All posts by Hutchins AAron

Born in Deutschland 1965, hometown was Bütthart, parents were not U.S. government employees. However, when father was tricked into joining the U.S. Air Force Civil Service, in 1969, with the promise that we could remain in Germany, we were promptly shipped off to Iran. Due to one of my Iranian educators being disappeared, along with her husband, by the U.S. ally Shah of Iran's Israeli & U.S. created Savak (for the then official terrorist act of promoting the idea that women can vote), and due to my U.S. citizen mother being placed on Savak's Terrorist Arrest List (for supporting the idea that women should vote, at that time the U.S. ally Shah of Iran did not allow women to vote, now they can) we left Iran for the United States in 1973, literally in the middle of the night. At the U.S. Embassy airbase the CIA operated Gooney Bird (C-47) was so packed with other U.S. citizens fleeing our ally Iran (because the Shah gave the OK to arrest any U.S. citizen for such terrorist acts as promoting the concept of voting) that we were turned away by the Loadmaster and had to take a chance on a civilian flight out of Tehran's airport. My father told me he and my mother had three culture shocks; first when they arrived in Germany as civilians, then after being shipped off to Iran as U.S. government employees, then again returning to the United States as unemployed civilians (because so much had changed in the U.S. while they were gone, their only news source was the U.S. Armed Forces Radio & Television Service which heavily censored information about the home front). Since I graduated high school in 1982 I've worked for U.S. government contractors and state & local government agencies (in California), convenience store manager in California, retail/property management in Georgia, California and Idaho. Spent the 1990s in the TV news business producing number one rated local news programs in California, Arizona and Idaho. 14+ years with California and Idaho Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Obtained a BA degree in International Studies from Idaho State University at the age of 42. Unemployed since 2015, so don't tell me the economy has recovered.
Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 27-29 May 2013. Property owners strike again! California hit hard again!

In New York, Dance New Amsterdam bankrupt.  The people who operate the dance center had to enlist the help of politicians to get the bankruptcy through.  The center has been barley able to pay day to day operating expenses, due to the loss of decreased foundation funding and the loss of a major partner.   And the Albion Public Schools laid off 15 Albion High School teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators, basically the entire staff of the high school.  This after they decided to stop using teaching students and close an elementary school.

The 81 years old restaurant, Pals Cabin, in Wet Orange, New Jersey closed down.  Local news media had asked the owners if the restaurant was closing and the response, every time, was basically NO.  Turns out the owners discovered they can make more money “redeveloping the site”.

In California, after 30 years of business the Presto Magic store in Long Beach now out-o-business.  The store owner blames it on the property owner jacking up the rent.  Reports that a Jack in the Box fast food joint closed in Cathedral City.  In LA, Labcorp-National Genetics Institute laid off 45 employees.  In Rancho Cordova, PennySaver newspaper laid off 43 employees.  In San Jose, Cisco Systems laid off 182 people!  In San Mateo, reports that Mills Health Center will close its 4th floor Senior Health Services operations, 76 people unemployed. In San Diego, the Union Tribune laid off at least ten employees. The newspaper is restructuring.  In Sacramento, the 21 years old 4th Street Bar & Grille closed, the owner blames the bad economy: “…Unfortunately, for me I got the rug pulled out from under me and that is how it goes.”-Ron Fleming

Texas based Highway Technologies finally came out of the job layoff closet.  Company officials finally admitted they are bust and have laid off 740 of their 825 employees, countrywide!  The news was first reported a week ago by Montana news media, but Highway Technologies refused comment.  Montana was hit hard because the road construction company is a major employer in the sparsely populated state.  300 Montanans lost their jobs, with no warning!  Interestingly, Texas news media reported the company notified Texas officials days before the layoffs took place.  Somebodies lying!  In a long winded explanation company officials revealed they had been trying to sell the company off, and basically said their line of operating credit was frozen: “The company had been working to obtain the necessary funding to continue operations and was actively pursuing other alternatives (including sales of assets) to avoid permanently closing its facilities. More specifically, the company anticipated a commitment to finance ongoing operations, as had occurred previously, and attempted to enter into an agreement to sell to a key competitor. Regrettably, the company’s best efforts were unsuccessful. Unforeseeably, financing was denied and the prospective purchaser was not willing to proceed with the sale…..”

In Dallas, Texas, 52 people lost their jobs with Diebold.  It’s part of the corporate realignment.

