Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 07 May 2013. More Obama Care layoffs! Domestic spy companies layoff thousands of people!

Massachusetts based electronic data collection and storage (domestic spying) company EMC will layoff 1004 people around the World!  EMC will not renew their leases on 100 U.S. spy center locations.  It involves EMC’s info storage, security and intelligence operations.  In 2012, EMC laid off 1163 employees!  EMC has been laying off employees since 2010.  The electronic spy company has almost 60000 employees worldwide.  The layoffs are due to ongoing changes in how the company spies on the public: “For the last couple years, as EMC has been transforming our business, we have had ongoing rebalancing efforts. This most recent one, which was disclosed on Jan. 29, 2013, is relatively consistent with these actions to rebalance and reorganize our workforce to best align with the opportunities ahead.”-Lesley Ogrodnick, EMC

In Tennessee, vacuum maker Oreck now bankrupt. Company officials blame the bad economy saying sales are so bad that they “simply cannot generate cash fast enough to cover expenses”. The company is now for sale, with offers from the Oreck family and Royal Appliance Manufacturing.

New York based Colby Electronics laid off 42 people and closed its Savannah, Georgia, warehouse.  Company officials blamed “the prevailing economic headwinds” for crashing sales.   And the Muscogee County School District considering shutting down several schools.  District officials say they need to cut $40 million USD from the upcoming school year’s budget!

Hypocrisy in Alabama, the Cleburne County Board of Education approved an undisclosed number of layoffs for non-tenured and support personnel.  At the same time they announced that they hired nine teachers and administrators!

The University of Wyoming cut 54 faculty and staff positions.  It’s blamed on reduced state funding.

Indiana based drug maker, Eli Lilly, announced drastic cuts.  At least 1624 people losing their jobs!  The company blames it on expiring patents on their drugs.

In New York, U.K. based Bunzl shut down their Hicksville distribution center.  30 people laid off.  The company is consolidating operations into New Jersey.  And the Saint James Mercy Hospital cut 50 positions.  It’s blamed on the bad economy and the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care): “SJMH is continuing to experience significant declines in patient volumes, patient days and revenues, as well as reduced state and federal reimbursement and we cannot continue to support our current operation under these conditions.”-Mary LaRowe, Saint James Mercy Health System

In New Mexico, the Gila Regional Medical Center converted 70 full time jobs to part time only.  The hospital has also stopped the $40 million expansion project, postponed a new health information software system and will shut down its Home Health Services in Luna County as well as Home Health’s D&E wavier and Helping Hands programs in Grant County!  Hospital officials blame it on the increase in uninsured customers who can’t pay and the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care) which drastically reduces Medicare and Medicaid payments.

In Kentucky, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan laying off all its 145 employees!  The company focused on providing Medicare covered care for children.  Company officials say the drastic cuts to Medicare funding by the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care) forced them to shut down because the new Medicare payments don’t cover the basic costs of operations!  And Eddie Montgomery’s Steakhouse closed without warning in Harrodsburg.  The country music singer/owner simply said “Unfortunately, we had to close the steakhouse.”

In Arizona, another solar power victim of Obama, First Solar, laying off 150 employees!  In 2012 they laid off 2000 employees!

T’Licious cafe shut down in Delaware. The owner blamed it on national chain restaurants moving into the area.

In Chicago area, Illinois, U.S. Cellular shutting down more than a dozen stores and laying off 128 people!  Blame Sprint-Nextel.

In New Jersey, the new owners of the Morristown Headquarters 10 cineplex is shutting the movie theater down.  Bow Tie Cinemas recently bought out the Clearview theater chain, but decided the Morristown theater wasn’t worth keeping open.

After 25 years, the Finnicum’s Furniture store shut down in Sidney, Montana.   After a 17 years expansion, the family owners have been forced to give up their Montana and North Dakota stores.  Their Poplar, Montana, store burned down.  Their Williston, North Dakota, store was sold two years ago (despite, or because of the oil boom).  The Sidney store was sold after they lost their warehouse.  The only store they have open now is their very first store in Culbertson, Montana.

