Category Archives: Business/Economics

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

Government Lies: U.S. allows farm Corporations to contiue business with Iran, oil contractors as well. Proof the U.S. sanctions against Iran are bogus, and possibly illegal under current U.S. law created by Republicans!

“If they need something really quick and reliable, the U.S. is there to do it.”-unnamed U.S. wheat trader

It’s been revealed that despite U.S. economic sanctions against Iran, U.S. agricultural giants Cargill and Bunge will sell about 220,000 tons of U.S. wheat to Iran, by April.

Not only that, but Iran is paying more than the going Market rate for wheat, as much as $30 per metric ton more!

So what happened to the U.S. economic sanctions against Iran?  Turns out money does talk, and U.S. officials are willing to turn a blind eye to big Iranian money being spent on U.S. industries: “They seem to be taking hundreds of thousands of tonnes a week. If that’s the case and we repeat 2008, if they buy seven million tonnes of wheat, this is going to be a huge deal for the [U.S.] market.“-another unnamed U.S. wheat trader

This could also be proof that there is no economic recovery taking place inside the United States, forcing officials to go back on threats against Iran.

It’s not just the agriculture industry, even U.S. medical industries and oil contractors, and even Mars candy bar corporation, are allowed to continue business with Iran.  Guess why?  A U.S. law created by Republicans, under the influence of Corporate America, in 2000, allows dozens of U.S. industries to be exempt from any future sanctions against Iran!!!

According to a December 2010 New York Times article, the U.S. government, under Republican President George Bush Jr, enacted a law in the year 2000 that allowed U.S. companies to not only do business with “terrorist” “rogue” states such as Iran and North Korea,  but to be exempt from future sanctions!

Even Democrats complained about the Republican created law: “It’s not a bad thing to grant exceptions if it represents a conscious policy decision to give countries an incentive. But when you create loopholes like this that you can drive a Mack truck through, you are giving countries something for nothing, and they just laugh in their teeth. I think there have been abuses.”-Stuart Eizenstat, former Bill Clinton administration

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

Proof that Gas-Electric Hybrid cars are a sham! Honda settles California lawsuit for as much as $461 million

“It didn’t work. My mileage actually went down.”-Jack Shrader Jr, owner of 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

I always knew those electric and gas-electric cars were a rip off.

In California thousands of owners of hybrid Honda Civics sued Honda because the cars got no better, or even worse, fuel mileage than a regular gas powered Civic!  The batteries also had to be recharged far sooner than advertised!

On March16, 2012, a San Diego Superior Court judge approved a settlement that’s estimated to range between $87.5 million and $461.3 million.

One hybrid owner said that her car was fine until Honda did a mandatory software update: “Now my car is so sluggish. It just doesn’t want to go sometimes and you never know when. I’m livid. It’s not really a reliable car. It should be, I paid a fortune for it!”-Kathy Wood, owner 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

But wait there’s more!  This settlement is in regards to a class action lawsuit.  There are hundreds more individual cases against Honda!

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

Oil & Gas Prices: Iran cuts oil shipment to 4 more European countries! SWIFT retaliation? U.S. to sanction India

March 16, 2012, Iran’s Oil Ministry announced it will stop oil shipments to four more European Union members.

Back in February Iran stopped oil shipments to France and United Kingdom.  Iran had also named four other EU countries that could lose their Iranian oil shipments.

Iranian media reporting that Iran will now stop oil shipments to those other countries.  Those countries are Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

I’ve heard that claim before, but this time it might be for real, and in retaliation for Iran’s exclusion from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).

“It is a direct result of international and multilateral action to intensify financial sanctions against Iran.”-Lazaro Campos, CEO SWIFT

The SWIFT move will affect about 30 Iranian banks.

Washington DC insiders say it’s likely the United States will sanction India, for refusing to take part in the U.S. led oil sanctions against Iran: “Given the level of trade, and in particular oil, between Iran and India, targeting an Indian entity that facilitates Iran’s access to the international financial market should be top of mind for the U.S. Treasury.”-Avi Jorisch, former Treasury Department official

According to the International Energy Agency, India and South Korea have greatly increased the amount of oil they’re buying from Iran.  Japan and South Korea are demanding exemptions from the U.S. oil sanctions, because British Petroleum was able to be exempted. (I told you Obama does not have the support of the International Community, as he claims)

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Proof the U.S. occupation of Aghanistan is about Drugs: Largest drug bust Ever! Famous last words?

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) reported the largest opium drug bust in Afghanistan’s history.

“The raid resulted in approximately 4,000 pounds of suspected narcotics (the equivalent of $2.5 – 3 million) being removed from the battlefield. This was the biggest drug bust in ANSF National Interdiction Unit history.”-Captain Joseph Quirk, 2nd Battalion, 9th U.S. Marine Regiment

The USMC said the bust was made by Afghan National Security Forces, after the opium was spotted by a USMC UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).

However, ISAF forces had also been tipped off about the opium, in an earlier raid in Marjeh district of Helmand Province.

Captain Quirk made what could be called a famous last statement: “The amount of money lost by the insurgency will significantly affect the insurgents’ capabilities and resources for the spring offensive saving ANSF and International Security Assistance Force lives.”

The spring offensive always comes, and the opium dealing increases year after year.  How does that happen if we’re so good at making drug busts, throwing Afghans into prison without trial, and eradicating opium fields?

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

Toyota & Subaru begin production of new sports car. For sale in the United States?

A few weeks ago Subaru announced they were ending decades of minicar production in Japan. They said they just weren’t profitable.

Now that minicar factory is being used to produce a sports car jointly designed by Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries (owner of Subaru).

