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, East Asian Front: U.S. Forces Korea on high alert! South Korean officials cancel trip to Washington DC! China warns North Korea!

08 April 2013 (19:55 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“….He has asked the Senate Armed Services Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee-Defense to excuse his absence until he can testify at a later date….”-USFK statement

U.S. Army General James Thurman, canceled his trip to testify before Congress, citing the fact that his U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) have been put on high alert.

Republic of Korea (ROK) Army General Jung Seung-jo, also canceled his trip to Washington DC, for similar reasons.

The Chinese President Xi Jinping, warned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not “…to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos…”

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that China “…does not allow any troublemaking on China’s doorstep.”

Influenza

H7N9 update: Thailand says virus new to continental East Asia, came from U.S.! Inspectors say Thai chicken is good to eat!

08 April 2013 (19:39 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1392/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“H7N9 used to be found only in poultry in Europe, the United States and Japan. Never before have there been reports of people contracting the disease…..To be ready for H7N9, every hospital in Phuket will strictly monitor patients who have serious respiratory symptoms similar to those brought on by pneumonia and influenza. Surveillance Rapid Response Teams have been ordered to be ready around the clock.”-Bancha Kakong, Phuket Provincial Health Office

The Thai Agriculture Ministry is not worried about the Chinese ban on poultry imports: “H7N9 spread in China won’t affect Thai poultry exports.”

Thai officials say several foreign inspectors have given the OK for Thai chickens.  Qatar is the latest country to resume importing poultry from the southeast Asian country.

At latest count there are 21 cases of human H7N9 infections in China, six have died.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

H7N9 update: Economic domino effect of poultry ban hits United States!

07 April 2013 (14:54 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This is a liquidating market until we run into a crop problem.”-Rich Feltes, R.J. O’Brien & Associates

Already tens of thousands of poultry have been killed off in China, to prevent the spread of the new deadly virus. Poultry markets are being shut down.  Not only does this directly affect the economy of China, it’s affecting farmers in the United States.

Commodity prices, mainly for U.S. soybeans, are dropping, because China is a major market for those U.S. crops.  The reasoning goes that if there’s no chickens to cook, then people won’t need the soybean oil to cook them in.

Up ’till now most cooking oil prices have been going up because of increased demand, and in some areas reduced supply.  China is the number one importer of soybeans, making up about 60% of the world market, so imagine what happens to soybean prices if they greatly reduce their purchases! (good for retail consumers, bad for farmers)

 

International

H7N9 update: More cases in China! Beijing joins poultry ban! Millions being spent on prevention!

07 April 2013 (14:10 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“Of course I’m afraid. But I’m a professional and therefore I need to understand H7N9 more than others.”-Yu Chin-mei, nurse at Taipei City hospital

By Sunday afternoon, Shanghai time, the number of confirmed human cases rose to 21.  Six people have died since the end of March.  The latest three cases were confirmed less than 24 hours from Saturday.

The three new cases are men, ranging in age from 55 to 67.  One in Shanghai, two in Anhui Province.  At least one is known to work with poultry.  All started showing symptoms at the end of March.

In Shanghai at least 194 people are under medical observation.

Beijing has joined Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai in banning live poultry markets.

Guangdong Province officials announced they will spend $4.7 million USD to prevent the spread of H7N9 in their province.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention distributed testing supplies to 409 sites across the country, in addition to hospitals and research agencies.

Across the water in Taiwan, the Taipei hospital’s Heping Branch has been designated an H7N9 center.  The same hospital was used during the 2003 SARS epidemic.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: China warns North Korea!

07 April 2013 (01:33 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

China is warning Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take care of Chinese embassy personnel.  This after North Korea suggested that various countries should get their embassy personnel out of the DPRK, in case of war.

The DPRK mentioned the date of 10 April in their suggestion.

Fukushima

Corporate Incompetence: More radiation water leaks at Fukushima Daiichi!

07 April 2013 (01:20 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1392/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Just one day after finding a massive water leak, contaminated with strontium, Tokyo Electric Power Company reporting another one!

The newest leak is coming from another in-ground waste water holding tank/pool.  It’s a smaller pool, holding about 10000 tons of radioactive water.

Now TEPCo has to transfer water from two leaking pools.  They do not know why the pools are leaking.

International, U.S.

Norovirus update 07 April 2013: Schools hit hard! Man’s best friend being blamed! Stomach bug being confused with meningitis, with deadly results! Resistant lice?