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, Economic Front: Mass Sears & Kmart closings! Kmart sells expired baby formula & meds! Proof that Lampert is evil!

17 July 2013 (16:43 UTC-07 Tango)/09 Ramadan 1434/26 Tir 1391/10 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

In Maine, the Sears in Presque Isle closing down by October.  The manager of the store and Sears Holdings argued over how many people will lose their jobs.  The corporate office says only 58 people work there, but the upset manager said 80 people are currently employed!  The owner of a Fort Kent Sears Hometown store confirmed that 80 people are working at the Presque Isle Sears.  According to local news media reports, there was no prior warning given to the store manager about the closing.

A Sears in Gautier, Mississippi, to close in October.  The shopping mall where the Sears is located, is being redeveloped into an open air mall, Walmart will be the primary tenant.

In Canada, the owner of a Sears Hometown store is leading a class action lawsuit against Sears Canada and Sears Holdings.  The lawsuit is for $100 million CAD, and alleges that Sears is ripping off the operators of Sears Hometown stores: “…Sears is making substantial profits from each and every Hometown store….We are tired of disappointing our customers because we lack the resources to serve them properly. We are tired of facing the public without a smile, because we know there is no paycheck at the end of the week. We are tired of being fed scraps for the benefit of a U.S. hedge fund billionaire!”-Jim Kay

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Sears chairman Eddie Lampert is using a fake name online, to argue with Sears employees about his policies.  The article suggests that Lampert is purposely destroying Sears, as evidenced by his instigation of internal fighting: “He left critical comments on other people’s posts, according to more than 20 former employees; he even got into arguments with store associates.”-Mina Kimes

In Kentucky, after 30 years of business the Sears in the Fayette Mall, in Lexington, to close by the end of 2013.  The store space was sold to the mall owners, CBL & Associates.  114 people will be out-o-work by Xmas & the Gregorian new year!

The South Park Mall Sears to shut down by October in Moline, Illinois.  Also, dozens of Sears employees in Chicago went on strike for predictable work hours and better pay: “Right now, we’re on survival mode. It’s not enough for basic necessities.”-Judith Luna

The Kmart on Hendersonville Road in South Ashville, North Carolina, will close down by November.  The lease was not renewed, but it might be the property owners fault.  Pulliam Properties was the one who did not renew the lease.  The retail property developer says he has purposely allowed store fronts to become vacant on his property on Hendersonville Road, because he has big plans for a new shopping center.

And in Pennsylvania, another property developer is to blame for the closing of a Kmart in Bethlehem Township.  AKAL Associates bought out the lease in a power grab: “We went after the lease because we wanted to control the space.”-James Balliet, listing agent representing property owners

Also in Pennsylvania, the Kmart in the Mark Plaza shopping center in Edwardsville is suing the property owner for at least $10 million USD.  The Kmart opened shop in 1974, and the lease stated the property owner would be responsible for storm drainage, the plaza has been flooded at least four times since then.  Kmart is now the only store left in the plaza, all the others left mainly because of repeated flood damage.  Attorneys for Kmart claim they’ve discovered the property owners never conducted surveys evaluating the possibility of floods, and never attempted to improve the property after each flood.

Kmart has settled with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs over charges that the store was selling expired baby formula and non-prescription medications: “Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today announced a settlement with Kmart in which the retail giant will pay $302,500, donate $25,000 worth of infant formula to charity, pay for continued unannounced state inspections, and implement meaningful remedial measures to inspect its merchandise, after 19 Kmart stores in New Jersey were found to have sold or offered for sale expired infant formula and non-prescription medications.”-Division of Consumer Affairs

In Australia, Kmart is the first retailer to agree to publicize the addresses of its suppliers: “…it will be possible for independent groups to visit factory sites and verify wages and conditions for workers. We look forward to visiting Kmart’s website very soon and being able to download this information. Oxfam has spent nearly two decades investigating the global clothing industry, and our research shows that very low wages, long hours of overtime and unsafe workplaces are the norm. We call on other Australian retailers to follow Kmart’s lead….”-Oxfam Australia

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).

