Category Archives: U.S.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 10 October 2013. Major ObamaCare shutdown hits Virginia! White House bankrupt! Jewish drugs pusher laying off 5-thousand! More big bank layoffs!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Israeli based, U.S. traded, legal drugs pusher Teva laying off 5-thousand people around the world, including the United States.  “Teva improves health in the US every day, every minute, every second…….Teva is the world’s largest maker of generic pharmaceutical products. We have a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries.”-company statement

Internet news source, The Daily Beast, laid off 24 employees. It’s blamed on its short lived merger with Newsweek.

California: In Rancho Cordova, a Kmart will close, 97 jobs lost.

Florida: The PGA Tour Stop shop at World Golf Village shutdown.

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, it was announced a Kmart would close down. 70 jobs lost.

Louisiana: In Monroe, the University of Louisiana cut 35 jobs.  School officials blame it on continued declining revenues.

Massachusetts: In Saugus, the 52 years old Hilltop Steak House, with its 21.3 meters (70 feet) tall cactus sign, shutdown. The owners gave only a week long warning and blamed it on a “…dramatic change in the volume of our business.”

Michigan: In Petoskey, Glen’s grocery store shutdown.  It is consolidating with another store.

New Jersey: Cranford Paint and Hardware shutdown.

New York: In Rochester, Rich’s Products Manufacturing shutdown, 92 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania: MacOutfitters shutdown three stores. The company went bust.

Ohio:  Gallipolis Developmental Center eliminated 80 jobs.  The home for people with developmental disabilities blames it on crashing demand for their services.

Oregon:  The Portland Development Commission laid off 15 people.  The city is still trying to slash its budget.

Texas: What automotive industry recovery? Too Big to Jail OmniAmerican Bank laid off 24 employees, and announced they are cutting back on loans for buying cars.  Bank officials said the going interest rates on car loans are too small to make it worth their while. In Irving, Too Big to Jail Retreat Capital Management shutdown, 73 jobs lost.

Virginia: In Christiansburg, StellarOne bank warned of layoffs due to its merger with Union First Market Bank. In the Richmond area, Too Big to Jail Capital One laid off 200 people, despite claiming they have 470 open positions!  In King George County, three medical centers shutdown!!!  They are Gateway Medical Urgent Care, King George Pediatrics and King George Medical Center.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the county is “medically underserved”. So much for the Affordable Health Care scam! Georgia-Pacific laid off 80 employees, and shutdown its Jarratt fiberboard plant.

Washington DC: The White House Gift Shop now bankrupt.  The store is located a couple of blocks from the real White House.

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

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

International, U.S.

Norovirus: More cruise lines hit! Connection to Autism? More schools shut down! Gummy Bears making people sick?

18 January 2014 (10:24 UTC-07 Tango)/16 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/28 Dey 1392/18 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Ontario, Canada: The Sudbury and District Health Unit warned of increasing cases of Norwalk virus at day care centers.

United Kingdom: Multiple hospitals have wards closed due to vomiting bug.  They include Warwick (strange because on the same day there was a report saying restrictions had been lifted), Borders General Hospital, Dumfries Infirmary.

California, U.S.A.: Baywood Court Retirement Community reports an outbreak of severe gastrointestinal illness.  People are being told to stay in their rooms.  The dining hall is closed.

Florida, U.S.A: A Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked with at least 68 sick passengers and crew.

Louisiana, U.S.A.:  The U.S. FDA is warning that oysters from Copano Bay are giving people norovirus.  Remember the BP oil spill?

Oregon, U.S.A.: Rock Creek Elementary shut down after 100 kids and several staff got sick. Washington County Department of Health and Human Services suspects norovirus.  One parent lamented “I had them wash their hands. I don’t know of any realistic precautions you can take.”-Molly Brown

Virginia, U.S.A.:  Saint Francis Medical Center reports that at least 32 employees are sick. There are no reports that patients are sick, hospital officials blamed children without any proof.  The hospital is now using a ultra-violet light robot to sanitize rooms.

More and more studies concerning autism are making connections to gastrointestinal problems.  One study said 43% of their autistic subjects had GI problems. Researchers also made GI connections to families that have a history of anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders.

