Category Archives: U.S.

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

What Econmic Recovery? Fox cuts ties with Idaho TV station, ends local newscasts, Merry Xmas!

Southwestern Idaho’s KRTV, channel 12, is no longer a Fox affiliate, and it has ended its Boise area news coverage.

“In the spring of 2011, the Fox Television Network and Block Communications parted company. Although we did offer to sign a new affiliation agreement with Fox for KTRV, they chose to move the affiliation to another station.  A network affiliate requires a different business model than does an independent station.  As a result a reduction in staff is taking place this week.”-Bill Lamb, Block Communications

General manager of KRTV, Rick Joseph, said “We have some exceptional people here who put forth a terrific and honorable effort every day.  But the new business model we find ourselves having to adopt does not include news.”

Employee layoffs began December 5.

Merry Xmas!

International, U.S.

World War 3: Arabian country, Qatar, attacks Russian Ambassador, U.S. involved

“The U.S. is probably playing its diplomatic angle to put pressure on Qatar to wield its power in the Arab League in a way it is beneficial to the Anglo-American interests.”-James Corbett, independent journalist

Russian Ambassador to Qatar, Vladimir Titorenko, was attacked by Qatari customs officers at the Doha International Airport on November 29. He was returning from a trip to Jordan. Russia is suspending relations with Qatar, after their demands for an explanation were ignored.

Ambassador Titorenko told Russian media, from a hospital, that he was hoping it was due to incompetence (just like our wonderful TSA).

Interestingly, the attack came the same day Russian officials accused Qatar of violating international law by wantonly shipping weapons to Libyan rebels, despite a UN arms embargo: “We know how the arms embargo was applied in Libya. It was used only in respect of the Libyan army, while the opposition got their arms. France and Qatar publicly spoke of such shipments. There were also open mentions of the work of special forces from several European countries. Having adopted the UN Security Council resolution banning the supply of arms, some nations, in fact, boasted that they were in breach of it. We will treat the call for an embargo on arms supplies to Syria in light of the Libya experience, and the behavior of some of our partners. Right now, the most important thing is to stop acting by means of ultimatums and try to move toward political dialogue.”–Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia

Qatar is also doing the same thing in Syria.  Ambassador Titorenko was in Jordan trying to get support for a Russian diplomatic plan to stop any attacks by the U.S. and European countries against Syria.

Pro-U.S. Qatar is the current head of the Arab League. Qatar has received at least U.S.$70 billion in investments from the United States (while our economy goes down the toilet).

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. Postal Service cuts officially (almost) done deal, will “move forward” with austerity measures, Merry Xmas!

As promised, the U.S. Postal Service made its dreaded announcement on December 5.  The USPS filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to “move forward” with austerity measures that will not only cut back service, but eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“We’re in a deep financial crisis today because we have a business model that’s tied to the past [ie Congress]. We are expected to operate like a business, but don’t have the flexibility to do so [because of rules created by Congress]. Our business model is fundamentally inflexible [no thanks to Congress]. It prevents the postal service from solving its problems.”-Patrick Donahoe, U.S. Postmaster General, November 2011

The plan, supported by the Obama Administration, calls for cutting U.S.$20 billion from operating costs by 2015.  That means closing 252 processing facilities, closing 3,700 post offices, and eliminating 100,000 jobs!!!

The processing centers will be closed by spring 2012.  Job losses just from the closing of processing centers could hit 28,000! Expect delays in getting your mail.

This after the U.S. Congress decided to ‘delay’ any action on their part until after next year’s Presidential elections.  The move guarantees the demise of the USPS, because President Barack Obama set the default date for the Postal Service as December 16, 2010.