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

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

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

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

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), recently revealed Moline Sears (at least 60 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 (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), recently revealed Lexington Sears (114 jobs lost!).

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

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

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

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart,  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, recently revealed Gautier Sears (71 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), recently revealed South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 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).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

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

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

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), recently revealed 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.

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), 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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

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

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall  (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 06 May 2013. More job cuts for Christians!

New York based Ledgemont Capital investment bank bankrupt.  Assets will be sold to repay creditors.  Obviously people will lose their jobs.

Christian Lourdes University, in Ohio, laid of eight administrators.  Salaries have also been reduced.  The Catholic school blamed it on declining enrollment.

In Michigan, Boyne City Board of Education wants to privatize janitor operations.  13 jobs affected.  Watch Hill Home Interiors closed in Birmingham.  The antique store owners said “The store itself is closing due to economic factors and other things. It’s sad, but it’s kind of just the way it goes these days.”-Julie Suspanich

The Christian New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, laid off 12 managers.  Hospital officials said they need to “…ensure that our financial future remains strong.”  And in Hopkinton, after 25 years Vintage Books shut down.  The owner said the economy is so bad that for the past four years she couldn’t cover operating costs: “In this economy, the business of selling books has become very difficult. Now, people are buying eBooks or reading them on their iPads. They don’t browse anymore.”-Nancy Haines

After 98 years in business, Sledge Hardware in Alabama shut down.  Anne Sledge Bailey, the owner, said “It’s time to cut back a little.”   She also blamed suppliers ending their policy of extending credit to mom & pop operations.  Crossroads Music Hall and Barrel House both shut down in Huntsville, on the same day.  The owners of the Barrel House blamed the bad economy.  The Music Hall is moving to a new location.

Despite the oil boom in North Dakota, the bird store Birds Out On A Limb, in Bismarck, closed for good.  The owner blamed it on the bad economy made worse by competition from national pet stores: “It’s been hard for us.”-Kathy Benesh

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 04-05 May 2013. More cuts for Christians! Where are all the students going? Obama/Romney Care claims more health care jobs!

Caterpillar laying off 300+ people at their Decatur, Illinois, operations!  Apparently this is on top of the 460 job cuts announced in April!  The heavy equipment maker is blaming it on crashing sales to mining companies, who’re shutting down operations worldwide.  In Wheaton, the Stork’s Cradle baby and heirloom gift store shut down.  The owners said they need more “balance” in their lives.

In Elmira, New York, Arnot Health has laid off 22 employees at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.  They shut down a surgical unit.  And 22 people laid off by MVP Health Care.  The company has been laying off employees since January 2012.  Is it because of Obama/Romney Care?  Here’s what the company said: “The health care marketplace is changing rapidly, and MVP must constantly adapt….”

In Kentucky, Hospice of the Bluegrass got rid of 16 jobs.  They blame it on cuts to Medicare and Medicaid no thanks to Obama/Romney Care (Affordable Health Care).

Blood management systems provider Haemonetics, shutting down operations in Braintree, Massachusetts, and moving its disposable products operations to Tijuana, Mexico.  320 jobs lost!  In Wayland, the Christian (Lutheran) Little Dove Early Childhood Center shut down.  Blamed on declining enrollment.

In New Jersey, after 47 years the nonsectarian private McAuley School shut down.  Most of their students were ‘special needs’ children.  Like other private and public schools, it’s being blamed on crashing enrollment.  It begs the question; where are all the students going?  (it should be noted that some school staff accused an administrator of verbally abusing students)

In Connecticut, Carrie Welton’s bar and restaurant closed down.  The owner said it was because he was tired of the business and wants more time with his family.  However, it was revealed that he owed the borough of Naugatuck property taxes all the way back to 2007.

