Tag Archives: banks

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 13-15 July 2013. Property owners and taxes kill more businesses! California hit hard again!!!

In Pennsylvania, non-profit Excela Health laid off 78 hospital employees, and will not fill 58 vacant positions.  Officials blame a decline in people seeking medical help, and Obama Care.

In Kansas, Hunter Health Clinic warned of layoffs.  The clinic is facing legal and financial problems.  Financial problems started at least two years ago, but amazingly the board of directors claim they only recently learned of the problems!

In Rochester, New York, Rich Products shut down their bakery.  100 people out-o-work.

Government contractor, Pratt & Whitney, bribed 575 people to quit their jobs.  Company officials warned of future layoffs as well.  The parent company of Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies, also warned they will be laying off 3-thousand employees over the next year.

In Marblehead, Massachusetts, Lulu’s Boutique closed.

In Maryland, paint maker Complementary Coatings closed.  52 employees laid off.  Local news media said company officials would not explain why.

After 40 years of business, and without warning, Cindy’s Hallmark closed in Connecticut.   Reports said Hallmark employees were so shocked they ran into neighboring plaza stores, crying.  It’s not clear why the Hallmark store closed, and ironically it is being replaced with another gift card store.

Eaton Regional Education Service Agency laid off 24 employees in Michigan.

In Minnesota, Trish Land closed.  The owner wants to focus on freelance event planning and floral design.

O’Leary’s restaurant closed in Illinois, after 33 years of business.  The restaurant was unable to pay local taxes and went bankrupt.

In Wisconsin, Sentry Food’s shut down their Sun Prairie grocery store.  96 people unemployed.

Alpha Natural Resources laid off 106 employees at four West Virginia mines.  Another 83 employees were offered jobs elsewhere.  Company officials blame it on a glut of coal on the international markets.

In North Carolina, Delta Apparel laid off 135 employees. The company is consolidating its screen printing operations.

In Tennessee, 200 people could be losing their jobs with Pilgrim’s Pride (now known as Pilgrim’s Corporation).  Pilgrim’s is closing down a cold storage operation in Chattanooga.  They already laid off 400 people in 2012.

Virginia based agricultural supplier, Southern States Cooperative, is shutting down eight stores in Alabama.  The city of Prichard laid off six employees.  City officials warned of bankruptcy: “The decision was made in anticipation of a decision that will soon come before a bankruptcy judge…”-Troy Ephriam, mayor

In Jackson, Mississippi, Choctaw Books closed after three decades: “I’ve been open six days a week for 31 years. I won’t know what to do with myself….We’ve always had a double whammy of the lowest per capita spending on books in the country and the highest illiteracy rate….Over the years so many of my good customers have died…I was just a little too stubborn, kept thinking ‘it’ll work; things will get better’.”-Fred Smith, owner

What oil industry boom?  In Magnolia, Texas, global provider of project management and services for the oil and gas industry, Cameron International, shut down.  88 people out-o-work.

In California, Concord Music Group laid off between ten and 20 employees (company officials refused to be specific).  In Carmel Valley, the 30 years old City Kids-Beach Kids closed. It’s blamed on the property owners of Del Mar Highlands Town Center, who refused to let the owners of the children’s clothing store renew their lease.  San Fransisco based advertising agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, laid off 51 employees.  Companies are spending less on advertising due to the bad economy.  In Walnut, Sysco Los Angeles laid off 200 people.  Fedex Freight laid off 65 people in Los Angeles and 54 in Vernon.  Southern California Edison laid off 56 employees.  Wolfgang Puck laid off 170 people in Los Angeles.  Sheet metal products maker, USS Postco, laid off 705 people in Pittsburg.  In Citrus Heights, the Lucky Derby Casino laid off 118 employees.

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.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan, 06-08 September 2013: Pashtuns warn of major war after 2014 U.S.-NATO pullout! Germany preps for future wars!

Kunar Province, Watapur District, a U.S. drone strike on a bus kills 15 people.  U.S. officials claim all were militants, however, the local government says at least nine of those killed were innocent civilians.  Officials also say most of the ‘militants’ killed were not Afghans, but ethnic Arabs.  However, local Mujahideen say all those on the bus were civilians and not militants.

