Lake Elsinore Blocks Public from Viewing Poppy Superbloom in February 2023

 I just read that Mayor Natasha Johnson has blocked the public from viewing the February 2023 California Poppy super bloom in Walker Canyon.  See this news article in SF Gate: 

• https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/public-banned-california-superbloom-site-17771678.php 

I wondered why they were doing it.  But thought that maybe the public had to park in front of private homes and maybe walk through private property.  But after looking at Google Maps, it appears that isn't the case. The poppy fields and access trails are on the other side of the I-15 freeway from the populated portion of Lake Elsinore.  It does appear that this open space area is within a short extension of the City of Lake Elsinore boundaries.  So the city does have some jurisdiction over the access point.  The article seems to say that most access to the public is blocked.  However, I watched the youtube video of Mayor Johnson's announcement.  See this link:  https://youtu.be/1pVGSmFBGiY  I think she did a very good job of speaking and seemed confident that what she was doing was correct.  However, she was not clear about what people could do to be able to visit and view the flowers -- only what they couldn't do!  Also, she did NOT want any feedback on her announcement, because all comments were "turned off"  The mayor did mention shuttle busses, but no explanation of when or how they would be available.  She also said they'll make a video and share it with the public.  My experience with poppies is that photos do not capture their beauty.  There is something about the surface texture of the poppy that does not get captured in a photo or video.  You really do need to see it in person!  

The rationale given for blocking the public was pretty sketchy.  First of all, it was based upon apparently a larger super bloom in 2019 that they were "unprepared for" -- Now they've had 4 years to "prepare" for a similar (although possibly fewer blooms) and the best they can do is a blockade and ban the public.  The reasons cited include: "Trampled flowers, injuries, and a headache for residents"    I understand the situation.  The public can seem to be totally irresponsible.  Stepping on the flowers they came to view is very inconsiderate.  Not sure what injuries occurred.  But whenever a large number of people go anywhere there would be a natural increase in people getting hurt from falling etc.  These are public parks and trails that the City is blocking.  Oceanside has a huge influx of people on certain summer weekends to visit the beach -- somewhat similar, but much more predictable.  

I assume that the crowds of concern are on Saturday and Sunday mid-day.  They are also only on a few weekends until the bloom subsides.    Now that the problem has been identified, the mayor should meet with her "partner cities and agencies" and plan for the next time this happens.  Here are some suggestions to consider:

1. Plan for a fleet of rental shuttle buses and drivers for the weekends during a super bloom.  They should be only needed if and when the super bloom occurs.  Arrange for a "decision date" when the mayor would need to make a decision to trigger the use of shuttle buses. --There must be some way of determining from measuring soil moisture and seeing how many seedlings have sprouted whether or not a super bloom is going to happen. 
2. Plan parking areas a distance away from the viewing area.  Plan traffic flow to/from the viewing areas.  Plan signage to inform people of the restrictions, as well as the options for viewing using the shuttle bus. 
3. Arrange for an appointment (and payment) app such as Park Mobile to allow people to make parking spot reservations and pay for the spot.  The pay should be enough to cover all costs related to staff time and shuttle bus operation.  In theory, the City should be able to make a profit from such an operation. 
4. Arrange for a group of volunteer "docents" to staff the entrances to the flower fields.  One of their jobs is to stop people from trampling the flowers.

Police Violence -- is it Mob Mentality?

 There have been several articles talking about the root cause and effect of the recent police violence. 

Here is one in today's Union-Tribune by Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times:

• https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=b328425c-7790-4a62-8c83-8411f5a66e05

And here is one by the Union-Tribune Editorial Board about release of police recordings

• https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=c474d157-383d-41f1-b6a6-671b57b4f0ef

There was another recent incident on June 14 2022 where the SDPD harrassed the head of the Taxi Driver's union for apparently no reason.  Then now 9 months later the police still have not released the body cam video as promised.  It seems that there should be some sort of discipline for the officers involved, but apparently, nothing has been done. 

• https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=fe9fbe8a-6667-4dba-be88-a90ba6cf3cf3

Its clear that we've come a long way in the past 20 years.  20 years ago, police would arrest people taking video of a police incident and often confiscate or break their camera or phone.  Now the police are supposed to be wearing a camera themselves.  I really wonder how many people over the past 100 years have been treated badly by police, but there was no video to refute their story.  

I think there needs to be a post-event analysis of what was going through the police officer's minds when they were busy beating a suspect?  I know that's difficult because the officers don't want to admit what they did, since they are subject to discipline and legal action.  But what causes these highly trained people to treat their neighbors so violently?  Is it revenge for something the suspect said?  Is it because adrenalin is flowing through their veins and they can't think straight?  What actually goes on?  

