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.
U.S.

U.S. West Nile virus update, 21 November 2012: No end in sight? Health officials incompetent?

“As of November 20, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,207 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 234 deaths….”-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In Louisiana, 15 new human cases and one death in the past week: “Not only do we continue to find more cases….we have three parishes reporting their first human cases of West Nile for the year. Clearly, this virus remains a threat, and it’s important to protect your health and avoid mosquito bites even as the weather gets colder and drier.”-Bruce D. Greenstein, Louisiana Dept. of Health and Hospitals

In Florida, health officials with the Alachua County Health Department are now saying the three people that tested positive for West Nile, when they tried to donate blood, actually tested negative!  But officials with the Duval County Health Department say they’ve confirmed two more people have West Nile virus.

As of 21 November, California reports 424 human cases, 16 people have died.  According to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, another dead bird tested positive.

Pennsylvania reporting at least 49 human cases.

On 19 November, Texas confirmed 1,763 human cases, up nine from last week.

 

International

Pacific Ring of Fire: Seismologist says people should prepare for quake that will last an hour and create days of tsunamis!

Tohoku University Professor, Toru Matsuzawa, says the biggest earthquake we should expect is magnitude 10.  This is based on the Earth’s size and known faults (which have been increasing).

Last year japan suffered a magnitude 9 quake.  In 1960 Chile got hit by a magnitude 9.5 quake.  A magnitude 10 earthquake will be 32 times more powerful than a magnitude 9!

Toru Matsuzawa says a magnitude 10 tembler would happen if an 8,800 kilometers (5,468 miles) fault line around the northern Pacific Rim shifted 20 meters (65.6 feet).  It would shake the earth for 20 minutes to an hour, and create tsunamis that last for days.

He says he is only warning people so they can prepare for the worst case scenario, after all, the people of Japan had always been told by officials that the strongest quake they could expect was magnitude 8, with three meter high tsunamis, and look what happened on 11 March 2011.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Mitt Romney’s Staples begins shuttering stores in Merry Olde England

“In September, Staples announced a strategic plan to accelerate growth and better serve the evolving needs of customers. As part of this plan, we are reshaping our business in the U.K. to serve customers who increasingly shop with us online. We are actively working to support associates through this period of change.”-Staples response to questions about the store closings

21 November 2012, a couple of months ago Staples officials announced plans to shut down or downsize more than a hundred stores around the world.

It’s been revealed that a store in Barnstaple at Roundswell will close after Xmas.  It’s one of 23 Staples stores in the United Kingdom to be closed.

Staples has been touted as the wunderkind of vulture crony capitalist Mitt Romney.

International, U.S.

Breaking news: Clinton & Amir issue ceasefire order for Israel and Gaza, effective tonight

21 November 2012, Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amir, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have issued a ceasefire declaration to become effective at 9pm Egypt time.

Clinton told reporters that she is looking forward to working with Egyptian officials to “push forward” the ceasefire agreement.

Clinton and Amir claim that officials from Hamas and Israel agreed to the ceasefire deal.

International

Mindless chit chat with friends & loved ones will increase your intelligence, maybe even your life span! Chit chat with strangers has no benefit

21 November 2012, a study in Japan is showing that seemingly mindless (unintelligent) chit chat with friends and loved ones actually increases your mind’s capabilities by increasing blood flow.  It could also explain people who have long lives.

Some very old sisters were studied.  Reporters asked them what their secret to their long lives were, and they admitted it was mindless chit chat, for at least four hours everyday.  Their mother was part of the mindless conversations and she lived until she was 111 years old!

The sisters think their chit chat works because they laugh a lot.  However, the scientists studying them discovered it was simply talking with a loved one that did the trick.

The researchers monitored the flow of blood into their brains as they talked to different people.  They found no change in blood flow when they talked to strangers, but when they talked to loved ones there was an immediate increase in blood flow, even without laughter.

Here’s what the Japanese researchers concluded:  Families that repress interaction are more likely to have problems, and shorter life spans.  Therapeutic chit chat must also be conducted in an informal environment, it doesn’t work if the environment seems formal or serious, even if it’s done with loved ones.  Mindless chit chat with loved ones greatly reduces dementia in older people, because the increased blood flow helps keep the mind fresh and exercised.

 

 

 

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

Corporate Incompetence & What Economic Recovery? HP suffers huge losses, blames their own take over of Autonomy! Former Autonomy exec says HP’s Whitman is a Liar!

“The former management team of Autonomy was shocked to see this statement today, and flatly rejects these allegations, which are false.  It took 10 years to build Autonomy’s industry leading technology, and it is sad to see how it has been mismanaged since its acquisition by HP.”-Mike Lynch, former CEO of Autonomy

21 November 2012, that’s the response to Hewlett Packard’s Meg Whitman accusations that Autonomy tricked the struggling computer and printer maker into buying them in 2011 (Whitman was not running HP at that time).