After 54 years, the Bible & Book Center (that’s a redundant title because Bible means book) closed down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   The owner blames competition from national stores and the internet.

Kansas based Perceptive Software is laying off at least 40 people across the country.  It’s blamed on the company’s take over of seven competitors since 2011.

In Washington DC, CQ Rollcall laid off at least five people, along with buying out five employees who had contracts.  The political news source, which reports on the goings on in Washington DC, says it’s part of their plan to move from print to digital/internet media.

The owners of The Guy’s Shop and Thelma’s, in Wisconsin, retired and shut down their stores.  In Madison, after 51 years Dorn Hardware shut down.  The owner blames competition from national stores and the bad economy: “We’ve been looking at dong this for at least three years. It’s all about sales and expenses. Sales are too low and expenses are too high.”-Tom Dorn

In Georgia, New York based International Flavors & Fragrances is shutting down their factory in Augusta.  54 employees affected.  Company officials say it’s part of their plan to make the company more efficient by consolidating 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.

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

Martial Law U.S.A.: Bilderberg directly involved with NSA domestic spy operation!

11 July 2013 (14:38 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Ramadan 1434/20 Tir 1391/04 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

Thanks to Edward Snowden’s release of NSA documents to The Guardian, it’s been revealed that Microsoft was directly involved with helping to create the domestic spy operation in the United States.

Bill Gates is the co-founder and current chairman of Microsoft.  He is also a documented Bilderberg attendee.  He and his wife are also behind a global vaccination program, especially for polio, but recently it was revealed that a former Gates Foundation official is behind a new vaccine for norovirus.

Specifically Microsoft helped the federal government break the encryption of individuals’ chat room discussions through Microsoft’s own Outlook portal.  But wait, there’s more!  Read The Guardian article to find out.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 03 May 2013. Quest for profits destroying data collections companies?

In Washington DC, Rumors bar and restaurant now bankrupt.  Rumors has been in operation for more than 30 years.

In Utah a major mining company, Kennecott, warned of hundreds of layoffs.  At first it was blamed on a landslide at its Bingham Canyon Mine, but company officials also admitted they had to begin “cost cutting” measures.  Kennecott is owned by the British Empire’s Rio Tinto Group.

In New York, employees with The Daily Gazette report more layoffs.  At least ten people let go.  Company officials refused comment.  In Massena, Precious Memories prom dress store out-o-business. The owner blamed the bad economy: “It’s been slowly getting worse and worse for the past two or three years.”-Wendy S. MacCue

AmeriQual, a contracted food supplier for the military, laid off 49 employees in Evansville, Indiana.  It’s blamed on military spending cuts.  However, some locals are saying the taxpayer funded company is just replacing full timers with part time temps, to justify lower pay and no benefits.

In Massachusetts, the bank BB&T announced it is restructuring, which means jobs will be eliminated.  BB&T’s Kelly King said “We recognized the economy is slow and likely will be slow the rest of this year.”

Medtronic ending about 230 jobs!  “Like most companies, we will continue to evaluate our markets and organization structure to look at areas where efficiency can be improved throughout our business.”-Cindy Resman

In Texas, Swiss owned LifeSize Communications laid off about 24 people in Austin.  Company officials gave no reason for the layoffs.

Domestic data collections company, CACI of Arlington, Virginia, warned of hundreds of layoffs.  Company officials said they had to “right size” their operations to remain profitable.

Fred’s discount store closed in Belmont, North Carolina.

Children’s clothing maker Carter’s closing its Shelton, Connecticut, office.  Carter’s, which also makes the Oshkosh B’gosh brand, is consolidating operations to Atlanta, Georgia.

Maine Potato Growers closing their stores in Houlton and Presque Isle.  Company officials blame increased retail competition for forcing them to return to industry sales only.

In Florida, after 31 years Circle K Furniture shut down both its retail stores in Jacksonville.  It’s blamed on the bad economy, and a death in the family was the final straw.

