Fail, huh? I guess that is why Too Big to Fail is on Chairwoman Yellin's to do list.

Bloomberg: If Fed’s stress tests were real, most big banks would fail (click here)

From Bloomberg View

First Published 7 hours ago

Updated 7 hours ago 

The following editorial appears on Bloomberg View:

This week, the Federal Reserve will present the results of stress tests designed to ensure that the largest U.S. banks won’t turn the next financial crisis into an economic disaster. There’s just one problem: If the tests were realistic, most of the banks would fail.... 

...What, then, would a rigorous stress test say about U.S. banks today? Researchers at New York University have created a tool to answer the question. Drawing on the historical relationship between banks’ stock prices and the market as a whole, it estimates what the value of the banks’ equity capital would be if the market fell 40 percent over six months - similar to what happened in 2008. It then calculates, based on past crises, how much capital the banks would have to raise to be financially sound.

The results aren’t pretty. Using a start date of Sept. 30, 2013, the same as that of the Fed’s latest round of stress tests, the NYU model gives only one of the six largest U.S. banks - Wells Fargo - a passing grade. The other five - JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley - would have a combined capital shortfall of more than $300 billion. That’s not much less than they needed to get themselves out of the last crisis....

Published:  March 19th 2014, 1:59pm
...U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (click here) is launching a state-wide tour to promote her new book "A Fighting Chance" that follows her perception of how Washington really works and really doesn't. The 384-page book is set to be released on April 22 by Metropolitan Books, two days after Warren is slated to kick off her state-wide tour to promote it.

The book chronicles her life, from growing up in Oklahoma to serving in Washington under President Obama according to Macmillian Publishers. It begins with how Warren once dreamed about becoming a teacher but instead married early. Some 15 years later, she distinguished herself as a law professor with a deep understanding of why people go bankrupt....

A low-pressure system (click here) brought strong winds—gusting to 55 miles (85 kilometers) per hour—to the Southern Plains on March 18, 2014. The winds picked up exposed soil from the parched landscape, resulting in a large dust storm that covered parts of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The storm was the second in the past week to sweep across the region with similar wind patterns.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) acquired these images of the storm on March 18. The top image shows the dust over the Texas Panhandle at 1:15 p.m. Central Daylight Time from the MODIS instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite. The second image, from the Aqua satellite, was acquired at 2:50 p.m. Comparing the two images shows the development of the storm through the day. The differences in color are due to changes in lighting.
The dust in this image originated in New Mexico. The plume stretched across about 175 kilometers (110 miles) in the top image, but was somewhat dissipated a couple of hours later. The large images show dust across a wider area, including a second large dust plume in southern Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma....

First published March 19th 2014, 5:32 am

By Henry Austin

 

A massive wall of dust (click here)  known as a haboob rose up to 1,000 feet high and 200 miles wide as it roared across West Texas and New Mexico Tuesday.

The dust was lifted into the air ahead of a fast-moving cold front that reached Lubbock, already suffering from a lingering drought, National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Aldrich told NBC Dallas-Forth Worth. Wind gusts reached 50 mph, he added....

The very last thing I want to do is introduce skepticism. NASA monitors icebergs and numbers them.

As the Antarctic summer (click here) drew to a close in March 2013, sea ice and icebergs floated along the Mawson Coast of East Antarctica. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image on March 15, 2013.

As MODIS acquired this image, a cold wind was blowing off the Amery Ice Shelf, freezing ocean water and creating streamers off the ice shelf edge—a recurring event in this region. Easily pushed by winds and currents, the new, thin ice formed intricate patterns on the sea surface....

Vladimir, try golfing or bear wrestling or whatever it is that Russians do.

This is the best Russia can do, huh?

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has published a reciprocal sanctions list of US citizens, consisting of 10 names, including: Senator J. McCain; senior adviser to President Obama, D. Pfeiffer; and leading adviser on international economics, C. Atkinson.

The move comes in response to US sanctions imposed against Russian officials after the March-16 referendum in Crimea, which Washington considered “illegitimate.” 

