Perhaps the most important topic of the day was the useful meeting  President Joe Biden had today with Chinese President Xi Jinping .  The ultimate danger of the Russia-Ukraine War is escalation to nuclear warfare, and just China and the U.S. agreeing to restore military-to-military communications was a key step in preventing another war to end all wars. Well, maybe new House Speaker Mike Johnson is the right man for job, for he was able to  avert a government shutdown .   Legislation passed 336 to 95, with opposition by 93 Republicans and 2 Democrats.  Sounds like a bipartisan solution to me. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, which will pass it on to the President who will sign it: Extends funding until January 19 for certain appropriations, and the rest of government until February 2.  This will give lawmakers more to to rant and rave. No poison pills. The House right flank is pissed, but has not made any calls for ouster . How smart is all this?  Well,  Business Insider  said

 Our trip to Sapporo has been a mitigated disaster.  Apparently, the weather destroyed the fall colors.  It was snowing when we arrived on Hokkaido and has continued to do so today.  So much so, that we will only walk a short distance near the Fairfield by Marriott for food.  Actually, it was worth the trip up to this island. Time  magazine this week featured on the cover Tadashi Yanai,  founder and leader of Uniqlo.  What is wrong with Japan?  Here is his take: But first, his life. Was born in Ube, Yamaguchi, a former coal town. Father had a tailor shop, and Tadashi was outstanding enough to go to and graduate from Waseda University.  He does say he hardly studied because there was a student walkout in Japan to protest against the government, and instead spent time traveling to the U.S. and U.K. where he got most of his ideas fo rchange.  Did graduate in Economics and Political Science. At the age of 34 opened his first Uniqlo store in Hiroshima. In 2003, when he was 54, wrote  One Wi