Globalization is by no means passe.

Large companies I've talked to are spec-ing more sites than one to produce entities that go into the final products; and they do include their company headquarter country.   The point is there are economies of scale and factors of geographical location of particular parts, not to mention the security concerns that make more than one location of manufacture desirable.

A big company wants multi-sites producing parts and the end product for a variety of reasons; so it's more advantageous to so plan with many sites in mind!

     

Thanking for the many, many good suggestions!

And, I'm made use of them, too!

Great staff available to me.

Cordially, JLO

OLLI speaks! Justice Clarence Thomas is posing a revolution in American jurisprudence!

At the Current Events class of senior-age students in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute,  American University, DC, today 10/11/22, 1:45 PM, it was "talked about" that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas may have gotten the Supreme Court embroiled in a law dispute pitting the American citizenry contrary to the viewpoint of the Court.

For while the citizenry of the United States may be in favor of the preservation of privacy rights of the individual, e.g., such as that which is invoked to protect the privacy of the woman between her and her doctor over her decision regarding an abortion, Justice Thomas claims there is no such protection granted in law.

Is Justice Thomas seeking to revolutionize US jurisprudence such that there are no privacy rights at all, even sought through case precedence?

Surly, such a pronouncement is tantamount to the January 6 mob intention to circumvent the proceedings of recording the legal election for President of the country held in the year 2021 during proceedings in the halls of Congress on that fateful day!

But then, I didn't poll the students of the class to determine if someone had a law degree!

Alas, my opinion!     

Wilson talk: Geopolitical Importance of Southeast Asia and the Pacific

This important discussion on how the US should approach working with the several countries for a mutual defense posture and international trade, investment and financial benefits of those participants in commercial supply chains that serve the US and the Pacific region were featured topics in the online presentation held on October 7, 2022 9AM.  Be it recognized that the US has endorsed the plans for the evolving Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity and is currently engaged in identifying countries in Southeast Asia that might want to become members.

Congressmen Donald Norcross, New Jersey and Rob Wittman, Virginia served aa resource for the discussion and panelists were Professor Mark Kennedy, University of Colorado; and Ms. Slichoko Goto, Director for Geoeconomics at Wilson.  

I take it that this new organization deals in trade and commerce and also making investments and running international business corporations and their governments.  I think its objectives are to make friends with the business community in this far-reaching area for both reasons of corporate security and financial gain-- while promoting sound business practices implied by the phrase "rule of law" and ridding corrupt business practices in business dealings.

I was personally impressed, so frequently was mentioned that governments now in close relationship with the United States wished to maintain their close ties outside activities of the proposed Framework.  That includes Japan, S. Korea, Vietnam; and Australia.  But clearly, this organization could share technologies, be involved in the training of perspective personnel, become a conduit for relaying practices and useful ideas--in addition to foster increased trade among participants; and foster a sense of comradery and brotherhood among those belonging, due to their common interests and sincere dedication to right fairness and justice.

The Congressmen emphasized that our military commitments as part of our sharing a desire for our presence in the Southeast would be likely centralized on the island of Guam, already housing US military regional installations.  Admittedly, the US has military presence the world over already, but there might be some weaponry more suited to the geographical situation there!   

      

      

'What Better Looks Like' (Biden's vision) Breaking the Critical Minerals' Curse: Wilson Center Discourse

On 10/4/22 11 AM, the Wilson Center featured a discussion on mineral mining including in regard to  quality assurance and security.   Leading the discussion were Ms. Lauren Herger Risi, Director of Environmental Change and Security Program and Ms. Kimberly Thompson, USAID.  Moderator of the panel discussion was Ms. Sharon Burke, President, Ecospherics and panelists--Ms. Aimee Boulanger, Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance; Ms. Helaina Matya, Director, Office of Energy, US Dept. of State; Amayebe Dia, Mines to Market; and Christopher Smith, Chief Gov. Affairs Office, Ford Co.

Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, niobium and titanium; also, gold.  Issue is in identifying a sample's type  mineral and its amount.  And then noting the supply chain for which it is designated; all the while assuring that the sample is in safe and secure possession and handling.  To be sure, those parties interested in the mining process must be responsible financial agents to engage in the mining operations and distribution.

