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.

Did You Know About the (U.S. Backed?) Coup in Ecuador?

On September 30th, there was what some call a U.S. backed coup attempt in Ecuador.  It failed.  Did the U.S. TV media cover it.  No.

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

According to several western media sources, the violence happened as a result of the Ecuadorian government making tough economic decisions that affected many workers, including police.  However, Russia Today interviewed several people who said many of the disaffected groups, involved in the coup, get money from U.S. agencies.  Also, police said they were rebelling because their benefits were being cut, but, according to Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, benefits have not been cut, and police pay has actually been increased; “Presumably, a certain part of society – in this case, armed people, national police – expressed their discontent with the new law they haven’t even read to the end.”

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Ecuadorian Army put down the coup attempt by, what some say were police officers backed by U.S. interests.  President Correa said they have intelligence that shows that several groups went to the United States just days before the coup.  Those groups met with right wing political groups in the U.S., where it’s believed they received funding for a coup attempt.  Mmmm, isn’t that sponsoring international terrorism, by the very country leading the War on Terror?

Military personnel patrol the street in armoured vehicles, in Quito October 5, 2010. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa issued a decree on Tuesday extending the country's state of alert, which lets the army patrol the streets, until October 8. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

There is a state of emergency in Ecuador. The streets are being patrolled by the Army.  Question: If so many Ecuadorians didn’t like their President, why did so many unarmed civilians come out in defense of him?

People stage a rally in support of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in Buenos Aires October 1, 2010. Latin American leaders condemned unrest in Ecuador Thursday and threw their support behind Correa as he faced crowds of police protesting over austerity plans. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian(ARGENTINA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Who is President Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado? He is what greedy neo-con right wingers in the United States hate: An Economist, and Socialist, who fought against (mainly U.S.) creditors, claiming that the many debts against Ecuador were illegal.  He also kicked out the World Bank’s Ecuadorian manager.  He is the current President of the Union of South American Nations (bet most people in the U.S. don’t know the South American countries united back in 2008).  In other words, take out Correa and you kill two birds with one stone.

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa gives a news conference inside the Carondolet Palace, after army soldiers rescued him from the hands of striking police, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Venezuela & Iran Working to Create New, New World Order

On Wednesday, October 20th, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, announced they had signed several energy deals, and, that they are working towards a new world order of their own.   Ahmadinejad stated; “We are united and determined to end the current injustice which dominates the world and replace it with a new world order based on justice.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embraces Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

Ahmadinejad also said; “If one day, my brother Mr Chavez and I and a few other people were once alone in the world, today we have a long line of revolutionary officials and people standing alongside each other. The enemies of our nations will go one day. This is the promise of God and the promise of God will definitely be fulfilled.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

An example of how ignorant our government, and U.S. political advisers, have gotten, foreign policy analyst, Rick Casper said this deal between Iran and Venezuela was proof that U.S. sanctions are working.  What an idiot!  He also said; “There is no other country willing to do business with Iran except Venezuela.” Idiot!  Who do you think is building Iran’s nuclear power plant?  Russia!  Iran also has deals with China, and many Central Asian countries, as well as European countries.  This is the level of intelligence of U.S. foreign policy analysts?

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Venezuela Building Nuclear Plant, says Yankee Empire Behind World Aggression

It’s interesting how our government, and main stream media, is so rabid about going after Iran’s nuclear power ambitions.   And now, in the back yard of the United States, Venezuela has signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear reactor. I’m not seeing any rabid war mongering coming from our government, or media, about it.  Mmmm.  Here’s what U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley had to say about it; “It is certainly a right of any country to pursue civilian nuclear energy, but with that right comes responsibilities,”.  Not as tough sounding as with Iran.