On Thursday US President Barack Obama announced a new executive order imposing further on key sectors of the Russian economy and top Russian officials and businessmen. The measures will impact Russian energy, mining, defense and engineering sectors. 

Sticks and stone can break my bones, but, throwing Russian money around will never hurt me.

I told you so, Vladimir. Ho, hum.

The ruble (click here) had another wild ride today, giving up most of yesterday’s gains in the morning and then jumping sharply in the afternoon on Russian president Vladimir Putin’s defiant speech to parliament. For what it’s worth, in his speech today Putin pledged that Russia would not annex any other parts of Ukraine, around which time the ruble began to rise:... 

By Vladimir Kuznetsov and Ksenia Galouchko  

Mar 20, 2014 4:05 AM ET

 

(Russian) Stocks fell (click here) for a second day on concern sanctions provoked by Russia’s annexation of Crimea will hurt the economy and as Federal Reserve stimulus cuts damped appetite for riskier securities. The ruble was little changed....

11 years ago the USA became the world's worst nightmare.

George Walker Bush is not a good role model for any national leader. I opposed his ranting about Iraq from the absolute beginning. He was determined to carry out an agenda planned long before he took office. 

However, just because Bush was the world's nightmare it doesn't give any nation the right to take up a strategy of nationalism to facilitate conflict. That man killed a lot of innocent people and destabilized a nation. That isn't even close to USA policy with any other country, but, it was a very dark time in the USA and he and his Vice President got away with it because the USA had such an overwhelming military presence. There was no one to oppose the USA.

The world needs peace, not confrontation or some faux idea that a particular language is under siege. Russia's actions with post soviet states is grossly inappropriate. Let there be no doubt, I oppose the actions and priorities of Russia.

I can't help myself. This is like a time warp. The analogy is so tempting. Okay, call it stupid. I accept that.

For two weeks in August 1936, (click here) Adolf Hitler's Nazi dictatorship camouflaged its racist, militaristic character while hosting the Summer Olympics. Softpedaling its antisemitic agenda and plans for territorial expansion, the regime exploited the Games to bedazzle many foreign spectators and journalists with an image of a peaceful, tolerant Germany. Having rejected a proposed boycott of the 1936 Olympics, the United States and other western democracies missed the opportunity to take a stand that—some observers at the time claimed—might have given Hitler pause and bolstered international resistance to Nazi tyranny....

It is like never when one actually sees history occurring again. You know those neo-nazi guys in the Maidan? They did us a favor.

In August of 1939, (click here) Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty. One week later, Germany invaded Poland and World War II began. The first attack of the war took place on September 1, 1939, as German aircraft bombarded the Polish town of Wielun, killing nearly 1,200. Five minutes later, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on a transit depot at Westerplatte in the Free City of Danzig. Within days, the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany and began mobilizing their armies and preparing their civilians. On September 17, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east. Polish forces surrendered in early October after losing some 65,000 troops and many thousands of civilians....

The fun just never stops, does it?

I am proud of them. All of them. They are great people who never expected the Ukraine to face this level of danger to it's people. I would expect this level of danger in Afghanistan, but, Ukraine? This is a new one on me.

Russia is still an expansionist government. It can't be ignored. The only way these post soviet nations will be stabilized is to develop strong military presence within their borders. It is what it is.

Withdrawal: Ukrainian soldiers fold the Ukrainian flag, which was removed by a Crimean pro- Russian self-defense force at the Ukrainian Navy headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea

By Tim Shipman and Ian Drury

PUBLISHED: 15:59 EST, 19 March 2014

UPDATED: 03:57 EST, 20 March 2014

Ukraine (click here) asked Britain for military support last night amid growing fears that Russia is set to launch a fresh land grab in Eastern Europe.
The embattled nation’s security chief Andriy Parubiy called for joint military exercises with the United States and Britain to deter Russia from seizing the rest of Eastern Ukraine.
He said Ukraine will hold manoeuvres with the two Western nations following the annexation of Crimea.
The Ministry of Defence said Britain ‘routinely’ holds military exercises with Ukraine.
Planning is going ahead for one exercise - codenamed Rapid Trident 14 - to be held near Lviv, close to the Polish border in western Ukraine, in July.
An MoD insider said: ‘This is nothing to do with the current situation in Ukraine and it is not an exercise in, “Right, let’s go and practice battering the Russians".'...

