself who would find it interesting. Had it been my brother or my son, I'm not sure how I would deal with it. I've been lied to so many times by my government, I cannot believe I am still surprised. Oh, I still belief we have the best democracy, our history outshines so many others and I believe our country still carries the blessing of our Father. Unfortunately, I can also see us destroying what we have by forgetting how we earned it. God, Him-we didn't earn, He was wandering the heavens long-long before this beautiful planet cooled or the stars settled down around us. But He has been patient with us. But maybe it is time to turn off the lights, close the doors and let the dogs out...give the ball a good shake, see what pours out or off, and then wait to see what grows in the new window boxes. I sure hope we still have the mountains, covered all over in white, jagged stone edges and rising thousands of feet into the sweet smelling clean air....Alaska -like.
If you're still there, thanks for staying with me. God Bless, BILL