Update no.691

Update from the Heartland

No.691

9.3.15 – 15.3.15

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

The follow-up news items:

-- The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team released its Interim Statement and Factual Information regarding the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 event [638].  An expired FDR/CVR battery provided the most jawboning time at the one-year anniversary mark of the investigation.  The report offers some fancy new graphics to present the facts, as we know them today, and yet gives us nothing new with respect to the outcome of the flight.  The available evidence still suggests to me that this was a controlled deviation from the flight plan – an intentional event.

For aviation aficionados, the Solar Impulse 2 aircraft from Switzerland launched from Al Bateen Executive Airport (OMAD), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) at 03:00 UTC/GMT {07:00 [D] Lcl; 22:00 [S] CDT, 8.3.2015}, Monday, 9.March.2015, on an historic attempt to fly around the world without fuel, on solar power alone.  The unique aircraft is powered by four, 10HP, electric motor driven propellers and a bunch of lithium batteries that are charged by the Sun.  As of 18:00 UTC, 15.March.2015, the aircraft was at Ahmedabad (VAAH), Republic of India, preparing for the next leg of the effort to Varanasi (VIBN), India.  The engineering in the machine, the flying skills of the pilot, and the forecasting of the ground support crew are magnificent examples of human achievement.  Godspeed and following winds.

The open letter from 47 Republican U.S. senators to the Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) dated 9.March.2015, was much more than a condescending tutorial on U.S. constitutional law, especially in the immediate wake of the speech to a joint session of Congress by Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and the instigating invitation from Speaker of the House Boehner.  Senator Thomas Bryant ‘Tom’ Cotton of Arkansas, a 37-year-old freshman senator (in office for a whopping 71 days), instigated the letter, and wiser, more experienced senators chose not to dampen his youthful ardor.  To my reading, the most illuminating paragraph was actually the second, which stated, “. . . the offices of our Constitution have different characteristics.  For example, the president may serve only two 4-year terms, whereas senators may serve an unlimited number of 6-year terms.  As applied today, for instance, President Obama will leave office in January 2017, while most of us will remain in office well beyond then — perhaps decades.”  This is a warning shot across the bow – plain and simple – to both the IRI and the Executive Branch.  We can argue that this letter is a not so subtle direct violation of the Logan Act of 1799 [PL 5-III-001; 1 Stat. 613; 30.1.1799] prohibiting U.S. citizens from negotiating with foreign powers [280].  Again, to my knowledge, no one has ever been prosecuted under the Logan Act, so any discussion about a violation of the act is rather moot and nearly irrelevant, although the law remains valid and enforceable.  Even a casual review of U.S. history yields notable examples of the Senate performing its constitutional functions to ratify or reject Executive actions with respect to agreements with foreign governments.  The senators are apparently concerned the President’s negotiations with the IRI regarding nuclear development will not be a treaty to be presented to the Senate for ratification, but rather an executive quid pro quo agreement to waive sanctions requested by previous administrations and approved by Congress, in exchange for constraints on the IRI nuclear program.  At the end of the day, the 47-senator letter was ill-advised and just plain wrong.

Social conservatives advocate for and believe the Republican-dominated Congress will re-introduce the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act to “. . . protect individuals from discrimination, under federal law, so that they may be free to express and conduct their business according to their religious conviction . . . .”  Normally, I would not waste my time commenting on the desire of one group or another to pass legislation.  The wording of the initiative just struck my sense of reason, respect and decency.  At first, I thought, wow, maybe things are changing and social conservatives want to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens – freedom of choice, right to privacy, dignity in life.  Imagine my disappointment when I realized this proposed new bill is not about protecting the rights of ALL citizens, but rather protecting only the rights of the chosen, who believe in the proscribed manner. 

Marijuana has come to Wichita, Kansas; imagine my surprise.  After a series of citizen petition initiatives, the Wichita City Council approved by a 6-1 vote, to accept the latest petition and place a referendum on the ballot for the 7.April citywide vote.  Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt sent an official letter to the city declaring the referendum would violate state law and should not be presented to voters.  A month before the vote, the city appears to be proceeding with inclusion of the referendum on the ballot.  The Attorney General has indicated his intention to file suit against the city prohibiting implementation should the voters approve the referendum.  With all this political wrangling, you would think the referendum would enable public sale of marijuana at the corner convenience store or even the neighborhood lemonade stand.  Alas, no, this referendum simply reduces the misdemeanor fine for first-time offenders in possession of small amounts of marijuana or its derivatives.  This referendum is barely even a partial baby step on the very long journey to a more proper and reasonable state with respect to a citizen’s fundamental right to privacy and freedom of choice.  From the get-go, I thought and still think this initiative is woefully inadequate and insufficient in our efforts to get government out of our private lives.  Yet, if Attorney General Schmidt allows me to vote, I will most likely vote yes to approve the referendum . . . and force the confrontation with the state.