ITAR-TASS: MOSCOW, RUSSIA. OCTOBER 15, 2010. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez (R-L) sign agreements at the Kremlin. (Photo ITAR-TASS/ Mikhail Klimentyev) Photo via Newscom

Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, is traveling the world.  His first stop, Russia, where he gave a speech denouncing the United States, and expressing sorrow for the fall of the Soviet Union.  The nuclear plant deal was part of a larger economic deal with Russia.  Another part of the deal involves the sale of Venezuela’s stake in four oil refineries that are co-owned by a German company.   Other petroleum deals with Russia involve the sale of Venezuelan assets co-owned by British Petroleum (BP, remember those guys).  Gee, that doesn’t sound like a communist thing to do?   Chavez stated; “I’m a socialist, but also a good merchant.”

KIEV, UKRAINE. OCTOBER 18, 2010. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) touring the Antonov aircraft assembly plant in Kyiv, accompanied by its President and General Designer Dmitry Kiva (L). Photo ITAR-TASS / Vladimir Sindeyev Photo via Newscom

Chavez also stopped in Ukraine, and had a tour of the famous Antonov aircraft factory.

In a Russia Today interview, President Chavez blamed the current violent state of the world on the “…Yankee Empire.” (I wounder how many U.S. citizens know that ‘Yankee’ refers to them).  Russian President Medvedev said Russia and Venezuela are working to create a world order not dependent on the United States; “…a world order where our future would not depend on the will, desire, or mood of some country, but on joint efforts of the international community, and, indeed, internal development.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

French Strikers Blockade Airports. Don’t Get It?

The anti-government strikes continue in France. Strikers are now blockading airports.  French police opened access to most oil depots, although strikers managed to re-blockade one oil depot.  Liquid Natural Gas workers are now refusing to unload ships carrying LNG.  The French Government is saying they have things under control, and that strikers, like the high school students, will stop, because of an upcoming school holiday.

French striking workers block the Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Roissy near Paris October 20, 2010. Striking public sector workers disrupted travel across France as trade unions kept up their resistance on Wednesday to an unpopular pension reform due for a final vote in the Senate this week. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS TRANSPORT POLITICS)

Why is the retirement age increase so important to French workers? Basically because it was a long hard fight to get a retirement system, and now they see this as baby steps to taking it away.  It is a quality of life issue for the French.    Here’s what retired French policeman, Michel Fourgues, had to say: “I am a retired police officer, and we have known times when we earned very little money, but it did not bother anyone. Today we have a pension, we deserve one, and we wish the same thing for the younger generation.”

Demonstrators march through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

Another issue is jobs.  France has an unemployment rate of almost 25% for workers under 25 years of age.  So, naturally the youth feel threatened by an increase in the retirement age.  One protester’s sign read: “Grandpa took my job.”

A demonstrator marches through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

I don’t get it. People in the United States are facing increasing retirement age, yet no one seems to care as much as the French care.  Isn’t quality of life important?  You really want to work most of your life at jobs you hate, and, compete with your own children, or even your grand children?  I don’t get it.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Wells Fargo Making Profits, How? Magic?

Another big bank involved in foreclosing on homeowners, is reporting record profits.

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: A customer uses an ATM at a Wells Fargo Bank office July 22, 2009 in Oakland, California. Wells Fargo reported an 81 percent increase in second quarter profits with earnings of $2.58 billion, or 57 cents per share compared to $1.75 billion, or 53 cents per share one year ago. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

According to the Mercury News, Wells Fargo posted a $3.3 billion profit for the 3rd quarter.  That’s 3.1% higher than last year, and yet, the bank’s actual revenues were down from the previous year, by 7.1%.  How do you get profits that are up from the previous year, when your revenues are down from the previous year?

Time for some math.  The formula for figuring profits is:

Profit = Revenue – Costs, or, Revenue – Costs = Profit

However you look at it, basically you can not have an increase in profits with  decreased revenue.  Unless you’ve somehow come up with a way of eliminating your costs, or some other accounting Magic?  (take some economics or accounting courses and you will find lots of Magic being used)

As far as foreclosures go; John Stumpf, Wells Fargo’s chairman and chief executive, says they are following the rules.

