Occupation of Independence

 It makes good sense to feel sorry for certain countries whose livelihoods and standard of living are being run into the mud by the Israeli/American war of aggression against Iran.  It was not the fault of the people of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries in southeast Asia.  But they suffer nonetheless. Europe?  I don't really care about Europeans. On the other hand, Americans deserve to get it, good and hard.  Let's wallow in some schadenfreude if the American pickup truck market crashes.  You could say the same of RV s and side-by-sides .  I will feel content just to see these frivolous and stupid motor vehicles marked "For Sale" and parked near some highway or in a grocery store parking lot. If that makes me a bad guy, well, don't wait for an apology.

 Camping near water makes it seem like you are on a different planet for some campers (like me) who only do it once or twice a year.  A few feet away is the upstream end of Hell's Canyon .  The Snake River is blocked by dams of course. A reservoir of water brings boaters with a furious sense of urgency, even off-season.  What is the great attraction to water?  This is not to run their sport down.  It is just a chance to crawl into their heads. Driving a motorboat across a lake seems interesting for 3 minutes or so.  It just isn't all that exotic compared to driving a car to the grocery store.  Of course, on a hot day in July or August, getting wet is a great way to cool off!  Maybe much of the appeal of water doesn't come from its liquidness, but from it being public space.  Back in the city, the boater is boxed in by private property, traffic, rules, etc.   The camping here is pinched between the reservoir and the road. ...

 When it actually rains in a western state, you'd think the locals would declare a holiday and close schools for a day.  I usually rhapsodize over the rain.  But a long day of rain is quite different than a brief shower or rain at night.  I got two days in a row of all-day rain.  It has been about 3 years since that happened. There are ways to deal with this situation.  First, don't spend too many hours in bed or sitting in a chair.  The chair should have lumbar support .  Stand up and walk around in your RV every time you can think of an excuse. Adjust and adapt your clothing.  I have really benefited from the rubber " mud boots " I bought a couple years ago.  Dry feet can really encourage you. Last year I bought the first " rain suit " ( = jacket + pants) in years.  What really makes it work is its ability to slide over shoes.  Taking shoes off is too inconvenient.  It is surprising how small details help in the design ...

Compared to the amateurish impulsiveness of the Trumpanyahu regime, countries such as Russia or China have strategic patience that seems almost superhuman.  But what if Israeli-American helicopters lower special troops down on ropes onto the deck of a petroleum tanker bound for China, and commandeer the tanker?  Will Chinese patience finally fray? If I were China, I would use that opportunity to blockade Taiwan.  You'd think the Chinese government would have become so frustrated so long ago with the ambiguity in Taiwan's status that it would be a relief to end it.   What could the Israeli-US Navy do about it?  It has its hands full in the vicinity of the Hormuz Strait .  At the same time, it is time for Russia's spring offensive to get serious and finish off Zelensky's government in Ukraine.  Ansar Allah in Yemen could block the Red Sea .  Unity of action -- if the countries in question had any backbone -- could finish off the Trumpanyah...