Category Archives: U.S.

U.S.

West Nile update, 17 August 2012: 80% of those infected don’t know they have it! Bees dying by the thousands! Union Pacific worker gets nearly $1 million! Drought to blame

“The higher the heat and the higher the humidity then the longer this will go.”-Phil Smith, Bucks County

More cases of West Nile virus being reported in the United States.

17 August, Bucks County, Pennsylvania reports first case for 2012.

17 August, New Haven, Connecticut reports first case for 2012.

17 August, Alabama officials reveal that at least six people have West Nile.

More mosquitoes were found infected with West Nile in Massachusetts.  Spraying to kill the blood suckers will begin in North Leominster on 20 August.

Health officials in Virginia are warning that as many as 80% of those infected don’t know it, and that: “20% have West Nile fever. About 10% of that 20% will have West Nile virus encephalitis and this can be very very life threatening.”-Jorge Arias, Fairfax County Health Department

In Texas, a Union Pacific (UP) railway employee was awarded $980,000 USD, for getting infected with West Nile virus while on the job.  The jury decided UP was 80% responsible because they made employees work in a swampy area with no insect repellant.

Bee keepers in Texas are reporting that spraying to kill mosquitoes is killing thousands of honey bees: “They will share their food and within 24 or 48 hours, 80% of those bees have shared that and they will be gone like the ones that we have witnessed.”-Susan Pollard, The Texas Honeybee Guild

The Texas cities of Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake all reported human cases of West Nile virus.  The city of Southlake is providing free larvicide on a first come first served basis.

Horses are also becoming infected: “The horse will become unsteady on his feet, maybe stumbling, acting weak on the feet, laying down and not able to get up, sometimes depressed at first, and not interested in their food.”-Will Hadden, Gresham Veterinary Hospital

Dogs can get infected as well, but there is no vaccine for dogs.

In Arkansas, officials expect West Nile cases to grow.  They have a new theory as to why, the country wide drought: “One possible explanation could be with water sources drying up, the sources that are where not only mosquitoes are concentrated but also birds are concentrated. It puts the vectors in closer contact with one another.”-Susan Weinstein, state public health veterinarian

Oregon health officials reporting that mosquitoes in Jackson and Malheur counties tested positive for West Nile.

The Minnesota Department of Health reports 18 human cases so far.

Caddo Parish, in Louisiana, reporting second highest number of West Nile cases in the state. Human infections in Louisiana now at 92.

North Dakota reports 14 human cases, five people hospitalized.  Horses and birds also infected (birds are actually the source for West Nile virus).  Officials are puzzled because the state is in a drought: “Normally, you would think in years when it’s wetter, like last year with all the flooding there would be more West Nile cases, because mosquitoes require water to breed.”-Alicia Lepp, North Dakota Department of Health

Michigan has reported their first death from the virus, they blame the drought: “The unusually hot and dry summer has favored the mosquitoes that transmit WNV. These same conditions have led to a reduction in the number of nuisance mosquitoes which are more abundant during wet summers, giving citizens a false sense of security.”-Corinne Miller, Michigan Department of Community Health

Indiana reported its first death due to the virus. A survivor describes what the symptoms are like: “It feels like somebody has lodged an axe in my brain. Just about the time I think I’m out of the woods, then something else comes along, and we have to fight that, too.”-Katharyn DeVille

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Ecuador to pursue legal action against Britain, over Julian Assange asylum

17 August 2012, Ecuadorian presidential staff adviser, Alexis Mera, announced: “We are open to discuss with Britain the solution to this problem, and if there is no diplomatic solution, we may resort to the International Court of Justice.”

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino, also said that the Swedish sex crimes trial is just a ruse, that Assange would be handed over to the United States as soon as he arrived in Sweden. This qualifies Assange for protection under the “fair trial” clause of the internationally accepted (excepted for the United Kingdom) asylum rules.

“They have to comply with diplomatic and legal obligations under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and respect the sovereignty of a country that has granted asylum.”-Baltasar Garzon, Assange legal team

Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

Government Incompetence: U.S. Army suicide rate doubles in July! Suicide now kills more troops than combat!!!

16 August 2012, the United States Army says the suicide rate for active duty, reserve and National Guard troops has now surpassed the 2011 high. July 2012 suffered 38 suicides, double from the month of June 2012!  That’s more than one soldier per day!!!

The monthly average is now at 29 suicides.  2011 ended with an average of 23 suicides per month.

The majority of suicides are those troops with combat experience. July was also a record high for active duty troop suicides.

In June dumb ass Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said: “That is an epidemic, something’s wrong.”

No shit Sherlock!  It’s called unjustified War on Terror, police stateism, economy down the toilet!

Things are so bad that earlier in the year the Idaho National Guard demanded that the state re-open a closed suicide hot line (the patriotic Republican state leaders closed it down claiming a lack of funding)!