Putin fears a great deal in the year 2014. He doesn't want the remains of Russia to dissolve into small states. If Russia takes the posture of an expansionist soviet nation, it may very well intimidate any movement within the country to dissolve even Russia borders. It would appear as though nationalism and the oppression of democracy and a meaningful judicial process serves the great Russia.

Ah, the good 'ole days.

Any excuse is a good excuse.  One way for a country to expand it's borders is to have a strong sea presence that cannot be argued with by weaker countries. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and then there is Syria in the Mediterranean Sea are all sea port countries. Russia wants them as a direct threat to Europe.

I mean, give me a break this isn't rocket science.

Dan Kedmey 
5:57 AM ET

A Russian diplomat (click here) voiced “concern” over Estonia’s treatment of its Russian-speaking minority on Wednesday, one day after Russia formally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula over similar fears of mistreatment.

“Language should not be used to segregate and isolate groups,” said Russia’s diplomat to the U.N. Human Rights Council, according to Reuters. He was objecting to Estonia’s longstanding policy that all of its citizens speak Estonian, including the Russian minority....

The way to prevent war is to prevent it and not ignore the potential exists. In the case of Russia is appears to be a burgeoning reality.

The very worst Estonia does in the way of human rights currently is to deny employment due to LANGUAGE BARRIERS. This 'speaking Russian thing' seems to be a real hurdle to diversity in the post soviet states. It has to end. There is nothing to say citizens are to be denied to speak any language they want, but, these small nations have to seek help promoting BI-LINGUAL arts. It should be mandatory in their schools that their students speak a FUNCTIONAL language for the benefit of their futures. There is absolutely no reason why speaking Russian is an excuse of a militarized invasion.

Estonia Human Rights (click here)
Discrimination – linguistic minorities Members of the Russian-speaking minority faced discrimination. Non-Estonian speakers, mainly from the Russian-speaking minority, were denied employment due to official language requirements for various professions in the private sector and almost all professions in the public sector. Most did not have access to affordable language training that would enable them to qualify for employment....

The EU and the United Nations needs to reach out to these small nations to resolve any of their human rights problems, including, diversity and inclusion. These post soviet states are beginning to show common problems still lingering in their societies and treasuries. They have worked hard to be independent and as strong as their abilities can afford, but, if they are to be STABLE in a world where a Russian military invasion looms around each corner. They need to advance their society as well as their military structure and alliances. I still believe a military alliance of these countries would provide all of them a stronger position to maintain either sovereignty and advance sincere freedom and prosperity. 

Consider a multi-nation military and the hurdle a language barrier would create. A small nightmare if it isn't addressed. I don't believe any nation has to be a member of NATO to be a part of a stronger military presence on their eastern borders.

I am NOT a world traveler. My concentration is ice fields, glaciers, ice caps and sea ice. I have been to Iceland and simply loved it and the people. One thing is true about this way station on the way to Europe, they speak six different languages and one of them is English. There is no mandated language in Iceland, their native language is still spoken fondly and the world would not want it any other way. I am a strong believer in preserving language as a cultural landmark. Language is extremely important. But,the point is that through the decades Iceland has adapted to many travelers coming to their land. Icelanders also have a diaspora in Europe. 

These small nations have every right to love their native languages, but, they have to succeed in a larger world whereby language could be a barrier. I strongly suggest USAID bring cultural enhancements to these nations in the way of improving diversity while preserving their deeply held cultural values. It is that very diversity in cultural values that will bring tourism and economic growth.

I look forward to an expansionist stability through the post soviet states, peace for all their people and alliances that work to secure their independence and sovereignty.

Welcome to Spring

March 20, 2014
1145 GMT
The Weather Channel Current Temperature Map

The Vernal (Spring) Equinox occurs at the same time all over the world because the sun is moving from south to northern hemisphere. However, depending on what time zone one lives it will be different.