Maidan Wardak Province, Maidan Shar city, four National Security Directorate (Afghan version of Homeland Security Department) agents were killed by suicide bomber.  Local police reported that Mujahideen are getting better at targeting government employees.  Mujahideen claim they were targeting the Wardak Provincial Reconstruction Team.  The Wardak PRT is operated by Turkish NATO forces.  In Chaghto District, reports that a U.S. led government forces Israeli style home invasion resulted in six people being kidnapped.  In Nirkh District, Mujahideen report routing a U.S.-Afghan government offensive.

Zabul Province, Shahjoi District, U.S. led government forces conducted another Israeli style home invasion in the middle of the night.  Two civilians killed.

Badakhshan Province, Wardoj District, Afghan National Army claims its Operation Hindukush has killed 24 Mujahideen.  Mujahideen say it’s the U.S. backed government that lost 25 troops, only five Mujahideen killed, eight wounded by U.S. airstrikes called in by government puppets.  In Jaram District, Mujahideen attacked a government FOB, claiming to have killed four U.S.-Afghan puppet soldiers, and wounding seven others.

Helmand Province, Marjah District, Mujahideen report they’ve launched operations to take control of the district.  So far they report capturing two government checkpoints/FOBs.  In Babaji District, three people were kidnapped during U.S.-Afghan government Israeli style home invasion.

Ghazni Province, Andar District, local cops report an attack by Mujahideen on one of their checkpoints.  They claim to have killed ten Mujahideen, and wounded four.   Also, Mujahideen freed a female parliament member in exchange for seven prisoners (three men and four women) held by the government.  What’s unusual about this case is that the female politician’s own family denied she had been kidnapped!  In Khogiyani District, locals say U.S. forces kidnapped four people in a night time Israeli style home invasion.

Herat Province, people began attacking the Iranian consulate, saying their visa applications are not being handled properly.  Local police responded by shooting into the crowd.  One civilian killed, two wounded.  Two cops wounded.  In Shindand District, Mujahideen say they shot down a training aircraft, killing the instructor pilot and student pilot.

Kandahar Province, Maiwand District, reports that U.S.-Afghan government artillery rounds hit a village.  Five people killed, four wounded, all children.

Administrative Director of the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas, in Pakistan) Research Center, Mansur Khan Mahsud, says Pashtun Mujahideen are preparing for a major civil war in Afghanistan after the supposed U.S.-NATO 2014 pullout.  The civil war could reunite Pashtuns in Afghanistan and western Pakistan.  Prior to the interference of the British empire western Pakistan was part of the majority Pashtun area of Afghanistan.  Typical of  British meddling they split the Pashtuns when they created Pakistan. Mehsud warned a major war to return the Pashtuns to their former power and status is on its way: “Everyone knows that when NATO and the American troops leave Afghanistan there will be fighting between Pashtuns and non-Pashtuns.”

Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan is preparing it for future wars: “In future, we need a clear strategy on what we want to achieve with a mission.  And we then need sufficient means to make it happen.  For years, the Bundeswehr wasn’t equipped to deal with combat situations.  It wasn’t until many lives were lost [in Afghanistan] that we started to change our focus.”-Roderich Kiesewetter, Christian Democrat member of parliament

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 12 July 2013. More health care layoffs! Taxes shutting down businesses! Health problems close businesses!

Canada based auto parts dealer, Uni-Select, laying off 600 people in the United States!  The retailer is closing one distribution center and more than 40 stores in the U.S., in a bid to save $30 million USD!

Western Connecticut Health Network laid off 116 health care employees.  They blame state budget cuts.

In Massachusetts, Baystate Franklin Medical Center laid off 23 employees, ten of which are nurses.  Nurses have revealed that the hospital is also not replacing doctors that leave.  The Harvard Medical School laid off 31 contracted janitors.  School officials blamed the school’s “high operating deficit”.