News from the economic front:

-- We learned more about the results of the Federal Reserve’s most recent ‘stress test’ of banks in its U.S. jurisdiction [690].  Contrary to last week’s report, apparently, 28 of 31 large banks received Federal Reserve approval to return capital to investors.  Further, some of the biggest Wall Street banking firms came perilously close to failing the Fed's annual ‘stress test.’  Bank of America received conditional approval of its capital plan, but must resubmit its proposal to address “certain weaknesses,” including its ability to measure losses and revenue.  The Fed rejected the capital plans of the U.S. branches of Deutsche Bank AG and Banco Santander SA, for “qualitative” deficiencies,including ability to model losses and identify risks.

-- The Central Bank of the Russian Federation reduced its key interest rate for the second time in two months by one percentage point to 14% – more cuts appear likely.  The reduction follows the bank's emergency move in December to sharply raise interest rates to try to stem a collapse in the ruble.

Continuation from Update no.689:

“I can only propose the obvious. Separate the regulators from the industries (that is, close the revolving doors and reform election campaigns), monitor every part of the process more effectively, and support energy conservation and the use of the other forms of energy that have begun to replace the fossil fuels. Rooftop solar and other dispersed energy sources eliminate the transportation problem altogether, among their other advantages.”

My response:

            I share in your proposal to separate regulators and the industries they regulate, or at least enhance the quality control process through cross-checking or supervisory spot checking the performance of the regulators.  Yet, I remain quite concerned about balance and the tendency of the powers that be to impose their beliefs on regulated industries . . . as I wrote in last week’s Update regarding strip clubs in Kansas. 

            Re: renewable energy sources.  I strongly advocate for renewables.  We must wean ourselves off of fossil fuels.  However, rejecting the safest transportation means to move the fuel we need and use today is not the way to help the transition.

Comments and contributions from Update no.690:

“I’d forgotten about Army General Petraeus. What’s the likely outcome of this. Sounds damned reckless to me. I look forward to your next report.

“Your item on gravitational lensing, Indeed some amazing revelations there. Who can say we ‘are alone’ in this universe? We may never meet but we cannot be alone. I was looking at Andromeda two nights ago, it’s high in the northwestern sky, I don’t know what your light pollution is like. Ours, well not too bad. When I look at another galaxy the creative part goes wild and I want to be there, but that’s where it ends. We are, we’re told, on a collision course, our Milky Way galaxy and Andromeda will merge in 3.8 billion years. Life then could be very interesting! Of course the human race will be long gone and probably our home planet too.

“Looking forward to the equinox and summer warmth oh and of course your next bulletin!”

My reply:

            Re: Petraeus.  He was extraordinarily reckless in trusting Broadwell – his mistress.  That said, to think he is the only general to disclose classified material to a woman without access or need to know would be simply naïve and myopic.  My understanding of the deal: he will get a comparative slap on the hand – probation & fine.

            Re: space.  I am still in awe of that image.  Likewise, I am convinced we are not alone . . . yet, we have not proven the hypothesis.  I have written stories of what my imagination sees.  I have restarted construction of my outline for the 3rd book on my Anod series of sci-fi novels – she makes her 1st visit to Earth.  Galactic collisions are more like tidal surges rather than outright collisions.

            Re: vernal equinox.  Indeed . . . 10 days.  Tending toward warming up here.  Snow has melted and gone.  We’re ready. 

 . . . follow-up comment:

“Re Petraeus. There were certain jobs in my service career, as there must have been in yours, where you didn’t discuss what you were doing with anybody. Ann never asked because she knew she wouldn’t get a sensible answer. And that’s the way it must be. The security of the nation is absolutely paramount. Remember the WW2 slogan about loose talking?

“‘It costs lives.’

“It is utterly irresponsible to behave so. He deserves the weight of the law to descend on his naïve shoulders with perhaps somewhat heavier than a reprimand.  Can you imagine the furor if one of your lads had behaved thus?

“Solstice, yes indeed it is almost upon us. However English weather, as you will know, takes no heed of the calendar. For example currently we are in an easterly flow bringing cold air somewhat forcibly from Siberia. -7 recorded last night.

“I believe you will be unable to see the eclipse on Friday, almost total, the nation is getting quite excited about it especially the power generators who are currently (sorry about the pun) relying more heavily on solar generation. We shall, or we hope we shall, see this mind boggling event.

“Enjoy your Sunday afternoon my friend.

“Have a brew of English tea.”

 . . . my follow-up reply:

            Re: Petraeus.   Very well said, my friend.  Loose lips sinks ships!

            Re: solstice.  Sorry y’all have an arctic blast . . . unusual for Mother England.  It will warm up soon enough.

            Re: eclipse.  Nope, not covered in our corner of God’s Little Green Earth.  I saw a really neat image of the 2003 solar eclipse at Antarctica – amazing!  Hope the weather complied for y’all.

            Just working on the Update, this Sunday afternoon.  It is late in the afternoon, so I have traded my English tea for a rather nice Merlot.

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)