Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: Japanese leaders overheard talking about invading Korea! Calls South Korea “foolish”!

17 November 2013 (14:57 UTC-07 Tango)/13 Muharram 1435/26 Aban 1392/15 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

In a move that might result in North and South Korea uniting, a Japanese newspaper, Shukan Bunshun/Japan Daily Press, is reporting that  neo-imperialist Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was overheard calling South Korea “foolish”, Abe even called China “absurd”.   However, Shukan Bunshun actually re-wrote their story after massive outcries from Koreans, saying people mis-read their original story.

No author was given for the article, and it never said where or when Abe made the comments.  The South China Morning Post published their version of the story in China.

Other Chinese news media say Abe’s aides were also overheard talking of invasion plans for Korea!  Apparently the invasion would begin with Japanese banks cutting off funding for South Korean corporations, like Samsung.

Japanese news media is reporting that Hagel is planning to officially ask Japan to prepare to take over some U.S. military ops

Trilateral Commission member, Japan, to create new Homeland Security office!

Japan enters U.S. data collection/spying market!

Imperialist Japan to increase military spending by tens of billions 

TriLateral Imperialism as the U.S. mulls allowing Japan to invade Korea!!!

The Trilateral Commission was founded by David Rockefeller in 1973.  The official goal is to foster economic and political co-operation between Japan, North American countries and European countries (notice these are the regions that are currently in big economic trouble).

In 2000, the Japan membership was expanded to include many other Asian countries, and is now called the Pacific Asia Group.

In April 2013, Japan became a member of NATO (which has become the Trilateral Commission’s military unit): “…..You might ask why the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should come to the Pacific region.  The answer is very simple.  Today’s NATO is a new NATO.  It’s a NATO with a global perspective.  It’s a NATO with global partners.  And Japan is our longest-standing global partner…..NATO and Japan are like-minded……we can help the United Nations and the international community to reinforce the rules-based international system……we need common approaches and responses…….To confront global threats such as terrorism, cyber attacks, and proliferation…..And I am delighted that later today, Prime Minister Abe and I will sign a Joint Political Declaration to guide our future work.”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, from statement made on the morning of 15 April 2013, Japan National Press Club

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 04 September 2013. Bad economy kills hoity toity restaurant! Who said internet sales were booming? Continued bad economy disapoints major truck maker, or does it?

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs.

Arizona: In Tucson, after 25 years in business Anthony’s In the Catalinas upscale (they sold bottles of wine as high as $13-thousand USD) restaurant closed down.  The restaurant’s wine steward blames the bad economy, saying business crashed back in 2008: “I thought we would have closed down years ago. When the market crashed, people didn’t have expendable income any more.”-Joseph Mascari, sommelier

California: In Culver City and Mountain View, Symantec laid off 20 employees.

Florida: Plastic surgery promoter SRAI now bankrupt.  Company officials blame lawsuits (maybe the company officials never heard the phrase “truth in advertising”?).  Too Big to Jail Bank of America lays off another 150 people in the Sunshine State!  In Tampa, Too Big to Jail Mortgage Bank laid off 435 people!

Illinois: Semi truck maker, Navistar International, laid off another 500 employees countrywide. Navistar laid off 140 people in August, Company officials said they were hoping the economy was actually recovering, but their hopes were dashed.  But are their claims of economic woes true? In 2011 the company reported huge profits, yet turned around and began closing factories and laying people off, and they’ve been selling off divisions and laying off employees off ever since!

Massachusetts: In West Boylston, the Ace Hardware in the Meadowbrook Plaza closed.  It’s blamed on a greedy landlord who jacked up the rent to force Ace out.  The landlord thinks they can make more money by dividing up the building into smaller store spaces (I’ve seen that happen here in Idaho, it’s a big fail and it caused lots-o-job losses!).

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, aerospace company SIFCO closing its turbine repair factory and laying off 50 employees. Company officials blame it on the continued crashing and burning in the aviation industry.