Alaska U.S.A., reporting norovirus outbreak in several high schools.  One school reported 140 students out sick in one day.

Stark County, Ohio U.S.A., reporting outbreaks: “We are seeing a large increase of individuals going in for vomiting. We know that we had a confirmed outbreak of norovirus in our county. Those residents were on the eastern end of our county. I don’t know off the top of my head how many we had.”-Christina Henning, Canton Health Department

Mitchell College, in Connecticut U.S.A., hit with outbreak: “Just started throwing up constantly for about four hours.”-John Kaczkowski

“It was only like 24 hours when I got it. It went by pretty fast. Some people had it longer like two or three days.”-Zenoba Howard

Schools in Wake County, North Carolina U.S.A., reporting outbreaks.

Schools in Maine U.S.A., say 28% of all absences are caused by norovirus.

The Southwest Public Health District, in Georgia U.S.A., reporting outbreaks in nursing homes, childcare centers, schools and restaurants.

Montana U.S.A., Richland County Health Department warning residents of norovirus, after three people came down with it in the sparsely populated county.

Regency Park Assisted Living Center, in Oregon U.S.A., hit with outbreak: “We immediately went into action because it spreads so quickly. We did everything that we had to do.”-Pat Holahan, director

Health officials in Muskegon County, Michigan U.S.A., say they’re still dealing with outbreaks.  At least five group care homes have reported outbreaks: “It’s still moving rapidly throughout the community. It just rolls through and it’s easily transmissible.”-Ken Kraus, Public Health

Several other counties, in Michigan U.S.A., are reporting spikes in cases. And schools are reporting two types of outbreaks; lice and norovirus. Several public and private schools being hit hard.  Of note: School officials and parents are reporting that off the shelf lice treatments are not having any effect on this year’s lice.

In California U.S.A., Marin County health officials declared the outbreak at Deer Park Retirement Residence, finished.  Also, Nevada County health officials reporting an outbreak in a local nursing home.

In Illinois U.S.A., nine people from Scandinavian countries arrived at the O’Hare airport sick with possible norovirus.

A new study blows away what doctors used to think, that norovirus was specific to humans.  A study at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, says your dog might be the cause: “Our results suggest that HuNoVs can survive in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Whether these viruses can replicate in dogs remains unresolved, but an association of pet dogs playing a role in transmission of NoVs that infect humans is obvious.”

A British newspaper reported an increase in stomach illness in March.  The article implied there was a connection to the coldest March in the past 50 years.

In Reading, United Kingdom, the Royal Berkshire hospital imposed visitor restrictions because of an outbreak.  This is the third time this year.

In Bristol, United Kingdom, an investigation is underway after a five years old girl died.  She died of meningitis, but had been diagnosed and treated for viral gastroenteritis.

Regional Public Health in Wellington, New Zealand, are trying to determine if an outbreak of gastroenteritis at the Karori Normal School was caused by norovirus.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 19 February 2013: Proof that taxpayer funded casinos can’t save your economy! More health care jobs cut! Thousands more people losing their jobs!

Bissett Produce, in North Carolina, bankrupt.  The company was started in 1933, marketing mainly sweet potatoes.  Company officials blame declining revenues and increased debt. 40 to 100 employees affected.

Another video game company lays off employees. Activision laid off 30 people in California.  Because of the bad economy company officials plan on releasing fewer games this year. And reports that Nanosolar laid off 75% of its employees in San Jose. Company officials would only say “…the company is in a quiet period and will not be issuing any formal statements.”

Powell Steel, in Pennsylvania, bankrupt. Company officials blame declining revenues and increased debt.  They say they’re $6 million USD in debt. 75 employees affected.  Also, TE Connectivity laid off up to 80 employees. They plan on laying off up to 200 employees in the next few months! Company officials blame a decline in demand for electronics.  The city of Jeanette forced to layoff employees. The city is facing a budget shortfall of half a million dollars, and a court ordered settlement of $200000 after they dissed a resident over permits and taxes.

NewPage paper mill, in Wisconsin, laid off 300 people! Company officials blame the bad economy for a decline in demand for paper.  And Bergmann Pharmacy, in Middleton, closed down. A store manager said “Insurance reimbursements continue to decrease, and it’s become difficult to stay profitable with decreased reimbursements.”  (blame Obama/Romney Care)

Revel Casino, in New Jersey, threatening bankruptcy.  The casino has been open for less than 12 months.  It cost $2.4 billion to build ($300 million from state taxpayers!).  Reports say the casino ended last year with a loss, and is at least $1.5 billion in debt. Some blame Hurricane Sandy, but the casino is also facing lawsuits.