Chemtura Corp plans as many as 50 layoffs at their Middlebury, Pennsylvania, facility.  In 2007 the chemical company announced they would undergo massive restructuring.

In Michigan, Milan Board of Education will be voting on eliminating at least 12 positions.

In Brownsville, Oregon, the Central Linn Kidco Head Start shut down due to federal funding cuts.

The New Bedford School Department, in Massachusetts, laying off 250 people!  The school had been relying on $11 million USD in federal stimulus money, which expired.  In Lexington, Wild & Woolly yarn store closed after 34 years in business.  The store owner blames it on the property owner jacking up the rent.  In Worcester, Tortilla Sam’s Fresh Mex closed.  After 11 years of operations the owner decided the economy had gotten so bad that it was time to get out of the restaurant business.

In Florida, the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the Saint Mark school.  After 50 years of operations the Catholic school closed due to declining enrollment. And the lease is up on the Cheri Bloom Bridal and Formalwear, and the owner can’t afford to renew it. The sushi restaurant, Bond Street lounge, closed in the Townhouse Hotel, in South Beach. It’s being replaced with a pub.

Georgia based HeritageBank of the South closing its Sylacauga, Alabama, office.  Bank officials said the operating costs of the office were not justified by the revenues coming into the office.

Frank’s Shoe Repair closed down in Illinois.  The owner of the 98 years old store died.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 24-26 May 2013. California hit hard again! Trucking company lies about massive layoffs!

What automotive industry recovery?  Israel/California based electric car battery maker Better Place now bankrupt.   The problem was that the Israeli owners wanted electric car owners to exchange batteries when they needed to be charged, instead of just plugging them into a power source.

Also in California, massive closures and layoffs!  Ralph’s Grocery closed two stores, 104 people unemployed!  Omnicare in Burbank closed down, 62 people unemployed.  NBTY Acquisition closed in Carson, 256 people laid off!  Green Mountain Coffee in Castroville laid off 74 employees.  LA’s Wally’s Wine & Spirits laid off 63 people.  Affymax in Palo Alto laid off 227 people!  Cascade Logistics closed in Tracy, 36 unemployed.

Trucking company YRC Freight, laid off thousands of people across the country, starting back in March, even after Union members spent the last few years accepting massive pay cuts!  Union workers said they were told the cuts in pay would prevent layoffs, obviously they were lied to!  YRC is shutting down dozens of distribution centers (break bulk) and end of line terminals across the U.S.   In Ohio 541 people losing their jobs!  In Missouri 491 people losing their jobs!  183 people laid off in New Jersey!  In Tennessee, the Memphis terminal will be downsized, 175 people could lose their jobs!  In California, 288 people lost their jobs! Those are just the layoffs that got local news media attention.  A March 2013 report out of Missouri pointed out that the YRC website stated they were laying off only 230 people across the country, another lie!   Another report from 2010, revealed that YRC laid off 21000 people worldwide by March 2010!  YRC Freight is restructuring its network of hubs and terminals.

In New York, network broadcaster NBC laid off an undisclosed number of people as their Rock Center show ended.  Also, Alias restaurant closed in New York City.  The owners decided it was time to quit.  After 30 years Pastime Antiques shut down in Southold.  The owners said the need to retire.

The Christian God can’t stop the closing of the 94 years old Saint Stanislaus Christian school, in Nebraska.  Assumption-Guadalupe and Holy Ghost Christian schools were also shut down in the Cornhusker State.

In Michigan, Calvin College laid off 22 employees.  The college is $115 million in debt!  And the Christian God can’t stop 700 layoffs!  Catholic Ascension Health is laying off 350 people at Saint John Providence hospital, and 350 people at four other operating units and seven hospitals throughout Michigan!  Officials with the largest Catholic health care system in the United States blamed it on declining customers and “lower reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare” caused by the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

Rhode Island’s Lifespan healthcare system laid off 107 employees! They blame a $150 million shortfall on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

The Roseland Hospital in Illinois laid off 68 employees.  Another 47 people will have their workweek reduced by one day.  The hospital is in millions of dollars of debt, and the majority of its customers are low income without insurance, and of course the cuts to Medicaid/Medicare caused by the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act could be the final straw.  Also, Cynthia’s Sweets chocolate shop closed, the owner needed a break.  And the Clipper Ship Gallery closed down, the 70 years old owner blames it on the bad economy.

