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World affairs are of marginal interest to us, here. While we monitor developments of potential significance, we see no change on the horizon concerning the power network that leverages most governments, finances, and information. Meanwhile, as with all of Raye, we believe in a peaceful, side by side living of peoples and races, and in the abundance of resources for all, only to be uncovered in the universe. So we have better things to dedicate our time and energy to. However, given the current disturbance in the world, let's start there this time.

The Jewish attack on Iran came abruptly and as unvirtuously as it gets - during negotiations - along with outright assassinations and massive civilian casualties. As previously predicted, most other Islamic countries in the Middle East did not side with Iran. The reasons are clear to see through the prism of financial interests, and not for us to spell out. Yet, beyond the official stance of these Arab monarchies, one can only wonder what do the common people in those countries think. After all, and even more so than for Judeo-Christians, religion governs Muslims' lives inside out.
      Foremost, we feel deeply for the tragic loss of life and we call for an end to these attacks. Secondary to that, the most important observation here is that, once again, there's no sign of change in the world cabal. In fact, it has extended its reach and grown so confident so that now they can brazenly attack any dissident in the world and kill scores of people and all those pretenseful European governments and others remain muted, or are even prompted to join in. Even the totalitarian leaderships of Russia and China provided only verbal opposition to the attacking of their supposed partner. Meanwhile, US commoners continue to be oblivious to whom their country serves as a home base, and for whom their sons and daughters are sent to fight and die. That, by a president who has been masterfully sold to them as the savior of the remnants of the white race there, and a proponent of America-First. With this in mind, don't pin your hopes on any change soon, or in our lifetime, for that matter. It remains only within your own power and will to rise above and breathe in the clear. Engage your mind and energy to worthy things. Which brings us to our second subject, in fact.

The US space agency recently raised its goals for lunar exploration with a switch from the project of a space station around the Moon to a project for a manned Moon base operational by the mid 2030's. The budget is rather symbolical, at 20B USD, but we think this will double or triple given the unknown and the previous budget overruns of such endeavors. An area at the South Pole was selected as the strategic location. The switch appears to be in line with what Mr. Musk did a few months earlier in his own effort for private space exploration. Life is short but, realizing that his Mars ambitions might prove too challenging to start with, he decided to set camp on the Moon first and use that experience for moving further out - a position now echoed by NASA. There are, of course, all the other usual players more or less quietly involved in this nascent space race, along with other private companies.
      Theoretically, the Moon does not belong to anyone. Despite the several attempts to draft treaties, these were only ratified by some countries. Several countries have planted flags in the lunar sand during recent years. Most likely, it's going to be a matter of who gets there first to stake out land and then build a claim for it, old school. We wish to be part of this development, at least remotely.

If you're in the northern hemisphere, chances are you love the spring. Longer and brighter days, fewer layers and hats, everything coming alive and colorful. Sense of the nearing of summer, and of all the fun vacations ahead. Less bugs and heat than in the summer, for some of you. We are a little behind the curve here, and the reality is that we keep on hammering at things through the winter, but when Eoster's tresses finally show over our firs and hills they just boost our momentum. Among recent works, we now have an online thread that relays the talk from here in the DEN cafe and lounge. Elsewhere in Raye, the Shows venue has a similar thread operational. The schedule for the first store development slipped a little, but that work will begin next. The Office reminds to all residents and all of you like-minded out there that there are many community developments open to proposals, and that you can submit your own private project ideas, too. Salve!

DEN NEWS EDITORIAL 4/26