Category Archives: U.S.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Beat the Food Crisis, Go Native. Free Seeds?

Our civilized society has taken too many things for granted, like where our food comes from.  Mass produced by big farms, using lots of chemicals, and even genetic modification.  Those chemicals and modifications are supposed to help our traditional crops produce more, and handle extreme weather.

Mother Nature already has plants that can do that, they’re called Native Plants, and you can eat them (not all of them, of course).  How do you know which native plants you can eat?  You can check your local bookstore, or public library, for local books on the subject.  You can check the internet, under native plants and whatever state you live in.

Can We Eat It? City Creek, Pocatello, Idaho.

In Idaho an organization has formed that is pushing for the use of native plants in landscaping (because they can save water and are fire resistant), and native plants you can eat.  The Boise based Idaho Native Plant Society even sponsors plant sales and seed exchanges.

Don’t think of snatching some native plants out of the wild, believe it or not, there is such a thing as plant poaching.

There’s a seed bank that has spent decades searching the world for food plants that do well in Idaho’s climate. They have lots of high altitude crops, Siberian Tomatoes, and Tomatoes developed by the University of Idaho (I think the company used to be in Idaho, but relocated to Arizona. You can still order the seeds).

Want to start a garden but don’t have the money?  Texas based The Dinner Garden gives away seeds.  They admit that they are backlogged trying to meet requests for seeds.  Their website says they have a partner in Kimberly, Idaho.

Idaho, U.S.

Beware Latest Scams Cops asking for Bail Money & Postal Delivery Notices

In East Idaho there are a couple of scams going around.  The first involves people calling you up and acting like cops trying to get bail money.  They tell you they’ve arrested one of your friends, or in the case of a local business, one of your employees, and they need bail money.  Sounds unbelievable, because bail is normally handled through the courts, but, amazingly several people, and a local Pocatello restaurant (Butterburr’s) have fallen for the scam.  One guy was even told he would end up getting his money back.  Do not wire money to anyone you do not know, even if they claim to be a police officer!

The warning for the other scam is coming from the United States Postal Service (USPS).  People are being sent email notices about a package they need to pick up.

WEST WINDSOR, NJ - AUGUST 21: Trucks are seen parked at a U.S. Postal facility August 21, 2002 in West Windsor, New Jersey. Samples will be collected to see if the anthrax found in a Princeton mailbox last week was spread through the network that transfers mail from Princeton. (Photo by Don Murray/Getty Images)

On Friday, October 22, I was in one of the Pocatello post offices and the lady in front of me asked for a package that she was told she had to pick up.  The Postal Clerk looked for some time, didn’t find anything, then asked for the pick up slip the Postal Carrier normally leaves.  The lady said she had gotten an email.  As far as I know the USPS does not send out email, or phone, notices that a package needs to be picked up.  It’s a good thing the lady didn’t click on the email link, ’cause that’s when they get you.  The USPS website has a warning about the scam.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho part of Growing Concern over Unemployment Fraud commited by Employers, Or are they?

The use of third party administrators (law firms) by employers, to challenge unemployment claims, is not only on the rise, but,  just like the mortgage fiasco, is starting to look like many cases are fraudulent.

Early this year, the Idaho Department of Labor sent a letter of complaint to one of the biggest third party administrators (TPA), Talx.  Talx, a division of Equifax,  represents Walmart, Home Depot, Marriot, Best Buy, FedEx and even PBS.

It was a PBS program, called Need to Know, that reported the growing problem of TPAs working to deny unemployment benefits for those who qualify.  Unemployment benefits are paid out to people who are laid off (and continue to meet requirements to keep getting the benefits, until they find a new job), or to people who’ve gone through a legal process which proves the were fired unjustly.  What’s happening is that many unemployment  benefits are being denied because the employers are falsely claiming the employee was fired, when they were laid off.  Or, in the case of wrongful firings, the TPAs are appealing those cases, even when it is obviously the fault of the employer.