In Maryland, 50 jobs lost as the Maryland General Hospital shut down its obstetrics and gynecology services. They blame it on declining customers and increasing operating costs.

Despite the oil boom, Trinity Health closed its clinic in Parshall, North Dakota.  It’s blamed on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act, but it could also have something to do with the fact that Trinity Health is being sold to the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

In Virginia, more than 161 employees have been laid off at Southside Virginia Training Center!  More than 200 employees retired early or quit! The institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities got into trouble with the U.S. Department of Justice.  A court deal ordered them to pay up $2.4 billion, and they are also being forced to shut down by 2014.  This mean hundreds more employees will be let go, as of May there were 914 people still working at the training center!  But wait, there’s more!  There are three other Virginia Training Centers that will be closed as well!   Not only are thousands of employees affected so are thousands of families who’ve been relying on the centers to help their disabled loved ones.

Too Big to Jail AIG Advisor Group laid off 40 employees.  They’re consolidating their commissions processing functions.

As many as 200 employees were laid off at the Libbey Glass factory in Shreveport, Louisiana!  Production moved to Mexico.

In Delaware, casino owner Dover Downs says they will have to layoff employees if casino taxes aren’t lowered.  Company officials say they will be forced to layoff “hundreds” of employees.

In Utah, No Place Like Home kitchen and home accessory store closed down.  The store owner says the property owner found a new tenant willing to pay more rent!

Gregg Shoes in North Carolina shut down after 30 years in business.  The owner wanted to retire.  And 103 people out-o-work in Gaston County, as Arrow Home Fashions shut down their factory!

The 54 years old Holiday House restaurant closed down in Florida, because of the bad economy: “We didn’t want to do this, but we had no choice…..Right now, we just can’t make it, with such few customers.”-Willa Cook, co-founder & co-owner

In Norwalk, Connecticut, the 29 years old Sassafras boutique out-o-business.  The owner says the main reason is the bad economy: “There has been a general economic malaise overall. I’ve been instituting cost cutting, but it hasn’t been enough.”-John Deorio, owner

Deorio also warned that other local businesses were on the verge of closing: “I told them [other local business owners] that I was closing due to the difficulty in continuing the business, but I was preaching to the choir.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 23 May 2013. More massive school & health care cuts!!!

In Utah a British Empire owned mining company, Kennecott, laid off 100 employees!  More layoffs are planned.  It’s blamed on a major landslide at the Bingham Canyon Mine, and the price of copper doesn’t justify the expense of clearing the landslide.

In Saint Louis, Missouri, non-profit Lighthouse for the Blind medical packaging company laid off 24 employees.  85% of its business comes from the federal government, specifically the Department of Defense, and those contracts are being cut.

In Oklahoma, the Christian God can’t stop 210 layoffs at the non-profit health care organization known as Saint John Health System!  Governor Mary Fallin is being blamed for refusing to expand Medicaid coverage, and they also blame the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act cuts to Medicare/Medicaid.

The McCready Memorial Hospital/Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home in Delaware, laid off 18 employees, and turned five full time jobs into part time jobs. It’s blamed on declining customers.

In Connecticut, the Christian God can’t stop an undisclosed amount of layoffs at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center!  It’s blamed on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

Want to burn your body fat with a laser?  Too late, the Texas company that sold such a device, Primcogent Solutions, now bankrupt.  Company officials said they were supposed to making money off licensing the use of the fat burning laser, but their investigations showed that the laser was a money losing operation.

Kansas based Cessna Aircraft lays off more employees. One month after offering voluntary buyouts to employees, Cessna officials say they will begin laying off an undisclosed number of employees.  Company officials blame crashing sales on the bad economy.

The Yeager Airport, in West Virginia, could layoff up to four employees, and eliminate three other positions.  It’s blamed on declining customers, and the loss of a route to Florida.

In Michigan, one week after announcing that 70 employees would be let go, Ann Arbor Board of Education gave the axe to 233 teachers!  The school district is short $8.67 million USD!

The Hattiesburg Public School District, in Mississippi, wants to layoff 20 teachers. They’re short $1.8 million!