The exact time of the equinox in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UT):

Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 16:57 GMT/UTC 

Google (click here) has marked the first day of spring with one of its famous doodles – in this case, a charming little blobman watering a handful of lovely flowers. Google’s chap obviously doesn’t live in England, which has suffered its wettest winter in 250 years and where the daffodils definitely don’t need watering.
But there’s also something curiously dated about announcing the start of spring after daffodils, crocuses and other buds of spring have been out for several months in some parts of the country. 20 March is the spring equinox which, in the astronomical system of seasons, is the first day of spring....

A lamb frolicking in the spring sunshine. 20 March marks the spring equinox, the astronomical start of the season Photograph: Andrew Hasson/Alamy

And in Australia:

Thursday 22:00 EDT
A tropical low embedded within the monsoon trough should approach QLD (Queensland) bringing heavy rain and strong winds. A high pressure ridge should direct moisture laden breezes towards the coast bringing showers... 

Coastal Strong Wind/Gale Warning

Thu 20 Mar 2014 

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland Updated Marine Wind

Warning 

Summary for Queensland
Issued at 10:17 pm EST 

on Thursday 20 March 2014
for the period until 

midnight EST Friday 21 March 2014.

Wind Warnings for Thursday 20 March
Strong Wind Warning for the following area:
Mackay Coast

Cancellation for the following areas:
Cooktown Coast, Cairns Coast, Townsville Coast and Capricornia Coast

The next Marine Wind Warning Summary will be issued when required.

Coastal Strong Wind/Gale Warning
Thu 20 Mar 2014

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Victoria Marine Wind Warning Summary for Victoria Issued at 10:48 pm EDT on Thursday 20 March 2014 for the period until midnight EDT Friday 21 March 2014. Wind Warnings for Thursday 20 March Strong Wind Warning for the following area: East Gippsland Coast Wind Warnings for Friday 21 March Strong Wind Warning for the following areas: Port Phillip, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes, West Coast, Central Coast, Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 5:10 am EDT Friday.

I hope the families find peace. I have to wonder the toll on their health from the stress of uncertainty.

Australian authorities (click here) announced they may have had a breakthrough in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Thursday when a pair of foreign objects showed up in satellite imagery just west of Australia.

20/03 11:55 CET
A Norwegian ship (click here) has reached the area in the southern Indian Ocean where plane debris from the missing Malaysia airliner may have been spotted.
The car carrier was on its way from Madagascar to Melbourne when it got a request from Australian authorities to assist in investigating.
Earlier on Thursday, Malaysian authorities confirmed that two objects had been sighted on Australian satellite images that could be related to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.
“Every effort is being made to locate the objects seen in the satellite imagery. It must be stressed that these sightings, while credible, are still to be confirmed,” Malaysian MInister of Transport, Hishammuddin Hussein, said at a news conference.
It is understood the images were taken on March 16 but when asked to confirm this, Hussein said he “couldn’t verify the date the images were taken”.

If Bush could not give them the world, maybe Putin can.

Franklin Graham praises Vladimir Putin for cracking down on homosexuality. (click here) 

BY Neal Broverman 
March 15 2014 7:41 PM ET 

The heir to Billy Graham's evangelical throne, son Franklin Graham, is telling his flock that Vladimir Putin's state-sanctioned homophobia should serve as a lesson to President Obama.
Writing in his own Decision magazine, Graham called Obama's embrace of LGBT rights "shameful," and said he should follow in Putin's footsteps. The Russian leader signed a bill that criminalizes gay "propaganda" and his government does little to prevent antigay violence....

The devil is in the details.

One of the first statements made by people in the Ukraine was they wished their had their nukes back.

By Owen Matthews 
March 19, 2014 12:35 PM EDT 

Ukraine (click here) boasted the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal. In the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR in 1991, authorities in newly independent Kiev found themselves in possession of 176 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers and 1,240 nuclear warheads, along with more than 3,000 tactical nuclear weapons....