The resulting court cases are, of course, partly paid for by taxpayers.

Some states claim that Talx intentionally delays unemployment claims, floods courts with protest letters and lies about how an employee lost their job.  In May, the Idaho Department of Labor announced that agreements were made with Talx.  Those agreements seem weak to me:

  • Collaboration on training for Idaho employers on the state unemployment insurance system;
  • Modification of documents used by both TALX and the state in the unemployment claims process;
  • Development of performance expectations subject to ongoing review and analysis

These are things that should already be the norm.  Also, Idaho’s unemployment system, Idaho Job Service, is actually paid for by employers, and employers actually get money back for having low unemployment payouts (at least that’s how it was explained to me, by a Job Service employee who’s job it was to refund the employer’s money).

There was supposed to be a follow up meeting between Talx and the Idaho Dept. of Labor, in July, but I haven’t found any info on it.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Bad Loans, Mortgage Notes, Foreclosures all part of possibly the biggest Scam in U.S. History

A mortgage Note is the document that proves who holds the mortgage on the home that’s being bought.  There’s more and more evidence that the big banks can’t find those notes.  That includes Notes on homes that have already been foreclosed.  Another problem is that, in states that require court involvement, the judges never asked for proof of the Note.

The program, Need to Know, on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), interviewed Michael Hudson, an author who revealed how the big banks were intentionally trapping people in bad home loans.  Hudson says The big banks are using the same tactics in foreclosing.  He also says that many of the foreclosures involve home buyers who were looking to refinance their loans to save money, instead they were set up to fail.

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 26: Homeowners wait to meet with Wells Fargo employees during a free workshop for customers who are facing mortgage payment challenges April 26, 2010 at the Oakland Convention Center in Oakland, California. Over 1,000 people who are in risk of slipping into foreclosure were scheduled to attend the mortgage workshop in hopes of getting loan modifications to avoid losing their homes. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The problem with the Notes is that the big banks quickly sold off the bad loans, and there doesn’t seem to be any record keeping regarding the Notes.  In many cases, mortgages were sold several times over to other banks, and as investment schemes.  Hudson says the push to foreclose is a way of making more money for the big banks.  In other words the bad loans, the reselling of mortgage loans, and now the foreclosures, are all part of a big money making scam by corporate America.

MIAMI - OCTOBER 01: A pre-foreclosure sign is displayed outside a home on October 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. Declining home prices, low mortgages rates and government stimulus programs have helped push up the number of pending home sales according to the National Association of Realtors, as they rose by 6.4 per cent in August and were up by 12.4 per cent from a year ago. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Michael Hudson says the Federal government has done almost nothing about this probable crime against American home buyers.  It’s the states that have taken the most action.  But each state has their own foreclosure laws, which seem to be adding to the mess.  Hudson says that the reason why President Obama isn’t ordering a halt to foreclosures, is that he could be held politically responsible for any crash in the housing market.  That would suggest that the current housing market is actually being driven by the foreclosures.

LAS VEGAS - MARCH 21: Countrywide Home Loans home mortgage consultant Al Lizarralde (L) and RE/Max Central realtor Brenda Zablockis leave a bank-owned house during a RE/MAX Central bus tour of foreclosed homes March 21, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. RE/MAX Central of Las Vegas co-owner Ruth Ahlbrand said the Las Vegas area has been one of the top three worst foreclosure markets and one of the top three worst markets for slumping home prices in the United States since late 2007. Ahlbrand said the real estate group began giving tours for prospective buyers three times a week in February 2008, in an effort to clear inventory of foreclosed properties. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Another article, in the Executive Intelligence Review, says that this is all part of the dying last gasp of our country’s financial system.  For too long investments have been sold, that were on paper only, no real assets.  So the bad loan scandal was how the big banks set things up to grab some real assets, and the foreclosure scandal is how the big banks are cashing in those assets to pay off the investors.

Idaho, U.S.

Alcohol in Energy Drinks? Not Many.