In Pennsylvania, the state auditor general’s office laid off 67 employees.  The state office is short several million dollars, and they blame it on the governor.  A major east coast convenience store supplier, Cooper-Booth Wholesale, now bankrupt.  Apparently the federal government seized their bank accounts in connection to illegal cigarette smuggling.  In the Germantown section of Philadelphia, the NewCourtland nursing school closed after only three years of operations!  NewCourtland opened the school to provide nurses for its nursing homes operations, but then turned around and sold them off! And 56 employees with the Reading School District could lose their jobs.  The district is short $12 million, and apparently most people didn’t know it: “There’s a train wreck ready to happen, and the school district and the public need to hear it.”-Robert Peters, district CFO

The Elmbrook School District laying off 30 employees in Wisconsin.  It’s blamed on declining student enrollment and reduced government funding.

New York based flash sales website Totsy shutting down(?), after laying off all 83 employees! The company targets eco-freindly moms. Reports say the company burned through investors money as fast as they got it.  It also appears that flash sales websites were just a short lived fad.

In California, 115 years old Clifford’s Jewelry shut down in Chico! The owners wanted to retire, and apparently nobody in the family wanted to continue the business.  Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) closed down in Fountain Valley.  The Sears owned Hardware chain went bankrupt in June. The latest news is that Lowe’s might buy OSH from Sears.

And another Office Depot in Virginia bites the dust!

Another cafe closed in Maine, this time the Coffee Pot Cafe in Lincoln.  The owner blames the bad economy.

In South Carolina, Fred’s retail store closed down in Columbia. It’s the third store to close in the city this year. Since 2008 the company has been shutting down underperforming stores, due to the bad economy.

21 people became unemployed when the 45 years old Bienville Club closed down in Mobile, Alabama.  The owner blamed it on declining customers and increasing rent.  He says the property owner more than doubled the rent!

In Ohio, apparently the privately run children’s social program provider, Children’s Connection, shut down in Mount Vernon. And John Q’s Steakhouse closed in Cleveland. It was originally one of the first Stouffers Restaurants.  The owner wants to retire.

No more Gotham Tavern in Portland, Oregon.

In Hawaii, the Da Kitchen shut down in Honolulu, after only three years in business.  The restaurant owners did not like what the property owners wanted for rent.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello, Idaho, Charlotte Fire 2?

29 July 2013 (21:55 UTC-07 Tango 28 July 2013)/21 Ramadan 1434/07 Mordad 1391/22 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

Click the pics to make bigger

International

World War 3, East Asian Front: Korea says final talks for peace, industrial complex to become military base!

28 July 2013 (14:36 UTC-07 Tango)/20 Ramadan 1434/06 Mordad 1391/21 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

The rhetoric has escalated to a final ultimatum from Republic of Korea (RoK, South Korea), “final talks” over the massive industrial complex known as Kaesŏng (Gaesong) Industrial Region (KIR).

I’ve pointed out that Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s closing of KIR hit the U.S. capitalist puppet RoK right in the nuts, despite western news media and public officials saying it was hurting DPRK.

On 28 July 2013, RoK unification minister in charge of cross-border affairs, Ryoo Kihl-Jae, announced that a final offer for talks to re-open KIR was sent to DPRK.  No details given, but he added that RoK was willing to send five shipments of humanitarian aid to DPRK to get them to re-open KIR.

On 27 July 2013, DPRK held a massive victory day celebration, and what western news media seemed to downplay was the fact that China’s vice president, Li Yuanchao, was standing right by the side of Kim Jong-un.  A clear show of support.  By the way, also present for the celebrations were political and military officials from Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, India, Japan, Cuba, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Iran, Mongolia and Russia.  Even former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark paid a visit during the week!

On 25 July 2013, DPRK negotiators declared KIR talks had collapsed, and threatened to turn the commie run crony capitalist corporations’ work camp into a full fledged military base: “If the fate of Kaesong industrial zone ends like this, the military would reclaim it.”-Pak Chol-Su, DPRK delegate

You need to realize it was DPRK that made sacrifices for the creation of the capitalist KIR.  The area was originally a DPRK military base, and they agreed to remove their military forces and create a massive work camp for the sake of U.S. capitalist puppet corporations from RoK.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 22 May 2013. Domestic spy company lays off even more employees!

Shell Vacations Club just put 45 employees on permanent vacation in Illinois.  Company officials say they’re restructuring.  And the Chicago School Board shutting down 49 schools!  They’re $1 billion USD in debt!

And California based domestic data collection and storage company (spying), NettApp, laying off 900 more employees around the World.  This is apparently in addition to the 1400 layoffs they announced just days prior!   Reports say NettApp refused to say how many jobs would be cut in the United States, however, they did say they were hiring 400 people for their Kansas spy center operations!