Missouri: In South Saint Louis, after 58 years of operations Manzo Importing Company imported foods grocery store shut down.  The owner said he’s focusing on wholesale restaurant supply only, he blames it on the bad economy: “When you have put all of your personal money into a business, have worked it as best as you can, and it’s still not making what it should.”-Pete Manzo

Nebraska: In Beatrice, Once Upon a Page scrapbooking supply store closed down.  The owners say they have to tend to aging parents and grandchildren.

New York: In Riverhead, The Red Collection consignment shop shut down.  The owner said dealing with a greedy landlord, and running shops in North Carolina was too much.  In Brooklyn, Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase closed an office, 35 people out-o-work.

North Carolina: In Wilmington, Carolina Farmin’ grocery store closed on Main Street, after only two years of business.  The company blames it on a greedy landlord who wanted to jack up the rent.

Tennessee: The Christian God can’t stop the YMCA from closing three of its 23 operations.  Officials with the Young Men’s Christian Association said it’s necessary to “ensure long-term stability”.

Washington: In Bellingham, Merch Bot toy/novelty store shut down.  The owner said the sales were good, but profit margins on novelty/gag gifts are bad.  In Sequim, another Mitt Romney Staples store shut down. Local news media tried to interview the manager, but he said the Mitt Romney founded corporation issued a gag order.

Wisconsin:  Whoever thinks internet sales are booming never heard of major fail Alice.com.  The internet retailer based in Middleton shut down.  Alice.com ceased ops less than two years after getting $3-million in private funding, but funding dried up in 2013.  Obviously you can’t make enough selling on the internet to go without debt financing.  There was a warning when company officials shut down their Spanish website.  Officials in Spain revealed the lack of funding.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Investment companies dump GGP & J.C. Penney!

15 November 2013 (14:57 UTC-07 Tango)/11 Muharram 1434/24 Aban 1391/13 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

Chinese investment company, China Investment Corporation (CIC), dumped more than 27-million shares of General Growth Properties (GGP).

CIC manages the Chinese government’s foreign investments.  GGP has just sold off their Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, Idaho, and is selling off four other malls in a group auction. 

JC Penney is negotiating a new lease at the Pine Ridge Mall, which was recently auctioned off by GGP/Howard Hughes Corp.

JC Penney is negotiating a new lease at the Pine Ridge Mall, which was recently auctioned off by GGP/Howard Hughes Corp.

A U.S. investment company, Pershing Square Capital Management (PSCM), also dumped GGP, as well as J.C. Penney.

PSCM sold 48% of its stake in GGP.  They also dumped all their 39-million J.C. Penney shares!  PSCM founder Bill Ackman said he gave up on trying to convince other J.C. Penney share holders to try out his plan to save the retailer.  He says his attempt to save J.C. Penney resulted in a loss of about $400-million USD!

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: Heinz pulls stake, Warren Buffett abandons Pocatello, Idaho! Happy New Year!

15 November 2013 (13:34 UTC-07 Tango)/11 Muharram 1434/24 Aban 1391/13 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

It’s official, Heinz is shutting down their long time Pocatello, Idaho, factory.  410 people soon to be unemployed!  That’s another huge impact on the Chubbuck/Pocatello area.  The Idaho Department of Labor estimates the shut down will also impact 200 additional local jobs.  The city of Pocatello currently has the highest unemployment rate in the whole Gem State.

In February 2013, Heinz Frozen Food factory in Pocatello, Idaho, ended production of T.G.I. Friday's frozen meals, and laid off 80 employees.

In February 2013, Heinz Frozen Food factory in Pocatello, Idaho, ended production of T.G.I. Friday’s frozen meals, and laid off 80 employees.

At one time the Pocatello Heinz operation employed 800 people.

Heinz is also closing two other factories, one in South Carolina, and one in Ontario, Canada.  At least 1350 people will become unemployed (on top of the 600 jobs cuts Heinz made in August).  The shut downs will take place over the next eight months, happy New Year!