General Lloyd J. Austin III gave the same bull shit comment I’ve always heard about preventing suicide: “To combat it effectively will require sophisticated solutions aimed at helping individuals to build resiliency and strengthen their life coping skills.”

I’ve heard that rhetoric since the 1980s!  What they really want are troops that are like the compliant monkeys of Japan: Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

But the more our leaders (Republicans, Democrats, religious & unAmerican Corporate America) betray our Constitution, screw over the families of troops by destroying the economy, ship jobs overseas, use prison labor instead of law abiding workers, religious hypocrisy, etc, the more those who join the military to supposedly fight for the American Dream are going to become disillusioned and turn to suicide, or something else (remember Bronze Star awardee Timothy McVeigh?)!

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 15 Aug – 16 Aug. Black Hawk down, 11 dead! First Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of attcking them, now they blame Iran! NATO says most military contractors are corrupt!

16 August 2012

ISAF said: “An ISAF helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today. The crash resulted in the deaths of four International Security Assistance Force service members, three United States Forces-Afghanistan service members, three members of the Afghan National Security Forces, and one Afghan civilian interpreter.”

Mujahideen stated: “Our Mujahideen shot down an ISAF helicopter in Chenarto area of Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar province at around 11:00 am (0630 GMT).”

In Faryab Province, a firefight broke out between villagers and local police.  Two of the villagers are accused of raping an eight year old girl. The police were trying to arrest them. The villagers are also begging the Mujahideen not to execute the two men accused of rape.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a senior security official was killed while trying to defuse a bomb.

In Baghlan Province, seven Afghan government soldiers were killed, two wounded, when they drove over a mine.

The Afghan parliament is now blaming Iran for coordinated suicide attacks in Nimroz Province.

15 August 2012

ISAF stated: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also stated: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.“

In Herat Province, a bicycle bomb exploded, wounding at least 20 people.

A report by U.S. led NATO says most military contractors are corrupt. General Ricky Waddell revealed that dozens of contractors are under investigation, and some are already facing prosecution.  The cases involve both Afghan contractors, and contractors from other countries.

The presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan stated they will work with each other to find out who is responsible for ongoing artillery attacks, being launched from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

In Kunduz Province, an alleged suicide bomber was killed by U.S. troops.  Local government officials claim the suicide bomber was targeting a bus full of cops.

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen ambushed an Afghan government border patrol.  Two top border patrol commanders were killed, along with two other border patrol troops. Three border patrol troops were wounded.

In Kabul Province, a fire destroyed a warehouse with $2 million USD worth of electrical equipment.  Local government officials say the fire was caused by a wildfire.

In Khost Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S. base. ISAF has not confirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

International, Opinion, U.S.

World War 3: Assange granted asylum in Ecuadorian embassy, Britain virtually declares war! Removes diplomatic status of embassy, bully bobbies preparing to storm embassy!

“We will not allow Mr Assange safe passage out of the United Kingdom, nor is there any legal basis for us to do so. The United Kingdom does not recognize the principle of diplomatic asylum.”-William Hague, United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary

“We can’t allow spokespeople from the U.K. to gleefully say they have been honest when they have threatened us in such a way!”-Ricardo Patino, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister

“It was not Britain or my home country, Australia, that stood up to protect me from persecution, but a courageous, independent Latin American nation. While today is a historic victory, our struggles have just begun. The unprecedented U.S. investigation against Wikileaks must be stopped. While today much of the focus will be on the decision of the Ecuadorean government, it is just as important that we remember Bradley Manning has been detained without trial for over 800 days!”-Julian Assange, statement made from Ecuadorian embassy in London

16 August 2012, after days of rumors that Ecuador was prepared to grant Julian Assange asylum, it’s now official.  But the United Kingdom won’t have any of it!

“…the British ought to just back off, and the U.S. ought to just back off! He has a legal right to asylum under the refugee convention. Under the UN declarations, there cannot be any adverse consequences for countries granting asylum. It’s considered a humanitarian act. And for the British to say that they’re going to go into the embassy and get out someone who’s been granted asylum would turn the refugee convention and asylum completely on its head. It’s unheard of. As far as I know, it’s never been done before that you’ve gone into an embassy to pull out someone granted asylum. The British are only doing this as bullies, bullies most likely for the United States!”-Michael Ratner, attorney

After Ecuador confirmed they were granting Assange asylum the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office sent a note to their embassy in London, saying Britain will invoke their Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, removing diplomatic status for the Ecuadorian embassy.  Politically, that could be seen as an act of war.

