Category Archives: U.S.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S./NATO troops kill 4 children. No surprise; illegal drug trade sets new records under U.S. occupation, money not going to local drug dealers! 24 hour reports roll on.

May 1, 2012, three children killed, and three wounded, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

Deputy provincial governor, Mohammad Jan Rasolyar, said U.S./NATO troops were attacked by Mujahideen, and a firefight broke out.  Witnesses were outraged, claiming the children were targeted by the U.S./NATO troops.

Protests erupted, resulting in the closing of the highway between Kandahar and Kabul provinces.

Witnesses also say two U.S/NATO troops were killed, and one Mujahideen was killed.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Counter Narcotics Minister, Ibrahim Azhar, announced that the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan is now at $70 billion USD since 2011.

Opium production is up by 61% since the United States occupied!  But here’s some interesting news from the Afghan government; the opium farmers, and even local drug dealers, account for only 5% of the income made off the illegal drugs!  The majority goes to “international” organizations (another way to say U.S. affiliated organizations).

Deputy Counter Narcotics Minister Azhar also claimed that the majority of the drugs are being flown out of Afghanistan via airports, and airbases run by the United States!

And now for the 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 1, 2012:   Three Afghan troops wounded in Ghazni Province.  One Afghan troop wounded in Nimroz Province. Weapons and ammo captured in Kandahar Province. Two “leaders” captured in Helmand Province.  Five Mujahideen killed by possible U.S. drone strike in Lagman Province.  One Mujahideen killed by air/drone(?) strike in Wardak Province, also one Mujahideen killed in firefight with occupying forces.  Afghan Interior Ministry claims a total of 19 Mujahideen were killed, three wounded and five captured.

Combat operations were conducted Kabul, Baghlan, Faryab, Kandahar, Helmand, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Khost and Farah provinces.

And now for the 24 hour report for April 30, 2012: 40 year old woman killed with shotgun in Baghlan Province. Police Chief for Paktia Province assassinated by Mujahideen, two cops and one body guard wounded.  U.S./NATO troop killed in battle in southern Afghanistan. Afghan Interior Ministry claims 14 Mujahideen killed, two wounded and 16 captured, along with weapons and ammo.

Combat operations were conducted at Kabul, Nangarhar, Zabul, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

International, Technology, U.S.

Terror Drones: April 23-29. Pakistan hit. Taliban claim capture of drone. U.S. cops chomping at the bit for their new drones. U.S. politicians taking food from hungry children to build more drones! CIA protected by law.

“The American planes hovering in the skies for quite some time fired at least three missiles at a house in Zafar town in Miran Shah bazaar that damaged the compound completely….They did not appear to be the local militants.”-unnamed local official

April 29, 2012, a U.S. assassination drone killed at least three people in Pakistan.

The attack took place in North Waziristan (within the Waziristan region), dozens of people were wounded.

Also on April 29, a U.S. drone crashed in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  Mujahideen claim they shot it down and have recovered the wreckage.

“We want (police) to be able to use the aircraft sooner because there is a public interest.”-Ben Gielow, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International

According to a Boston Herald report, U.S. police are chomping at the bit for their FAA issued drone licenses.

“Rushing to push through applications to fly drones doesn’t seem like a good idea.”-Jennifer Lynch, Electronic Frontier Foundation

Many police departments say they have already bought small drones, claiming they are to be used to find missing people.  Until now rules did not allow them to legally use them.  Federal Aviation Administration will have new rules in place by May 14, allowing your local police to legally spy on you with drones.

What’s interesting is that some “law” enforcement agencies have already been caught operating drones.

“….instead of having a caucus to feed preschool children, they decided it was more important to have a Drone Caucus and that’s because all the manufacturers in their districts are funding them.” also “Eisenhower was so right, and he was so right when he said it steals money, it robs us of food for our children, of healthcare for our parents, he was so right. And it’s just worse and worse.”-Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, revealed that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection are operating Predator-B drones, from North Dakota and now into Washington state.  They claim to be watching the Canadian border for criminal activity.

Down Mexico way, some people are questioning the effectiveness of Predator drones used on that border.

According to stltoday.com: “…Homeland Security officials who have spent six years and more than $250 million building the nation’s largest fleet of domestic surveillance drones. The nine Predators that help police America’s borders have yet to be very useful in stopping contraband or illegal immigrants.”

Washington Post reported on April 25 that President Barack Obama has authorized the CIA to use drones to kill people, even if they can’t tell who it is they’re killing.  The new drone policy is called “signature” strikes.