That is to say, these parties must be willing to work with the resource country, since there can be no mineral supply without its consent.  And part of attaining the consent is knowledge that the money gained from the process will be apportioned to the mining community and its related goods and services, Mr. Dia pointed out.  

Kimberly argued that the present status of auditing the items processed can yet be much improved!  The object is to lessen the opportunities of corruption in mining.  And in that President Biden has urged the use of sanctions--possibly, even in the mining industry, there would need to be close heed paid as to who is prohibited to obtain the stones for their use, e.g., those sanctioned countries and individuals that are not allowed to be procurers of these stones.  Russia is involved in gold mining but is under US sanction, for example.    

And, new processes are in the offing: Argentina is developing cathode processing techniques, one such.

The overarching concern of the participants (appeared to me) is the dominant role China already plays in this field at the moment, despite the US current interest in lithium mining and processing.  Does the US want to catch up? 

When to do it Other's way than My Way!

Frank Sinatra, the kroner of pop songs, wanted to do it in his way, when he sang "I did it my way!"--heralding an achievement he was after.

I was talking with the Rector of Epiphany Episcopal Church here in DC this afternoon about when it is important and to our advantage to have it some other person's way than "my way!"  It's obvious: when my way doesn't net what I'm trying to accomplish; and by using the someone else's way, I'm a winner!

We hear the talk about how we, as a society, are so divided.  Well, to my mind, that's because we do pretty good when we do what is natural to us, without thinking of how others are handling their problems by their successful patterns of habit and conduct.  But sometimes you do well to pay attention to how others get things done; so to copy it (oh, yes, with a few minor adjustments to suit).

People complain about an open borders policy of a country, such as the United States at El Paso.  That's because they think they're doing pretty well in their own patterns of behavior to get what they want.  But progress usually comes about by knowing the methods others are using and adapting them to handle your own situations to improve your performance and/or achieve what you couldn't do up to now. 

In other words, be open to new concepts and ways to do things!  And, keep those new ideas coming!  Some of them might just work for you in your situation. 

Similarly in religion.  We practice our faith as we are accustomed.  We come united together to achieve a greater social, moral good--the better society for humanity.  Thus, drugs are useful to calm us; but we must always know what we're doing:  taking an overdose is injurious to our health.  We must be trained on how to administer and use wisely, so as to maintain personal control of ourselves.      

Complaints are starting to be acquired, here in DC--even with my having a health aide!

With my volunteering work, I've always have had people who don't like my presence!  And, sometimes, they've been effective to the point of making me move, etc.

It's just occurring in DC--after some 4 years plus here.  (I recall conversations when I was virtually assured it wouldn't happen here, but alas it does and has!)

My health aide needs to inform me when it happens.  She's not been apprised of this wrinkle.

I'm moving ahead!  Receiving complaints are sort of barometers of making inroads--maybe.  

Have others been apprised?

 

Russian Oil Tycoon reinforces my estimation--After Putin, a much more probable acceptance of the rule of law principle---hallmark of the West democracies.

Over the years since my visit to Moscow, I've been talking with Russians; and I've been impressed that the Russian people are more likely to try democracy, despite a stock market whose stock prices go up and they go down! 

Hearing the talk of this Russian oil tycoon on the Fareed Zakaria Show today only reinforces my thoughts on the topic.

My opinion.

Imperative! Stop President Putin or the world could become his victim!

There is irrefutable evidence that Central Asian countries with rail service across to Europe and as far East as to Pakistan are being fast developed into the world's breadbasket.

This goes far beyond the terrors the communists are striking across the world in the rejuvenation of fascism and the promoting autocracies-dictators in Brazil, etc. to push for control of manufacture and distribution of goods and services through world trade routes.  I'm sure China is doing all it can to raise money for this monumental global project, even as more countries contemplate establishing oligarchs and similar autocracies. 

My opinion, after studying the world data!  

On TV: They're able tp grow salmon fish on sea farms!

It looks like the salmon grown on fish farms are like regular salmon caught by fishermen.

If so, it would mean a vast amount of nutritious salmon available for mankind.