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.
International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 11 – 14 April 2013. U.S. investigation proves the U.S. is funding terrorism!

14 April 2013/03 Jumada t-Tania 1434/25 Farvardin 1391/05 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

No more hot meals for U.S. forces in Afghanistan: “As a part of the responsible drawdown of operational forces…..commanders in some areas have altered the ration cycle. The same number of meals is provided, but the type of meal may have changed. Commanders have not eliminated breakfast.”-U.S. Army Major Adam Wojack, ISAF

16 Army National Guard troops from the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands deployed to Afghanistan.  They are deploying as members of the Guam Army National Guard.

324 airmen of the Delaware Air National Guard deployed to Afghanistan.  Delaware Army National Guard soldiers are now training in Texas for deployment as well.  At least 700 Delaware Guard members are deployed around the World, and state officials say despite talk of pulling out of Afghanistan by the federal government they expect even more of their state militia to be deployed.

In Herat Province, two Italian/NATO troops wounded.  Their convoy was hit by an explosion.

In Jawzjan Province, Mujahideen captured a security check point.  Four cops killed, six wounded and captured.  Mujahideen also captured AK-47s and RPGs. Local government officials say the Mujahideen had help from cops that went over to their side.

Despite billions in tax money from other countries, unemployment is still rampant in Afghanistan.  An Afghan government report says 500000 jobs need to be created within the next year, or the security situation will get worse.

Afghan government officials say they’ve launched a campaign to wipe out 15,000 hectares (37,050 acres) of opium poppies.  But that’s only 10% of this year’s expected crop.  Already 24 Afghan National Police and seven Afghan National Army personnel have been killed in this year’s drug war.  Many were killed by landmines planted around the poppy fields.  90% of the World’s opium comes from Afghanistan.  Who’s buying that much, are there really that many addicts?  (???pharmaceutical companies looking for cheap ingredients for their opiate based pain killers???)

13 April 2013/02 Jumada t-Tania 1434/24 Farvardin 1391/04 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

A U.S. investigation is proving what Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been claiming, that the United States is working with Mujahideen!  The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) issued a report called Contracting With the Enemy.  It claims that millions of U.S. tax dollars have been flowing to Mujahideen! In fact the report says that 80% of U.S. reconstruction contracts might be financing the Mujahideen!  The report is available in PDF at the www.sigar.mil website.  Check it all you happy taxpayers!

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Ward of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was buried.  He was killed, along with five other U.S. citizens, the weekend before in Afghanistan.

In Nangarhar Province, the Jalalabad airbase was attacked (yet again), this time a civilian helicopter was damaged.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim Pakistan fired artillery rockets into Afghanistan. Two people killed, two wounded.

The Australian Digger base at Tarin Kowt being readied for shut down as Diggers start packing up.  Australia wants to have their troops home by Xmas 2013.

While the diggers are getting out, Georgia Army National Guard engineer units arrived to replace Army National Guard engineer units from Oklahoma.

Residents of Nevada welcomed back their Army National Guard transport units, who finished an 11 months tour.

12 April 2013/01 Jumada t-Tania 1434/23 Farvardin 1391/03 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

In Kunar Province, Afghan National Army (ANA) troops and Mujahideen engaged in several battles.  One battle involved at least 100 Mujahideen and lasted five hours.  At least 13 ANA soldiers killed, nine captured.  It sounds like Mujahideen took control of Nari District.  Mujahideen claim they suffered no casualties.

After ten months, residents of Kentucky welcomed back their Army National Guard engineer units.

11 April 2013/30 Jumada l-Ula 1434/22 Farvardin 1391/02 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

In Uruzgan Province, Chori District, the district police chief, and at least two other people, were killed when they drove over a landmine.  The police boss was on his way to hand out paychecks.

In Helmand Province, Marjah District, a remote detonated bomb killed one civilian and wounded two others.

An Afghan government investigation into a U.S./NATO airstrike in Kunar Province confirms that at least 15 civilians were killed, four were children.  Another 25 people were wounded. U.S./NATO/ISAF officials called all victims Mujahideen.  The investigation said only seven Mujahideen were killed!

International, U.S.

Norovirus update, 14 April 2013: Test takers taken out by throwing up! Bioquell to the rescue?

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in 15 residents of the United States will get infected every year.

In North Carolina U.S.A., health officials are warning people that they could get norovirus by taking a hike!  Reports say that many hikers who’ve walked the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs have become sick.  Officials say you should avoid the shelters along that stretch of the trail.

Officials with the Jerome Harrison Elementary school in Connecticut U.S.A.,  are pleading with parents to keep their sick children at home, after an outbreak hit the school.

In Florida U.S.A., schools in Alachua County are preparing to get hit after an outbreak at a local nursing home. The schools are sending flyers home to parents with tips to try and prevent spreading norovirus.

