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.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 14 February 2013: Despite car makers reporting profits they just keep cutting jobs! More schools closing! More layoffs as companies expect no recovery in 2013!

Walker Manufacturing, in Virginia, laid off 30 employees. The factory makes exhaust system parts for the auto industry.  Company officials blame the layoffs on reduced orders.

Northrup Grumman just keeps letting people go. This time the defense contractor is laying of about 60 employees in Maryland and Virginia.

In Maryland, Freshii restaurant closed down. The owners said they need to focus on their other restaurants.

In New York, F. Stadtmuller Jewelers closed in Sayville. The store first opened in 1860!

Minnesota based Imation is already selling off its recently acquired Memorex and XtremeMac electronics businesses, plus laying off around 200 employees!  Apparently the company is losing money on those businesses.

Maryland based Forrester Research is laying off 30 employees, and predicting an economic slowdown for 2013.

In California, another hospital in trouble. Mendocino Coast District Hospital laid off 20 employees. The hospital went bankrupt last year.  Hospital officials say they’ve already lost $1.9 million for the first six months of the fiscal year!  In San Luis Obispo, Jim’s Campus Camera store closed down.  The owner of the 42 years old store blames the digital age.

In Chicago, Illinois, the school district is considering closing 129 schools!  Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials blame declining enrollment and lack of money.  However, members of the Austin Community Action Council actually accused the CPS of lying about the lack of money.

In Zanesville, Ohio, a Rite Aid closed down.

In Galva, Illinois, Music Forte music shop closed down. The owner said sales sucked.

The Holy Grounds Coffee Shop closed in Farmington, Missouri.   The shop was part of a Christian book store, but the coffee shop owner wants to pursue other interests.  The owners of the Christian book store are looking for a new business to fill the coffee shop space.

In Jacksonville, Florida, Piccadilly’s Westside cafeteria has closed.  There was little notice as customers tried to get in on the day it closed.  The restaurant chain went bankrupt last year and has been closing stores.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Another Pennsylvania Kmart going down! Lampert to remain as Sears Holdings CEO, for $1 per year!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The Shippensburg Kmart in Pennsylvania closing down by June.  Sears holdings says the lease was not renewed.  The new owners of the shopping center say they have plans to turn the Kmart space into three smaller stores.

Sears Holdings is keeping Eddie Lampert as CEO, for a yearly salary of $1 USD!  However, Lampert could be paid bonuses worth up to $2 million in cash and $4 million in stocks!

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), recently revealed Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart.

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN turns against U.S. and Israel! United States only country to vote for Israel!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted almost unanimously against Israel.  Five new resolutions were passed, with the United States being the only country voting against the resolutions.   Israel refused to take part in the voting.

The UN is demanding Israel stop stealing Palestinian land and stop zionist settlements.  The UN is also demanding Israelis to get out of West Bank.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 18 – 21 March 2013. More Green on Blue! Danes getting out early! U.S. agrees to pullout SOF! World Bank giving Afghanistan even more money! Cop impersonator arrested for desecrating Qur’an!

21 March 2013/09 Jumada l-Ula 1434/01 Farvardin 1391/10 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Ghazni Province, contracted security/mercenaries (Arbakis) tortured and killed two people. The bodies were found three days after they were kidnapped in Muqur district. Their eyes were gouged out, several bones broken. A third person was released after a ransom was paid, but they suffered three days of torture as well.

In Helmand Province, local police say a suicide bomber training class went wrong when the bomb laden vest went off on accident. Five potential suicide bombers were killed, six wounded.

In Takhar Province, a district governor was killed along with his two body guards, and two others wounded, after they drove over a landmine.

20 March 2013/08 Jumada l-Ula 1434/30 Esfand 1391/09 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

U.S./NATO agreed to get their SOF personnel out of Maidan Wardak province within the next few days.  This comes after President Karzai ordered the U.S. forces out, because of growing reports of torture and killings of innocent people by SOF forces.