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, Idaho, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 02 May 2013. More Christian schools going down!

Texas based video game maker, TimeGate, now bankrupt.  Apparently they lost a legal battle that’s been raging since 2009.  Bell Helicopter announced it was cutting back on its Fort Worth operations.  140 people out-o-work!  Blamed on expected reductions in orders for the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.

Video game make, Glu Mobile, laid off 68 people at its Washington operations.  It has something to do with their new games-as-a-service scheme.   The Sears in the Wenatchee Valley Mall will close in August.   59 people out-o-work.

300 people lost their jobs with Xerox!  Xerox shut down their Coos Bay, Oregon, call center operations.  Company officials blame it on an unnamed client they were serving.

Idaho based paper products company, Boise, will layoff 265 people at their International Falls, Minnesota, operations!  Apparently sales are so bad they have to shut down two production lines by 01 October.

The irony of the bad economy is that Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry laid off 100 employees!  State officials blame lack of federal funding.  In Sellersville, Teva Pharmaceutical announced it will shut down its research and manufacturing facility by 2017.  472 employees affected!

The California Department of Developmental Services has decided that 54 employees at their Porterville Developmental Center are “surplus” and will be laid off by the end of August.  However, a consultant pointed out that the facility is already short staffed, and the layoffs will make things worse: “It’s very ironic. We already have an issue with massive overtime and staff doing its best to keep the staffing ratio up and running.”-Brady Oppenheim

In Florida, as the shut down of the Crystal River nuke plant continues, Duke Energy forced to layoff hundreds more employees. 585 employees to be let go over the next 12 months!  The nuke plant is being shut down because it was revealed that Duke Energy employees damaged a containment building, then majorly screwed up the repair job.  It would cost $3.4 billion to fix the botched repair.

90 people lost their jobs with BuySeasons in New Berlin, Wisconsin.  It’s blamed on crashing sales.

In New York, the 72 years old Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Auburn closed down.  It’s blamed on a drastic drop in student enrollment.  Also, the Rome Catholic High School closed down.  It’s blamed on declining enrollment.  In Henrietta, Tyco Integrated Security is ending operations by October.  132 people out-o-work!

The Ri Ra Irish Pub in Bethesda, Maryland, will close in September.  The owners said it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.

Stage Stores closing their Mecklenburg County office in Virginia.  112 people unemployed!  The company is consolidating operations to Texas.

In Georgia, the owner of new age book store Trilogy is switching to internet sales only.  The owner is moving to Texas, for family reasons.

The owners of The Little Red Gift Shop, in Ohio, sold out: “The developer building across the street approached us with a good enough offer and we accepted it.”-Betty Donnellan

In Phoenix, Arizona, the Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar closed down.  The owner, a former state politician, hopes to open a new restaurant in the Sky Harbor airport.

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, Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Postal Service: Domestic spies, ID thieves, layoffs, closings & privatization will continue until moral improves!

09 July 2013 (23:37 UTC-07 Tango 08 July 2013)/01 Ramadan 1434/18 Tir 1391/02 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

“Whether that is due to health benefits or retirement funding or something that only Congress can control, the bottom line is we are losing $25 million a day.”-Ron Schaer, USPS marketing manager in Portland, Oregon

“There’s a lot of deception going on, it’s being driven by the private sector, which wants to profit off the movement of mail. Part of that profit will come from not having to deal with postal unions.”-John Schwiebert, 18th Avenue Peace House, Oregon

Fact: U.S. Postal Service officials are dictated to by the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission.  The commissioners are selected/appointed by the President of the U.S., and the U.S. Senate.  They are the ones who determine things such as the price of a postage stamp and layoffs.

Fact: The U.S. Postal Service is not funded with tax dollars (“The USPS has not directly received taxpayer-dollars since the early 1980s with the minor exception of subsidies for costs associated with the disabled and overseas voters.”).  The USPS is funded through postage stamps and other services they provide.  Many times the USPS has asked the PRC for increases in postal rates, because they were not covering operating expenses, but the PRC refused  (that’s right, even though there have been rate increases, they still don’t cover operating costs).  Also, in 2006 the U.S. Congress forced the USPS to pay $5.5 billion per year, for the next 75 years, into accounts controlled by Congress (this is the final straw that broke the financial back of the USPS).