No more toys for Xmas?  Fisher Price laid off 100 people in Aurora, New York!  Company officials said they were moving production to California.  And Alteva phone company laying off about 20 people at it’s Warwick operations. They’ve been laying off employees since the beginning of the year.

In Ohio, the Fairport Harbor Village Council laid off two employees, and more layoffs are expected: “We have a lot of belt tightening to do around the village. With cuts to the local government funding, a major reduction in property tax evaluation and the defeat of the levy, we are where we are now financially.”-Tim Manross, Mayor

New York based public relations company Weber Shandwick laid off nine employees in Minnesota.  Company officials said it was consolidation of positions, as they expand operations in Europe.

In Mason County, West Virginia, the Felman Production electric arc furnaces at its ferroalloys factory are being shut down.  Employees, including managers, have been laid off.  The company says the price of silicomanganese is too low to justify continued operations.  They hope prices will go up so they can re-start operations.

In Pennsylvania, a Office Depot shut down in the West Goshen Town Center. It was store employees who notified the local news media. And the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the thrift Shop of Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr.  The manager resigned because he was tired of it, and church officials say none of their members want to take over management.

ACO Home, Garden & Hardware is closing 14 stores in Michigan!  They are trimming “underperforming” stores to make their investors happy.  The stores will close when they’ve sold off their inventory.

In Connecticut, the African-American Kente Cultural Center shut down.  The founder is blaming it on many things like competition, decreased revenues, lack of grants, and the existing board of directors want to quit and they can’t find anybody who wants to replace them!

What automotive industry recovery?  Florida based Allied Specialty Vehicles closed their Monaco RV factory in Indiana! 520 employees affected!  The company is moving production of their upscale Monaco recreational vehicle to Illinois.  Also, Allied Specialty Vehicles took over RV production from its competitor Navistar.

In Florida, the China Grill at the Hilton shut down.  The company that owns the restaurant says they are focusing on new restaurant projects.

In Ogden, Utah, two furniture stores, Knight’s Mattress & Furniture and Crown Elite Bedrooms, closed down.  The owners of Knight’s Mattress & Furniture say they are moving to a smaller store in another part of town, as well as focus mainly on mattress sales. No comment from the owner of Crown Elite Bedrooms.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Fukushima

Corporate Evil: TEPCo reveals no change in radiation contamination levels at Fukushima! Still as high as the melts downs in March 2011!!! More proof of China Syndrome!

28 July 2013 (00:36 UTC-07 Tango)/20 Ramadan 1434/06 Mordad 1392/21 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

More than two years after at least three GE designed reactors melted down at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Tokyo Electric (TEPCo) reveals that radiation contamination levels are just as high now as they were in 2011!

Specifically, contaminated water that’s been flooding the tunnel under Reactor 2 ever since the melt downs, is still just as deadly as it was in April 2011.  The latest water sample showed cesium levels almost unchanged!  And TEPCo officials still aren’t sure where the water is coming from!  Here’s a clue: How about Reactor 2 is suffering China Syndrome, the melt down breached the bottom of the containment vessel, and all the water used to cool it, along with the nuclear fuel, is flooding into the tunnels under the nuclear plant?

TEPCo is trying to downplay the findings by saying it’s the same water from two years ago, it somehow never drained despite the evidence that contaminated water is pouring into the Pacific Ocean.  Another problem with TEPCo’s claim that it’s stagnant water; since April 2013 TEPCo has detected increased cesium, strontium and tritium contamination in newly dug water test wells around the reactors.  Also, TEPCo has constantly been fighting radioactive water flooding from what they say is an unknown source.

Just three days ago TEPCo had to halt an experimental water treatment system on Reactor 1, because it to began to leak.   They discovered holes in the weld seams of the massive water tanks used on the new Alps multi-nuclide removal system.  Officials suspect chloride ion and hypochlorous acid in radioactive water corroded the welds.

Business/Economics

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 20-21 May 2013. More school cuts, more massive health care cuts!

Proof privately run charities can be evil: The 130 years old KidsPeace eugenics behavioral institute (aka Wiley House until 1992) now bankrupt after two decades of scandals.  The scandals involve seven children whose bones were broken, one boy who was raped and killed, one girl who died from an overdose of methadone, another girl who is now paralyzed from an overdose of methadone,  and a counselor who pled guilty to raping a teenage boy.  One more scandal, the current KidsPeace CEO, William Isemann, is blaming the bankruptcy on employees’ retirement plan.