SAN FRANCISCO - APRIL 27: A Wells Fargo security guard attempts to move a protestor from the front of the building during a demonstration outside of the Wells Fargo Bank shareholders meeting April 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of people held a demonstration outside of the Wells Fargo Bank shareholders meeting to protest Wells Fargo's alleged involvement in the financial collapse and excessive CEO and executive bonuses. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In a CNN/Fortune article Wells Fargo tries to make themselves look like the lesser evil in the housing foreclosure conspiracy.   Wells Fargo claims they are foreclosing only 1 in 12 mortgages (oh that’s not a lot?), compared to Bank of America with 1 in 7 mortgages being foreclosed.

CHICAGO - APRIL 09: A Wells Fargo sign hangs on the door of a Wells Fargo home mortgage office on April 9, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Wells Fargo & Co said it expects to post a record $3 billion first-quarter profit exceeding analysts� expectations. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Business/Economics, U.S.

Housing Start Numbers BS say Contractors

According to a CNN report, despite housing construction start numbers being up, contractors says actual construction is flat.

The official Federal government housing start numbers only indicate the number of construction permits approved by local governments.  Contractors say that banks are refusing to finance most new construction.

NORTH LAUDERDALE, FL - AUGUST 11: A building permit is seen on the wall as workers refurbish a home that Habitat for Humanity bought in a foreclosure sale on August 11, 2010 in North Lauderdale, Florida. In the nationwide program the organization purchases bank-owned homes and turns them into safe, decent, affordable place to live. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“Remember a couple of weeks ago when they came out and said guess what the recession was over? That rumble you heard was the construction industry laughing their ‘friggin’ brains out,” says contractor Paul Kinney, owner of a top 500 home building company in the United States.  Another problem is that some U.S. banks agree to fund a project, then, as the project is about to start, they cancel the funding.

Contractors are saying that most big construction projects that do get built, are being built with foreign money.

Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

U.S. Youths Apathetic, the True End of the United States

I was talking with my adult kids, and my 14 year old, about what was going on in France.  They didn’t care.  I tried to relate the basic issues of the people feeling ripped off by their government, and corporations, to what is happening here in the United States.  They didn’t care.  I asked my 14 year old what her fellow high school students think.  They don’t care.  What the hell?

She explained that most high school students, at least in East Idaho, feel powerless and are blaming everything on anybody that looks different (most people in Idaho are non-Hispanic whites).  That includes blaming President Obama.

My adult kids backed up that explanation, with the addition that most youths feel that even violence wont change things.  Their co-workers feel powerless and would rather get away from the U.S., than waste any effort to try and change it for the better.  Part of that attitude comes from seeing what their parents have, and are, dealing with.  Hearing from their parents how nothing changes no matter who gets elected, or how many people protest.  Seeing that everything their parents worked for has been lost, or could be lost so easily.

A demonstrator and his daughter march through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

In other words, the future generations of the United States believe they have no say in how the U.S. is governed.  No say in the direction of corporations.  They feel that, essentially, they have no say in their own lives, as long as they stay in the U.S.  This is the true end of the United States.

It’s obvious the French youth still believe in their future, a future in France, because they are fighting for it.

A demonstrator marches through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

Business/Economics, U.S.

Bank of America in the Hole, Because of Debit Cards?

Today Bank of America, one of the big banks behind the housing foreclosure fiasco, announced a $7.3 billion dollar loss for the 3rd quarter.

Was it due to the foreclosure mess?  B of A is blaming the loss on the new limits on debit card fees.  Debit cards?  Are they sure limits on debit card fees caused them a $7.3 billion loss?