Duke Raleigh Hospital, in North Carolina, laid off 27 employees.  Officials blamed “….a series of financial pressures at both the federal and state levels. The primary effect of these pressures is a reduction in reimbursement to hospitals and providers.”  In other words, Obama Care!

The Christian God won’t stop layoffs at the Catholic Xavier University in Ohio.  School officials warned of coming layoffs, as part of $4 million in budget cuts.

In Minnesota, the 125 years old Mankato Kasota Stone quarry now out-o-business.  The family owners blame construction contractors for buying cheaper artificial stone products.

Nevada based radio station owner, Stephens Media Group, laid off three people in New York.

Video game maker, Capcom, laid off an undisclosed amount of employees in the United States.

350 people lost their jobs in New Jersey!  The Colgate-Palmolive factory in Morris is closing.  Another 200 jobs are being shipped out!

In Georgia, Dante’s Down the Hatch closed after 43 years in business.   The owner, Dante Stephensen, blames city and county taxes: “They kindly have taxed me as if I was a high rise and said, ‘If you don’t like it, get out.’  That’s not a quote, but that’s basically a feeling I got from the county.”

Gigi’s Italian Restaurant in South Pasadena Shopping Center, Florida, closed after 45 years of business.   There are rumors that a Walmart will replace the shopping center.  There are reports that Comcast cable service provider laid off 260 people!  They shut down their Orlando call center.  Company officials claim they will work to find the employees jobs in other departments.

After 83 years, the Aladdin Book Shoppe in Oklahoma shutdown.  The owners blame it on their upcoming surgeries.  They tried to sell the store but “It has taken us six months to get our heads around the fact that if it did not sell we were going to have to close it and it has not sold.”-Paula Walker

The Mars Petcare pet food factory closed in Colorado.  40 people unemployed.  Company officials also warned that they will be closing their pet food factory in Missouri.  121 people will lose their jobs!  Officials blame it on declining sales.

Great Southern Bank closing 11 offices in Missouri.  It’s blamed on the 2011 takeover of Sun Security Bank.

The 40 years old El Parador restaurant shut down in Tucson, Arizona: “It’s time to transition into another phase in life.”-statement from owners

What housing market recovery? In California, GAF roofing materials maker closed down its residential roofing supplies operation in Fresno.  36 people now unemployed.  In Garden Grove, the Money Mailer laid off 75 employees.  Its part of larger layoffs in the area, due to the company outsourcing its coupon printing.  In Vernon, 189 people lost their jobs with Trinity Sports “full package” clothing maker!

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.

Fukushima

More Fukushima Fallout: TEPCo ignored warning from U.S., blames investors! Radioactive waste piling up, will kill you in 20 seconds!!! White blood cell counts are up!

20 September 2013 (15:18 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/29 Shahrivar 1392/16 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“Prime Minister Abe announced in Buenos Aries that the situation at Fukushima Daiichi was under control, but that’s not necessarily the case…”-Inose Naoki, Governor of Tokyo Metro

A Japanese official has countered the Prime Minister’s claim that the nuke disaster is under control (this is the second time that’s happened).  Neo-imperialist Abe Shinzo made that statement to convince Olympic games officials to select Tokyo for future Olympic event.  The new Governor of Tokyo Metro, Inose Naoki, has stated that the nuke disaster is not under control!  This seems hypocritical because the same politician was supporting the Prime Minister, and blasting negative news coverage of Fukushima Daiichi, right up ’till Tokyo was selected for the 2020 Olympic games.  Now it seems Inose is doing a one-80.

An NHK (Nippon Housou Kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) report says radioactive waste in Japan has increased to the point that exposure can kill a human in 20 seconds!  The toxicity of the waste will remain deadly for thousands of years. What’s surprising is that nuclear plant dense Japan has no way to safely store the waste!

The Japanese Ministry of Industry is proposing an elaborate underground storage system, that allows the deadly waste to be retrieved, if needed.  However, the Science Council of Japan countered, pointing out that Japan has many earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it risky to store nuke waste underground.  On 19 September 2013, a 5.9 quake hit the Fukushima Prefecture.

Currently all of Japan’s nuke plants are shut down, because of earthquake fears, damage or required maintenance.