Germany’s Haribo sugarless gummy bears are making people sick, at least that’s what self proclaimed victims are reporting on Amazon’s Customer Review page.  People are reporting gastrointestinal problems after eating just a handful of the bears.  One man admitted he ate one pound worth in one sitting, then suffered “Gastrointestinal Armageddon”.  Anybody remember those fat free cookies and chips, that acted like intense laxatives if you ate just a handful? Stay away from junk food that’s made with fake sugar, or fat substitutes.

The U.S. CDC says norovirus accounts for as many as 800 deaths in the United States, every year.

Norovirus (aka Norwalk Virus), is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it.  It is not influenza and there is still no vaccine for fast evolving RNA norovirus.  The only ‘treatment’ is to keep the sick person hydrated.

Exotic anti-biotic soaps can’t kill norovirus, or any other virus for that matter, because anti-biotics are only for bacteria.  Despite that, even hand ‘sanitizers’ made with alcohol can’t totally get rid of norovirus.   Guess what apparently works?  According to the U.S. CDC old fashioned hand soap is best.  Consumer Reports says to leave the soap on your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.  Also, in public restrooms use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door, do not touch surfaces with your bare hands after washing them.

Wash household surfaces with bleach.

The worse thing is that you can be infected and not have any symptoms.  An infected person can spread norovirus, yet not feel sick themselves. If you think you might be infected do not cook food for other people. People recovering from traditional symptoms of norovirus can continue spreading the bug for days after feeling better (some reports say weeks).

U.S.

New Rotavirus vaccine could cause major intestinal problems!

18 January 2014 (23:04 UTC-07 Tango 17 January 2014)/16 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/28 Dey 1392/18 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A seven years study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute warns that there is a risk of problems with Merck’s rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq.

Rotavirus causes norovirus like symptoms.  But the Merck vaccine could cause children to end up getting surgery on their intestines, as a result of intussusception (the intestines slide into each other like a telescoping telescope).

Similar results were found in a five years study on GlaxoSmithKline’s Rotarix.  That study was done by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The rotavirus vaccines require several doses, and apparently most of the risk of intussusception happens after the first dose, with little or no risk with the second and third doses.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan, 07-10 January 2014: Gas attack? USMC kills child! Mujahideen seeking peace assassinated by the U.S.? U.S. personnel dying mysteriously after leaving Afghanistan!

Ghazni Province: In Aab Band District, three family members were killed when they drove over a landmine.

Helmand Province: In Greshk District, U.S. led forces shot and killed a child. International Security Assistance Force confirmed: “ISAF deeply regrets any civilian casualty.”  In Lashkargah city, two suicide bombers exploded killing themselves and between seven and 18 cops.  In Nad Ali District, Mujahideen attacked an Afghan National Army (ANA) base.  They claim they killed or 26 ANA troops and destroyed four armored personnel carriers.

Khost Province: At Sahrabagh military base, six ANA soldiers died at hospital, after suffering gas poisoning while they slept in their barracks. ANA officials did not give details, but said they could not link the incident to Mujahideen.

Kunar Province: More claims that Pakistan fired artillery rounds into Afghanistan.

Maidan Wardak Province: In Chak District, an Israeli style home invasion resulted in four people being kidnapped.  In Sayed Abad District, reports that U.S.-NATO forces conducted an Israeli style raid destroying the Hajji Hazar Gul Masjid, and tore up a Quran and copies of the Yasin surah.  I’m beginning to suspect these Israeli style raids are being conducted by the recently U.S. created and funded mercenary group known as Presidential Guards.

Parwan Province: At Bagram airbase, a Hawaii National Guard sergeant and a Wyoming National Guard CWO were killed when their expensive MC-12 spy (possibly a Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, made by the same company) plane crashed.  Officially the crash is being called “non-hostile”.  One U.S. civilian contractor was also killed.  Another MC-12 crashed back in April 2013.

The Afghan government revealed that last year somebody assassinated 12 Pakistani Mujahideen who were willing to talk peace with Afghanistan: “All 12 had been speaking to the president’s negotiators, either directly or through provincial governors or tribal elders.”-Rahmatullah Nabeel, National Directorate of Security (NDS)

The Army National Guard’s 1084th Transportation Company, from the U.S. state of Louisiana, returned home from Afghanistan.