A customer stands at a Bank of America ATM machine in downtown Los Angeles October 8, 2010. Bank of America Corp expanded on Friday its suspension of foreclosures to include all 50 U.S. states as anger grows at how lenders have prepared documents to support evictions. The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will hold hearings after next month's elections to look into allegations that the nation's largest lenders have improperly foreclosed on struggling borrowers. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES - Tags: BUSINESS)

According to a CNN article, if B of A throws out the loss from limited debit card fees, they would have made a $3.1 billion profit.   Bank of America says most of the money it made came from credit cards and, no surprise, mortgages.  And what about those foreclosures?  Bank of America says it will restart the process, after an internal review found no issues.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - AUGUST 27: Francois Cenadi (R) sits with a Bank of America negotiator as she tries to restructure her mortgage loan during a Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America's 'Save the Dream' tour stop at the Palm Beach Convention Center on August 27, 2010 in Palm Beach, Florida. The tour, which makes stops around the United States, has on hand hundreds of mortgage counselors from various mortgage companies. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

French Strikers Kickin’ Ass, viva Nouvelle Révolution Française!

French strikes continue, should we dare call it Nouvelle Révolution Française?  Even French high school students are going head to head with riot police!  Today, the students have blockaded schools and set fire to cars.  Strikes actually started more than a month ago, and have only gotten bigger, viva les Français!

ATTENTION EDITORS - FRENCH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN FRANCE. High school students shout slogans as they block the entrance of the Thiers high school to demonstrate over pension reform in Marseille October 18, 2010. The banner reads High school students on strike . REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier (FRANCE - Tags: EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS EDUCATION CIVIL UNREST)

According to the French news agency, AFP, around 1500 gas stations have run out of fuel.  Workers at 11 of France’s 12 oil refineries have joined the country wide strike, protesting a two year raise in retirement.

French striking workers block the entrance of the oil refinery of Grandpuits, east of Paris, October 18 , 2010. France started to tap its industry strategic reserves as a growing number of pumps in French petrol stations were drying up on Monday at the start of a second week of action by refinery and port strikers to block fuel supplies over an unpopular pension reform bill. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS ENERGY)

On Sunday French truck drivers joined the strike, blocking the country’s major highways.  Half of all airline flights in and out of France have been canceled.

French striking truck drivers demonstrate over pension reform on a motorway near Fresnes-les-Montauban, northern France, October 18, 2010. French truck drivers staged go-slow operations on highways, rail strikes intensified and petrol stations ran out of fuel on Monday as protests gathered pace ahead of a Senate vote on an unpopular pension overhaul. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS TRANSPORT)

This is a major event taking place in Europe, with implications for the United States, yet, the U.S. Media is barely covering it.  Why?  Maybe it’s because the Corporate Controlled U.S. Media, and our Government, doesn’t want us getting any ideas?

The amazing thing is that the French are striking over a proposed two year increase to their retirement age, it hasn’t even become law.  Actually the retirement age issue is the final straw for most French.  They’re tired of constantly getting screwed over by their leaders.  Which brings me to my point, again, what’s up America?  We’ve endured so much more hyperbole here in the United States, yet where is the public outrage?

Maybe Americans are waiting for November elections to see change.  Idiots!  How many generations of Americans have played that losing game?  History shows that we the People have only gotten screwed over and over by our so called leaders!

Thomas Jefferson, a founder of the United States, and our 3rd President, warned:  “Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” —Thomas Jefferson: Rights of British America, 1774. (*) ME 1:193, Papers 1:125

Wake Up America!

Business/Economics, U.S.

Citi Makes Billions in Profits, Says Forclosure Process “Sound”.

Citigroup, one of the big banks involved in home foreclosures,  is reporting a $2.2 billion profit for the 3rd quarter.

In a Wall Street Journal article, Citigroup officials continue to claim they have done nothing wrong in the country’s foreclosure fiasco, and therefore will not stop seizing homes.   However, in a recent Bloomberg article, it was revealed that Citigroup has suspended dealings with a Florida law firm that was handling its foreclosures in that state.

Citigroup’s profits may be due, in part, to the sale of its stake of student loans, to Discover, and the sale of other assets.