Life takes us in many strange directions and wonderful discoveries. It never turns out the way we thought it would.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Jack's Africa: Francois Bozize, Central African Republic Presiden...
Jack's Africa: Francois Bozize, Central African Republic Presiden...: Francois Bozize, Central African Republic President, Overthrown By Rebels
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Jack's South America: Página/12 :: El país :: Encuentro en el Vaticano
Jack's South America: Página/12 :: El país :: Encuentro en el Vaticano: Página/12 :: El país :: Encuentro en el Vaticano
Jack's Africa: Olympus Has Fallen (2013) - Full cast and crew
Jack's Africa: Olympus Has Fallen (2013) - Full cast and crew: Olympus Has Fallen (2013) - Full cast and crew
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Further On A Hypothetical Israeli Attack On Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Some months ago I wrote a blog entry. It was about a hypothetical Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. I put myself in the shoes of the Israeli military commanders planning the attack.
I rejected the conventional wisdom that an air attack should be launched from Israel. I argued that the attack would lead to very heavy civilian and military casualties and would not destroy the facilities. I pointed out the little know fact that Iranians are the best concrete makers on planet earth and not to be under estimated. My attack plan was to use submarine-launched cruise missiles with small tactical nuclear weapons. In this hypothetical scenario, these weapons would be launched from Israeli submarines in the Persian Gulf.
Perhaps I was laughed at or people began to question my sanity.
An author named Terry Crawford Browne now enters into this hypothetical war game. He is an American man who moved to South Africa in the 1960's. He became a prominent banker. He also became a vocal opponent or Apartheid and then the corruption of the African National Congress. That he has remained alive and in South Africa is a miracle. He has made powerful enemies all over the world.
In his latest book Eye On The Diamonds, Browne talks about Israeli military capabilities. He gives documented proof that the Israeli nuclear arsenal is now 300 warheads. He goes on to point out that Israel keeps three submarines on patrol in the Persian Gulf. According to Browne, these submarines carry cruise missiles armed with tactical nuclear weapons. There is no doubt where these missiles are targeted.
It is comforting to know that my educated guess turned out to have a factual basis. It is my sincere hope that no war with Iran takes place and that these weapons are never employed.
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Jack's Africa: US implies Rwanda hasn't assured warlord's passage...
Jack's Africa: US implies Rwanda hasn't assured warlord's passage...: US implies Rwanda hasn't assured warlord's passage
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
FT's 125th Anniversary
FT's 125th Anniversary
The Financial Times of London turns 125 years of age. I read massive numbers of publications. This one is the best in the world. It began when Jack the Ripper was terrorizing London and the British Empire was at the height of its glory. It has survived numerous depressions and financial collapses. It has endured through the Boer War when England sent some 250,000 troops to South Africa and set up the world's first concentration camps. It survived the slaughter of World War One with 16 million people killed and 20 million wounded. It survived the Spanish flu plague afterwards that claimed up to 20 million lives. It survived the horrors of World War II when Britain was bombed almost to the point of total destruction. By the time World War II ended over 67 million people were dead and England was bankrupt. It survived the harsh austerity after World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War when all of us faced nuclear armageddon and the loss of the planet. It has survived the scourges of terrorist attacks from groups like the Irish Republican Army and Muslim militants. It has survived wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is now confronting cyber terrorism and a world economy that cannot produce enough jobs for all of those willing to work. Through it all, this unusual orange newspaper that my wife finds bewildering has always been a beacon of light, leading edge information, and indepth reporting of many issues not relating to stock markets and companies that make all of our lives richer.. You're a grand old lady who does not get older; just better!!!!!!
The Financial Times of London turns 125 years of age. I read massive numbers of publications. This one is the best in the world. It began when Jack the Ripper was terrorizing London and the British Empire was at the height of its glory. It has survived numerous depressions and financial collapses. It has endured through the Boer War when England sent some 250,000 troops to South Africa and set up the world's first concentration camps. It survived the slaughter of World War One with 16 million people killed and 20 million wounded. It survived the Spanish flu plague afterwards that claimed up to 20 million lives. It survived the horrors of World War II when Britain was bombed almost to the point of total destruction. By the time World War II ended over 67 million people were dead and England was bankrupt. It survived the harsh austerity after World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War when all of us faced nuclear armageddon and the loss of the planet. It has survived the scourges of terrorist attacks from groups like the Irish Republican Army and Muslim militants. It has survived wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is now confronting cyber terrorism and a world economy that cannot produce enough jobs for all of those willing to work. Through it all, this unusual orange newspaper that my wife finds bewildering has always been a beacon of light, leading edge information, and indepth reporting of many issues not relating to stock markets and companies that make all of our lives richer.. You're a grand old lady who does not get older; just better!!!!!!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
JacksMars: SpaceX Celebrates 11th Birthday with Video | Parab...