When I see a police action underway in the streets, or when I see videos of the notorious interactions when police have killed or permanently injured suspects, it always seems like there is a mob of police gathering around the suspect.  In my small town of Oceanside, I've seen a couple of police detain a 12 yr old, search him and while that was going on, 5 other police cars show up, each with two officers.  So with 12 officers and 6 total cars, it would seem the entire Oceanside police force on duty was there.  It looked like the police spent about a half hour intimidating the boy, having him sit and lie on the ground, for example.  Then they all left and the boy just walked away.  I have no idea what went on!  However, the incident certainly didn't call for more than 2 officers to handle it.  Why were the others there? For certain the young boy will never trust a police officer again.   

I wonder if the primary arresting officers feel different when they are being watched by a crowd of fellow officers.  Do they need to act like tough guys because their peers would think they were too "soft" on criminals?  When one officer starts beating or abusing a suspect, do the other officers join in because of "mob mentality?"  What should the nearby public do in such a situation?  It seems that if they yell at the police to stop, it actually infuriates them.  Of course if they tried to physically interfere, they'd be arrested also.  It seems like a subject that deserves a serious study.  If we understood the dynamics maybe something could be done during police training that could reduce the effect

Ukraine Humanitarian Aid - Berlin Airlift Style?

I've got to admit that I'm worrying a lot about the situation in Ukraine. I get the feeling that a lot of other people are also. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the situation. The world has been in similar situations throughout history where a powerful country has abused its power and all of the other countries stood by and did not take action to protect the weaker country or population. I believe that prior to World War II, almost everyone knew that Hitler was abusing the Jews, but not many knew about the Holocaust it was. I have often wondered that if the people of the US knew more about what Hitler was doing, would we have entered the war earlier? Would we have done more to stop the killing? Or would we have just said: "It's not our problem!" In the case of Ukraine, we know what Putin is doing. He is trying to kill all Ukrainians and destroy all of their infrastructures. He does not appear to have a quick plan to take over the country.  

However, I have the feeling that Putin has been a couple of moves ahead of the West concerning Ukraine. But since Russia has asked for help from Syria and China, maybe things are changing, and the West has a chance to get caught up.

When Russian forces began to mass along the Ukrainian border, the West seemed to do nothing! I believe Putin did it slow and methodical and declared it an exercise to wait and see what the West would do. If we took action, he may have stopped the exercise. The US and maybe some allies as well should have moved at least a carrier battle group into the Black Sea. We have a few cruisers there, but it isn't significant. A battle group would be a symbolic move that would show that the West was going to be ready. In addition, we could have at least had agreements to equip Ukraine's Air Force with additional aircraft, and announced plans to install more sophisticated anti-air & missile systems. It is much harder to do all of those things after the fighting started.

Putin has also been very good at drawing "red lines" that if the West crosses, will start World War III. Putin has also been acting a little "crazy" -- which would be necessary to make the West believe he would do it -- since a sane person would never do that. I think it is an act to enhance his "poker hand." In fact, President Biden has stated that he doesn't want to start WW III as a reason for not providing more support for Ukraine. So he must believe Putin. The West, in turn, has not drawn similar "red lines" for Putin.

It is clear that Putin has given up hope of a quick victory, and is now digging in and trying to just simply destroy all of Ukraine's infrastructure. As part of that, he is committing war crimes by targeting civilians and civilian structures. He is also establishing a siege around all of the cities he has taken and is not allowing any food, water, or supplies to get in or letting refugees out. When Putin starts his attack on Kyiv and a siege there, the humanitarian disaster will be magnified many times. I think the US, NATO, and EU should start drawing some red lines and do some serious planning for an airlift to Kyiv similar to the Berlin Airlift. It may be needed during the next few weeks!
What "red lines" should we draw?
1. If Putin continues to target civilians, and destroy infrastructure, the West will increase sanctions further
2. All participants in the indiscriminate bombing, shelling, and missiles shall be charged as war criminals, and will be treated accordingly.
3. If a country, such as Syria or China helps by providing arms or soldiers to Russia, they will also be subject to increasing sanctions
4. The current sanctions will continue until Russia has paid for Ukraine to rebuild its infrastructure. 50% of all revenue Russia will earn in the future from oil and gas exports will go to rebuild Ukraine.
5. If Russia continues, we will blockade the Bosphorous and not allow any cargo to or from Russia to pass through.
6. Finally, if Russia attacks Kyiv and continues indiscriminate bombing and shelling there, the West will establish a protected corridor from the Ukraine border to Sikorsky airport in Kyiv and will protect the corridor and airport with modern anti-air and anti-missile equipment. Then that corridor will be available for humanitarian assistance.