In Paktika Province,  Afghan National Army troops shot and killed a U.S. led troop.  The official report says ANA troops said it was an accident as they mistook the occupier as Mujahideen.  However, there are independent reports that say six U.S. personnel were killed and several wounded, and it was deliberate. The ANA troop who open fired was shot and killed.

In Ghazni Province, a Polish NATO soldier was killed, another wounded after the armored vehicle they were in drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, at least four people were killed, seven wounded, during protests following the desecration of a Qur’an supposedly by a Afghan National Policeman.  However, police say they’ve arrested a man who dressed as a cop then entered the local Mosque to deliberately destroy a Qur’an.  Also, police say the shooting at the protest was started by people in the crowd who claimed to be Mujahideen.  Two cops were wounded.  Sounds like a set up, probably by occupying troops.

Germany being sued for killing Afghans!  In Bonn, Germany, a trial has begun to determine if German troops knowingly killed civilians in Kunduz Province.  It happened in 2009, and involved German troops calling U.S. airstrikes on two fuel trucks that were surrounded by civilians.  The families are suing for $4.3 million USD.

The United Nations has unanimously approved the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for at least one more year.  That would mean the UNAMA mission would end in March 2014.

The World Bank announced yet another grant for Afghanistan.  This time $55 million for teaching Afghan youths more skills.

19 March 2013/07 Jumada l-Ula 1434/29 Esfand 1391/08 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, an Afghan border cop open fired on his fellow cops, killing three, including his commander.  He then joined the Mujahideen.  Also, Mujahideen claim to have launched rockets into Kandahar airbase.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen shot down a small recon drone. It took place in Marjah district, which has seen sporadic battles ever since U.S./NATO led troops were brought in by helicopter several days ago, after another drone was shot down.

Denmark announced it will pullout troops early! Originally the Danes were to leave at the end of 2014, but Danish media are reporting that all of their personnel will be out by the end of this summer.

18 March 2013/06 Jumada l-Ula 1434/28 Esfand 1391/07 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Paktika Province,  Mujahideen claim they ambushed a U.S./NATO patrol foot patrol in Khair Kot district. A 30 minute firefight took place, one U.S./NATO troop killed.

In Kandahar Province, the people of Zandi village say they were hit by a U.S. led airstrike. One person was killed.  Also, in Panjwaee district a U.S. led patrol was ambushed twice, no more details.  And another U.S. led foot patrol encountered a landmine, which reportedly killed two troops.

In Helmand Province, in Marjah district, where battles have been ongoing for the past several days, there are reports that U.S. led troops open fired on civilians. Four people killed, two wounded.

 

International

Breaking news: King of Jordan says Israel must accept two state solution! Arab Spring will become Arab Summer!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

King of Jordan, Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein, in welcoming U.S. President Barack Obama, said Israel must accept the State of Palestine.  He says the Arab Spring demands it, and he is anticipating an Arab Summer.  He indicated that his government must follow the will of the Arab people!

The King of Jordan also expressed concern with the ongoing U.S. led war in Syria and the growing number of refugees coming into Jordan.

International, Opinion, U.S.

Government Evil: More lies from your Commander in Chief, Guantanamo Bay to be expanded! Are they making room for you?

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Remember when Barack Obama said he was going to close Guantanamo Bay torture facility?  Not only did he fail to come through on that promise, but now he’s expanding it!

This comes as remaining prisoners have been on a hunger strike (not reported by main stream U.S. media).  At least 24 prisoners have been protesting their bad treatment and claim that prison guards desecrated the Qur’an.  By the way, did you ever notice the photos of prisoners being taken back to their cells on stretchers after they’ve gone through an interrogation session?

Now Commander in Chief Barack Obama has sent his Southern Command lackeys begging to Congress for more tax money to expand Gitmo.

It’s estimated that renovations and the building of a new prison (to replace the disputed ‘Camp 7’ site) for “special” inmates will cost up to $150 million to $196 million USD.  And this is at a time when Obama ordered the military to cut overall spending.  So he’s willing to spend more on making more room at the Gitmo Inn?