JacksMars: SpaceX Celebrates 11th Birthday with Video | Parab...: SpaceX Celebrates 11th Birthday with Video | Parabolic Arc
Friday, March 15, 2013
Jack's South America: Córdoba en la Televisión Digital Abierta - YouTube...
Jack's South America: Córdoba en la Televisión Digital Abierta - YouTube...: Córdoba en la Televisión Digital Abierta - YouTube
Thursday, March 14, 2013
In Praise Of Travel Clothing
My friends my wife Elena is frugal and careful with money. I was a big spender when I met her. Slowly she has weaned me from this bad habit. She was reviewing our account and found a number of expenditures for the purchase of travel clothing. She considers this an extravagance and questions the merit of such an investment. I consider travel clothing a wonderful investment for anyone who travels a number of times each year. Every time you go to the airport, you get charged $25.00 to check one piece of luggage. Checking a second piece of luggage could cost one $75.00. If your bags are overweight get ready for another charge. On a round trip this could add a couple of hundred dollars to the price of the ticket. Once you get past this cost, the next problem is cleaning your clothes during the trip. If you choose to use the laundry service in your hotel, get ready for "sticker shock." The bill could easily escalate to $100.00. If you walk down the street to the local laundry the bill could easily be $50.00+. This leaves you with the option of getting a lot of local coins and going to a washateria that locals use. This is not my idea of how to spend a vacation.
With travel clothes you wash them right in your hotel room. They dry quickly and look great! They are rugged and very light. If you pack carefully you could get all of your clothes into a carry on and not have to hassle with checking luggage. Ex-Officio and Tilley's make excellent travel clothes for both men and women. You will invest a few hundred dollars but recover your investment quickly with cost savings. This also allows one to follow the old saying: "Travel light and you'll come out bright!"
With travel clothes you wash them right in your hotel room. They dry quickly and look great! They are rugged and very light. If you pack carefully you could get all of your clothes into a carry on and not have to hassle with checking luggage. Ex-Officio and Tilley's make excellent travel clothes for both men and women. You will invest a few hundred dollars but recover your investment quickly with cost savings. This also allows one to follow the old saying: "Travel light and you'll come out bright!"
Jack's South America: Pope Francis: Simple image, complex past | General...
Jack's South America: Pope Francis: Simple image, complex past | General...: Pope Francis: Simple image, complex past | General Headlines | Comcast
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
New York Rents Exploding!
Housing crisis deepens for New Yorkers - http://www.ft.com/cms/04bb55fe-884d-11e2-b011-00144feabdc0.html
Jack's Africa: Into The Cannibal's Pot
Jack's Africa: Into The Cannibal's Pot: Into the Cannibal’s Pot A former South African on the new South S outh African-born Ilana Mercer is the daughter of a ra...
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A Romantic Evening Atop The Mariott Hotel In San Francisco
Yesterday afternoon Elena and I went to San Francisco to photograph the new lights on the Bay Bridge. It was an awesome experience. After doing photography we walked down Market Street to 4th Street. We turned left and went to the Marriott Hotel. We went up to the 39th floor. We saw some fabulous views. We only found a place to sit due to the kindness of some French tourists. We had Margaritas and a light dinner. Elena took even more of her fabulous photographs. It was a beautiful and romantic moment. I brought back memories of October, 2008 when we went to the Marriott in Shanghai and went to the top floor. We had drinks, an incredible meal, and some unforgettable views of another special city in the world. When you have a special and romantic occasion, go to the top of the Marriott!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Conman Caught In Italy
Fugitive financier charged with fraud - http://www.ft.com/cms/4fb4db6c-8833-11e2-b011-00144feabdc0.html
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Argentina default
US judges are jeopardising global finance - http://www.ft.com/cms/1c74331a-866c-11e2-ad73-00144feabdc0.html
Argentina Political Problems
Distractions mask Argentine discontent - http://www.ft.com/cms/921a68f2-873c-11e2-9dd7-00144feabdc0.html
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Two Coffee Cups From Disneyland Bring Back Incredible Memories
Luah was kind enough to bring us back two very nice coffee mugs from Disneyland. One has what looks like an original Walt Disney sketch of Mickey Mouse. The other cup has what looks like an original Walt Disney sketch of Minnie Mouse. It brought back some memories from long ago.