Heinz was sold to vulture capitalists 3G Capital and Warren Buffett.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: Idaho politicians give away tens of millions to companies that shut down!

15 November 2013 (03:25 UTC-07 Tango)/11 Muharram 1434/24 Aban 1391/13 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

“It’s a terrible program. It wastes more money than it does any good. Obviously, it’s a cost borne by Idaho businesses throughout Idaho, and employees.”-Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation

According to the Idaho Statesman, Idaho’s governor, Butch Otter, “beamed” as he helped announce the ground breaking for Clif Bar in Twin Falls.  Otter shouldn’t beam, because he and other state leaders gave Clif Bar $4 million USD, from the Workforce Development Training Fund.

The Idaho Statesman discovered that since 1996 Idaho has given away at least $47 million to companies through the Workforce Development Training Fund.  But many of those companies fail, or fail to hire on the trainees.

Even the Idaho Department of Labor called the results of the WDTF “mixed”.   60% of grants failed to create long term jobs!

Also, 400 people who actually went through job training under WDTF were never hired!

Some failed companies that got WDTF money are Hoku Materials in Pocatello ($650-thousand) and Transform Solar in Nampa ($1.5 million).

 The WDTF “…is financed by employers through an offset to the unemployment insurance tax.”-Idaho Department of Labor

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: Idaho’s Obama Care Christian corruption covered up by federal court! JAMA is right!

14 November 2013 (11:24 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Muharram 1434/23 Aban 1391/12 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

Associated Press reporting that “A coalition of news organizations has asked a federal appeals court to order the release of sealed witness testimony and exhibits in an antitrust trial….” involving Obama Care and Christian hospital networks and insurance companies in Idaho.

The news media coalition includes Idaho Statesman, The Associated Press, The Times-News, Lewiston Tribune, Idaho Press-Tribune, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and the Idaho Press Club.

The Christian hospital networks accused are Saint Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus, as well as the medical insurance industry and even the Federal Trade Commission.

The news media is demanding the details of a federal trial, that ended in October, to be made public.  The trial was held in secret!

The case involves Christian health care systems apparently trying to take advantage of Obama Care by creating a health care monopoly.   Specifically the case involved a medical center takeover in Nampa, Idaho.

The federal judge sealed trial details that would reveal “…how a health insurance company, hospital or medical practice makes or negotiates contracts, how much a company pays, and future plans.”

This trial backs up recent claims by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Diesel Prices: U.S. federal agency says prices should go down, AAA says there is glut of fuel and dropping demand! Blame never ending War on Terror for high diesel prices!

14 November 2013 (08:34 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Muharram 1434/23 Aban 1391/12 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

“Idaho just happens to be 20 or 30 cents behind the times.  Supplies are plentiful right now, driver demand is down.  A little profit taking is going on in the marketplace.”-Dave Carlson, AAA Idaho, 04 November 2013 interview with KTVB

The U.S. oil industry is about to retake its number one position in the World market.  Oil production and fuel refining is way up, and gas prices look to be coming down significantly.  But wha’ hoppin’ to diesel?

According to the 12 November diesel fuel retail price report from the U.S. Energy Information Agency, across the country diesel prices are going down.  But from where I can see, in Idaho, there’s a big disparity between gasoline and diesel prices.

In Idaho Falls, on 13 November I noticed gas prices were at an amazing $2.90 per gallon!  However, on the same day in Pocatello they were about $3.30 per gallon.  A 40 cents difference between two cities less than an hour’s drive from each other.

In Idaho Falls diesel prices were about $3.60 per gallon.  But in Boise, on the western side of the state, diesel was just over $4.00!  According to TruckMiles.com, the current average for Idaho diesel is $3.91.

Idaho is in PADD4 Rocky Mountain region.  PADD stands for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (notice this is a military thing).  U.S. EIA says gasoline prices have dropped 33 cents per gallon since last year.  Diesel dropped 26 cents since last year.