Recently here in Southeast Idaho, a commercial was ran advising parents that “some” (wasn’t at all emphasized) energy drinks have alcohol in them.  The commercial showed a team of children playing soccer, and the parents bring an ice chest of energy drinks.  Next scene shown, is the children playing soccer, but they appear drunk.  One striking line that the narrator states, is that “…energy drink have 9 times more alcohol than a beer.”

This is disturbing because now more and more people in the local area are believing that all energy drinks have alcohol, even teachers in the high schools.

The issue started in Utah, where the Utah County Health Department had concerns over children, adults, and convenience store cashiers not knowing which energy drinks were alcoholic, and purchasing or selling them on mistake.  Keep in mind that alcoholic energy drinks are in the alcohol section of any store.

The statement on the commercial “…energy drinks have 9 times the alcohol than a beer.” is false.  Alcoholic energy drinks contain anywhere from 4% to 12% alcohol, clearly not 9 times that of a beer (12% is around 6 times that of a beer)  One place that this commercial might have “misinterpreted” the information, is a news story from ksl.com which clearly says “…amount of caffeine inside energy drinks — nine times more than a regular cola” Which is indeed, true.

Energy drinks that aren’t in the alcohol section of a store, do not have alcohol in them.  If you are still concerned there may be alcohol in the energy drink, check the ingredients prior to purchasing it.

Check the ingredients if you are concerned with alcohol being in your energy drink.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Details about Allstate Chubbuck Call Center jobs

It seems the local East Idaho television news didn’t tell the story clearly concerning the Allstate Customer Information Center (CIC), planned to be built in Chubbuck, Idaho.

It is not part of the Pine Ridge Mall property.  It will be built on a vacant lot that is part of the Home Depot plaza, aka The Crossings.  The vacant lot was originally intended for smaller retail spaces, but, no contracts were signed so it sat vacant for several years.

The Crossings, Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck, Idaho.

In reading several articles in the Idaho State Journal newspaper, it became clear that the claimed 500-600 jobs is just an optimistic goal.  Only 25 people will be hired in February 2011.  More people will be hired closer to the opening date, and the total amount of employees will depend on how many calls the CIC gets.

For those worried about making sales calls, Chubbuck Mayor Steve England says there will be no “soliciting calls”.  However, employees will be required to get a state insurance license.  Sorry, state law.  Also, employees will have to get a license from every state they handle calls from.  Allstate says part of their training will include prepping for the license exam.

Training will be 6 weeks, plus one week for the license prep.  Allstate encourages college courses, and, after one year of employment, they will reimburse employees for college courses that pertain to the job.

Pay will start at $27,000 per year.  The maximum you could get is $50,000.  There are no details about how you could get the maximum, other than bonuses, but the number of licenses you have, and college courses, probably factor in.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Chubbuck, Idaho, to get 500 Allstate Jobs?

Allstate announced that Chubbuck, Idaho, will be the home of a new call center.  The building will go up across from the Chubbuck Home Depot, and could employ more than 500 people (if call volume supports that many jobs).

Lot where Allstate will build a Customer Information Center, in Chubbuck, Idaho.

They hope to have the 75,000 square foot building open by September 2011.  The Customer Information Center will handle not only incoming calls, but conduct outgoing customer calling.  This will make the fourth center for Allstate.  They have call centers in Texas, Illinois and North Carolina.

The Crossings, home to Chubbuck Home Depot, and now Allstate Customer Information Center.

There is some conflicting information about when hiring will start, and how much the starting pay is.  Some local media reports have stated that hiring will begin in November 2010, yet, the official Allstate press release says hiring will not begin until February 2011.  Allstate will post job openings for the call center “At the beginning of the New Year.”  Also, local media reports say starting salary will be $25,000 per year, some say $27,000.  The official press release does not indicate how much starting salaries will be.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Here we go again, Toyota recalls Millions of Vehicles

Today, Toyota announced that they are recalling 1.5 million cars and sport utility vehicles, in Japan and the United States, for faulty power brake systems and faulty fuel pumps.

NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: A Toyota Avalon is seen in a dealership lot in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City on January 21, 2009. Toyota has toppled General Motors as the world's largest automaker for the first time in more than 70 years. . (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

The US recall includes 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 to 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350.

A Lexus sign seen at the Pohanka Lexus dealership in Chantilly, Virginia, on April 14, 2010. Toyota Motor Corp. suspended sales of the car after Consumer Reports warned shoppers not to buy the sport utility vehicle because of roll over concerns on sharp turns. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg Photo via Newscom

The brake master cylinder leaks fluid, causing reduced brake performance.  The electrical fuel pumps can shut off, stalling the engine.  Get with your local Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the problems fixed (at Toyota’s expense of course).

International, U.S.

Did You Know About the (U.S. Backed?) Coup in Ecuador?

On September 30th, there was what some call a U.S. backed coup attempt in Ecuador.  It failed.  Did the U.S. TV media cover it.  No.

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

According to several western media sources, the violence happened as a result of the Ecuadorian government making tough economic decisions that affected many workers, including police.  However, Russia Today interviewed several people who said many of the disaffected groups, involved in the coup, get money from U.S. agencies.  Also, police said they were rebelling because their benefits were being cut, but, according to Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, benefits have not been cut, and police pay has actually been increased; “Presumably, a certain part of society – in this case, armed people, national police – expressed their discontent with the new law they haven’t even read to the end.”

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Ecuadorian Army put down the coup attempt by, what some say were police officers backed by U.S. interests.  President Correa said they have intelligence that shows that several groups went to the United States just days before the coup.  Those groups met with right wing political groups in the U.S., where it’s believed they received funding for a coup attempt.  Mmmm, isn’t that sponsoring international terrorism, by the very country leading the War on Terror?

Military personnel patrol the street in armoured vehicles, in Quito October 5, 2010. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa issued a decree on Tuesday extending the country's state of alert, which lets the army patrol the streets, until October 8. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

There is a state of emergency in Ecuador. The streets are being patrolled by the Army.  Question: If so many Ecuadorians didn’t like their President, why did so many unarmed civilians come out in defense of him?

People stage a rally in support of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in Buenos Aires October 1, 2010. Latin American leaders condemned unrest in Ecuador Thursday and threw their support behind Correa as he faced crowds of police protesting over austerity plans. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian(ARGENTINA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Who is President Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado? He is what greedy neo-con right wingers in the United States hate: An Economist, and Socialist, who fought against (mainly U.S.) creditors, claiming that the many debts against Ecuador were illegal.  He also kicked out the World Bank’s Ecuadorian manager.  He is the current President of the Union of South American Nations (bet most people in the U.S. don’t know the South American countries united back in 2008).  In other words, take out Correa and you kill two birds with one stone.

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa gives a news conference inside the Carondolet Palace, after army soldiers rescued him from the hands of striking police, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Venezuela & Iran Working to Create New, New World Order

On Wednesday, October 20th, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, announced they had signed several energy deals, and, that they are working towards a new world order of their own.   Ahmadinejad stated; “We are united and determined to end the current injustice which dominates the world and replace it with a new world order based on justice.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embraces Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

Ahmadinejad also said; “If one day, my brother Mr Chavez and I and a few other people were once alone in the world, today we have a long line of revolutionary officials and people standing alongside each other. The enemies of our nations will go one day. This is the promise of God and the promise of God will definitely be fulfilled.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

An example of how ignorant our government, and U.S. political advisers, have gotten, foreign policy analyst, Rick Casper said this deal between Iran and Venezuela was proof that U.S. sanctions are working.  What an idiot!  He also said; “There is no other country willing to do business with Iran except Venezuela.” Idiot!  Who do you think is building Iran’s nuclear power plant?  Russia!  Iran also has deals with China, and many Central Asian countries, as well as European countries.  This is the level of intelligence of U.S. foreign policy analysts?