For proof of main stream U.S. news media ignorance about the USPS, recently the Wall Street Journal stupidly stated that “If you’re an American taxpayer, you own it.”  How can that be if the USPS is an independent agency that is not funded with tax money?

In Alabama, a mail carrier was found guilty of stealing people’s identities, and other crimes.  But he was just a part of a larger ID theft ring: “…his criminal organization not only stole innocent people’s identities, filed fraudulent tax returns and received tax refunds not owed to them, but they used Harrison’s position as a mail carrier to steal these debit cards from the mail…”-George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney

According to the New York Times, the USPS has been acting as a domestic spy agency for the U.S. government.  It was revealed when a mail carrier ‘accidentally’ delivered the order to photocopy all letters to a postal customer: “Show all mail to supv for copying prior to going out on the street”

That order was specifically against the postal customer that accidentally received the order.  Independent investigations revealed the USPS is using a Mail Isolation Control and Tracking program to copy at least 160 billion pieces of mail every year.

Of interest is that the USPS has just placed an order for $450000 worth of computer systems from Kansas based company Commtech.  Commtech designs high speed data collections, I mean communications equipment.  The USPS says it could double the order.

In Oregon, a postal carrier was found guilty of stealing $135000 in cash and checks from customers’ mail.  He blamed it on a gambling addiction.

In Texas, a postal employee pled guilty to using postal computers to collect child porn.  And a resident of Coldspring has been charged with murdering a mail carrier.  The suspect complained of slow delivery of his mail.  The carrier was on her cell phone with her son when the suspect shot her.

In Florida, mail carriers report increases in assaults against them.

In Rhode Island, the USPS is investigating why mail for businesses in East Greenwhich has been dumped by the carriers.  A part time carrier has been arrested in connection with the dumping.  The investigation would not have happened if it weren’t for postal customers complaining.

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Here in southeastern Idaho, I’ve watched as the Chubbuck USPS postal station in the Pine Ridge Mall was closed down.   Then I watched as Chubbuck’s independently contracted post office was closed down.  Now I see the staffing at the Pocatello Clark Street post office being reduced, and full timers switched to part time.  This past Saturday I saw the local Postmaster stocking shipping supplies for postal customers.  One source told me that despite locals’ objections to the closing of the area’s only processing center, the Gateway Station in Pocatello will be closed within 18 months.  This means that if I send a letter to Idaho Falls, an hours drive from my location, it will be first sent to Salt Lake City, Utah, and then sent back into Idaho to it’s destination.  Not very efficient or cost saving is it?

Relatives in California have told me of local post offices now operating Saturday hours on Fridays (10:00 hours to 14:30 hours).  It was officially reported that the USPS cut operating hours at their Highland and Calimesa post offices.  Also, full time employees have been replaced with part timers.  In La Jolla the USPS is selling off the historic La Jolla Post Office (National Register of Historic Places), despite protests.  This is odd considering the USPS just held a job fair in San Jose, supposedly to fill 500 positions!

In Indiana, after 17 years of service the USPS will close the postal station in Evansville’s Eastland Mall.  Fordsville will lose its branch PO, meaning the nearest PO will be 10 miles away.

In Massachusetts, the West Lynn PO will probably be closed down, for real this time.

In Hawaii, the Kapolei Post Office will be closed in August.

In Illinois, USPS officials told the Collinsville City Council the 50 year lease on the Collinsville Post Office was up in September, and they were not going to renew.  They said the post office was too big.

In Ohio, the processing center in Toledo will be closed.   By the end of 2014 processing centers in Akron, Athens, Canton, Chillicothe, Dayton, Ironton, Steubenville and Youngstown will be closed.

