Full Court Press

The White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough did all the Sunday pundits yesterday.  I saw him on Meet the Press, and on Face the Nation.  Instant replay showed him on Fox as well.  He didn't say anything that stuck in my mind, but sending him out to all the talk shows is usually a sign the White House has some message they want to spread.  Kinda like that State Dept lady who appeared on all the talk shows after Benghasi, pushing the line that all the fuss was caused by an obscure Internet video.  I missed what ever it was McDonough was pushing.

Verses from the Koran

There ought to be some that forbid murder, like the Charlie Hebdo massacre.  Only, I don't know the verses.  I haven't read the Koran.  I'm not planning to, either. 
  But there oughta be some Muslim scholars who do know the verses. (if they exist, if they don't, that tells you something).  Those scholars ought to be quoting the relevant verses, verses that might make us non-believers consider Islam to actually be a "religion of peace".  I am aware that Islam lacks an ecclesiastic structure like Catholicism.  But still, there ought to be some imams of decent standing whose words would carry weight. 

Cuba. Do they recognize an 800 lb Gorilla?

There the Cuban are, poor, unhappy, and only 90 sea miles from the United States.  For unknown reasons Obama decided to offer them US diplomatic recognition.  You'd think the Cubans would jump at the opportunity.  Being recognized gives them substantial protection again things like another Bay of Pigs, and offers an opportunity to plead for better economic treatment.  With an embassy in DC, the Cubans can send all sorts of diplomatic notes to the Americans, and get them published in friendly US newspapers like the NYT. 
   You would think that the Cubans would be willing to do just about anything to gain American recognition.  But, sounds like the mission to cut the deal, which traveled to Cuba, hasn't made any progress.  I assume the Cubans are being sticky about minor things.  Dunno why. 

Things I'd like to know about Yemen

And the newsies probably don't know.  Like where is the Yemeni Army?  Surely they have one.  How big is it?  What side is it on? 
  Who are the rebels?  Are they locals? Are they Iranians?  Are they foreign fighters from all over the place like the old Mujahedin in Afghanistan?  How long have they been in business?  How many of them are there?  Who is their leader?  What is their relationship with the Saudis?  How much turf do they control?  Where do they get their gasoline? 
   Who was the Yemeni government just decapitated?  A collection of tribal sheiks?  A democracy with elections?  A Saudi puppet?  A hereditary monarchy?
   What do the Saudi's think about the new government in Yemen?  Are they for it or against it? 
   Does Yemen have any oil to pay for things?  If not, what do they use for foreign exchange?

Air Time. 2 lb Air Pressure gets it all

We have Yemen falling to Iran, the Congress and Obama squaring off, the economy still in the tank, the Euro zone in a deep muddle, and what does the TV news cover?  Underinflated footballs.  A whole 2 psi low.  End of the world. 

EU softening toward GMOs

Genetically modified organisms that is.  The EU has forbidden growing, importing, selling, or eating of anything with "gene modifications".  At least modern gene modifications using laboratory methods.  Nobody talks about the extensive gene modifications made over the centuries by plain old selective breeding.  All crops grown today are way different from their wild ancestors. 
   Anyhow, the EU Parliament lifted the EU wide ban on GMO's last week.   Regulation of GMO's is now up to the national European governments.  Who are strongly anti GMO and are not expected to loosen rules anytime soon. 
   The Economist does admit that GMO's are widespread in American and Asia, bringing increased yields, better taste, and lower food prices. 
    It could be, that in turning GMO regulation over to the national governments, the EU Parliament hopes to dampen criticism of overweening EU bureaucracy.

Wild Winter Turkeys

We got 'em.  Last week I saw a wild and soggy turkey strutting  up the road in a rainstorm.  It was 40 that day, but very wet.  Then two days ago I saw a pair of 'em stumbling thru the woods behind the house with three inches of fresh snow on the ground.  I wonder where the turkeys spent the night, now that it is dropping down to 10 and 20 degrees below zero after dark.  You'd think temps like that would give you quick frozen turkey.