“Julian Assange has been under such incredible pressure, with the threats to go in and get him, with prosecutions by the U.S., etc., that this is an incredibly courageous move by Ecuador. I mean, you have to think about it. Julian Assange, in doing what he and WikiLeaks did, stood up to the great powers of the world. And now you see Ecuador, again, standing up to the great powers.”-Michael Ratner, attorney

There are reports that people are gathering outside the Ecuadorian embassy, to interfere with any attempt by British police to storm the embassy.

Sweden has summoned the Ecuadorian ambassador to explain why they want to stop Assange from being extradited for alleged sex crimes in the Scandinavian country. The real question is why is Sweden, United Kingdom and United States so adamant about having someone prosecuted for alleged sex crimes?  I mean, Britain is willing to basically declare war on Ecuador!  This is proof that the information Wikileaks has on the British and U.S. governments is factual, and damaging, and people should be paying attention to it!

A friend of Assange pointed out that Ecuador offered to let Swedish investigators question Assange in the embassy, but Sweden refused.  Yet, Sweden was willing to question alleged murderers in other countries embassies: “They have interviewed an alleged murderer in Serbia but they choose not to come to London to interview Julian Assange. I think that’s very disappointing.”-Vaughan Smith

Occupy Wall Streeters are reportedly going to protest outside the British consulate in New York city.

International, Technology, U.S.

World War 3: NATO member Turkey deploys new SP anti-aircraft tanks to border with Syria

15 August 2012, one day after holding what was officially called ‘war games’ near the border with Syria, Turkey is now deploying Atilgan self propelled anti-aircraft missile batteries to the border.

The Atilgan is a Turkish designed Pedestal Mounted Air Defence System (PMADS) firing U.S. designed Stinger missiles. The PMADS is mounted on a U.S. designed M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).

It’s interesting that even the Turkish media said yesterday’s war games were actually show of force preparations against Syria.

There are also reports that Turkey is expanding their air force operations at Sazgin Airport.  The same airport was used for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Also, on 13 August the Turkish government held emergency meeting regarding Syria.  The meeting included local government leaders from towns along the border with Syria.

Idaho, U.S.

West Nile Virus: Texas declares emergency, 16 dead, 381 infected. New cases across the United States, CDC first reported that cases were lower than last year!

“Texas is on track to have the worst year ever for West Nile virus.”-Christine Mann, Texas Department of State Health Services

“We’re in a fight we can’t win on the ground.”-Zach Thompson, Dallas County Health Department

15 August 2012, the mayor of Dallas, Texas, has just declared a health emergency.  A health emergency has also been declared for Dallas County. Reports say between 14 and 16 people in Texas (10 in Dallas County alone) have now died from West Nile, a type of Japanese encephalitis virus.

As of 13 August 2012, there were 381 reported cases in Texas. In all of 2011 only 27 cases were reported in Texas.  In the city of Houston, officials say that 90% of tested mosquitoes show they are infected with the virus.  The emergency declarations allows local officials to conduct massive aerial spraying operations to kill mosquitoes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at least 24 people, in the United States, have died.  42 states are reporting cases, but 80% are concentrated in Texas, Oklahoma (55 infections and one death) and Louisiana and Mississippi (both with 39 infections and one death).

Massachusetts has just reported their first case: “Today’s announcement is a compelling reminder that people should take simple, common sense steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites and the illnesses they can cause.”-Al DeMaria, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Illinois has reported a new case. DuPage County Health Department says a woman in her 50s is infected. She lives in the Chicago suburb area. So far there are seven confirmed infections in that state.  Officials say the cases are showing up earlier than normal, most people got infected in July.

Minnesota is also reporting cases that are showing up sooner than normal.

California is reporting one death and 18 infections.

On 14 August, North Carolina reported their first West Nile death.

New York has ordered a second round of truck spraying to kill mosquitoes in Nassau County.

Indiana and Ohio are reporting higher than normal amount of cases.

Officials, from many states, are blaming a warm winter and wet spring for the mosquito outbreak.  But here in Idaho we did not have a wet spring, in fact we’re so dry that our wildfire season started months early!  Yet, Idaho now has three case of humans infected with West Nile. Eight Idaho counties are reporting that mosquitoes are testing positive for West Nile.

The CDC is not sure why there’s a sudden increase in West Nile cases: “It is not clear why we are seeing more activity than in recent years.”-Marc Fischer, CDC

But maybe the CDC is out of touch? According to the Guardian Express, as recently as last week the CDC’s own website had posted much lower case numbers than what were being reported by state health officials: “Either they are short on staff and have fallen behind or something more disturbing is at work.”

Now the CDC has declared West Nile an epidemic!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 12 Aug – 14 Aug. Coordinated bombings. Cops shoot U.S. led occupyers! Claims of new Pakistani attacks! U.S. to attack Pakistan!!!

14 August 2012

In Kunduz Province, late Tuesday night a motorcycle bomb went off, killing at least ten people and wounding 30 others.