In Sandusky, Ohio, the Christian God can’t stop one of His(Her?) book shops from shutting down.  J&R Gospel Gift Shop succumbed to financial apocalypse.  The owners stated that so far this year they sold a total of only three Bibles!  The 20 North Gallery closed in Toledo.  One of the owners is a property developer and says he will pursue other interests, including finding a new tenant to take over the art gallery space. In Miamisburg, the 115 years old Suttman’s Men’s & Boys’ Wear closed down.  The owner, who lived through the Great Depression, said the bad economy was a sign that it was time to retire.  The Contemporary Arts Center laid off four employees and cut salaries by 20%!  The art museum’s financial problems being blamed on the bad economy.   And Ohio based educational materials printer TPO Hess, now bankrupt.  Company officials blame massive cuts in the U.S. education system, due to the bad economy.

In Florida, the Manatee School District laying off 282 employees!  A spending freeze in effect, following state requirements for dealing with financial crisis: “We have not met our state mandated fund balance for the past two years. This will be the third year.”-Rick Mills, Superintendent

The state of Delaware announced more cuts to education.   State officials blame federal funding cuts, and are calling the situation “bleak”.  Several school districts have already begun laying off employees.  Interestingly, while other states are reporting declining student enrollment, Delaware is reporting increasing enrollment.

Fremont Community Schools in Indiana wants to layoff four teachers, and reduce the hours of seven others.  Ambulance maker SJC laying off 165 employees!  The company sold out to a competitor from Florida.

In Michigan, Ludington schools losing seven teachers, even though the school board approved a $1 million USD bond issue and hired a new superintendent.

The Spring Cove school board, in Pennsylvania, laid off four employees and raised local taxes.  Local news media report that the school board has done a good job of not explaining the schools’ budget problems to the public.  One local news report said that after a two hours school board meeting local taxpayers, who attended, were even more confused about what is going on.

In Louisiana, the Terrebonne Parish Schools closing four schools and laying off 60 employees! It’s blamed on declining enrollments and reduced funding.

You might not have heard of it but China’s Lenovo is the World’s 2nd largest personal computer maker, and it’s laying off employees in North Carolina.  The company blames crashing PC sales on smart phones and tablets.  The company refused to reveal how many people in the United States would lose their jobs, but the layoffs come as reports say Lenovo is about to buy IBM’s x86 server hardware business.  In 2009 Lenovo laid off 2500 employees around the World!

Supervalu laying off 700 Shaw’s supermarket employees!  Company officials claim they are not shutting down any grocery stores.  Shaw’s is the oldest supermarket in the U.S., founded in the 1860s.  They have stores in several north eastern U.S. states.  Supervalue officials blamed the layoffs on the fact that there is no economic recovery taking place!

Texas based Uranium Resources closing it’s offices in Albuquerque, Crownpoint and Grants, New Mexico.  The company is consolidating operations.

In Alabama, the state court system to layoff 150 employees starting in October!  This despite the governor increasing funding for the courts.  Court officials say they still need $8.5 million to stop the layoffs!

Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s making money.  Hollywood.com laying off employees.  It was revealed by laid off employees posting their job loss on the internet, unknown how many people got laid off.   In 2000 Hollywood.com laid off at least 35 employees.

Like your sports channel?  ESPN laid off 400 to 700 employees!  No exact number given but reports say at least 10% of ESPN employees are now unemployed.  Company officials say they are making changes “to enhance our continued growth”.  A former employee said no warning was given!

In California, Riverside County laid off more employees, this time 11 code enforcement officers.  In January they laid off nine code enforcement officers.   County official say they’ve lost more than $200 million in tax and fee revenues since 2007.  The Saint Anne’s Thrift Shop in Hollywood shut down.  They blame the property owner for jacking up the rent.  In Ripon the 33 years old Barnwood Restaurant closed.  The owner/chef blames it on physical injuries he suffered last year.  12 employees let go.

Xerox owned student loan processor, ACS, announced a second round of layoffs in Utica, New York.  At least 55 more employees unemployed.  It’s part of Xerox’s plans to shut down ACS, due to lack of student loan processing business (due to reduced student enrollments at colleges).  The Orange Regional Medical Center laid off 80 employees.  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!  The Catskill Regional Medical Center laid off 60 employees.  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

In Kanasas, the Christian God can’t stop 400 layoffs at the Christian health care organization known as Via Christi Health!  They blame it on declining hospital admissions and physician visits, as well as the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act cuts to Medicare/Medicaid.