Russia is viewed as one of the oppositional forces in the international community that refuses to bring about peaceful measures when The West brings measures to the United Nations. Other nations, primarily Third World see Russia as an ally against The West. 

It is worth noting it was Russia and not the US or Europe that invaded the Ukraine. Somehow that is dismissed by the nations that view Russia as a good ally. They might want to rethink that.

It is not the USA asking for Ukraine's soul for help with their debt issue, but, it was Russia that pulled any fiscal help to the Ukraine as soon as it was obvious the Ukraine had no further interest in being a defacto Russian territory. Russia does expect any help offered to cost the soul of a nation. 

Published December 5, 1994
The Presidents of Ukraine, (click here) Russian Federation and United States of America, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom signed three memorandums (UN Document A/49/765) on December 5, 1994, with the accession of Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Through this agreement, these countries (later to include China and France in individual statements) gave national security assurances to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The Joint Declaration by the Russian Federation and the United States of America of December 4, 2009 confirmed their commitment....

By Luke Baker

BRUSSELS Wed Mar 5, 2014 11:53am EST
(Reuters) - The European Union (click here) offered a larger than expected package of aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, saying it was willing to provide $15 billion in loans and grants over the next several years to help get the shattered economy back on its feet....

By Susana Mas

CBC News  

Posted: Mar 13, 2014 3:03 PM ET  

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2014 7:43 PM ET

With the threat of a Russian-imposed referendum (click here) on the fate of Ukraine's Crimea region days away, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced Canada will provide Ukraine with $220 million in an international effort to restore economic stability to the country.
"Prime Minister Stephen Harper is announcing $220 million in additional measures to promote sustainable economic growth, democratic development, and good governance," Baird said during a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday.
The Canadian government deems the referendum an "illegitimate stunt" and will not recognize Sunday's referendum results, Baird said.
"We condemned and continue to condemn in the strongest of terms Russia's provocative and illegal military occupation of Crimea."...

By MICHAEL R. GORDON

MARCH 4, 2014

KIEV, Ukraine — In a demonstration of support (click here) for Ukraine’s fledgling government and a new swipe at Russia, Secretary of State John Kerry visited Kiev on Tuesday with an offer of $1 billion in an American loan guarantee and pledges of technical assistance.

Trudging through a damp mist, Mr. Kerry stopped first for an emotional visit to improvised memorials where protesters were gunned down last month as they voiced opposition to what was then Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin government.

Mr. Kerry placed a lighted candle at one of the shrines, which were draped with flowers and photographs of some of the victims; met with religious leaders; and listened to Ukrainians who beseeched him for help....

Once all possibilities have been exhausted it is wrong for anyone to given families false hope.

15 March 2014/last updated at 12:50AM 

ABOARD THE JINGGANGSHAN: (click here) Eight Chinese vessels on Thursday continued their search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Gulf of Thailand, combing a total of 34,000 square km, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese search and rescue operation for the lost jetliner involved air, water and undersea dimensions, and was expanded to the northwest, southwest and southeast of the South China Sea.

On Thursday alone, an area of 16,000 square km was scoured.
The Jinggangshan, which cruised into position on Tuesday, had put all its equipment into full use, including helicopters and steamboats, to find anything related to the missing jetliner.

It was reported that Chinese warships would continue to broaden their search to the northwest in the Gulf of Thailand before considering new plans. Bernama.

The USA is in the Gulf of Thialand.

Release Date: 3/11/2014
By Ensign Brooke Schaffer
USS Kidd Public Affairs

GULF OF THAILAND (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class (click here) guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) was one of the first responders in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 that was lost sometime March 8, 2014.

Kidd is among several other Pacific nation naval air and surface platforms conducting the search mission that is being coordinated by the Malaysian government.... 

The USA is supporting the Australia effort. Vice Admiral Robert Thomas speaks on a video about the search.