In Nimroz Province, at least 30 people are dead, 60 wounded, after coordinated suicide bombings.  Suicide bombers launched their attack on the city of Zaranj.  Afghan police killed three bombers before they exploded themselves, but three other bombers were successful. The local police chief is among those killed. Local officials say the attackers are not from Nimroz Province.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim the Pakistani military launched another attack on Afghan border posts.  A local security official said the Pakistani attack started at 04:00 hours, with artillery fire.  Afghans returned fire, and the battle lasted four hours.  At least one person killed, five wounded.

13 August 2012

In Nimroz Province, police killed two men they say were trying to launch a suicide attack on the city of Zaranj.

In Nangarhar Province, an Afghan policeman fired on U.S. led occupying troops.  NATO/ISAF officials say no one was hurt, the policeman fled the scene.  Local police officials say two occupying troops were wounded, along with one Afghan government troop.

Also in Nangarhar Province, a bomb went off near a Mosque in Jalalabad city, wounding five people.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will launch ground attacks on Mujahideen in Pakistan.  This is according to the Speaker of the House in Afghanistan’s parliament: “All complaints in regards to cross border incursion by Pakistan should be submitted to the coordinative center. ISAF will visit the area and conduct operation against the militants inside the Afghanistan soil and if complaints were received regarding cross border incursion by militants then ISAF will conduct operations with the Pakistani troops inside the Pakistan soil.”-Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi

According to Ibrahimi, USMC General John Allen told the Afghan parliament leaders that a new plan has been developed.  U.S. led occupying forces, along with Afghan government forces and Pakistani government forces, will work together to surround an area of Pakistan that is known as a safe haven for Mujahideen.  The Pakistani government has apparently agreed to allow U.S. ground troops into Pakistan to do battle with the Mujahideen.

In Ghazni Province, Mujahideen hanged a man after he kidnapped a child and then demanded ransom for its safe return.

In Takhar Province, a town mayor, and four other local government officials, were assassinated with a bomb.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim the Pakistani military fired 45 rockets into their province.

ISAF stated: “Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in Chahar Darah district, Kunduz province, today.”

The Defense Ministry of Afghanistan reported three Afghan soldiers killed, five wounded, in battles in Logar, Paktiya, Maidan Wardak and Helmand provinces.

12 August 2012

A political analyst in Afghanistan says it is the way the U.S. led occupiers are treating the Afghan government forces that’s causing the “green on blue” attacks: “…Afghan officers, even high ranking officers are being treated with a great deal of contempt by low ranking American officers, or low ranking NATO officers, in fact I have first hand observations on several occasions that Afghan colonels have been treated like dirt, if you will, by an American captain!”-Mohammed Daoud Miraki

In Herat Province, a village elder was assassinated when gunmen shot him in his house. His wife was wounded.

In Laghman Province, the provincial governor and his three bodyguards were killed when they drove over a mine.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

Corporate Evil: 90% of Too Big to Fail banks’ lawsuits falsify credit card debt!

The following are quotes from U.S. state judges, attorneys and federal government officials regarding the Too Big to Fails’ lawsuits against debtors:

“I would say that roughly 90% of the credit card lawsuits are flawed and can’t prove the person owes the debt.”-Noach Dear, civil court judge Brooklyn, New York

“Our concerns center on the fact that debt collection lawsuits are a pure volume business. The documentation is very bare bones.”-Tom Pahl, Federal Trade Commission

“I do suspect flaws, but there is little I can do.”-Harry Walsh, superior court judge Ventura, California

“This is robo-signing redux.”-Peter Holland, Consumer Protection Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

The quotes came from a New York Times article

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho getting smoked! State health officials concerned. Firefighter killed in action! Flying boats join battle.

13 August 2012, while the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center isn’t reporting any new fires, that doesn’t mean the rest of the state isn’t on fire.

On 12 August 2012, more than 11 wildfires across the state burned at least 500 square miles (804.6 kilometers).

Today, things are so bad in the Boise foothills that a DC-10 Very Large Tanker (VLT) has been called in.  The Ourada Ranch Fire grew 70 acres (28.3 hectares) in less than one hour!

click pics to make bigger

In northern Idaho, a firefighter lost her life when a tree fell on her.  Anne Veseth was fighting the Steep Corner Fire, near Orofino, on 12 August.  Fire officials are investigating.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is concerned about the amount of smoke in the air, all across the state. On 12 August health officials raised warnings, saying it could be days before the heavy smoke clears out.

The smoke is not just from wildfire in Idaho, but from huge fires in northern California and northern Nevada. Officials say weather and geography are playing a big part in smoking out Idahoans: “…when you get stagnant conditions, no wind, no real movement, everything just kind of sits on top of the whole area…”-Mike Toole, DEQ