Really? Why? This is incredible. Is there are female replacement pilot?

November 17, 2017
By Ryan Collingwood

...The Naval Air Station (click here) in Whidbey Island has claimed responsibility for the drawing, calling it “unacceptable” and “of zero training value.”

The base’s public affairs office on Friday referred questions to the Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in San Diego, where Lt. Cmdr. Leslie Hubbell said the crew involved in the sky-drawing would be held accountable.

Hubbell said an investigation has been launched, although it’s not clear who in the chain of command will make the final decision on disciplinary action. She declined to speculate on whether the crew members involved could be discharged.

Hubbell said the aircraft involved was an EA-18G Growler (click here) from the VAQ-130 Electronic Attack Squadron based at Whidbey Island, on a “routine training” flight. The highly maneuverable plane is a cousin of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, outiftted with radar and communication jamming equipment....

These aircraft are owned by the American people. They should be reflecting the values of the American people and not the personal fixation of a pilot out to prove a point.

Maybe the unit needs a new mascot. 

South Korea is full speed ahead for the 2018 Winter Games.

November 17, 2017

By Yoon Min-sik

Gangneung, Gangwon Province -- With a shortage of accommodation cited (click here) as one of the biggest problems for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, authorities are hoping to address the issue by better connecting the host city to the Seoul metropolitan area.

A high-speed train service connecting the gateway city of Incheon, through Seoul, all the way to Gangwon Province where the Winter Olympic Games will be held will begin operation in December.

Passengers aboard the high-speed KTX will be able to travel from Incheon International Airport to Gangneung -- one of the host cities along with PyeongChang-gun -- in a little over two hours at a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour....

To right is Gangneung Province.

North Korea has become very quiet according to some intelligence sources. China's diplomacy has been successful in the path to restore a relationship between the two countries.

November 17, 2017
By Yonhap

A special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping (click here) arrived in North Korea Friday, a report said, amid apparent strains between the two communist allies due to Pyongyang's recent nuclear and missile provocations.

In a report from Pyongyang, Japan's Kyodo News said the Chinese Envoy, Song Tao, met with Choe Ryong-hae, a vice chairman of the North's ruling Workers' Party, shortly after his arrival in Pyongyang.

Song and about four other Chinese officials were earlier seen at a Beijing airport with North Korean ambassador in Beijing Ji Jae-ryong seeing them off.

Song's trip to the North comes after the recent conclusion of the Chinese Communist Party Congress. Seoul officials noted Beijing has traditionally sent a ranking official to its communist ally to explain the outcome of its party congress. Song currently heads the international relations department at the Central Committee of the Communist Party....

This measure will never achieve what Republicans intended, it will drop consumer prices.

Percent of returns claiming deduction: (click here)

All these Americans will be effected by the end of the state and local tax deduction. Those are folks that contribute to the USA economy through more disposable income. As soon as spending among this group seems to diminish, merchants will drop their percent of profit and reduce consumer prices. The country's economy cannot afford to have this segment out of the market place. For the Wall Street Republicans, they just shot themselves in the greedy foot.

...Currently, taxpayers can deduct their state and local property taxes as well as either their income or sales taxes. The House bill would repeal the income and sales tax deductions and cap the property tax deduction at $10,000....

The real political hay the Republicans were looking for was this:

The average claim per claimant, or the total dollar amount claimed in each state for a given deduction or credit divided by the number of tax filers claiming the deduction or credit.

There are only two states that fall into higher than average numbers, California and New York. These are the wealthy and contribute to Democratic candidates. They won't even feel it. These folks will look to other ways to save on taxes and will continue to live where they love and will continue to contribute to their favorite candidates.

The pain the Republicans were hoping to heap onto Democrats won't even be felt. It effects the Middle Class and the lower Middle Class in home purchases if they can afford to be in the housing market at all. It will postpone the American Dream for them, but, why should these states be any different than the Republican Red States where there are two classes of people, "The Haves and the Have Nots."

Don't think for one minute the Republicans didn't contemplate this measure.

July 19, 2017
By Mark P. Keightley
Specialist in Economics

"An analysis of the Geographic Distribution of the Mortgage Interest Deduction" (click here)

Make no mistake, this was ushered in by Trump!

Personally.

"Well, none of them are my voters."

He lives in his hotels, a place of business.