Update on the Passing Scene

The trip has started, as far as Las Vegas right now, staying with my sister for a couple days before the flight across the Pacific. The free airline booze on international flights should make for a passive flight across the said Pacific. I'll try to keep in touch with FCP here and there when I get a chance, and a full report upon my return, about the first week in February.

I assume JJ is busy with the goats in the Alps, and AA has intimated that he's poised to make some kind of move.

Currently, the communist party holds the majority in Mongolia's Parliament. This came about after the Mongols were exposed to a solid decade of full-blown Darwinian Capitalism. Unfortunately, some of the entrepreneurs weren't as ethical as they should have been; and equally unfortunate, these minor incidents were blown out of proportion. Fortunately, though, the Mongols experienced a brief return to what goes on in Totalitarian rule, specifically, the sale of vodka and beer was banned throughout Ulaan Bataar. Cops were going around and counting liquor bottles to make sure businesses weren't selling. After a couple days, though, the Mongols decided it was a ridiculous order by the police, and it was immediately revoked. This incident helped bring the memory of what Totalitarian rule is all about, at least for the Mongols. Lets continue encouraging our friends north of China to think for themselves rather than depend on others to do it for them.

Off to the Bellagio for dinner!