Whitman is blaming a surprise 3rd quarter net loss of $6.9 billion(!) USD on the Autonomy purchase.  Compare that to same time last year when HP reported a $200 million profit.

The takeover of Autonomy was led by Leo Apotheker, who resigned as HP’s CEO a month later.

Whitman now says Autonomy officials used accounting tricks to hide gross “irregularities”.  But here’s the problem; HP hired an independent auditor to go over Autonomy’s books, then hired another auditor to verify the first auditor’s conclusions.  They both said the books were good to go!

Here’s another problem; the current board of directors for HP is still made up of almost every director that was involved in the Autonomy takeover.

Former Autonomy CEO, Mike Lynch, says HP is using the company he created as a scapegoat, to cover up other losses due to HP’s mismanagement.

HP also reported that almost all areas of their operation experienced drops in sales during their 3rd quarter, except for software which increased (and that included software from Autonomy).

Meg Whitman said 2013 is not going to be a good year: “Fiscal 2013 is going to be a fix-and-rebuild year for the company as critical changes to organizational structure take hold. We expect the underlying macro and industry head winds to continue as we enter 2013.”

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 16 – 19 November 2012. U.S. imprisoning people proven inoccent in court! Japan involved in corruption? James Bond loves the war on Muslims? Iran executes 13 Afghans! Afganistan condemns Israel! Cops rob bank!

19 November 2012

President Hamid Karzai continues to condemn the United States for not handing over total control of Bagram Prison.  The handover was supposed to have taken place months ago, and even U.S. media outlets claimed it happened.  Karzai, along with human rights groups, say the U.S. is not only still in control of prisoners, but they are even holding people proven innocent in court: “…reports by the Attorney General and the Military Police Commander, where it said that even prisoners who were presumed innocent by the court are still being held. In addition, there are people who, against the provisions of the MoU already signed, are newly imprisoned by the American forces.”-Afghan Presidential office statement

The office of Attorney General announced an investigation into corruption at the Afghan Embassy in Japan.  It involves $9 million USD spent on the renovation of the embassy building.  The $9 million was on top of the $5 million that was originally spent.

In Helmand Province, at Camp Bastion James Bond actor Daniel Craig made an appearance for the showing of the latest 007 movie, Sky Fall.

18 November 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Kandahar Province, a local cop from from Maiwand district joined the Mujahideen.

In Ghazni Province, local cops say the Mujahideen assassinated a man accused of spying for the government. However, witnesses from Laghwat village say the man was really killed during a firefight between Mujahideen and local cops.

Afghans buried the remains of 13 Afghan teenagers, executed by Iran.  Iranian officials say they caught the teenagers smuggling drugs into Iran, which is punishable by death.  Afghan officials say the teenagers went to Iran to look for work.

17 November 2012

President Karzai condemned Israel’s latest assaults on the open air concentration camp known as Gaza.

Afghan high peace council chief, Salahuddin Rabbani, said no peace without prisoner release.  He is referring to Mujahideen being held in Pakistani prisons.

In Nuristan Province, the Afghanistan Central Bank was robbed of approximately $192,000 USD.  It was three local cops who did it!  Two of the cops were arrested, the other is on the lose.

Ooops! Mujahideen accidentally revealed about 500 email address of people who’re in contact with them.  It includes government and social leaders, and even journalists: “Taliban have included all four of my email addresses on the leaked distribution list of 500 email addresses. Quite reassuring to my safety.”-Mustafa Kazemi, journalist

16 November 2012

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Farah Province, 17 people were killed when their mini bus ran over a landmine.

In Kandahar Province, Panjwai district, several landmines went off.  In one case a 15 years old boy drove over a landmine causing him to lose a leg and hand.  In another case, Afghan National Army soldier was wounded after driving over a landmine, and two local cops were killed, one wounded, after they drove over a landmine.

USMC General Joseph Dunford said U.S. personnel could remain in Afghanistan despite Obama’s claim to pull out troops by the end of 2014.  Dunford is being considered by U.S. Congress to replace USMC General John Allen in Afghanistan.  Dunford refused to tell Congress the exact numbers of personnel and equipment that will remain in Afghanistan after 2014.

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen went on the offensive, killing at least 12 cops in several separate attacks.  They also managed to capture about 16 policemen.

There were no updates to the Battle for Char Chino.

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

Class Warfare! Average Californian justified in voting for higher taxes for wealthy. Golden State has highest number of poor AND highest number of rich! Just ask the Chinese

“They will keep struggling until the economy levels off. This is just a reflection of the bad economic situation we’re living in with high unemployment and lower income.”-Maria Pia Chaparro, UCLA researcher

20 November 2012, according to reports from Rhodium Group, and Asia Society, California is now the top U.S. state for investments from Chinese investors, accounting for at least 25% of all Chinese investments (more than New York, Texas, Illinois and North Carolina combined).