In Wisconsin, the Christian God can’t stop 250 layoffs at the Christian hospital system known as Ministry Health Care!  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

In New Jersey, Toms Rivers Hospital laid off 68 employees and eliminated 85 positions!  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

In Minnesota, 500 people lost their jobs with medical device maker Medtronic!  It’s blamed on a decline in demand for heart devices, and, the new Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act medical device tax doesn’t help either.  Medtronic is also laying off 2000 employees around the World!  Last year they laid off 1000 employees globally!  Also, Sassy Pantz closed in Hopkins.  It’s being replaced with an estate sales store.

In Missouri, Macy’s closing their 89 years old Saint Louis store.  94 people out-o-work!  This apparently in addition to the closing of six other stores!  Macy’s officials blame crashing sales on the bad economy.   The Peoples National Bank and the PNC Bank announced they are closing one office each in Saint Louis.

After 91 years of business, the O’Donnell’s Sea Grill closed down in Maryland!  The owner said he’s tired of it.

In Tennessee, the Grand Pearle Assisted Living facility closed down.  Their license to operate was suspended after complaints were filed.  An investigation is ongoing.  And the 99 years old Knoxville Glove Company shut down!  The owner blamed it on cheaper imports and the fact that he can’t find enough young people who want to learn the tedious job of making gloves.

A Capri Jewelers store, in Virginia, closed down.  The company says they are now down to just one jewelry store.

In Washington, Star Video in Port Angeles is no more.  Reports say it was the last video store in Port Angeles.  The store manager said it had nothing to do with online competition, because her sales were good.  She had a lot of customers that did not use internet movie services.  She said the store’s owner sold out to a property developer!

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

U.S.

Government Incompetence: FDA admits they look the other way when it comes to imported food! More smoke & mirrors?

27 July 2013 (11:42 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Ramadan 1434/05 Mordad 1391/20 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

In a round-a-bout rare admission of incompetence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says they’ve allowed poor quality imported food to come into the United States!

Of course this is not new, and led to the creation of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act.  Prior to that imported foods were allowed to meet fewer standards of safety (in reality almost none at all) then food produced in the United States!

But don’t get too excited, under the new rules (which are still under review, by the way) the onus is on the U.S. importer to provide the FDA with ‘documents’ showing the food is safe and is being produced/packaged in a safe way.  In other words, there’s no actual FDA inspection of the foreign foods or foreign food producing facilities (as before).

And just as before, the FDA is not going to investigate food sources (even domestic sources) until after food poisoning cases have been reported.  In fact, the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act directs the FDA to create “third party auditors” to act as “accredited” inspectors.  Those auditors could actually be “foreign government agencies or private companies”!

Sounds like the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act is nothing but smoke and mirrors!

According to the FDA, 50% of fruit and 20% of vegetables consumed in the U.S. are imported.  Now realize there have been several studies that show norovirus is being found in vegetables and fruits, especially those that come from Europe!

 

U.S.

Eugenics Martial Law U.S.A.: North Carolina owns up to forced sterilization!

27 July 2013 (11:16 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Ramadan 1434/05 Mordad 1391/20 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

Officials in North Carolina have fessed up to a eugenics program that ran from 1929 to 1974.  At least 7000 people were sterilized against their will!

The NAZI eugenics program in Germany was simply a copy of what was already taking place in the United States and United Kingdom.  Reports say the U.S. eugenics programs started in some states as early as 1907!  Poor people, mentally and physically handicapped, prisoners, orphans and even children of alcoholics were targeted under a program that got it’s start under Queen Victoria of the evil British Empire.  Documents show at least 60000 people were sterilized in the U.S., 20000 in California alone (and those are the official numbers)!

In North Carolina you could even accuse your neighbor’s daughter of being promiscuous, and that was enough to get her sterilized!

At the beginning of July it was revealed that California was still conducting eugenics in women’s prisons, even though the Golden State officially ended eugenics in the late 1970s.

North Carolina’s elected leaders have agreed to payout $10 million USD to the victims.  The governor still has to sign it into law.  I wonder how many victims have died?  If the governor signs the compensation into law the payments won’t be made until 2015.  How many more victims will be dead by then?