Tokyo Electric Power Company is now stating that there is at least 455-thousand metric tons of contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi site.  That water is in storage tanks, flooded in the reactor buildings and in the underground tunnels.  But wait, there’s more!  That amount increases by 400 metric tons every day!

Recently groundwater that was supposed to be clear of radiation, because it was upstream of the reactors, tested positive for radiation contamination.  This is probably due to the fact that the waste water storage tanks are located upstream and uphill from the reactors, and they are leaking into the ground thus contaminating the groundwater before it reaches the reactors.

It was just announced that the cause for the leaking storage tanks are lose bolts.  Of note is that the new tanks are already showing corrosion, due to radiation.

It was revealed that U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission warned the Japanese government of massive groundwater contamination, two years ago!  TEPCo officials blew off the warning, saying investors would not be willing to spend the massive amounts of money to stop such contamination!!!

The Health Ministry of Japan has revealed that health problems for nuclear industry workers has jumped since the March 2011 melt downs.  For the first time the Health Ministry has evaluated the physical exams of 67-hundred workers.   They noted a 3.23% increase in workers with elevated white blood cell counts, compared to exams done prior to the 2011 disaster.  Health officials point out that they need to do a more comprehensive study, because the nuclear industry in Japan has a high rate of employee turnover.

The reason for the high turnover can be explained by a June 2011, Reuters report.  Most of the nuclear industry workers in Japan are considered “throwaway” workers.  The report showed that nuclear disaster in Japan was a given, because many employees are not trained, and because they are treated badly.

Most contracted nuke industry workers in Japan are people with the least amount of education or training: “This is an unfortunate thing to say, but the nuclear industry has long relied on people at the lowest level of Japanese society.”-Fujii Kazunori, retired nuclear project manager

Fujii also said most contracted workers are exposed to radiation limits beyond official safe limits, and if you are a foreign employee it’s even worse: “We brought in workers from Southeast Asia and Saudi Arabia….They took a heavier dose of radiation than Japanese workers could have.”

And that included exposing workers from the United States to high levels of radiation.

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian-Pacific Front: Japan increases intel gathering on China! Return to Iwo Jima! Return to Philippines?

19 September 2013 (20:47 UTC-07 Tango 18 September 2013)/14 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/28 Shahrivar 1391/15 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced they will station personnel on the island of Ioto (aka Iwo-to, Iwo Jima) for the specific purpose of spying on China’s military.

Although Ioto is south east of Japan (nowhere near China) defense officials say they can better monitor Chinese naval and air exercises from that point.  However, one official admitted that Japan is making the move to increase its intel gathering in the Pacific Ocean, near the Philippines.

In October, Barack Obama will be in the Philippines pushing for increased military co-operation.

 

Fukushima

More Fukushima Fallout: More explosions were possible! Vent pipe used to avert explosions now damaged! TEPCo reneges on promise because of cost overruns!

19 September 2013 (20:26 UTC-07 Tango 18 September 2013)/14 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/28 Shahrivar 1392/15 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

Tokyo Electric Power Company revealed that more melt down related explosions could have occurred in 2011, if it had not been for venting of the damaged reactor containment vessels.  Now one of those massive vent pipes could be damaged.

Workers say they’ve found cracks in the support bracing for the 120 meters (393 feet) tall pipe.  The pipe is located between Reactor 1 and Reactor 2 buildings.

They suspect an earthquake last year caused the damage and are concerned another earthquake could bring it down.  It is difficult to inspect the structure closely because it is emitting 10 sieverts per hour of radiation!  According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection, exposure to just one sievert per hour can increase the chance of developing cancer by  5.5%.

Also, the anti-imperialist Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) revealed that TEPCo failed to fulfill its promise to build shield walls around the GE designed reactors.

In 2011 the DPJ was in charge of Japan’s government.  They revealed on 18 September 2013 that TEPCo promised to build barrier walls, but then ran into financial trouble.  TEPCo officials told the DPJ they could not build the walls because it would cost at least $1 billion USD.  Current DPJ officials say TEPCo also asked the DPJ to keep their failure to keep its promise a secret!

