Category Archives: Business/Economics

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

Government Evil: U.S. sanctions Iran over nuke industry, yet makes deal to sell nuclear tech to Vietnam! More proof the U.S. is the patsy of Israel & Saudi Arabia!

11 October 2013 (23:33 UTC-07 Tango 10 October 2013)/06 Dhu’l-Hijja 1434/19 Mehr 1391/07 Ren-Xu (9th month) 4711

Only days after General Giap died (the man credited with forcing the U.S. out of Vietnam) the Obama regime signed a deal to sell nuclear technology to Vietnam!  This while the United States has steadily increased economic sanctions against Iran, supposedly because the U.S. doesn’t want Iran to have nuclear technologies!

The U.S. and Vietnam fought a tens years war with each other (before that the U.S. supported France in its eight years war against Vietnam), and yet the Obama regime will allow the private sector to sell off its nuke tech to the South East Asian country?

Iran has never attacked the United States (to be clear, Vietnam never attacked the U.S. either)!  Yet the United States shot down Iran Air flight 655 killing 274 Haj pilgrims and 16 crewmen, launched a tens years war against Iran via Saddam Hussein of Iraq, launched recon drones and even special forces/CIA ops inside Iran, and has imposed economic sanctions for the past 30 years!

Can you say “What a bunch of bullshit!”?

Why can the government of the U.S. be so eager to sell nuke tech to a former enemy, Vietnam, yet continue to warmonger against Iran?  The answers are Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Saudi Arabia and Israel are afraid of an independent and strong Iran.  Never mind the fact that in ancient times the Semites seemed to always find a friend in the Iranian empire (aka Persian empire).

Israel’s NAZI Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, just days ago gave the European Union an order during news media interviews: “Stop it [Iran] now while you’re in a strong position to do so.”

Nut job yahoo then went on a lying rampage that was just amazing, basically blaming Iran for every act of terror and accusing Iran of wanting to destroy the World!

Nut job yahoo’s spoiled brat tantrum could have been the result of being informed by the Obama regime that the U.S. and the EU might ease sanctions against Iran.

Then there’s the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A.), who benefits from the U.S. oil sanctions on Iran.  Note that the U.S. buys from K.S.A. what it would have bought from Iran, although Saudi officials deny a connection.

Just a couple of days ago, Reuters reported that the Saudi monarchy is having a shit fit over the possibility that the U.S. and EU could ease sanctions against Iran: “The Saudis’ worst nightmare would be the administration striking a grand bargain with Iran.”-Robert Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to K.S.A.

“I am afraid in case there is something hidden. If America and Iran reach an understanding it may be at the cost of…..Saudi Arabia.”-Abdullah al-Askar, chairman of foreign affairs K.S.A. Shoura Council

The U.S. wants to jump on Vietnam’s estimated $50 billion USD nuke industry market.  You know, Iranian officials have stated, in the past, that they would love to do open business with U.S. nuke corporations.  Japan and Russia have already been awarded contracts to build electricity generating nuclear factories in Vietnam.  The Obama regime took Vietnam’s word that the nuke tech won’t be used for making bombs, yet U.S. can’t take Iran’s word that they are not making a bomb?

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Economic Martial Law: State court blocks NYC’s plan to force taxi companies to use Japanese cars!

09 October 2013 (01:22 UTC-07 Tango)/04 Dhu’l-Hijja 1434/17 Mehr 1391/05 Ren-Xu (9th month) 4711

New York City’s Bloomberg regime was trying to force taxi companies to use only cars made by Nissan!  Fortunately a New York state court blocked the economic martial law order.

The Bloomberg regime wants all taxi companies to use the Nissan NV200 minivan.  Can you say “Bloomberg is UnAmerican!”?

New York’s State Supreme Court ruled that local governments can set standards for the type of vehicles used, but cannot order companies or individuals to purchase a specific brand/model of vehicle.

The Bloomberg regime claimed that by making taxi companies use the same vehicle it would increase safety, somehow.  Taxi companies and taxi driver’s unions took the Bloomberg regime to court, and won this round.  The Bloomberg regime is appealing the state supreme court decision.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

Medical Martial Law: Already insured Californians hit with major Obama Care sticker shock!