It’s called the Toyota 86, or Subaru BRZ.  It’s reported to have an engine designed for lots of power and fuel economy.

The car is supposed to go on sale in Australia in June. There the car is being marketed to potential buyers with incomes of at least Australian$150,000 per year.

The car will be powered by a water cooled 2.0-litre Boxer (horizontally opposed 4 cylinder, like the old air cooled VWs)  D-4S gas (petrol) engine.   147kW (199.8 hp) and 205Nm (151 foot pounds) of torque.  Base model comes with automatic transmission, but buyers could get a six-speed manual transmission. Limited slip differential will be available, except on the base model with automatic transmission.

The cars are also planned for sale in Europe.

Will the car be sold in the United States?  Reports say Toyota will sell the car under their Scion brand, as the Scion FR-S.  Subaru will sell it as a Subaru BRZ, at a rumored starting price of U.S.$25,000.  They hope to sell at least 7,000 per year.

Business/Economics, International, Technology

One Year Later: Cell Phones proved useless in Tsunami hit areas, news media critical for getting information out

An international telecommunication symposium was held in the quake/tsunami hit Japanese city of Sendai. The goal was to discover which form of telecommunications works best in a tsunami disaster.

Cells phones proved to be useless, as there was no way to charge the batteries.  Use of pay phones was limited because of tsunami damage.

It turns out that the best way to communicate with disaster victims is still the tried and true Radio!  A study found that most survivors, who knew what was going on, were listening to portable radios.

The boss of Japan’s NHK broadcaster (NHK actually won awards for their reporting on the disaster), said in the next disaster they will focus even more on getting useful information out for those survivors who might be listening on portable radios.

 

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

Oil & Gas Prices: Incompetent Chevron creates new spill in Brazil, unknown oil spill near Seattle, U.S. fisherman still waiting for money from 2010 BP oil spill

Only a few days after Chevron announced it was hopeful in restating oil production in Brazil, ooops, there goes another one!

March 15, 2012, Chevron reported another oil spill, just 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from last November’s spill.  The spill was actually noticed on March 4, but Chevron didn’t report it until now because they didn’t know where it was coming from!

In the U.S. state of Washington, the Department of Ecology is trying to figure out what kind of oil is spilling from two sunken barges.  The oil spill is forming near Lummi Island.

Salvage companies were in the process of cutting up the sunken barges when the oil spilled out. Some officials say the oil could be coming from under the barges. The spill is affecting 200 feet of shoreline.

In U.S. states along the Gulf of Mexico, fisherman still haven’t been paid by British Petroleum.  In 2010 an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil were spilled by BP operations, shutting down the fishing industry.

The Commercial Fishermen of America say at least $2.5 billion in damages were done to the Louisiana fishing industry alone!  The numbers of fish are still below pre-spill levels!

Recently a settlement was made, but it could take years for all the money to be issued.  Another problem is that attorneys are about to unleash a campaign to convince people they can get their money fast, if they only go through their law firm.

Because it will take so long for the money to be issued, the Gulf states could still lose 2,650 to 3,975 jobs, with earnings losses of $68 million to $103 million!

 

 

Business/Economics, International

Government/Corporate Evil: EU cuts funding for Hungary, Hungary tells EU to F Off!

“Hungarians will not live as foreigners dictate, will not give up their independence or their freedom, therefore they will not give up their constitution either!”-Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary

March 15, 2012, Hungary’s Prime Minister told the European Union to basically F Off! 

On March 13, 2012, EU finance ministers suspended half a billion Euros worth of aid to Hungary.  They said it was because Hungary was not co-operating on their demands for fiscal reform.

“This provides a strong incentive for Hungary to conduct sound and sustainable fiscal policy.”-Olli Rehn, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner

But that’s not the only reason the EU is angry with Hungary.  Hungary has a constitution that states that Hungarians will not recognize laws created by foreigners!

Hungarians are holding anti-EU rallies, and the Prime Minister gave a defiant speech: “Freedom means that we decide about the laws governing our own life, we decide what is important and what isn’t. From the Hungarian perspective, with a Hungarian mindset, following the rhythm of our Hungarian hearts. We will not be a colony!”

The EU is now threatening legal action if Hungary does not change its constitution.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government/Corporate Evil: Greek taxes will increase, collections to be privatized, EU officials sending in the tax collecting troops

At the end of February the European Union said it was sending in tax collection forces to help the new, unelected Greek government take money from the people.

On March 15, 2012, the EU tax collection task force (including 160 German tax man troops!) said Greece has already collected about U.S.$1.2 billion.

On March 14, 2012, New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras, said not only is the Greek government going to increase taxes, but they’re going to privatize the tax collection business: “If necessary we will get tax oriented companies like KPMG to help collect taxes. We have to make an appeal for outsourcing, even in collecting taxes and we’ll also try to make public employees more competitive.”

Making public employees “more competitive” is code for reducing their pay and benefits even more!  Now you know why the Greek people are still fighting in the streets.

KPMG is a Swiss company that specializes in tax collections. They have operations in the United States, and more than 150 countries!

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Germany to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014

“A strategic pact is going to be signed between German Chancellor and Afghan president Hamid Karzai in the near future, but Germany is a close friend of Afghanistan besides the strategic pact and will continue to its cooperation. Germany remains committed to support Afghanistan economically and technically beyond 2014.”-Thomas de Maiziére, German Defense Minister

Without giving details the Defense Minister of Germany said his country will continue to provide Afghanistan will economic and technical support for years to come.

Afghan officials seemed pleased: “Germany has always been supportive whenever Afghanistan was in crisis and the Afghan government and people urge for further cooperation of Germany.”-Abdul Rahim Wardak, Afghan Defense Minister