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian-Pacific Front: U.S. & Philippines practice war on China!

18 September 2013 (16:08 UTC-07 Tango)/13 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/27 Shahrivar 1391/14 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“We are strictly here for military purposes, to work with our partners in the armed forces of the Philippines.”-Brigadier General Paul Kennedy, USMC

“The Chinese will view these military exercises as yet another example of the Philippines stirring up tensions in the South China Sea and of the U.S. taking advantage of the situation to increase its military presence.”-Ian Storey, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies U.S. Army War College

23-hundred U.S. Marines have begun three weeks of war games with Philippine marines.  It’s called PHIBLEX (Philippine-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercises).  You can call it island hopping, or island invasion.

Barack Obama will arrive in Philippines in October, to push for increased U.S. military presence.  The Philippines used to be an official territory of the United States.  However, Obama regime officials swear the increasing military activity between the U.S. and Philippines has nothing to do with increasing disputes with China.

That’s funny, because the PHIBLEX involves invading one of the South China Sea islands that China says belongs to them.  The Philippines calls the area the West Philippine Sea.

For at least the past decade the U.S. has been increasing its military presence in the South China Sea, by making military deals with countries that feel threatened by China’s claims to territory.   According to Ian Storey, the United States Navy has suddenly increased its warships in the South China Sea to 80 within the past year.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, West Asian Front: Russia sends another warship to the Med!

17 September 2013 (14:09 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/26 Shahrivar 1391/13 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“The Yamal’s crew has completed preparations for relocation to the Mediterranean Sea……the ship has performed several drive outs, which included target practice on sea and land.”-Captain Vyacheslav Trukhachev,  Black Sea Fleet

Russia is sending another warship to the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Syria. It brings the number of Russia Navy ships in the area to 11.

The Yamal is a landing craft, carrying 250 troops and 10 tanks.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, West Asian Front: UN declares War Crime in Syria! Demanding international action! Focused on ending the general insurgency fueled war, rather than chemical weapons!

17 September 2013 (13:51 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/26 Shahrivar 1391/13 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“….the use of chemical weapons in Syria is only the tip of the iceberg. The suffering in Syria must end.  Next week, as world leaders gather here, I will make a strong appeal to member states for action now…..we also must look at broader issues, not only chemical weapons….”-Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, stated that chemical weapons use in Syria is a war crime.  He also condemns conventional weapons use in the war in Syria.

He stated that the UN Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will be holding meetings.  Ki-moon is asking for a UN resolution.  He stated it will take the co-operation of “wide range of [UN] members”.

Ban Ki-moon’s speech opening the 68th General Assembly focused more on the overall war in Syria, than on the use of chemical weapons, suggesting that the United Nations is gearing up to support military action against Syria.

Ki-moon implied military action was needed to stop the use of chemical weapons, despite the fact his speech focused on other issues caused by the U.S. backed insurgency.  He did not say who is using chemical weapons.

International

Martial Law BS: Anti-Gun Laws fail to stop mass shootings in Austria!

17 September 2013 (13:38 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/26 Shahrivar 1391/13 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

Strict anti-gun laws in German speaking Austria have failed to stop at least four people from being shot and killed.  Three of those killed were cops.

Police claim they were chasing a 55 years old poacher when he turned his hunting weapon on them.  One cop killed while he sat in his patrol car, two cops killed while chasing the poacher on foot.  A medic was also killed.

The poacher holed up in a farm house near the city of Melk.  There were reports the poacher is gut shot by police.

The latest reports say Austrian SWAT have stormed the farm house, but so far they can’t find the poacher.

Austria has strict anti-gun laws:  Ownership of semi-auto rifles and handguns (including revolvers) allowed only by permission of the government.  Full-auto guns outlawed.

Besides government permission you must get a gun license.  Getting a license requires criminal and mental health background investigations.  Public carrying of guns requires a permit.  Guns and ammo are registered with government authorities.  Local governments required to track all movement and storage of guns and ammo in their area.  The only way you can sell your gun is through a licensed dealer.

Austrians must also comply with European Union anti-gun laws as well.