In New York, the USPS opened a new mini post office (called a village post office), in a mini-mart in Limestone.   In Newburgh, plans to close the processing center in 2014 have been changed.  It’s being closed this year!  Hundreds of jobs affected.

In Kentucky, the USPS opened a village PO in the Harrodsburg Food Center.

In South Carolina, the Asheville processing center will cease outgoing mail handling on 13 July.  Nearly 200 jobs affected.

The USPS will pay millions of dollars to improve worker safety, after they were hit with accusations from the Postal Workers Union and the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA.  This after the USPS signed a contract with Adayana Government Group to provide training for newly appointed Safety Specialists, Managers, Supervisors, and Facility Safety Coordinators. (called operation Safety Boot Camp)

After 50 years of ignoring Cuba, the USPS says it will begin negotiating the possibility of delivering U.S. mail to the communist country.

Beware of the Change of Address scam.  Internet sites are charging people up to $24 to file fake change of address forms.  The USPS does it for free (if you fill out the forms at your local PO).

What about the plan to go to five day delivery week?  At the beginning of the year the USPS was approved to begin a six day package delivery, and five day mail delivery scheme.  In April that plan was put on hold, not “shelved” as so many main streamer news media sites reported.  President Obama’s fiscal 2014 budget proposal allows the USPS to go to a five day delivery schedule.  The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (part of the PRC) said “….Congress has left it with no choice but to delay this implementation at this time….The Board continues to support the transition to a new national delivery schedule….”  The Board also lied and stated that “…this new delivery schedule is widely supported by the American public.”

According to Federal News Radio, the USPS is being transformed into something that resembles privatized European postal services: “In regard to partnerships, other posts tend to be more aggressive in what they do with. I think it is something where the Postal Service can catch up by learning from the aggressive actions that some of the European posts are taking, and that might apply to other areas as well.”-Michael Kubayanda, USPS Office of the Inspector General

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 01 May 2013.

Aluminum maker, Alcoa, says it will reduce production even more.  Alcoa has already been shutting down operations world wide.  They blame the low price of aluminum.  Reduced production equals more layoffs.

In Rhode Island, Westerly Hospital eliminated 45 jobs.  It’s being blamed on the takeover by Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Schumacher Group shutting down its Patient Financial Management Services in Louisiana.  41 people laid off.   Blame Obama/Romney Care (Affordable Care Act).

In California, the not for profit doctor and hospital network known as Sutter Health announced 169 people losing their jobs!  There was no reason given, but apparently the network is consolidating 1000 jobs, so expect more layoffs.  The Paradise Unified School District wants to get rid of at least six jobs.  It all depends on Title 1 federal funds.  In Atascadero, Colby Jack Café & Bakery closed down.  The owners blame the bad economy: “We tried to make it work and couldn’t. We haven’t seen the economy get better.”-Natalie Dorris

The proposed budget for the city of Portland, Oregon, plans 182 layoffs, and increases the water/sewer rates!

Electronics/communications company Harris Corporation wants to layoff 150 people in Brevard County, Florida!  Company officials say they have to cut operating costs.

In North Carolina, Too Big to Jail Bank of America closed down its employee child care center in Charlotte.  In High Point, Tar Heel Lanes bowling alley closed after 42 years of business.  The owners were not able to get  new loans, so now the bowling alley is up for sale.  After 37 years Gaston County’s John Deere dealership, Briley’s Lawn and Leisure, closed down.  Blamed on death in the family.

Ecolab laying off 500 people across the U.S., mainly in Texas!  It’s blamed on restructuring after the takeover of a company called Champion Technologies.

In Maryland, Aramark laying off 202 people!  The dining service company lost a major contract.   In Bethesda, Zen Tara Tea shop shut down.   The owners blamed loss of business on major construction projects in the area.  In College Park, On Cloud 9 clothing store closed up.  Blamed on death in the family.  In Ellicott City, Mumbles and Squeaks toy store closed.  After 21 years the owners decided it was time to retire.

