PufPuf23
PufPuf23's JournalRussia seeks naval bases in Cuba, Vietnam
I am surprised that this is not bigger news.
Russia seeks naval bases in Cuba, Vietnam
Russia is in talks to set up naval bases in former Cold War allies Cuba and Vietnam as President Vladimir Putin undertakes the country's biggest military overhaul since the Soviet era.
"We are working on establishing navy bases outside Russia," Vice-Admiral Viktor Chirkov said in an interview with the state-run RIA Novosti news service and confirmed by the navy. "We aim to set up resupply bases in Cuba, the Seychelles and Vietnam."
Russian plans for overseas military expansion threatens to further strain relations with the United States at a time when the former superpower rivals are at loggerheads over American missile-shield plans and fighting in Syria. Putin's government plans to spend $712 billion this decade on defense spending.
Russia risks losing its only military base outside the former Soviet Union, a naval resupply facility in the Syrian port of Tartus, as President Bashar Assad fights for survival in the face of a 17-month uprising.
more at: http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Russia-seeks-naval-bases-in-Cuba-Vietnam-3742218.php#photo-3248734
The Obama Diary
Wish I had found this link before regards to keeping abreast of POTUS Obama.
The Obama Diary - Photos, Videos, and a word or two.
There is a day to day account and more pictures than one could ever want of POTUS and his family and activities.
http://theobamadiary.com/
Fantastic picture. Like your narratives over the last several years.
I was USFS 1969-1986 and have done consulting work in your area.
My experience in the USFS and corporate consulting grew my cynicism and despair.
There are far less USFS Lookouts than in the 1970s and aeriel technology has not kept up.
There is less local (USFS RD or Guard Stations with Engine Crews) and KV/BD crews that were also regional smokejumpers or hot shot crews as needed now than in the 1970s.
There are larger and less controlled wildfires because of negligence compared with prior to 1980 or so. One could even conclude that wildfires were allowed to grow to justify abusive timber salvage and removal of Federal lands within National Forests from Wilderness consideration. Many tracts of land have been treated post "wildfire" to preclude any economic use as timberlands and also greatly decreased the carbon storage potential within the soil and subsequent forest / vegetation for generations.
The fire suppression $$ could be more than replaced by net management $$ if silviculturists, engineers, and economists were not trumped by politics and short term cash flow.
The same is true for Tribal, BLM, and corporate forest lands with rare exceptions. Too many professionals do not even see much less comprehend their own institutional propoganda, the public is clueless for lack of understanding of scale and practice. The politics and PR trump reality.
Is "fuck 'em" mood regards to the USFS?
I was USFS from 1969 to 1986; a 460 series GS-11 Forester age 28 and resigned age 32 under Reagan.
Now live on my great great uncle and then great grandfather and then father's National Forest inholding as a senior citizen.
My adolescent rebellion was to go to work for the "Piss Fir Willies" rather than work for Dad in quarry or building road age 16 under YOC.
Graduated highest honors from a world class university and forestry program (UC Berkeley) and was a GS-11 professional age 28 that resigned age 32 under the federal corruption that was Reagan.
I would say "fuck 'em" all; the USFS, professional environmentalists (not professional scientists), and Federal. state, local, and Tribal politicians.
Broke my heart.
Siriusly (sic), I have scant respect for my (former?, as I no longer practice and years distant but still knowledgeable but am licensed and able but not active) profession.
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