The Army National Guard’s 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, from the U.S. state of Georgia, returned home from Afghanistan.

The Army National Guard’s 269th Military Police Company, from the U.S. state of Tennessee, is deploying to Afghanistan.

The Army National Guard’s 143rd Military police company, from the U.S. state of Montana, deploying to Afghanistan.

A National Guard Sergeant Major had to sue the U.S. Postal Service to get his civilian job back!  The USPS fired him for “excessive military leave”!  It took 13 years of court room battles to get his job back, plus back pay!  The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of Guard and Reserve personnel are still being forced to sue their employers to get their civilian jobs back when they return from Afghanistan.  It is supposed to be illegal to fire a civilian employee when they are called up for active duty in the Guard or Reserve.

The Army National Guard retired the C-23 Sherpa tactical transport after 20 years of use.  The Sherpa is not a U.S. designed aircraft, it’s built by the British Short Brothers.  This means all those U.S. tax dollars spent on the C-23 went to the mortal enemy of the United States: The evil British empire.

In the U.S. state of Ohio, a 23 years old Army National Guardsman died just 13 days after arriving home from his second tour in Afghanistan. He was found in his apartment. His parents said he had plans on joining the Regular Army (RA) to return to Afghanistan. The Summit County Medical Examiner is investigating.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: Albertsons shutting down 26 stores by February!

17 January 2014 (10:41 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/27 Dey 1392/17 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

The downward spiral of what was once Idaho based Albertsons grocery stores continues.  In January 2013 evil Cerberus Capital Management became sole owner of Albertsons.  14 stores were shut down in 2013.

It’s just been announced that another 26 stores will shutdown by the end of February 2014!

One store in Arizona, 11 stores in California, two in Nevada, one in New Mexico, two in Oregon, five in Washington.  As well as two Acme Markets in Pennsylvania, and two Shaw’s in Massachusetts.

Alberstons is playing the same game as Sears Holdings: As leases expire they shut-em-down!

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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: Macy’s to kill 2500 jobs in 2014!

17 January 2014 (10:29 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/27 Dey 1392/17 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Department store Macy’s-Bloomingdale’s closing five stores and laying off 25-hundred employees in 2014!

Company officials say they need to cut $100-million from the yearly budget! This is strange because they also announced plans to build eight new stores!

The five stores being closed are in Mesa, Arizona, Overland Park, Kansas, Florrisant, Missouri, Irondequoit, New York and Murray, Utah.

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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: JCPenney killing 33 stores & 2-thousand jobs!

17 January 2014 (10:19 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/27 Dey 1392/17 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Despite saying they’re happy with the end of year holiday sales, JCPenney officials are going to shutdown 33 stores and kill 2-thousand U.S. jobs in 2014!

Company officials said they still aren’t profitable, and they need to cut $65-million from their yearly budget! If you’ve been following the Sears-Kmart debacle you’ll realize that shutting down a lot of stores only creates a downward spiral, because shutting down huge numbers of stores also kills overall sales.

Stores will be closed in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 08-09 October 2013. Boston Strong kills green energy transport company! Costco kills organic Peanut Butter? Target layoffs! ObamaCare killing non-profits!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

France based telecommunications company, Alcatel-Lucent, announced at least 10-thousand layoffs around the World.  At least 2100 layoffs will take place in the Americas.  Alcatel-Lucent has offices in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.  Company officials said their past layoffs were “not sufficient”, and warned of total collapse: “Everyone recognizes that this is the last chance. The situation in the enterprise is serious, very serious!”-Michel Combes, CEO

Alabama: Handy Head Start school shutdown.  It’s blamed on the temporary federal government shutdown, which only affected 18% of government spending.