On April 10, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Stephen W. Preston, gave a speech which explained why the Obama administration is so gung ho on allowing the CIA, and not the military, to operate the assassination drones. Supposedly traditional “laws of war” do not apply to intelligence agencies.

According to Preston, the CIA answers only to U.S. laws, and those laws favor the CIA: “The courts have long recognized the state secrets privilege and have consistently upheld its proper invocation to protect intelligence sources and methods from disclosure. Moreover, federal judges have dismissed cases on justiciability or political question grounds, acknowledging that the courts are, at times, institutionally ill-equipped and constitutionally incapable of reviewing national security decisions committed to the President and the political branches.”

Speaking of Yemen, the Associated Press revealed that a Yemen Mujahideen claimed to have killed by CIA drone strike last year, is actually alive and well.

April 24, a top FBI official was in Yemen, just two days after a CIA drone strike killed what Yemen officials claim was a top militant “leader”.

Mohammed Al-Basha, Yemen’s embassy spokesman in Washington DC, revealed that the FBI is also involved with drone strikes in Yemen: “Mueller visits Yemen on an annual basis so this is not a special or secret occasion. President Hadi emphasised that he is strongly committed to combatting extremism and working with the U.S. to counter the mutual threat of terrorism.”

FBI director Robert Mueller vowed to crush the Yemen Mujahideen.

April 27, at least 22 people were killed by U.S. drone strikes in Somalia.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: ‘Mericans burn Qur’an, again! Who said the War on Terror wasn’t about religion?

April 29, 2012, according to the Gainsville Sun, Islamophobic pastor Terry Jones has led another Qur’an burning ceremony in Florida.

He, and his crazy christian followers, ignored Pentagon warnings and burned Qur’ans and a painting of Prophet Muhammad.  Remember, Terry Jones once promised he would “not ever” burn a Qur’an.

Jones has been fined $300 USD by the Gainsville fire department.

February 20, 2012, U.S. troops burned copies of the Qur’an and other Islamic texts in Afghanistan.

March 20, 2011, ‘merican evangelical Wayne Sapp (Jones’ assistant) burned a Qur’an live via the Internet.

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

Oil & Gas Prices: Iran 100% increase in shipments! Nigeria oil & gas boom. North Dakota oil jobs draining Idaho & Washington. Ohio’s oil industry refuses to hire locals? Chevron big profits. Texas is proof that Obama is an oil man.

Despite U.S. oil sanctions against Iran, Iran experienced a 100% increase in refined petrol (gasoline) exports in 2011!

Iranian officials say their gasoline sales in 2011 hit a record $134 million USD!  Some of the countries buying Iranian petrol are Armenia, Afghanistan, the UAE, Iraq and Oman (some are U.S. puppet states).

By the end of 2010 Iran became self supporting in petrol production, ending years of dependance on foreign suppliers of refined gasoline.  Iran is now a major exporter of refined fuels.

Officials in Nigeria announced plans to increase oil production to 4 million bpd by the year 2020.  They are also close to increasing liquefied natural gas production by an additional 20 million metric tons a year, from the current level of 26 million tons.  Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa.

Texas oil and gas surplus equipment supplier, Jhump & Associates, is reporting a 117% increase in sales in 2011!  But that’s nothing compared to the 300% increase they had in 2010!!!

The Texas based company started in human resource solutions, but has seen a huge boost after they moved into surplus oil equipment sales.  They now plan to move into off shore drilling technology. They say their increased sales is due to a huge increase in oil and gas exploration and drilling in the United States.  What was that about Obama not doing enough to increase oil production?

In the panhandle of Idaho, and eastern Washington, people are leaving for oil jobs in North Dakota: “I’ve had guys come running through the door, saying, ‘I need my CDL [commercial drivers license] now! I’ve got a job lined up in North Dakota!’ .”-Tina Sykes, Sage Truck Driving Schools

Sage Truck Driving Schools now offers a shortened course for those Idahoans and Washingtonians heading for North Dakota.

North Idaho College is experiencing a jump in enrollment for electrical and plumbing programs that end with apprenticeships in North Dakota.

While educators are warning job seekers to do their homework before heading for North Dakota, there seems to be more than enough jobs available: “We’ve had both types of people, those who jumped in the car and left, and others who did prior research on companies. We’ve never had anyone who didn’t get employment.”-Tina Sykes, Sage Truck Driving Schools

In contrast, Ohio is seeing a seeming rejection of local people for consideration of employment in the oil and gas industry there.