08 October 2013 (11:54 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Dhu’l-Hijja 1434/16 Mehr 1391/04 Ren-Xu (9th month) 4711

“There’s going to be a number of people surprised…”-Jonathan Wu, ValuePenguin

“I was laughing at Boehner, until the mail came today…”-Tom Waschura, self employed engineer suffering from Obama Care sticker shock

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Californians already paying for their own health insurance, many who’re Obama regime supporters, are finding out that  Obama Care is jacking up their rates, by a huge amount!

That assumes those already paying for health insurance must have big enough incomes to afford it, which means they must be able to afford to pay more.

A 60 year old retired teacher, with a per-existing health problem, is going to be paying $1800 USD per year more for her insurance under Obama Care.  Her adjusted gross income (before taxes) is still too high under Obama Care: “I just didn’t realize I would be the one who was going to pay for it personally.”-Cindy Vinson

But wait, there’s more!  A self employed engineer, who’s already got his family of four on health insurance, is now going see the premiums jump by $10-thousand per year under Obama Care!  He’s obviously going to have to pass that cost on to his clients, which will probably cause him to lose his business.

This isn’t affecting just Californians with good incomes, anyone in the United States with a good income is going to pay big time for what they already have!  Robert Laszewksi of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, in Virginia, said “Welcome to the club.”  

Let’s all sing “M-I-C, see you real soon, K-E-Y, why? Because we like you! M-O-U-S-E!”

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 01 August 2013. Government healthcare reforms more powerful than God! California & New York hit in the nuts!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California: Software company, Smith Micro, laid off 80 employees.  It’s blamed on $13.4 million USD loss for the first half of 2013!  In Mountain View, Symantec laying off even more people.  This time 75 people unemployed, company officials claim this is the last round of job cuts.  In San Fransisco, Freeman’s Sporting Club closed.  The owners of the clothing store had a fight.  In Hillcrest, 30 years old City Delicatessen was sold off.   The owners wanted to retire.  What oil industry boom?  Chevron laid off 394 people at their San Ramon operation!  In Corona, Actavis laid off 14 people.  El Camino Hospital laid off another 145 employees across two cities!  The hospital chain began laying off employees in 2010.  Company officials say the layoffs are their attempt to adjust to reduced government reimbursements.

Walden Media laid off most of its staff, according to some reports.  The company finances children’s movies, like Chronicles Of Narnia.  The company website states they have halted their intern program at their Los Angeles, California, office.  Walden Media website said the company is “restructuring”.

Florida: In Bradenton, Creonix laid off 69 employees.  The company was sold to Sparton Electronic Devices.  In Fort Myers, military contractor Pall Aerospace laid off 255 people!

New York: The Interfaith Medical Center warned the bankruptcy court that they must close.  1554 people will be unemployed, just in time for Xmas!  Federal and state government medicaid reimbursement reforms were the killing blow to the financially troubled religious based hospital in Brooklyn.  Also in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate Medical Center shut down.  1666 people laid off!  An investigation into the state owned operation is underway.   Also in Brooklyn, Bendiner & Schlesinger Medical Laboratories closed.  238 people unemployed!     In Buffalo, Rural/Metro now bankrupt.  The ambulance service operates in 22 states!  Company officials blamed “reduce revenues” partly on reductions in reimbursement (health care reforms).  In Woodstock, D.B. Hess ceased operations.  130 people out-o-work!  In Dryden, Cornell University – Animal Science Teaching and Research Center shut down.  37 people unemployed.  In Utica, Xerox Federal Government Solutions finally shut down.  149 people laid off!  In New York City, Totsy closed. 83 people out-o-work.  Also in New York City, CGM-GH Toy closed.  125 unemployed people!   Also in New York City, Knights Capital Americas laid off 15 employees.   Also in New York City, the Christian ArchCare closed their Kateri Residence nursing home.  555 jobs lost!  In Silver Creek, Petri Baking Products shut down. 143 people laid off!

North Carolina: House of Raeford Farms turkey processor shut down in time for Thanksgiving.  1-thousand employees laid off!  The company started operations in the 1950s.  Company officials blame their demise on crashing demand for frozen turkeys.