Does this have anything to do with NDAA 2013 and the coming stricter anti-Constitutional gun control laws, which is probably in preparation for the declaration of Martial Law?

International, U.S.

Government Evil: Authoritarian South Korea ranked higher in Democracy than the United States!!!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

According to the 2012 Democracy Index, published on Thursday by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the U.S. supported regime of Republic of Korea (ROK aka South Korea) ranks higher in Democratic values than the United States!

South Korea ranked 31st out of 167 countries/territories.  Both the United States, France, Japan and United Kingdom were ranked below ROK (so much for being the World’s leaders in democracy).

South Korea did see a drop in the Civil Liberties ranking, and their democracy is being called “flawed”.

Scandinavian countries are the tops for democratic values.

Don’t worry, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK aka North Korea) came in last place.

 

 

Business/Economics, International

World War 3: IMF & EU banks trying to take over Cyprus banking system! Yet another attempt to seize depositors’ accounts!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“Time is up, we want our cash! Our friends in Europe brought us to this point. We expected more.”-Maria Melitou, Cypriot accountant

The latest reports are that hundreds of people, if not thousands, are clashing with police in the capital city of Cyprus.  All because the European Union wants to take their bank accounts.

European Central Bank (ECB) officials are now pressuring Cyprus to close down its banks, as part of the latest bailout offer.  The ECB is also demanding the freezing of any accounts that are not insured!

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that they would be able to seize 40% of uninsured assets and accounts!

German officials said the radical bailout offer is justified because the two biggest banks in Cyprus will fail anyway.  The German official said seizing uninsured accounts would actually leave more money in the Cypriot banking system than if the two biggest banks failed outright.

But there are several Russian billionaires who have large amounts of uninsured deposits in Cypriot banks, and they say this is just an attempt by the ECB to steal some free money.

Another German official admitted in a Christian Science Monitor interview that the European Union wants to get its hands on the suspected tens of billions that are in the almost unregulated Cypriot banks: “We want this to be taxed.”-Michael Fuchs, a member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats

The Cyprus Popular Bank (aka Laiki Bank) said it will fail outright on Monday, 25 March 2013.  The Cypriot government is considering a law that would ban money being taken out of the country.  Also, ATMs are running out of money because of the amount of people trying to cash out (the banks are still closed).

Right now 67.3% of Cypriots want out of the European Union.  There are reports that if Cyprus goes along with a ECB bailout that Russia could dump its holdings of euros.  42% of Russia’s foreign exchange currency holdings are in euros.  Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says it’s not worth it to have euros if the ECB gets its way: “If it can be done in Cyprus, why not in Spain, in Italy, or in other countries where there are problems with finances? Tomorrow they will start to confiscate deposits there.”

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. establishes new drone base in Africa!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The United States is setting up a base in Niger, for unmanned attack aircraft (drones).  The official reason is to help France in its ongoing war in Mali, and to attack anyone in the region the U.S. labels as al-Qaeda.  So far only unarmed drones have been seen flying off of the base.

Reports say this is just part of the planned dozens of U.S. drone bases that will be set up all over the continent of Africa.  Doesn’t that cost money the U.S. supposedly doesn’t have? Typical!

International, Opinion, U.S.

World War 3: Obama biggest hypocrite ever!

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

During his trip to Israel, U.S. President Barack Obama urged Israelis and Palestinians to put aside differences and reconcile.

How can Palestinians put aside differences and reconcile when it is the United States that continues to support Israeli crimes against Palestinians?!?  Day after day, week after week, months after month, year after year it is the Israelis who take Palestinian land, who raid Palestinian homes, who prevent Palestinians from getting jobs, who arbitrarily lock up Palestinians for indefinite “administrative detention”, who assassinate Palestinians, who bomb Palestinians…..and it’s all funded with the tax dollars of the United States citizen!

All actions by Palestinians pale in comparison to what the Israelis are doing.  And the actions of the Palestinians are in response to what the Israelis are doing, the Israelis draw first blood almost daily!

Obama you’ve got to be the World’s biggest hypocrite!