In a PBS interview, both the Postmaster General, and the President of the Letter Carrier’s Union said it wasn’t really about lack of business, in fact the Postmaster General said package volume was still good.  It was all about the U.S. Congress ripping off the non-taxpayer funded Postal Service: “The Postal Service actually has somewhere between $50 billion and $125 billion in their other funds that is not taxpayer money. They haven’t used a dime of taxpayer money in over 30 years! And the Congress just needs to act responsibly and quickly to give them access to that — those funds.”- Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers

Rolando pointed out that the job losses will go beyond the USPS. It will affect all the companies the USPS contracts with, like FedEx, Siemens, Northrop-Grumman, Pat Salmon & Sons and Campbell-Ewald, to name a few.

Rolando, in the PBS interview, predicted that millions of jobs will eventually be lost because of what’s happening to the USPS!

Merry Xmas Mr. Scrooge, and God bless us, everyone!

 

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

Government Incompetence: Fluoridated water blamed for Dumbing Down Americans and causing chronic unexplained pain, blame the nuclear and pharmaceutical industry

“We have been suffering from various diseases for consuming water with fluoride content. We are desperately in need of pure drinking water.”-residents of Jagalur, India

Yet another study proves that fluoridated water makes you stupid, and can cause a life time of pain!

The latest study was conducted in India, and just published in the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences.

Rats were used, and the results were neurodegenerative and morphological alterations in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum areas of the brain, and in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve.

Neurodegenerative is the progressive loss of neurons, and “morphological alterations” basically means physical mutations.

Researchers say the negative affects with intelligence and pain take place before physical mutations appear: “High levels of fluoride in drinking water (1-12 parts per million) affect central nervous system directly without first causing the physical deformities of skeletal fluorosis.”-K. Pratap Reddy, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

This is not the first study to say fluoride is bad for you.  Over the decades dozens and dozens of studies across the world have resulted in the same conclusion.  According to the Fluoride Action Network (FAN), there are now 25 studies showing that fluoride makes you stupid.

Studies have also shown a link between arthritis pain, back pain, joint and muscle pains. The research in India was motivated after people in a village named Jagalur, were found to be suffering from all kinds of diseases and chronic conditions. Investigations blamed the fluoridated water.

It’s not just Jagalur.  Joint pains, teeth problems, muscular pains, stomach pain and headaches are common among people in Gollaratti, Rajnatti, Gidnatti, Bullolli, Machikere, Marajanmatti, Kechhanahalli, Devikere, Chadaragolla, Gowripura, Kyasanahalli and many other villages who’s water has fluoride in it.

However, the problem in India comes from naturally occurring fluoride in their well water.  Here in the United States local and state governments purposely add fluoride to the water.

It turns out that currently, only the English speaking countries add fluoride to public drinking water.  In the book The Fluoride Deception, author Christopher Bryson revealed how the push for fluoride use in the U.S. is directly related to the U.S. nuclear program and the pharmaceutical industry.

It turns out there have been many anti-fluoride lawsuits against local municipalities in the United States, however most have not been successful.

Now lets see, English speaking countries are the only ones that intentionally add fluoride to the drinking water, and there’s been a huge increase in chronic pain, and the use of pain killers, among the people of those English speaking countries. Also, there’s been a huge decrease in the overall level of intelligence, no matter how much taxpayer money has been thrown at education programs. And, have you also noticed that the political, business, social and religious leaders of those English speaking countries seem to be making decisions that are more and more irrational? Mmmm, could it be something in the water?

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence in the United Police States of America: TSA bullies strip search 85 year old, ban pregnant woman with studded purse!

“I was on the phone all the way to Orlando trying to figure out what was going on with her. It was terrifying. I don’t ever want to go through it again.”-Tami Gibbs, mother of TSA victim

Despite promises of improved, and more respectable security screenings, the Transportation  Security Administration continues to behave like a bully.  In one case they forced an 85 year old woman to strip, and banned a pregnant 17 year old from boarding the plane because of the design on her her purse!