These images brought back some memories from 1976. Mrs. Julius C. Rosenthal was the grand daughter of one of the founders of Sears Roebuck and Company.. Alvin Roebuck. She was a fabulously rich lady who lived in New Orleans in a grand mansion.
In the early 1930's my late mother was hired to be her governess. This helped my mother to earn money for college during the Great Depression.
In 1976 a very dear friend applied for a job with Mrs. Rosenthal. I got the courage to call her and "drop the name of my mother." The lady was very touched and agreed to see me in person. One Friday night I drove from Houston to New Orleans. The next morning I went to Mrs. Rosenthal's mansion. She met me at the door and invited me in. What caught my attention as I walked in were three original Walt Disney sketches of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Mrs. Rosenthal assured me that they were originals and true collector's items. I was impressed to say the least.
She then took me into the sitting room and offered me coffee. She listened intently while I talked to her about the great virtues of my friend, William Bahr. She was impressed that I would drive 400 miles to give him a reference.
The conversation then turned to my mother. She remembered her with great fondness from 45 years before. She really loved the time that she spent with my mother. We spent a delightful few hours together and I left.
A couple of weeks later I got a pleasant call from my mother. She shared with me an incredible story. One day around lunch time a limousine had appeared at her front door. It was Mrs. Rosenthal. She greeted my mother and took her to grand restaurant. They spent hours talking about their lives together 45 years before.
Luah thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories!!
These images brought back some memories from 1976. Mrs. Julius C. Rosenthal was the grand daughter of one of the founders of Sears Roebuck and Company.. Alvin Roebuck. She was a fabulously rich lady who lived in New Orleans in a grand mansion.
In the early 1930's my late mother was hired to be her governess. This helped my mother to earn money for college during the Great Depression.
In 1976 a very dear friend applied for a job with Mrs. Rosenthal. I got the courage to call her and "drop the name of my mother." The lady was very touched and agreed to see me in person. One Friday night I drove from Houston to New Orleans. The next morning I went to Mrs. Rosenthal's mansion. She met me at the door and invited me in. What caught my attention as I walked in were three original Walt Disney sketches of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Mrs. Rosenthal assured me that they were originals and true collector's items. I was impressed to say the least.
She then took me into the sitting room and offered me coffee. She listened intently while I talked to her about the great virtues of my friend, William Bahr. She was impressed that I would drive 400 miles to give him a reference.
The conversation then turned to my mother. She remembered her with great fondness from 45 years before. She really loved the time that she spent with my mother. We spent a delightful few hours together and I left.
A couple of weeks later I got a pleasant call from my mother. She shared with me an incredible story. One day around lunch time a limousine had appeared at her front door. It was Mrs. Rosenthal. She greeted my mother and took her to grand restaurant. They spent hours talking about their lives together 45 years before.
Luah thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories!!
Jack's South America: Venezuela Interim President Nicolas Maduro Will Ru...
Jack's South America: Venezuela Interim President Nicolas Maduro Will Ru...: Venezuela Interim President Nicolas Maduro Will Rule Until New Elections, Foreign Minister Says
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
JC Penny Has Big Problems
I thought you might be interested in this story: JC Penney could wind up with empty shelves, http://m.chron.com/chron/db_273428/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Bah9pWhW Sent via the Chron.com Android App. Download the app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chron.android
A Ten-Mile Hike On The Iron Man Trail
Yesterday Elena and I put the dogs in the car and drove over to Danville. We hiked the Iron Mountain Trail and made 10 miles. Even our little 15.7 lb dog Alice made the whole 10 mile walk. Some fifteen years ago I was a very poor man and did not even own a car. I rode around on a bicycle that stills hangs in our garage downstairs. All of those years ago I lived in a rented room in Danville. I had to ride that bike along the Iron Mountain Trail between Danville and Walnut Creek BART station. I had to ride the BART all the way around to San Francisco and then get the Caltrains down to the job I had with George S. May Company in San Jose. It was a hard life and I've come a long way.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
An American Woman 20 Years In Ptague
Expat lives: Chicago to the Czech Republic - http://www.ft.com/cms/69308818-7c1a-11e2-99f0-00144feabdc0.html
DragonIs Go!
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) tweeted at 11:57 AM on Fri, Mar 01, 2013: Pods 1 and 4 now online and thrusters engaged. Dragon transitioned from free drift to active control. Yes!! (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/307580263637061633) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download
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