California: In Victorville, local Desert Community Bank (DCB) shutdown its Dunia Plaza branch.  It’s blamed on the 2007 merger with East West Bank.  Back in 1994 as the News Producer for struggling KHIZ I worked with the president of DCB (Ron Wilson, who quit in 2007 over the merger with East West Bank) to present old school banking advise to our audience. DCB was a true hometown bank, and the president’s weekly advise was appreciated by our audience.  Unfortunately, in 1996 KHIZ was sold off to the local cable company and I had to move on.  KHIZ was in Victorville, but listed officially as being in the Los Angeles TV market.  According to info on the internet it is now owned by a company called Multicultural.  However, none of the internet info lists the 1994-96 years when we busted our asses making KHIZ the number two rated independent 9pm newscast in the LA market. The internet info also doesn’t explain that we all lost our jobs after it was discovered that the station management had royally ripped off the company, stealing millions in “advertising trades” and skipping town (cops actually traced one of the managers to Florida), forcing the new family inheritors (the son-in-law of the widowed owner of Sunbelt) of the station to sell to the local cable company (at least that’s what he told us when he canceled our news department!).   In Walnut Creek, Liliana Castelllanos clothing boutique shutdown.  In Thousand Oaks, what automotive industry recovery?  Silver Star Automotive laid off 47 people.

Illinois: In Chicago, sushi restaurant Ginza shutdown after 26 years.  The greedy property owners sold off the property out from under the restaurant owner’s feet!

Kentucky: In Pikeville, 53 years old Jerry’s Restaurant shutdown. It’s the second Jerry’s Restaurant to shutdown.  The family owners blame the bad economy saying “Times change.”

Massachusetts: In Boston, North End Segway Tours now bankrupt. So much for battery powered transportation.  Apparently the city of Boston Strong didn’t like people riding Segways on the sidewalks and hit the tour company with massive fines!  Decas Cranberries laid off 20 workers, saying the company needed to become more “efficient”.  In Somerset, Brayton Point coal fired power plant shutdown, 240 jobs lost!  It’s blamed on the takeover by Energy Capital Partners.

Michigan: In Detroit, non-profit Crittenton Hospital laid off at least 24 employees. Hospital officials said Obama Care was forcing them to become more “efficient”.  The hospital was already struggling financially, but Obama Care might do them in.

Minnesota: Target laid off 150 people at its Twin Cities corporate HQ!  Target officials blamed employee “inefficiencies” and consumer “behavior”.  In Owatonno, the Cedar Gallery shutdown. The owner said she has to spend more time taking care of her sick parents.

Missouri: Non-profit SSM Health Care warned employees of pending layoffs: “We’re making announcements this week to our employees. There’s nothing more we can say…Out of respect for those affected, we can’t really discuss the details…”-Kristen Johnson

New Mexico: Costco (along with other retailers) is being blamed for killing off the biggest supplier of ‘organically grown’ peanuts in the United States; Sunland. According to court documents, Costco canceled a major contract with Sunland, and then demanded delivery of $20-million USD worth of peanuts currently in storage.  Sunland officials say Costco has yet to pay for at least $4-million worth of those peanuts! The U.S. FDA had recently traced a salmonella outbreak to Sunland. Next time someone says “it’s just peanuts” remind them that attitude killed off one of the biggest peanut suppliers in the country; Sundland is now being liquidated in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  The demise of Sunland not only affects hundreds of workers in Portales, but also several peanut farming operations throughout New Mexico and Texas.

New York: In Buffalo, after 145 years of suds Ulrich’s Tavern shutdown!  They went bankrupt because of the bad economy.  In Watertown, the 40 years old non-profit North Country Children’s Clinic shutdown. 128 jobs lost! Clinic officials blame it on crashing donations and reduced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements under Obama Care: “Unfortunately the way that the funding has rolled out, we have no choice other than to make this very difficult decision.”-Daniel A. Wasneechak, director

North Carolina: One Lowes Food and two JustSave grocery stores shutdown!  In Mount Airy, Northern Hospital of Surry County laid off 12 people. It’s blamed on reduced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements under Obama Care.  Hospital official also stated that hospitals became big because they were ordered to: “It’s easy to be criticized for over-expanding, but that’s what hospitals were told to do to handle an aging demographic.”-Bill James, CEO

Ohio: In Lancaster, Cord Camera shutdown.  Fayette County Memorial Hospital laid off eight staff, and warned of more, blaming Obama Care: “Health care is going through unprecedented change, and we will have to do more with less!”-Lyndon Christman, CEO

Oklahoma: After already announcing 1200 layoffs (including all their in-house Christian chaplains), Christian owned Chesapeake Energy warned of even more layoffs in 2014! The company has also sold off $4-million in assets.  Also, in-house ops like Chesapeake Weather have disappeared, news reports saying websites have been taken down and nobody answers phone calls.  In Oklahoma City, US Foods shutdown its distribution center. 175 jobs lost!