Outbreaks continue to hit Muskegon County, Michigan U.S.A. Classes were canceled on Thursday and Friday for the North Muskegon Public Schools. At least 100 elementary students were sick by Wednesday.  Clean up is bigger than you think: “If someone vomits in the room, you pretty much have to sanitize all the surfaces in the room.”-Ken Kraus, Public Health – Muskegon County

More outbreaks in the U.S. state of Alaska. Anchorage School District officials say the norovirus actually struck in the middle of standardized state exams, with several students suddenly throwing up.  State Health and Social Services workers confirmed it’s a norovirus outbreak, however they can not find the source.

In Denmark, the restaurant with the World’s longest reservation waiting list, is now having all shellfish tested for contamination before being cooked.  Elite restaurant Noma, which was the site of a norovirus outbreak recently, also provides a direct link to recent health inspection results on their website.

In New Zealand, Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has imposed visitor restrictions due to an outbreak.   Apparently the Kiwis think they’ve come up with a way to kill norovirus bugs: Hydrogen Peroxide.

The Auckland hospital has been testing a new robot janitor, but this one cleans up little nasties that make you sick (and if you’re not careful it’ll clean your clock). It’s called Bioquell, and it sprays hydrogen peroxide.  It’s not for use around humans, the rooms have to be sealed off before it goes to work: “It basically kills every bug known to man, including the little spores of the nastiest bugs. This is a game changer. This is not just a better way of cleaning, this is fundamentally different.”-Mary Seddon, director for quality improvement

Several British hospitals have given the all clear, but many other hospitals are getting hit.  Poole Hospital, Dorset U.K., reported an outbreak last week. Two wards closed to visitors.  And in West Midlands the Sandwell General hospital closed two wards due to outbreaks. The Grantham Hospital in Lincolnshire also restricted visitation. In Cheshire, the Warrington Hospital closed ward A2 to visitors. In York, the York Hospital getting hit with a large outbreak, they blame the visitors: “We have had instances recently where visitors have vomited whilst on our wards, placing patients and staff at risk and causing us to close further ward areas at a time when the hospital is particularly busy.”-Libby McManus, chief nurse

Also in United Kingdom, a norovirus infection triggered a potentially deadly genetic condition in an nine years old girl.  Just hours after getting sick, she became confused. Somehow the stomach bug caused a condition where ammonia builds up in the blood.  She recovered despite doctors telling her parents she had only 72 hours to live, but now she must attend physical therapy sessions.

In Canada, Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit reporting two outbreaks in nursing homes:  “We hope to lift visitor restrictions by Sunday. The problem started about three weeks ago.”-Lorrie Hornick, public health inspector

 

 

International

H7N9 update: Spike in cases and deaths!

14 April 2013 (09:53 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Jumada t-Tania 1434/25 Farvardin 1391/05 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Overnight the number of infected humans has jumped from 51 to 60!  13 people now dead.

Shanghai reported three new cases, as well as two deaths.

Jiangsu Province reported two new cases.

Zhejiang Province reports four more people infected, all in critical condition.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: China will help U.S. against North Korea!

14 April 2013 (00:39 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Jumada t-Tania 1434/25 Farvardin 1391/05 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Chinese State Councilor, Yang Jiechi, stated that China will join with the United states to de-nuke North Korea!

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the new relationship between the U.S. and China is “strong, normal and special”.

International

H7N9 update: Spreading, two new cases!

14 April 2013 (22:48 UTC-07 Tango 13 April 2013)/03 Jumada t-Tania 1434/25 Farvardin 1391/05 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Henan Province joins Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, as well as Shanghai and Beijing cities, in reporting H7N9 infections in humans.

Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 34 years old cook and a 65 years old farmer hospitalized with the new flu.  The cook is in critical condition.

Since the end of March at least 51 human cases, 11 of them died.

Kit Bashing

Salvaging two different junk kits into one unique Corvette

Image
An old MPC custom Corvette and an AMT 1995 Corvette, missing parts, broken or unusable parts, combined to make a unique kit.

An old MPC custom Corvette and an AMT 1995 Corvette, missing parts, broken or unusable parts, combined to make a unique kit.

The body & interior of the MPC kit was used. Missing or unusable side windows and removable top.

The body & interior of the MPC kit was used. Missing or unusable side windows and removable top.

Fuel cap came from Revell 2006 Ford Mustang kit.

Fuel cap came from Revell 2006 Ford Mustang kit.

MPC interior.

MPC interior.

Wheels from AMT 1995 Corvette, tires from my spares. Rear wheels were 'made to fit' the fat meats.

Wheels from AMT 1995 Corvette, tires from my spares. Rear wheels were ‘made to fit’ the fat meats.

Hood had to be drastically sanded as it was hit with a glue bomb. Looked like previous builder painted glue on it.

Hood had to be drastically sanded as it was hit with a glue bomb. Looked like previous builder painted glue on it.