4:59 PM Wednesday Mar 19, 2014

The search for a missing Malaysian airliner (click here) has entered its 12th day as Australia continues to co-ordinate the search in the southern Indian Ocean, more than 3000 kilometres southwest of Perth.
Eleven days after contact was lost with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 and its 239 passengers and crew, there has been minimal progress in determining precisely what happened or where the plane ended up.
"We are still clueless at to what happened to the missing plane 12 days on," a Malaysian aviation official told DPA on Wednesday on condition of anonymity....

Chairwoman Yellen states she has a 'to do' list that includes 'Too Big To Fail.'

The is going to sign off on bond sales at the 6.5 percent unemployment rate. It is very close to the point where the Fed is moving on from the recovery and quantitative easing.

Household Survey Data (click here)
Both the number of unemployed persons (10.5 million) and the unemployment rate (6.7 percent) changed little in February. The jobless
rate has shown little movement since 
December. Over the year the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate were down by 1.6 million and 1.0 percentage point, respectively. (See table A-1)

Labor Force States graph (click here)  

It is interesting, isn't it? The USA economy and unemployment rate is normalizing and the only discussion in the political world is about job creation numbers rather than the unemployment rate.

As the country finds it's stride there will be less job creation as the employed numbers improve and the circulating liquidity in the consumer markets defines demand.

Chairwomen Yellen believes the bond purchases have put downward pressure on interest rates and sees no reason to fix any interest rate at this point. She also states the QE will end in six months. 

She also stated she is dedicated to a 2% inflation rate. She will seek to adjust the interest rate to maintain an inflation rate below that percentage.

Not just a big yellow puppy.

Million dollar puppy: The Tibetan mastiff on the left was sold for more than $2 million, in what could be the most expensive dog sale ever. Photo: AFP

March 20, 2014 - 2:49AM

Beijing: A Tibetan mastiff puppy (click here) has been sold in China for more than $2 million in what could be the most expensive dog sale ever.
A property developer paid 12 million yuan ($A2.09 million) for the one-year-old golden-haired mastiff at a "luxury pet" fair on Tuesday in the eastern province of Zhejiang, the Qianjiang Evening News reported.

"They have lion's blood and are top-of-the-range mastiff studs," the dog's breeder Zhang Gengyun was quoted as telling the paper, adding that another red-haired canine had sold for 6 million yuan.

Enormous and sometimes ferocious, with round manes lending them a passing resemblance to lions, Tibetan mastiffs have become a prized status symbol among China's wealthy, sending prices skyrocketing.

The golden-haired animal was 80 centimetres tall and weighed 90 kilograms, Zhang said, adding that he was sad to sell the animals. Neither was named in the report.

"Pure Tibetan mastiffs are very rare, just like our nationally treasured pandas, so the prices are so high," he said....

To the right: Artwork depicting a Tibetan Mastiff from the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty existed from 1644 to 1912.

It is considered a member of The Working Group with the American Kennel Club. The markings are interesting. The history states a large dog similar to this mastiff can be traced back to 1100 BC. The color and markings are similar to the Chow-Chow as is the composition of the dog. But, some of the colors and markings are very similar to Rottweilers and Dobermans. Rottweilers are fairly large as well. The longer and more dense fur would be consistent with the cold weather of it's homeland. That type of fur is also found in Chow-Chows. It's interesting how adaptations actually create genetically sound breeds.

There is also two varieties of this mastiff and each variety can be found in one litter. That is not unusual for breeds that might actually be hybrids. There is a modern breed considered to be an excellent family dog called the Labradoodle. The Labradoodle is a cross between Labradors and Poodles. They come in three heights when fully grown and each one can be found in one litter. It is not a matter of birth order either. I can't help but wonder if this is a hybrid from a Chow-Chow and another breed like that of a Rottweiler. Their history is very diffuse.

They are a pretty cool dogs.

Extremely independent and intelligent, (click here) the Tibetan Mastiff may have its own agenda, so for safety, they should be kept contained when exercised. Although active while out of doors, they are usually fairly quiet in the house. Prospective owners should note - the breed is highly protective of their family and property, so it may be difficult to bring people into your home. Finally, they shed their coat only once a year, but regular brushing is still required.

Family need to support each other.