The EIA predicts the average price for diesel, across the U.S., will hit about $3.30 per gallon by the end of the year.  But will that be true for Idaho?  Right now Idaho’s diesel prices are way above the national average, as are Idaho’s gas prices.  But as you read in the above quote, Idaho’s non-profit AAA (formerly known as American Automobile Association) says demand from Idaho drivers is down, and the glut of fuel supply does not justify the above average prices.

For a more graphic look at the past two decades of U.S. diesel retail prices you can view the EIA’s chart here, which shows diesel prices skyrocketing beginning in 2004 (mmm, that’s right after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and the U.S. military* is a major user of diesel).    Even though diesel prices have dropped a little since the peak at the end of 2008, they’re still near record highs.

Of interest; California has become such a big user of fuels, and because the NAZI environmental nut jobs running the state have put such refining standards on fuel, that EIA now lists California fuel data separate from the rest of PADD5 (West Coast region).

*According to 2009 numbers the DoD used $13.3 billion worth of fuel. That equates to 360,000 barrels of oil per day, in 2009 dollars! The U.S. military ranks 36th among the top 35 countries (yes, that’s entire ‘countries’) in fuel usage! The U.S. Air Force is the number one user of fuel in the DoD. The jet engine, aka turbine, normally uses kerosene based fuel, but can also use diesel. I know, being a former 19k (& former 19E, 13F, 12B and C-130 Crew Chief) we use diesel in our turbine powered M1 Abrams tanks (the same diesel used in the HUMWV [humvee] and cargo trucks). The M1 gets only 1 mile per 1.6 gallons of fuel!!! We burn more than one gallon for every one mile we drive! Regarding my time in the USAF, the Air Force doesn’t measure fuel by gallons, the aircraft use so much it’s measured in pounds. The latest C-130J cargo hauler uses about 66,000 pounds of fuel to fly about 3452 miles!!!

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: East Idaho’s Grand Teton Mall, in Idaho Falls, for sale! GGP dumping malls en masse!

13 November 2013 (14:46 UTC-07 Tango)/09 Muharram 1434/22 Aban 1391/11 Gui-Hai (10th month) 4711

“General Growth Properties is offering four regional malls…the 636,000-sf Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls, Idaho…..A buyer might also reposition or redevelop the properties.”-Real Estate Alert, 16 October 2013

According to an article by Real Estate Alert, the Grand Teton Mall, in Idaho Falls, is being offered in a group auction with three other GGP malls.

The other malls are Meadows Mall in Las Vegas, Nevada, Eastridge Mall in Casper, Wyoming and Red Cliffs Mall in Saint George, Utah.

Even though the malls are considered well performing Mountain States malls GGP wants to dump them fast!  GGP is hoping to raise $400-million USD in the auction.  Note that Eastridge, Red Cliffs and Grand Teton malls, and the money losing Pine Ridge Mall, were part of the May 2013 loan refi with Too Big to Jail US Bank.

Pine Ridge has already been sold off.

GGP spent big bucks on renovating Grand Teton, while spending almost nothing on Pine Ridge, and Grand Teton is doing well while Pine Ridge has crashed, yet GGP is getting rid of both (already sold off Pine Ridge).  Bottom line: Even if a shopping mall is doing well, if the owners are hurting for cash they’ll sell it off and don’t care what happens to it.  Just like when an employer is cutting costs, even if you’re the hardest working most loyal employee, if your name is next on the list you’re out-o-work!

What economic recovery?

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 01-03 September 2013. More Obama Care job cuts! More massive job losses in California!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs.

Alabama: In Jacksonville, Jillybeans Cupcakes and Ice Cream closed down.

Arkansas: Arkansas State University laid off 30 scientists. It’s blamed on reduced federal taxpayer funding.