Front spoiler is from old Opel GT kit. It's being used to keep the hood from sliding off, I couldn't build a functioning hinge system in the time I gave myself to build the kit.

Front spoiler is from old Opel GT kit. It’s being used to keep the hood from sliding off, I couldn’t build a functioning hinge system in the time I gave myself to build the kit.

1995 Corvette engine with impromptu battery & brake cylinder locations.

1995 Corvette engine with impromptu battery & brake cylinder locations.

'95 Corvette chassis had to narrowed, and drastically shortened (one of the reasons why I didn't have a working hood hinge system).

’95 Corvette chassis had to be narrowed, and drastically shortened (one of the reasons why I didn’t have a working hood hinge system).

Taillights are paint with lots-o-clear (too much on a couple).

Taillights are paint with lots-o-clear (too much on a couple).

From a couple of cheapo junkyard kits bought on the internet, I was able to make a decent and unique looking custom Corvette.

From a couple of cheapo junkyard kits bought on the internet, I was able to make a decent and unique looking custom Corvette.

Kit Bashing: REVELL’S CHEVY COPO NOVA

International

H7N9 update: Possible first human to human cases!

13 April 2013 (12:06 UTC-07 Tango)/02 Jumada t-Tania 1434/24 Farvardin 1391/04 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Reports from Shanghai of possible human to human H7N9 infections.    As well as new cases in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.

In Shanghai a man whose wife died from H7N9, is now confirmed sick with the same virus.  At this point medical officials say they have no proof of human to human transmission.

Chinese media says there are now 49 cases.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Gun Control Front: Super strict gun laws in Serbia fail to stop mass shooting!

13 April 2013 (23:13 UTC-07 Tango 12 April 2013)/02 Jumada t-Tania 1434/24 Farvardin 1391/04 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“The worst crime in the history of Serbia……The war veteran massacred half a village as it slept!”-Nase Novine

Serbia bans people from owning assault type weapons, and you must be licensed to own a handgun, but that didn’t stop a military veteran from killing his family and neighbors.

On 09 April a 60 year old veteran decided it was time for everyone to die, he killed 13 people, then himself.  He shot his wife but she’s in stable condition in a hospital.

Despite Serbia’s assault weapons ban, and licensing laws, the media claims the people of Serbia want even stricter laws.  Is it coincidence that the Serbian government is about to pass a new law that requires psychological exams for anybody who wants to buy a gun?

I find it hard to believe the Serbian media in it’s claim that Serbians want more gun control, because according to Small Arms Survey 2007 Serbia is ranked 5th in the World for individual gun ownership, despite their assault weapons ban and handgun licensing.

Also, the U.S. main streamer media outlets that reported this mass shooting failed to mention the strict Serbian gun laws.

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: Spreads to Beijing! Worse than first thought!

13 April 2013 (22:45 UTC-07 Tango 12 April 2013)/02 Jumada t-Tania 1434/24 Farvardin 1392/04 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“It is possible that these severely ill patients represent the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more as-yet-undetected mild and asymptomatic infections.”-Human Infection with a Novel Avian-Origin Influenza A (H7N9) Virus, NEJM

A seven years old girl is now hospitalized in Beijing, with H7N9.  44 cases, 11 deaths since the end of March.

The girl developed symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat and headache on the morning 11 April.  By the evening she had been unsuccessfully treated with Tamiflu, her condition worsened and she was hospitalized.  Doctors say oxygen treatment reduced the severity of her symptoms.  Test confirmed H7N9.  Her family is involved in the poultry business.

This follows warnings from Chinese and international health officials, that H7N9 is much worse than first thought.

In a report published in NEJM researchers warned the H7N9 virus is more virulent than first thought, and they warned of global spread: “…the pandemic potential of these novel avian-origin viruses should not be underestimated……..We are concerned by the sudden emergence of these infections and the potential threat to the human population. An understanding of the source and mode of transmission of these infections, further surveillance, and appropriate counter measures are urgently required.”

  The report confirmed claims made earlier in the week by health official in Thailand, it’s new to continental Asia, and it’s never infected humans before:  “The transmission of H7 viruses to mammals has been reported only rarely in Asia. Human infections with N9 subtype viruses had not been documented anywhere in the world.”

Of interest is the first three people to die were treated with lots of anti-biotics, which is odd because anti-biotics don’t work on viruses, and “Antiviral therapy was initiated 6 to 7 days after the onset of illness.” 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: China evacuations along border! U.S. says no nukes for North Korea!

12 April 2013 (14:44 UTC-07 Tango)/01 Jumada t-Tania 1434/23 Farvardin 1391/03 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“North Korea will not be accepted as a nuclear power.”-John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State

Today, the United States says it can not allow North Korea to have nukes.

Reports that on 10 April China evacuated the city of Huichen, in Jilin Provence, along the Korean border.

Local officials tried to calm things down by telling local media it was part of yearly air raid training.  250000 people were evacuated to underground bunkers!