Ohio: The popular 30 years old Red Squirrel restaurant is closing three of their stores around the Cincinnati area.  The family owners said they were forced to close.  75 employees laid off.

South Carolina: Mining company, Joy Global, ceased operations in Belton.  77 people out-o-work.  There are reports the company will be laying off hundreds of people across the U.S.

Virginia: In Charlottesville, the 37 years old Vinegar Hill Theater closed.  The owners say they can’t compete against the big corporate theaters.

Washington: Haggen grocery stores closed in Bellevue and Shoreline.  Company officials said that despite intensive remodeling of the stores, sales are no good.

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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 29-31 July 2013. Massive layoffs in California, again!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Alabama: Sports equipment maker, Russel Brands, closed down their Wetumpka operation.  191 people unemployed!

California: In Alameda, Berkeley HeartLab shut down.  The last of their employees, 32, now join the unemployed. The company also laid off two people in South San Fransisco.  In Costa Mesa, body armor maker Ceradyne shut down.  90 people laid off.   In Marina Del Ray, hotel Pacifica shut down.  79 people out-o-work.  Intuit laid off nine people in three cities.  In San Fransisco, evil British empire company, BAE Systems, laid off 109 employees!  In Los Angeles, Community Head Start laid off 146 people!  In Pasadena, Community Head Start laid off 226 people!  In Davis, EMQ Families First laid off 77 people, putting families last!  In Emeryville, the Ernest Gallo alcohol addiction treatment center laid off two people.

Connecticut: Marc Glassman-Xpect Discounts closed down its North Haven operation.  67 employees laid off.

Florida: In Orlando iPGS Company laid off 54 employees.  In Saint Petersburg, the British empire company, Cobham, laid off 141 people who work at its Conax Florida factory!  They are shutting down the factory and moving to Iowa and New York.

New York: Don Coleman Advertising-Gloabal Hue laid off 61 people in the Big Apple.

Ohio: Metro Container shut down its Cincinnati operation.  45 people out-o-work.

Oregon: Ricoh USA laid off 50 people in Portland.

Texas: Diebold closed its Coppell operations.  52 people unemployed.  In Midland, Select Specialty Hospital closed.  114 people jobless!  Last year the company that owned Select Specialty Hospital closed their Odessa Regency Hospital, due to an unfavorable lease deal.  Company officials said they were trying to adjust to new economic conditions (reduced reimbursements from Obama Care maybe?).

Wisconsin: In Milwaukee, Ball Metal Beverage Container laid off 72 employees.

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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 24-28 July 2013. Obama Care blamed again!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California: In Escondido, San Diego and Poway, Palomar Health laid off a total of 77 employees.  This is after they laid off 84 people in July.  Hospital officials blamed the health care reforms of Obama Care.   In Mountain View, Randstad (Google) laid off 30 people.  Walt Disney Pictures reported they laid off one employee at their Burbank operations.

Texas: Ruth’s Chris Steak House in San Antonio closed.  86 people now unemployed.

Ohio: Diamond Crystal Brands closed in Perrysburg.  125 people out-o-work!

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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: All former JCPenney outlet stores closing, in time for the holidays!

03 October 2013 (01:01 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/11 Mehr 1391/29 Ren-Xu (8th month) 4711

“The closing of the outlets was necessitated by a precipitous decline of sales….we could no longer incur the losses….”-Glen Gammons, CEO, explaining how bad the economy really is

All 15 JC’s 5 Star Outlet stores will close between now and the beginning of 2014.  The outlet chain was originally known as JCPenney Outlet, but was sold to property speculator SB Capital Acquisition in 2011.

The closings will impact 14 eastern U.S. states.  A total of 1400 jobs lost!

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Yes Virginia, Kmart & Sears stores will be closing by Xmas! Store closing sale prices jacked up?