What automotive sector recovery?  In Indiana, Jay Products Company of Portland ceased operations.  61 people out-o-work.  The car parts maker blamed it on a reduction in production in the automotive industry.

In Missouri, the Affton Blockbuster video store closed down.

Update on ESCO Technologies closing its Aclara plant in Solon, Ohio.  At least 79 employees being laid off.

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 19-20 April 2013. What automotive sector recovery? NSA domestic spying company hit by spending cuts!

In New Jersey, North Bergen recycling went bankrupt.  Company officials pled guilty to illegal dumping and got hit with massive fines.

AM General laid off at least 350 people in Indiana!  Company officials blame the bad global economy on crashing Hummer/Humvee orders!  Yet, at the same time they claim there is a big demand for their military type vehicle, it’s just that the expected orders haven’t come in.

In Kentucky, automotive parts supplier, GECOM, laid off 85 employees.  Company officials blamed it on “…current and projected business needs…”, adding that for the foreseeable future “…only a handful of employees…” will be kept working.

In Tennessee, Volkswagen laying off 500 people!  Last year VW thought they were going to add 800 jobs to their U.S. Passat factory, but sales crashed!  VW officials say sales are only good in major metro areas, in the rest of the country sales are down.  And in a bit-o-irony, the Department of of Labor and Workforce is restructuring its Career Centers, and as many as 125 people could lose their jobs!

At least 180 people lost their jobs with L3 Communication Systems-West in Utah!  Company officials blamed Department of Defense spending cuts.  Maybe this is a good thing, as L3 is “…a leading provider of networked communication solutions for high-performance intelligence collection, imagery processing and satellite communications for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies. We provide high-data rate, wideband, secure, real-time communication systems for surveillance and reconnaissance.”  In other words they’re being paid to spy on you!  (for some reason hi-tech spying operations are setting up shop in the heart of Mormon-land, soon the World’s largest personal information collection center will be operational. It’s located in the Utah Army National Guard’s Camp Williams)

Publicly funded (meaning donations) KCET TV, in California, laid off 22 employees and eliminated five vacant positions.  It’s the result of a merger with publicly funded (donations) Link Media.  In June 2012 KCET posted a loss of $7.4 million USD.

More bad news for Disney owned Lucasfilm.  20 more people laid off in what is supposedly the last round of layoffs since the Disney takeover.

In Maine, SPX Communications Technologies ended antenna operations, laying off 57 employees.

The Puma athletic store in Pennsylvania closed down.

In Oregon, The Elephant’s Trunk toy store closed at the Salem Center Mall.

267 people out-o-work in Ohio, after Turf Products closed its Streetsboro operations!  Another 23 people laid off in the company’s distribution center.   Apparently the company made too many products (like lawnmowers) at other factories, and is calling a production halt.  ESCO Technologies closing its Aclara plant in Solon.  The company saw a 85% drop in profits for its 2nd quarter this year.  No word on how many people will be unemployed.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, Faux Pas closed after 20 years in business.  The owners of the fashion store decided it was time to change careers.

Wonderland Books shut down in Connecticut. The owners blamed competition from big name stores and the internet.

In Mississippi, Bayside Furniture & Appliances shut down.  The longtime family owners (since 1970) blamed the bad economy.

After 64 years Smith’s Gardentown Farms closed in Wichita, Texas.   The family owners blame the long drought, and hope to re-open when the rains return: “The drought has everyone worried. I think there were some misunderstandings about the [city’s] watering rules, but the drought is a reality. Much of our business depends on selling bedding plants in the spring to help get us through the summer and into the fall. Business has just been way off because people are guarded about the future, and rightfully so.”-Steve Smith

In New Mexico, the Albuquerque Public Schools District has lost $100 million since 2010, and is now looking at closing down several schools.  The district has already laid off 1000 employees since 2010!  One plan is to get rid of Middle schools (Junior Highs).  The irony is that the district just built two new schools!

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.