In Florida, Perry Hotel lays off 138 employees.  Company officials say it’s due to major remodeling of the hotel. STK Miami Service, which runs a restaurant in the hotel, laid off 84 employees.  And after 20 years the Georgio’s restaurant closing down in Tallahassee. The restaurant owner blamed the closing on the property owner.

In Tennessee, LifePoint hospitals warned of layoffs for its 29000 employees country wide!  LifePoint also revised its expected 2013 earnings downward.

In New York, Lakeside Hospital laying off at least 120 employees! The hospital is being restructured.  U.S. based military contractor, Dyncorp, laying off 150 people at Fort Drum!  The company is consolidating operations. And Kayex Crystal Growing Technologies factory, in Rochester, closing down in May. 65 employees affected. Company officials say the solar power market is crashing.

Another military contractor, General Dynamics, laid off 29 workers at a munitions factory in Ohio.  Also, Boardman’s Ice Zone ice rink closing down in May, due to lack of profits.

General Electric laying off 500 people at their Appliance Park in Kentucky!  GE blames the bad economy for a decline in refrigerator sales.

In Michigan, Demmer laid off 90 employees. Company officials blamed a slowdown in orders from the defense industry, oil/gas industry and commercial heavy fabrication. Old Navy closing a clothing store in Benton Harbor. In Jackson, the Granary restaurant closed down.

In Buckhead, Georgia, Lenox Square Grill closed down.

The Blue Wasabi Sushi & Martini Bar closed in the Hilton Village, in Arizona.

In Colorado, after 25 years Loveland’s Anthology Book store closed down. The owners said sales sucked: “You can’t run a bookstore if you’re not selling books.”-Stephanie Stauder

Another book store closing, in Indiana. Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe closed because the economy sucks: “The money has flowed in the wrong direction for almost five years. We couldn’t seem to get the volume we needed, and never even broke even.”-Cindy Rushton

Also in Indiana, Bonnie & Clyde’s Soda Shop closed down. The owner was trying to purchase the building he was operating out of, but the deal fell through, and he said it wasn’t worth it to keep paying the rent.

In New Hampshire, Portsmouth’s Upper Crust pizza place out-o-business.

Germany company BASF, shutting down its Henderson, Nebraska, operation.  BASF is also ending operations in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.  The problem is the BASF plants were making a specific product that BASF was unable to find a marketing partner to sell them.

In Minnesota, the Saint Rose Christian school closing down.  The school’s pastor blamed it on declining enrollment and lack of funding from the church.

In Kansas, Zales Jewelers closed down in the Hutchison Mall.  No reason given.  Zales is based in Kansas.

Blockbuster video store revealed it will close at least 20 stores in Texas.

Alaska Communications ending operations in Fairbanks, although company officials claim they won’t layoff any employees.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: More capitalist companies shut down in the KIR! Capitalist employees claim they’ve not been forced to leave!

07 April 2013 (20:56 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The DPRK’s blockade of the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR) is having an effect on the ROK capitalist companies operating there.

At this point four South Korean companies have had to cease operations. Three of them were involved with textiles, the fourth made machinery.

On Saturday a South Korean employee, who finally left the KIR, said he doesn’t recall hearing the North Koreans ordering him to leave:  “The security has tightened in the North, but I haven’t received any order to leave the complex. Our company is still in operation because we have some materials left. But in the next three to four days, we will probably reach a critical point.”-Kim Jin-ho

On Friday the estimated 53000 North Koreans working at the KIR refused to show up for work.  ROK officials say there is a little more than 500 South Koreans still working in the complex.

International

H7N9 update: Suspected cases in Taiwan! More cities ban poultry!

07 April 2013 (20:33 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Nanjing joins Hangzhou and Shanghai in banning live poultry markets.

In Hong Kong, health officials say a seven years old girl brought in to hospital Friday afternoon, tested negative for H7N9.

In Taiwan, health officials have tested six people who returned from mainland China.  They say two tested positive for H1N1, two have bacterial infections and the tests for two others are still out.  Health officials added that 20 people arriving at the airport, from China, had fevers. But, because they had not been to the provinces reporting H7N9 they were allowed to go home.

Some Taiwanese hospitals will hold H7N9 drills next week.  Agriculture officials have increased inspections of livestock for signs the new virus.