03 October 2013 (00:36 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/11 Mehr 1391/29 Ren-Xu (8th month) 4711

“As a part of the ordinary course of business we close stores…..”-Howard Riefs, Sears Holdings

It’s been awhile since my last update, but in West Virginia the Morgantown Kmart will close in December: “It’s going to hurt a lot of people. It’s got a grocery store, clothing store, garden center, now where are we going to go?”-Charlie Scott, loyal Kmart shopper

In Wisconsin, the Brookfield Kmart to close in December.  The lease was not renewed.

The Homewood, Illinois, Kmart closing in December as well.  185 newly unemployed people from that one!

The last Kmart in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, closing down.  The 43 years old Collins Road Kmart will close in December.  Last year Sears Holdings closed the Kmart on 16th Avenue.

In the country of Canada, Sears Canada announced they are closing six of their Prince Edward Island (PEI) stores!  The outlet stores served mainly as catalog order pick up locations, but now Sears will use Canada Post to deliver right to their customer’s doors.

In Franklin, Tennessee, the Sears was sold to mall owners CBL & Associates, who announced they are shutting it down by December.  And in Memphis, after 32 years of business the Sears in the Hickory Ridge Mall Towne Centre (note the evil British empire spelling) will close in December.

“What do you see when you walk around that mall?”-WREG reporter questioning cookie shop owner

“A lot of people losing hope, they are losing faith.”-Raven Winton, owns cookie shop in the Hickory Ridge mall

At the Bend River Promenade, in Oregon, the local Sears will close in December.  The store opened in 1980.

In Coos Bay, Oregon, local TV news reports show that ‘liquidation’ store closing sale prices are actually higher than the original price: “I noticed there was two tags on it, and so, I peeled it up and they were $5 more than the original price! I don’t have that kind of money to spend….so I just left”-unnamed and angry Kmart shopper

A reporter with KCBY checked it out for themselves.  They bought some sunglasses that were supposed to be marked down 30%, and discovered the price was actually jacked up by $5!

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart 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), Torrance Kmart,  Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost),  Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 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).

Connecticut:  Waterbury Big Kmart.

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), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost),  Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 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), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), recently revealed Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost).  58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  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 on 16th Ave (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), recently revealed Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost).

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), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

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

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed.

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, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Kmart (32 jobs lost), one of the Gulfport Kmarts (52 jobs lost).

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

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), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost).

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) 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), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard.   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), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), recently revealed Bend Sears (48 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 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),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

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, recently revealed Franklin CoolSprings Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), recently revealed Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed).

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.

Utah:  Orem Kmart (no details reported).

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), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 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), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), recently revealed Morgantown Kmart (100 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), recently revealed Brookfield Kmart (56 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 closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 20-23 July 2013.

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

In Hamilton, New Jersey, Leading Edge laid off 82 employees for “unknown” reasons.  Masco Bath also laid off employees, 69, for “unknown” reasons. Masco Bath is owned by Delta Faucets, and has been laying off employees for years now.

CACI International-TechniGraphics ended operations in Wooster, Ohio.  142 people unemployed!

In San Marcos, California, John Deere Water closed down, laying off 78 people.  What automotive industry recovery?  In Los Angeles, Coda Automotive laid off 53 employees.  The electric car maker has been laying off employees since last year.  In Vernon, RM (Reynaldo’s Mexican) Foods laid off 166 people!

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.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: Japan accuses U.S. contractors of stealing hundreds of millions in cash! Scheme similar to what’s going on in Afghanistan!

01 October 2013 (02:08 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/09 Mehr 1391/27 Ren-Xu (8th month) 4711

Japan’s Board of Audit has discovered that U.S. military contractors have ripped off Japan’s Self Defense Forces (and thereby Japan’s taxpayers) to the tune of at least $520 million USD!

The investigation went all the way back to 1989 and involved the purchase of  aircraft, ships, missile equipment and required support from U.S. war mongering corporations.  At least 250 contracts are questionable because they have not been fulfilled even though the U.S. military contractors were paid in full in advance!

One official pointed out that some contracts were paid for ten years ago, with no oversight as to their completion.

By the way, U.S. contractors being paid in advance, and without oversight, is at the heart of the U.S. instigated corruption in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Special Investigator General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)!

The same thing happened in Iraq, according to the U.S. Special Investigator General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR).  In the case of Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s the U.S. taxpayer who’s being ripped off.