In the past 12 years China has invested $1.2 billion USD into California.  According to Rhodium Group, that’s expected to rise as high as $60 billion in the next eight years! Yet, for all the money China is throwing at the Golden State, the U.S. Census Bureau (The Research SUPPLEMENTAL POVERTY MEASURE: 2011) says California now has the highest rate of poverty in the United States; 23.5%, or one in four Californians in poverty!  (Florida is second worst with 19.5%)

“We’re seeing a very slow recovery, with increases in poverty among workers due to more new jobs which are low wage…..California is struggling more because it’s relatively harder there to qualify for food stamps and other benefits.”-Timothy Smeeding, University of Wisconsin-Madison economist

The Census Bureau is using new poverty measures which finally take into account the cost of living (even including the taxes you pay), and California’s outrageous cost of living/taxation is the prime reason for the huge jump in official federal government poverty ratings.  (I used to live there, and between the cost of living/taxation and overwhelming number of ludicrous laws I am amazed the people haven’t held a full blown revolution. No problem going on the rampage after the Rodney King verdict, but when it comes to the economy and their livelihoods I guess they like being raped by the Man)

But other reports say that while more and more working class Californians are hitting the skids, the rich elites are not only still making money, they’re making more and more money!  Evidence of that is how much money rich Californians gave to political campaigns: “It’s very hard to pass an initiative, but it’s not that hard to defeat an initiative if you have money on your side.”-Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation

According to MapLight rich Californians gave an estimated $350 million to support, or fight, the 11 propositions Californians just voted on.  And that’s got to be lowballed, because, according to the Associated Press, just two rich Californians spent nearly $100 million trying to influence the voters on such things as higher taxes on out of state companies and making it easier for insurance companies to change their rates.

But while rich Californians are willing to spend money on elections, they don’t seem willing to spend money on bettering the economy. Back to the Chinese investors.

According to Chinese media reports, continued Chinese investing hinges on the U.S. Congress’s recent extension of the EB-5 visa program: “Under EB-5, an applicant is given permanent U.S. residency if his investment of at least $1 million leads to 10 full-time jobs within two years. The threshold is just $500,000 if the jobs created are in a rural or high unemployment area of the U.S.”-China Daily

This means that Chinese investing also involves people from China being able to move to the United States, as one California mayor admitted: “This can guarantee a steady rate of return for stimulating purchases of bonds (for publicly funded development projects), and people are able to immigrate because of EB-5, so you’ll see more of this in California.”-Jean Quan, mayor of Oakland

The Oakland mayor said that Chinese middle and upper income earners want to take advantage of the EB-5 program, as did Oakland businessman, Tom Henderson, who said his Chinese clients want to move to California through the EB-5 program which will help create new jobs:  “We are bringing in $100 million to Oakland alone. Over the next 18 months, we’ll create 2,000 jobs in Oakland through the EB-5 program.”

The fact that California’s officials are putting so much of their hopes on China to save them economically, and that the U.S. rich have money but are spending it on things that do not stimulate the economy (California is considered the billionaire capitol of the world!), is proof that the elitist rich in the United States are unAmerican and a threat to U.S. National Security.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Michigan hit by latest Sears/Kmart closing!

“It’s a shame they are closing here, I really like this place and I really like this one better than any of them. Big Lots is closed. Now Kmart is closed. Things are getting bad.”-Jerry Crossnoe, Kmart shopper in Flint, Michigan

20 November 2012, a Kmart on Dort Highway in Flint, Michigan, will close in January 2013.  Sears Holdings officials say the store management was notified in October.   Store management refused to comment to local media questions.

Here’s the updated closing list:

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).

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).

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 Sears to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 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).  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, and recently revealed Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

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

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 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).

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).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears.

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 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).

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).

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

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International

World War 3: Statements from Israeli leaders that prove they don’t want peace, but to kill, kill, KILL!!!

“The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages….”-Eli Yishai, Israeli Interior Minister commenting on Operation Pillar of Defense

“We need to flatten all of Gaza……There should be no electricity in Gaza, no gasoline or moving vehicles, nothing….”-Gild Sharon, the son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

“There are no innocents in Gaza….mow them down!”-Michael Ben-Ari, member of the Knesset and National Unity Party

“…Gaza to be bombed so hard the population has to flee into Egypt.”-Israel Katz, Israel’s Transportation Minister

“….to slaughter the enemy.”-Yaakov Yosef, prominent Israeli rabbi

“They don’t deserve to live, they need to die”, “May your children die” and “Now we want to go back there and kick out all the Arabs”.-slogans used by pro-war demonstrators in Tel Aviv on 15 November 2012