One union member claimed that not a single contractor in Coshocton County, Ohio, has been hired by the shale oil and gas industry: “…I have been a local construction laborer for more than 30 years. I have talked with other construction laborers living in the Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson county areas. They are totally discouraged on the lack of, or in other words zero percent, work they are getting from this construction based shale gas industry.”-Timothy Mulford, Business Manager Laborers Local 134

Chevron reported a $6.5 billion USD profit for the first quarter of 2012.  High oil prices driven by speculators was one of many reasons for the huge profits.

According to Visiongain, all oil refineries around the world are now worth a combined total of $46.64 billion USD.  Visiongain expects huge investments and developments will be made in refineries until 2022.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: More U.S./NATO deaths, more leaders captured, more battles, more money to be spent.

April 29, 2012, International Security Assistance Force announced that two U.S./NATO personnel were killed in separate explosions.

One soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan, the other in eastern Afghanistan.

At least 135 NATO service members have died since the beginning of 2012.

Yet another 24 hour seek and destroy/capture mission report from the Afghan officials. This time they claim they killed five Mujahideen and captured 21.

They also claim the usual capture of “leaders”, weapons and drugs.  The battles took place in Nangarhar, Kunar, Kapisa, Kandahar, Helmand, Khost, Ghazni, Logar, Zabul and Farah provinces.   The report was backed up by ISAF officials.

Chairman of U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator John Kerry, met with President Hamid Karzai. They came up with preliminary agreements on U.S. troop draw down in 2014.

They agreed the main focus should be spending more money to build up Afghanistan’s civil service.  They also agreed not to reduce spending on the Afghan military until it was clear the “security situation” improves, after 2015.

International, Technology, U.S.

World War 3: Iran begins mass production of modified F-5, new radar, new missile. Iranian navy threatens to send ships to New York.

April 29, 2012, after years of development Iranian officials announced they are mass producing their Saeqeh fighter jet.  It is not only proof of reverse engineering, but of indigenous designs.

The Saeqeh (lightning/thunderbolt) is a reverse engineered U.S. F-5, with modifications, most notably a twin tail instead of the original single tail.

Prototypes of the Saeqeh has been seen with a single 20 mm gun, as well as two 20 mm guns.  Iranian officials say the production aircraft has advanced avionics, radar and carries Iranian developed smart bombs and air to air missiles.

Iran also operates reverse engineered U.S. F-4 and F-14 jets, as well as Huey, Cobra and Chinook helicopters.

On April 27, 2012, the Aerospace Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRCG), Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, announced the mass production of a radar with a 1,100 km (683 miles) range.  It’s called Ghadir.

The Ghadir radar system was first tested last year, and was used to monitor low altitude satellites.

Brigadier General Hajizadeh also says they have been mass producing an anti-ship missile called the Khalij-e Fars (Persian Gulf).

The missile was developed in 2008, and revealed publicly in 2011.  It has a range of 200 km (124 miles) and can be mounted on small fast attack boats.

Iranian media mistakenly reported that Iran had radars with 1,800 miles range, but after further reading of the articles it became clear they were talking about ballistic missiles.  Brigadier General Hajizadeh stated they will be used to target U.S. forces: “Today, one of our short range missiles can function as an intercontinental missile because they [U.S. military] have been based near us.”

Last year Hajizadeh said their short range ballistic missiles “…will target NATO’s missile shield in Turkey and will then attack other targets.”

On April 24, 2012, IRGC Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, announced: “Our naval forces are so powerful that we have a presence in all the waters of the world and, if needed, we can move to within three miles of New York!”

Last year another Iranian military official gave this warning: “The Navy has a strong presence in the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, Indian Ocean and international waters and soon it will be present in the Atlantic Ocean.”-Ahmad Vahidi, Defense Minister of Iran

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: World Bank giving Afghanistan $150 million annually. 12 cops killed. DA assassinated. More “leaders” captured.

April 28, 2012, Mujahideen Spring Offensive rolls on.

In Kandahar Province, two cops and two Mujahideen were killed.  The anti-government freedom fighters tried to blow up the provincial government building, but were caught in a firefight with security guards.

In Wardak Province, ten cops were killed on April 27, after they drove over a mine.

Also on April 27, Mujahideen assassinated the District Attorney for the Farsi district of Herat Province.  Herat has suffered daily attacks for at least a week now.

Despite the increasing attacks by Mujahideen, Afghan government officials (backed up by ISAF officials) continue to make claims of capturing “Taliban” and “Haqqani” leaders.

The April 28 claim says they captured five “leaders” after seek and destroy/capture missions in Khost, Kandahar, Helmand, Nangarhar and Ghazni provinces.