California: In Ridgecrest, Mitt Romney’s Staples shut down, 20 jobs lost.  In Calabasas, landscaper Valley Crest closed down, 69 jobs lost. In Rancho Cordova, Volcano Corporation laid off 39 employees. In Riverbank, Silgan Containers laid off 160 people!  In Emeryville, Bayer Healthcare laid off  187 people!  In Escondido, Palomar Health closed down, 122 health care jobs lost!  In Modesto, Memorial Medical Center laid off 16 people. The Menlo Park Surgical Hospital laid off two employees.  In Burlingame, the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center laid off 12 people.

Colorado: In Durango, upscale hoity toity Polo-Ralph Lauren Factory Store closed down.  Company officials decided the store wasn’t making enough money.

Florida: In Largo, Twedt’s Bowling Center closed down.

Illinois: University of Chicago laid off six cancer researchers, due to cuts in federal taxpayer funding.  In Metropolis, after 60 years Farley’s Cafeteria shut down.  On the last day the cafeteria was crowded, some people blamed the lost of the restaurant on lack of local support: “They had such a successful [last] day. I just wish when they were open they could have had these types of crowds so they could stay open. We have to support the local businesses.”-Melissa Griffith, regular customer

Indiana: In Shelbyville, RoadLink Workforce Solutions laid off 120 freight handlers!  Company officials blame it on the loss of a major contract with grocery company Kroger.

Iowa: In Sycamore, the Ben Franklin Crafts and Custom Frame Shop store shut down.

Maryland: In Baltimore, after 50 years of advertising ad agency Carton Donofrio Partners ceased operations. It’s blamed on multiple reasons.

Massachusetts: In Newton, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology laid off seven employees.  School officials blamed “redundancies”.

Missouri: In Kirkwood, Culpeppers restaurant closed down.  It was sold to property developers.

North Carolina: Winston-Salem’s Twin City Chop House upscale restaurant closed down (dinners ranged in price from $28 to $59 USD), 50 jobs lost.  The owners would not explain the reason for the closing.

Washington: In Seattle, Andrews International laid off 35 employees.

West Virginia: Fairmont General Hospital now bankrupt.  Hospital officials are hoping to find a financial partner to support operations.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 28-31 August 2013. Obama Care shuts down yet another Christian nursing home! More call center closures! Verizon cuts jobs!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs.

California: In Emmeryville, the Ernest Gallo addiction clinic laid off three employees. In Santa Clara, high tech company Applied Materials laid off five people.  In San Dimas, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store closed down laying off 61 employees.  In Bakersfield, Xerox laid off 69 people.  In Fresno, Too Big to Jail Bank of America laid off 543 people!  In Irvine and Pasadena, Too Big to Jail OneWest Bank laid off 180 people!  In Folsom, Verizon Wireless laid off 132 employees! In Mountain View, Bayer Healthcare laid off 63 employees.  In Alameda and South San Fransisco, Berkley Heartlab laid off 30 employees.

Connecticut:  In Meridian, Celico Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless) closed down, 160 people unemployed!  In Waterbury, NAFI Connecticut closed down, 66 people unemployed.

New York: In Olean, Advanced Monolythic Ceramics closed down, 65 people let go.  In North Massapequa, ProHealth Care Associates closed one of its offices, six people unemployed.

Ohio: In Dublin, Verizon Wireless closed down, 62 people laid off.  In Youngstown, Verizon Wireless closed down, 64 people laid off.

Oregon: In Hillsboro, SolarWorld laid off 100 employees!

Tennessee: The Christian God can’t stop Obama Care from killing 61 more jobs at Baptist Memorial Health Care hospitals.  Just a week prior they laid off 23 managers.  Hospital officials blamed Obama Care: “Health care is going through unprecedented change, and we’ll all have to do more with less.”-Jason Little, executive vice president and COO

Texas: In Austin, OneWest Bank laid off 725 call center employees!  The call center was sold to Owen Financial Corporation.

Wisconsin: In Watertown, even the Christian God couldn’t stop Obama Care from closing down the non-profit Bethesda Lutheran Communities nursing home for disabled people, at least 205 people out-o-work!  Officially it’s blamed on declining number of patients, but also because of declining Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013