Pennsylvania: 68 years old Penn Refrigeration Service now bankrupt, and being liquidated under Chapter 7.  Company officials blamed the bad economy.  State run Presque Isle Downs & Casino laid off 26 employees.

Rhode Island: Care New England Health System, Memorial Hospital laid off seven staff.  Spokeswoman for the hospital, Susan McDonald warned that layoffs would be “…an ongoing process” due to Obama Care.

Tennessee:  In Olive Branch, Closure Systems International shutdown its bottle top factory. At least 100 jobs lost!

West Virginia: What housing market recovery? Fairmont Ruskin Manufacturing Plant shutdown. 185 jobs lost!  Company officials blame it on declining “commercial construction markets”.

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

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

International, U.S.

Norovirus: 900 kids taken out in one day! More cruise ships hit! Prisons hit!

16 January 2014 (12:08 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/26 Dey 1392/16 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

Ireland: Letterkenny General Hospital psychiatry department closed due to norovirus.

“This is an abnormal situation. We want to investigate every possible cause.”-Terada Seiko, board of education

Hamamatsu City, Japan: 900 grade school kids, and more than 40 adults, at 14 schools were hit in one day.  Local education officials are suspecting the contracted food service, but investigations have yet to determine the exact source of infection.  Complicating the investigation is the fact that food for the schools are made at several different locations.  At this point only five victims tested positive for norovirus.

New Zealand: Reports say at least 60 passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are sick with norovirus. The ship is being scrubbed before it sets sail on the next cruise.  Passengers for the upcoming cruise are worried, but told local news sources that the cruise line is not willing to refund their money, so they’ll take their chances.  The people who got sick on the previous cruise did so after the ship set sail from Australia.

Taiwan: Health officials claim a South Korean restaurant is to blame for making dozens of Taiwanese tourists sick.  They claim the employees at the restaurant tested positive for norovirus. It is possible to have norovirus and not have any symptoms.

United Kingdom: Multiple hospitals have wards closed due to vomiting bug.  They include Sandwell Hospital, Walsall Manor Hospital, Llandough Hospital, University Hospital of Wales, Morriston Hospital, Wigan Infirmary, Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Bridport Community Hospital, Alexandra Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

California, U.S.A.:  In Santa Rosa, the operators of a nursing home have closed the facility to visitation.  The director of the home published a statement which said they had to take “aggressive action” to stop a suspected norovirus and/or influenza outbreak.  In an example of continued misdiagnosis, an 88 years old patient said she was rushed to the hospital, being told she probably had the flu even though her symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea within an hour of eating.  Hospital test showed it was norovirus.  Even medical employees still incorrectly call gastrointestinal illness “stomach flu”.

Colorado, U.S.A.:  The mental ward of the Grand River Hospital declared an outbreak of stomach bug.

Michigan, U.S.A.: A Christian school was shut down after 30 student developed stomach illness. A doctor who obviously thinks lowly of children, blamed the children: “They rub their butts, they run around, they spread the feces.”-Puneet Gupta, Covenant Hospital

Texas, U.S.A.: 55 prisoners are now sick at the Livingston Polunksy Unit prison.  The first stomach bug cases hit prisoners on death row. The Polunksy Unit has 3-thousand prisoners!  Prison employees are also sick.

Oregon, U.S.A.:  Health officials report 19 new cases.

The U.S. CDC says norovirus accounts for as many as 800 deaths in the United States, every year.

Norovirus (aka Norwalk Virus), is a surface contact bug, meaning you pick it up by touching or eating it.  It is not influenza and there is still no vaccine for fast evolving RNA norovirus.  The only ‘treatment’ is to keep the sick person hydrated.

