Image by West Coast Milblogger
On this episode LA fires burning, Iran’s Moon mission, and David Lynch confronts Putin.
Welcome to this week’s edition of West Coast Milblogger. I’m your host Cyrus Emerson.
Before we get to those stories, Trump’s inauguration ceremony takes place tomorrow indoors in Washington DC. While this is being attributed to extreme cold weather with a forecasted high of 26-degrees; it’s more discreetly a security issue, after two assassination attempts this last campaigning season.
Kid Rock and Nelly are set to perform. Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels looks to bring a championship to the capital while Joe Biden ends his career like Aaron Rodgers according to Bill O’Reilly.
To keep it real, West Coast Milblogger moves into the future keeping its focus on Hemp. Federally legalized by the Trump administration while also being overregulated by the Trump administration during the pandemic. On that note, From A to Z plans to release the Pandemic Manifesto on YouTube starting in March. More on that in the weeks ahead.
Now for Elijah James, reporting from Southern California again, as fires continue to burn in the area. Elijah?
Reporter Elijah James
Los Angeles, California
Hi Cyrus, as you can see behind me, the intensity of these fires has died down since last week. As you know, I’m stationed in Sacramento, the capital of California. Yet this week, From A to Z had me living in a camper helping people displaced by fires.
Take a look at your screen. Evacuation alerts haven’t changed much here since January 7. However, we’re learning that some residents are able to repopulate the area. That’s being done zone by zone. According to CalFire, the Palisades fire remains less than 24-thousand acres and containment has risen to 52-percent.
To the east, at the foot of the Angeles National Forest, the deadly Eaton Fire remains a little more than 14-thousand acres. They’ve been able to really increase containment too, now at 81-percent. Also, 98-percent of damaged homes and businesses have already been assessed. Evacuations remain in place there as well because Red Flag conditions continue into the week ahead.
It’s really going to take heavy rainfall in the region to put out all the hotspots that remain underground. Unfortunately, rain brings the chance of landslides. Right now, residents are beginning to understand the magnitude of this rebuild. The word on the street is hempcrete.
Back to you Cyrus.
Thanks Elijah. Hopefully those fires keep dying down so you can get home.
Changing gears, as Trump’s second term is about to begin, many might remember his creation of the Space Force. While their operations remain secretive this branch continues to grow in importance as the US hopes to return men to the Moon and SpaceX and Blue Origin lead efforts to commercialize the solar system. Now, we’re learning about Iran’s plans to join the space race with this report from Chamorra.
Reporter Chamorra Gofigan
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Iran Sets Sights on Lunar Exploration with New Rover Project.
This story by Tasnim News Agency originally appeared on their website January 13, 2025 and remains as written:
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/01/13/3237413/iran-sets-sights-on-lunar-exploration-with-new-rover-project
TEHRAN, Tasnim. Iran's Space Agency has launched its first major lunar rover project, signaling a strategic move to tap into the Moon's resources and join the ranks of other spacefaring nations.
In an exclusive interview with the Tasnim News Agency, Hassan Salarieh, the head of the Iranian Space Agency, shared details about the project.
The discussion covered various topics, including the current status of Iran's satellites in orbit, ongoing satellite construction, advancements in the space industry based on strategic documents, Iran’s ready-to-launch satellites, the Chabahar space base, the bio-space project, and plans for human spaceflight.
Addressing a question about Iran's involvement in planetary exploration amidst the extensive activities of countries like China and India, Salarieh said, "It's absolutely correct. We should not limit our focus to Earth's orbit and nearby satellites. A new realm in space has opened up globally, becoming more accessible and increasingly within reach."
He highlighted that the predictions about space exploration are now precise and achievable, leading many space agencies and companies to set clear timelines for exploiting resources on the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids. "What once was merely speculative is now backed by multi-billion-dollar investments aimed at multi-trillion-dollar returns," he said.
Salarieh emphasized that Iran must also embark on this path. However, he noted that such endeavors are costly and typically carried out through consortia and international cooperation.
Salarieh pointed out that it is challenging and expensive for a single country to achieve significant goals in space exploration. Hence, many countries have advanced their lunar projects through collaborations. "For Iran to join these consortia, we need to bolster our technical and financial foundations," he said.
He added that Iran has already initiated several diverse space projects, including developing orbital transfer blocks and bio-capsules.
"In 2023, a bio-capsule was launched, and contracts for higher-mass, more capable capsules have been signed. These projects are in the design phase but still require investment for completion."
Discussing lunar programs, Salarieh mentioned ongoing collaborations with universities to enhance technical capabilities and economically participate in international consortia.
"Countries engaging in such endeavors expect their partners to contribute technical and financial resources," he explained.
He expressed optimism about the 14th administration's plans to develop the space industry. "Neglecting or delaying in this area could cost us our position in exploiting valuable space resources, potentially leading to irreversible losses in the future," Salarieh warned.
Creative Common License 4.0.
Back to you Cyrus.
Appreciate it Chamorra. Of course, Elon Musk is one of Trump’s biggest supporters. He’s going to be involved in the inauguration ceremonies and has a place in the new administration. And while it’s been reported Musk helped secure the release of an Italian journalist in Iran, the nation’s Foreign Ministry denies it.
Musk also has a role in my screenplay Z-Dead. Dedicated viewers of this YouTube channel might have seen The Lords of Hemp series. They’re in the same universe. Even with two finished screenplays; I’m no David Lynch. The filmmaker who passed away this last week, possibly from the fires in LA, more on that in a moment.
Right now, Amelia is joining us from Olympia, the capital of Washington, the same state where Twin Peaks was filmed. Amelia.
Reporter Amelia Foxx – Pacific Northwest Accent
Olympia, Washington
David Lynch, 1946 – 2025. The late filmmaker posted a message to Putin the day after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
This story by Meduza originally appeared on their website January 16, 2025 and remains as written:
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/01/16/david-lynch-1946-2025
On February 25, 2022, the day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, filmmaker David Lynch spoke about the events on his Weather Report, a YouTube series where he posted informal discussions of the weather in Southern California and musings on current events.
“Today, I was thinking about the Ukrainians,” Lynch said. After a long pause, he addressed Vladimir Putin directly: “Right now, Mr. Putin, you are sowing death and destruction. […] There’s plenty of time — life after life after life — for you to reap what you are sowing. My advice to you is to save yourself, save the Ukrainians, save this world. Start getting along with your neighbors, start building friendships. We are a world family. There’s no room for this kind of absurdity anymore.”
David Lynch passed away on January 16, 2025, according to his family.
Open access granted by Meduza on war related content.
Back to you Cyrus.
Thanks again. It’s being reported Lynch died on January 15. So, there could be a discrepancy because of time zones. Also, to elaborate more on his cause of death. It’s well known he suffered from emphysema from years of smoking. Lynch rarely left home because of it. Especially with the pandemic. However, according to The Mercury News he was forced to evacuate because of the Sunset Fire causing a rapid downturn in his health.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of West Coast Milblogger. Remember to subscribe, like, and share on the many platforms this show is now available on. Keep it safe out there. Next up, Rabbit Burrow Descent, Wednesday at noon right here on @WestCoastMilblogger.
Thank you,
Cyrus Emerson
For more analysis on the war in Ukraine check out Combat Vet News:
https://www.combatvetnews.com
For more analysis on the war in Ukraine check out Denys Davydov:
https://www.youtube.com/@DenysDavydov
For more analysis on the war in Ukraine check out Jake Broe:
https://www.youtube.com/@JakeBroe
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