“It’s my style. It’s camouflage. It has an old western gun on it…She was like, ‘This is a federal offense because it’s in the shape of a gun.’ I’m like, ‘But it’s a design on a purse. How is it a federal offense?'”-Vanessa Gibbs, banned because of purse design

Gibbs says she was told by TSA officials, in Norfolk, Virginia, she could not get on the plane with her studded purse, because it also has the image of a revolver.  They claim a federal law says you can not have anything that represents weapons on an airliner. In Gibbs’ case the TSA officials called her purse a ‘replica weapon’!  Doesn’t that violate our right to Freedom of Expression?

In another recent case, 85 year old Lenore Zimmerman said she was called a terrorist: “I walk with a walker. I really look like a terrorist. I am tiny. I weigh 110 pounds, 107 without clothes, and I am strip searched.”

The strip search took place at the JFK airport.  Zimmerman says they forced her to strip search because she refused to go through scanners with her defibrillator.

She says she asked to be patted down instead, but the TSA officer refused.  During the search her walker hit her leg and caused bleeding. Medics were called.

TSA officials are flat denying they strip searched her: “While we regret that the passenger feels she had an unpleasant screening experience, TSA does not include strip searches as part of our security protocols and one was not conducted in this case.”

It’s interesting that the TSA makes that claim because it seems to be a common offense reported by TSA victims.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

Russian Elections: The return of the Red Menace? Violence during elections

The U.S. media has reported that Vladimir Putin’s political party is losing support in the latest Russian elections (although still in power).  But which party is gaining support?  Why it’s the old school communist party from the days of the Soviet Union.

The most recent check of Russian media polling results showed Putin’s United Russia party in the lead with 49.54% of the votes.  The next highest party is the Communist party with 19.16% of the vote.  But does it really matter?

In Moscow, more than 300 people protested the elections, saying they were not fair because all the political parties involved were not true ‘opposition’ parties.  Things got violent, with police arresting at least 100 people.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. Postal Service forced to close hundreds of processing centers and thousands of post offices, Merry Xmas!

On December 5, the U.S. Postmaster General will announce detailed austerity cuts for the USPS.  This after the U.S. Congress decided to ‘delay’ any action on their part until after next year’s Presidential elections.  The move guarantees the demise of the USPS, because President Barack Obama set the default date for the Postal Service as December 16, 2010.

It’s expected that part of Monday’s announcement will include the closing of 250 processing centers across the U.S., as well as 3,700 post offices!  It could also mean the end of Saturday delivery. The austerity cuts would begin in the spring of 2012.  It’s a sure thing that mail service will be much slower as a result.

By the way, don’t think this is going to save taxpayers money, it wont. The Postal Service operates on money that comes from you and me buying postal products, not taxes!

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? East Idaho airline service shuts down, just in time for Xmas! No more taxpayer subsidy?

Beginning December 31, no more SeaPort Airline flights from Idaho Falls to Boise.

SeaPort Airlines only started the route back in July, and of course local east Idaho officials touted it as a sign of local economic recovery.  Airline officials say they will try to issue refunds for people with tickets for after the December 31 shut down.

SeaPort Airlines is based in Portland, Oregon.  The ending of their Idaho Falls route is a surprise, especially since on November 14 it was reported that they were in the running for a Federally funded route from Jackson, Tennessee, to Nashville, Tennessee.

So far there is no official explanation for the cancellation of the Idaho Falls to Boise route.  Could it have something to do with Federal lawmakers voting to eliminate airline subsidies for regional airport routes that are within a 90 miles (144 kilometers) radius of a major metropolitan airport?

 

 

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Occupy Corporate Prisons, United Police States of Corporate America! Protestors shut down Wells Fargo, because of direct links to corporate prisons, Idaho politicians in the pockets of corporate prisons

On December 2, protestors in Washington DC temporarily shut down the Wells Fargo office.  The reason is that Wells Fargo is a major player in financing corporate prisons.

The OWS protesters say banks like Wells Fargo are profiting from the contracted management of state ‘correctional’ institutes, such as GEO Group managing the Rivers Correctional Institution in North Carolina.

Wells Fargo also supports Corrections Corporation of America, which runs a prison in Idaho known as Gladiator School.