What I find odd is that Facebook hasn't resulted in 'found information.' I know for a fact Facebook reaches nations in this region of the world, yet nothing is turning up as viable information. I also believe the governments are doing everything they can.  Twenty-six governments involved in the search for a jet is new precedent. I haven't tried to figure out the costs these countries are incurring, but, it isn't cheap. 

Yes, Facebook actually finds it's way into the smallest islands in the Pacific. I am talking fishermen, too. Yet nothing. 

I don't see deleted material from a personally owned flight simulator as significant. Additionally, the airports cited as those 'in practice' with the pilot makes sense. These are remote locations that have experienced serious storms and as a thirty year pilot he would take his responsibility very seriously. These airports can be victim to all kinds of atmospheric turbulence, so I'm not surprised. There is a reason he was a successful pilot in this region of the world for thirty years. He was also thirty years older than the day be flew his first jet. He might have wanted to simply be sure he had his edge, too.

The only way the pilot and co-pilot would have purposely diverted the jet was if they being extorted or strong armed with threats to their family. I also don't see either of these men afraid to report such activity to authorities either.

A Chinese relative of passengers aboard a missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 cries as she speaks to journalists at a hotel in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 19, 2014.

CBS News 

March 19, 2014, 11:21 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Anger is boiling over for the families (click here) of the 239 people who went missing on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, as the hunt for the Boeing 777 enters its 12th day.
Families of the missing burst into an auditorium in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday morning just before it was to be used for a press briefing, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.
These press briefings had been routine -- a back and forth with authorities, with the press trying to get what little information they can - but this one was anything but normal.
A Chinese woman -- apparently the relative of a passenger -- was dragged by security, kicking and screaming from the press briefing room.....

The sanctions regarding Russia isn't so much about punishment as awareness.

To some extent the dialogue surrounding the sanctions of Russians and Ukrainians is dysfunctional. They are to provide a real time acknowledgement of sovereign integrity of any country. NATO is calling it a wake up call. That, too. 

It is a warning that other nations in the area won't tolerate aggression. No one expected Russia to move militarily into the Crimea. Putin has become a shock jock to the people of Russia. That is not permissible in the real world. Literally, Russia had recognized a euphemistic "Iron Curtain." This wasn't anything Europe expected. The map is very different these days. When is Russia going to catch up?

How far does Europe and the USA take this unexpected attack on a sovereign nation? This is very old world stuff. Very. Do we expect Russia to be this undetermined in the future? Does Europe literally have to protect every border, every sea channel? This is some of the craziest damn politics I have ever witnessed. 

The map to the right is the old Iron Curtain. The pink are Warsaw Pact. The black dot is Berlin. The grey are neutral nations. This is nuts. I'm trying to think of an analogy....I got it. It's like when they opened the Ark in Indiana Jones and all the Germans are saying, "It's so beautiful" and then the circumstances change. That is what this is. The beauty enticed the Germans to look at the shadows floating around and then it burned their eyes out. Now, Europe and the USA has to figure out how to put Russia back in the Ark. Putin didn't do good here.

I never approved of Iraq and it was a done deal from the beginnings in the UN, but, at least the world knew what was going on and why. No one had any clue here and every European nation and NATO has to ask how far does Russia think it can go and what are their plans no one is expecting? This is Iron Curtain stuff, not 2014. This is crazy politics that take people's lives.

There is a lot that has changed because of this invasion into Crimea. It is amazing Russia simply says, "Let's get on with elections now." Like. What? 

This isn't just an average everyday event in the world. I am sure there are plenty of CIA and Interpol meetings and redefining what Russia is all about and it isn't about friendly intentions. 

18 March 2014 

 Last updated at 01:50 ET

 

All sanctions (click here) are intended to persuade, to change minds and to raise the cost of courses of action.

President Putin and his close circle will on Monday have been watching Brussels and Washington, trying to decipher their determination to hurt Russia over its actions in Crimea.
The acid test is whether the steps of the West carry conviction and reflect resolve.
EU foreign ministers have taken a cautious, modest step.