When I was a teenager living in the Washington DC area, I was very concerned about nuclear war. I helped my father build our family fallout shelter and keep it stocked and ready. We had exercises at school where we got under our desks. All of that helped keep the tension and worry-level high. In the Air Force, I ran a Minuteman Missile Test Facility at Hill Air Force Base that had full-size mock-ups of two models of launch control facilities and launch facilities (missile silos and dummy missiles). I also knew a lot of officers who served as launch officers and figured that I would probably be assigned as one as well. So I believe I have a good understanding of nuclear war. I understand the threats that Putin is making and the risks involved. But I believe the US should step up in this situation and provide more than material support to Ukraine.

Delay the return to the office -- save fuel!

 Because of the war in Ukraine, the supply of oil and gasoline is momentarily disrupted and is driving up prices.  At the same time many businesses are pushing to bring their employees back to the office after two years of "virtual" offices.   If the business could delay that return to the office for just a few months, it could reduce the gas consumption caused by commuting and help hold the gas prices down until the supply chain gets a chance to rebalance. We're all in the habit of working from home so it won't be disruptive to continue it a while.   Suggest that President Biden talk to businesses and maybe ask them to postpone the return to the office for the next three months. 

We have got to make Putin worry more

It doesn't seem from today's news that Vladimir Putin is going to stop his invasion of Ukraine. I think the US and NATO needs to increase sanctions even further as soon as possible. If we wait too long, more lives will be lost and possibly a nuclear power plant disaster will occur. What can we do to make Putin worry more?

Executive Order 11905 signed in February 1976 by Gerald Ford banned the US from assassinating foreign leaders. EO12036 signed by Carter in January 1978 and EO12333 signed by Regan in 1981 reinforced that position. Russian History shows a tradition of the assassination of their own leaders and those abroad. Vladimir Putin has ordered hundreds of assassinations of political enemies. Yet even now as he threatens Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his family, Putin can feel safe knowing that the US would never try to do the same to him. I believe Joe Biden should amend the existing EO12333 to make an exception: If Putin assassinated Zelenskyy or his family, he will be considered to be "fair game" from the US for the rest of his life.

Yesterday, Putin declared that the Western-imposed sanctions are a "declaration of war." He used a similar argument against the US declaring Ukraine a "no-fly zone" If Putin already considers war declared by the West (as opposed to his undeclared war on Ukraine) then what is stopping us from going ahead with a no-fly zone? Putin's long caravan of tanks on highways should be an easy target. NATO should also consider a blockade of all vessels going to or from Russia or Ukraine from traveling from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Straits to the Mediterranean.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine -- Cyber & Drones?

Russia did a slow, methodical build-up of troops and equipment along the Ukraine border with Russia and Belarus that seemed to take at least 6 weeks. I would assume the US knew this was happening in November or December. I completly doubt that anyone in the US Government, or military really believed that Russia was just doing this as an "exercise." I believe Putin was "testing the waters" to see what sort of reaction he woud get from the US and NATO. The US and NATO could have (and I believe SHOULD HAVE) responded in force by deploying massive amounts of troops, weapon systems, and aircraft in the nearby countries, such as Poland. Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. The US and NATO has not done such an exercise for decades. NATO should have also set up medical centers and refugee processing centers in advance. I'm not sure why the US wouldn't our couldn't establish a no fly zone over Ukraine. We have done it in other parts of the world that were not part of NATO. I just finished reading the fall edition of Air Force Magazine. As retired USAF, I was very interested in the articles describing the space force, Cyber warfare, and drone modernization. I hope the US Cyber experts were attacking the Russian forces in some way to cause chaos. I'd think that the space force would be working to turn off or jam the Russian GPS system and space communication. I also would think that we would be able to use or help the Ukranians use drones to decimate the Russian tank force. On 60 minutes tonight there was an episode that talked about "The Grid" and it said that Russians had the power to damage our electrical grid. We've heard that they also have the ability to damage the Ukranian's "grid" -- I wonder if the US has done the same to the Russian grid? After all, Russia and Russian trolls interfered with US elections on multiple occasions

Reasonable solution to the Russia-Ukraine situation

For decades, everyone has been awqare that Russia wants a warm-water seaport with land access. That is why Russia took Crimea. Now they only want a "land bridge" to get there. It would seem that a 99-year land lease of a path along the border from Russia to Crimea would be a simple thing to negotiate. A fair price might be denominated in barrels of oil to eliminate the risk of currency inflation during that period. I wonder if the idea is on the table?