Wells Fargo is also the biggest bank in Idaho.  Reports say Wells Fargo owns 4 million shares in Geo Group, the second largest U.S. private prison corporation, and 50,000 shares in the number one private prison operator, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA).

Also of interest, Idaho politicians, most of them republicans, receive donations from CCA (supported by Wells Fargo).

Here’s a long list:

Eric Anderson (R): $250.00 in 2008

Steven R. Bair (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Clifford R. “Cliff” Bayer (R):  $1,550 combined 2006 & 2008

Scott Bedke (R):  $500.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Maxine T. Bell (R):  $1,050 combined 2006 & 2008

Carlos Bilbao (R): $250.00 in 2008

Dianne Bilyeu (D): $250.00 in 2008

Max C. Black (R): $250.00 in 2008

Darrel Bolz (R):  $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Bert Brackett (R): $250.00 in 2008

Joyce M. Broadsword (R): $1,050 in 2008

Mike Burkett (D):  $500.00 in 2006

Dean L. Cameron (R): $750.00 in 2008

Marge Chadderdon (R): $250.00 in 2008

James W. Clark (R): $500.00 in 2008

Denton Darrington (R):  $800.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Bart M. Davis (R): $550.00 in 2006

W.W. “Bill” Deal (R):  $750.00 in 2006

Lawerence E. Denney (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Julie Ellsworth (R): $250.00 in 2008

George E. Eskridge (R): $500.00 in 2008

Debbie Field (R): $250.00 in 2006

Russell M. Fulcher (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Robert L. Geddes (R): $250.00 in 2006

John W. Goedde (R): $500.00 in 2008

Jim Guthrie (R): $500.00 in 2006

Jim Hammond (R): $500.00 in 2008

Phil Hart (R): $250.00 in 2008

R.J. “Dick” Harwood (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Margaret Henbest (D): $300.00 in 2006

Frank N. Henderson (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Brent Hill (R):  $300.00 in 2006

Mike Jorenson (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Kate Kelly (D): $250.00 in 2008

Dirk Kempthorne (R):   $2,500 in 2006

Shawn A. Keough (R):  $1,500 combined 2006 & 2008

Richard D. Kirkham (R): $500.00 in 2006

Steven A. Kren (R): $500.00 in 2008

Raul R. Labrador (R): $250.00 in 2006

Dennis M. Lake (R): $250.00 in 2008

Brad Little (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Patti Anne Lodge (R): $1,500 combined 2006 & 2008

Janice McGeachin (R): $500.00 in 2008

John McGee (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Shirley McKague (R): $250.00 in 2008

Mike Moyle (R): $1,000 combined 2006 & 2008

Pete Nielsen (R): $300.00 in 2006

C.L. “Butch” Otter (R): $10,000 in 2006

Monty J. Pearce (R): $550.00 in 2006

Ken A. Roberts (R): $250.00 in 2008

John Rusche (R): $250.00 in 2008

Mack G. Shirley (R): $250.00 in 2008

Kathy Skippen (R): $800.00 in 2006

Elaine Smith (D): $250.00 in 2008

Dean E. Sorensen (R): $250.00 in 2008

Joe Stegner (R): $500.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Gerry Sweet (R):  $1,000 in 2006

Richard Wills (R): $250.00 in 2008

Chuck Winder (R): $250.00 in 2008

Fred Wood (R): $500.00 in 2008

Joan E. Wood (R): $250.00 in 2008

Becky Young (R): $250.00 in 2008

Not one Idaho third party candidate took money from CCA!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Germany confirms Iran sorry for U.K. embassy attack

Despite what British officials, and U.S. and U.K. media have been saying, more and more governments are confirming that Iran did indeed officially apologize for Iranian university students attacking the British embassy in Iran.

Germany is the latest: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle says Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi “…was deeply sorry for what has happened…” and vowed “…to do everything to prevent such an incident from happening again.”

This follows Spanish officials reporting the same thing.