Exotic anti-biotic soaps can’t kill norovirus, or any other virus for that matter, because anti-biotics are only for bacteria.  Despite that, even hand ‘sanitizers’ made with alcohol can’t totally get rid of norovirus.   Guess what apparently works?  According to the U.S. CDC old fashioned hand soap is best.  Consumer Reports says to leave the soap on your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.  Also, in public restrooms use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door, do not touch surfaces with your bare hands after washing them.

Wash household surfaces with bleach.

The worse thing is that you can be infected and not have any symptoms.  An infected person can spread norovirus, yet not feel sick themselves. If you think you might be infected do not cook food for other people. People recovering from traditional symptoms of norovirus can continue spreading the bug for days after feeling better (some reports say weeks).

Fukushima, Idaho, U.S.

More Fukushima Fallout: U.S. Navy forced to investigate personnel suffering Thyroid Cancer! TEPCo demands victims pay back compensation! Homeland Security conducts False Flag radiation surveys! Scientists asking for your help! Idaho turns your smart phone into CellRad!

16 January 2014 (02:17 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/26 Dey 1392/16 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) says it will conduct medical surveys of at least 71 U.S. military personnel suffering from radiation sickness, as a result of the 2011 Operation Tomodachi.  At least 51 personnel report thyroid cancer.

But wait, the DoD isn’t doing this willingly!  It took an act of Congress to kick the DoD in the ass.  The U.S. House of Representatives mandated the radiation checks as part of the new government spending bill.

Three years later Tokyo Electric Power Company continues to refuse to compensate anymore victims of their nuclear disaster.  TEPCo has rejected the latest arbitrated compensation deal with 180 people in Iwate Prefecture.  TEPCo says the deal is vague.

TEPCo is also demanding that families of employees, who were evacuated because of the March 2011 nuclear explosions, to pay back their compensation!

The national government of Japan has approved TEPCo’s new ten year business plan, but one prefectural governor absolutely refuses.  The governor of Niigata, Izumida Hirohiko, said he will not allow TEPCo to re-start their nuke plant in his prefecture because they’ve proven to be incompetant at Fukushima Daiichi.

Izumida also blamed Too Big to Jail banks and investors: “Shareholders and banks have not taken responsibility, and it is a ridiculous plan from a safety standpoint.”

By the way, TEPCo’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex in Niigata Prefecture is the World’s largest!

TEPCo’s ten year plan includes a name change because, company officials admit, customers are now bias against them.  It also funds decommissioning of the disaster reactors with money meant for compensating victims, which explains why TEPCo suddenly is refusing to compensate anymore victims, and is actually demanding those already compensated pay them back! “I was surprised when I heard  from an official of the industry ministry’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy at the end of last year.  Compensation and decommissioning are two different worlds!”-Yamana Hajimu, decommissioning division

TEPCo also said it will raise electricity rates for Japanese, and TEPCo officials blame it on the new higher taxes in Japan. TEPCo also warns they will probably raise rates several times this year!

California assemblyman, Bob Wieckowski, wants the Department of Public Health to start publicizing radiation data concerning the Golden State’s beaches: “I think a lot of people’s questions can be answered if the department would conduct a study or post the results of other studies and monitoring that are already completed…..”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed it will begin airborne radiation checks, on the U.S. east coast.   Helicopters from the National Nuclear Security Administration will take air samples around Baltimore, Maryland.  Homeland Security claims the operation is about protecting the U.S. from future nuclear attack!

Officials from the National Nuclear Security Administration admit that in order to determine if radiation contamination is happening, they need to establish “original background” radiation levels. Government officials also said the heliborne air sampling will take place several times a year for several years!

If you live on the west coast of North America, scientists with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are asking for your help: “We already have dozens of seawater samples from the coast of Japan out to the middle of the Pacific, but now we need new samples, from up and down the West Coast of North America and across the Pacific.”-Ken Buesseler

The problem is funding, and Woods Hole scientists hope people will raise the funds necessary for the project.  In return anybody, or group, who provides $550 to $600 USD will get a 20 liter sample collecting kit (which also covers the cost of shipping).  For more info contact ourradioactiveocean.org

Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (a major nuclear research facility) have come up with a smart phone App that turns your phone’s camera into a gamma ray dosimeter!  It’s called CellRad.