As usual they also claim to have captured a plethora of weapons.  I have questioned the reliability of these reports before.  These reports are being issued every 24 hours and it just seems unbelievable their claims of the number of leaders, weapons and even drugs captured on a daily basis, and yet the Mujahideen Spring Offensive is actually picking up speed.

ISAF announced that another U.S./NATO troop was killed, this time in a non-combat incident. As is their SOP no further details were given.

As of April 28, at least 133 NATO service members have been killed since the beginning of 2012.

April 28, the Trilateral Commission’s World Bank has announced that they will give Afghanistan $150 million USD every year, for the next three years!

World Bank officials say they decided to provide Afghanistan with the money, because after the supposed U.S./NATO pullout in 2014 international donations (government grants?) are expected to take a huge drop.

This is proof that the current Afghan economy is being propped up by donations, mainly from occupying countries.  The World Bank is afraid that without the $150 million per year the U.S. puppet government of Afghanistan will not survive (gee, something similar happened after the Soviets pulled out in 1989).

The U.S. based World Bank has already provided the U.S. puppet government of Afghanistan with more than $2 billion USD since the U.S. invaded in 2001.  World Bank officials also admitted that money given to the puppet government has not been spent properly.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Four more U.S./NATO troops dead. More huge drug stashes found.

International Security Assistance Force announced that four more U.S./NATO personnel were killed on April 26, 2012.  They were killed by an explosion.

At least 131 NATO service members including 88 U.S. troops, 15 British troops and 28 soldiers from the other occupying countries have been killed since the beginning of 2012.

Reports are confusing, ISAF might actually be re-reporting the deaths of four U.S./NATO soldiers already reported on Thursday. One was shot by an Afghan soldier, the other three were killed when they drove over a mine.  If not, then there is a steady increase in the number of attacks on U.S./NATO forces.

The Afghan government is reporting more “leaders” captured, this time in Khost and Helmand provinces (the usual provinces).

In Kandahar, officials claim they’ve captured 7,000 kilograms (15,400 pounds) of hashish.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

U.S. Treasury Secretary admits Government officials & Corporate America are incompetent!

“Most financial crises are caused by a mix of stupidity and greed and recklessness and risk-taking and hope….You can’t legislate away stupidity and risk-taking and greed and recklessness. What you can do is make sure when it happens it does not cause too much damage and to do that you have to make sure you have good rules against fraud and abuse, better protections and you force banks to hold more capital against their risk.”-Timothy Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, statement made after touring a factory in Portland

Realize that Geithner is talking about the political and corporate leadership of the United States.  He’s also saying, in a ’round about way, that he has been trying his best to make sure the incompetent decisions by our leaders “…does not cause too much damage…”

Those leaders include both Republican Bush Jr and Democrat Obama!

International, U.S.

World War 3: Soldier from Georgia killed in Afghanistan. More U.S./NATO deaths. Mujahideen launch major attack on Afghan cops. Another Afghan soldier kills U.S./NATO soldier.

April 26, 2012, Badakhshan provincial officials report that Mujahideen attacked a police check point.  At least three police officers were killed, three others were wounded and 16 others were taken prisoner.

On top of that 21 police officers have gone missing.  Officials say the check point had a total of 43 cops, which means all the police were killed, wounded, captured or ran away!

In Kandahar Province three U.S./NATO personnel were wounded after their vehicle ran over a mine.  Other international reports say three soldiers were killed.  Mujahideen claim they killed five U.S. soldiers with the mine.

In Helmand Province, a soldier from the country of Georgia (not a current NATO member, but a puppet of the United States), has been killed by an explosion: “He had been serving in the Georgian Armed Forces since 2004. Sergeant Khujadze also participated in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq. In 2011 he was awarded with the Medal for Participation in Peacekeeping Operations.”-Georgian government statement

This makes the 16th soldier from the country of Georgia to be killed in Afghanistan.

The announcement from Georgian officials came after International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reported another NATO death.  Since ISAF does not give details, and since Georgia is being considered for membership in NATO, it could be possible that ISAF was referring to the Georgian soldier’s death.

ISAF also claims that more members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan were captured, this time in Wardak Province.  At least one militant was killed. ISAF also says a “Haqqani” leader was captured in Khost Province.

Also in Wardak Province, local officials say three women were killed when their house was hit by a rocket. No one knows who fired the rocket. The incident took place on April 23.

On the night of April 25, a man wearing Afghan army uniform shot and killed a U.S./NATO soldier.  Occupying forces returned fire and killed the Afghan soldier.  USFOR-A team is investigating the incident.

According to icasualties.org U.S./NATO deaths are now at 127 for 2012.