Tag Archives: crime

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 19 – 21 October 2012. More children killed by U.S./NATO forces! Russian copter fired upon! Bagram airbase on fire! More proof that oil, for China, is too blame!

21 October 2012

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was killed: “The soldier was clearing the compound when an IED detonated, killing him instantly.”-David Hurley, Australian Defence Force

In in the northern provinces of Faryab and Sar-e-Pul, China’s National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) began pumping out oil in the Amu Darya basin.  China has a 25 years contract for oil mining in Afghanistan, thanks in part to the U.S. led occupation of the Central Asian country.  CNPC expects to pump out 1,950 barrels per day.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry announced that no peace deal can be made with Mujahideen unless they are given immunity.  One problem is that many Mujahideen leaders are currently not allowed to take part in peace talks, under United Nations rules.

In Logar Province, local government officials say a U.S./NATO rocket attack killed four children, and wounded two as they walked to school.  Mujahideen report that it was mortar rounds from a U.S./NATO base, called Kizr, that landed on a house, killing all six children.

20 October 2012

French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, revealed that French troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of December 2012!

In Helmand Province, six local cops were killed by two of their co-workers!  Also, a bicycle bomb went off near the governor’s office, no details on casualties.

In Paktia Province, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter working for U.S./NATO/ISAF, was shot at.  No one was hurt, four bullet holes were found in the fuselage.

19 October 2012

In Khost Province, Afghan government forces turned on each other, killing three and wounding one.  Reports say Afghan border police, National Army and National Police shot at each other.  Government officials say it was caused by a “personal issue”.

In Parwan Province, reports that Bagram airbase was attacked by Mujahideen.  This time a food warehouse operated by a military contractor was hit with machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades.  The contractor says the warehouse caught fire and burned into Saturday.

In Balkh Province, 15 people were killed, 18 wounded, after the mini-bus they were in ran over a landmine.

In Herat Province, Mujahideen report that a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed at Shindand airbase.  They say the copter went down due to mechanical problems.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 16 – 18 October 2012. Hundreds of Afghan government troops dying for the United States every month! NATO officials make surprise visit. Women behind violence against women? Attacks launched against Pakistan! U.S. admits to targeting children!

18 October 2012

In Parwan Province, another U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked.  Local police say Mujahideen managed to put a bomb on one of the fuelers, which exploded.  However, Mujahideen say they blew up the fueler with a remote controlled landmine. The driver was killed.

In Zabul Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed four vehicles in a U.S./NATO convoy, killing or wounding eight people.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) admitted that hundreds of Afghan government troops are sacrificing themselves for the United States!  The ISAF report stated that, so far for 2012,  Afghan National Army (ANA) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 243 per month!  ISAF reported that Afghan National Police (ANP) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 292 per month!  That’s more than 500 Afghan government personnel killed or wounded per month, fighting for empire of the United States!

ISAF also said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in eastern Afghanistan.”

Officials with the U.S. created North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) made a surprise visit to Kabul: “My clear message is that the whole international community will stay committed to helping Afghanistan in the future…”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General

Amnesty International claims a 20 years old woman was beheaded by her mother-in-law, for refusing to be a prostitute.  Most reports of violence against women focus on men, but in this case it was the woman’s mother-in-law that was forcing her to engage in prostitution, and when she refused the mother-in-law paid a man to kill her.

People in the region of North Waziristan, Pakistan, reported that four mortar rounds impacted in their area.  The mortar fire came from Afghanistan.

Yet another U.S. based private security company (Jorge Scientific) is in trouble after a video showed their employees behaving like total retards!  American Broadcasting Company revealed the video, which came from two former employees who quit because of rampant drug and alcohol abuse by co-workers.

In Nanagarhar Province, several cops joined the Mujahideen.  Mujahideen made their names public.

17 October 2012

Major battles in Paktia Province.  Mujahideen claim to have shot down two U.S./NATO helicopters.  Reports say this happened as the copters were about to land to pick up wounded ANA troops.  At least 53 people were wounded, including 45 Afghan government personnel, after a mini bus packed with explosive went off.  A 14 years old girl was killed.  The mini bus driver was trying to target a U.S./NATO base.

In Badghis Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed a U.S./NATO minesweeping tank. They say the two crewman were killed.

In Helmand Province, four U.S./NATO supply trucks were destroyed, and two drivers killed by Mujahideen.

In Uruzgan Province, a local cop joined the Mujahideen.

In Nangarhar Province, seven ANA personnel joined the Mujahideen.

16 October 2012

U.S./NATO officials admitted that a recent airstrike killed children, and not Mujahideen!  ISAF said: “During an operation in Helmand province Sunday against suspected insurgents laying IEDs, ISAF forces may have accidentally killed three innocent Afghan civilians.”

This comes as U.S./NATO forces called in an airstrike in Gahzni Province.  At least 17 people were killed.   Afghan government officials claim most of those killed were from Pakistan.

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Bagram airbase.

In Nanagarhar Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Jalalabad airbase.

In Zabul and Kandahar provinces, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed several U.S./NATO convoy vehicles, and captured an Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a “hatchback” along with other military equipment.

 

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? More Sears mall leases not being renewed, more Kmart leases allowed to expire!

“We made a decision not to renew the lease.”-Chris Brathwaite, Sears Holdings

19 October 2012, as I warned, Sears/Kmart continues to close stores simply by not renewing their leases.

Residents of Kelso, Washington, learned on 17 October that the Sears in their local mall is going away in January.

Kelso’s Three Rivers Mall isn’t doing so well anyway, but dedicated mall walkers are upset by the Sears announcement: “We’re worried about foot traffic going down…..I just worry that we won’t be here in a few years.”-unnamed store manager

The owners of the mall said they knew about the Sears closing before the official announcement: “The Sears closure is something we anticipated some time ago and as a result are working with a number of exciting retailers…”-Rouse Properties statement

Pennsylvania is learning of another Sears closing.  On 17 October the local media revealed that the Sears at Penn Center East, in Wilkins, will not renew its lease, resulting in 135 people losing their jobs by January 2013.  Wilkins Township commissioners swear a new WalMart will take its place.

In Virginia, the new owners of the Liberty Fair Mall announced they will allow a “homegrown” store to fill the void left by the outgoing Sears.  I worked for mall owners J Price Realty before the Pine Ridge Mall (in Chubbuck, Idaho) was sold to General Growth Properties (and they contracted out almost all our jobs), and one policy was that the big ‘anchor’ stores had to be national chain stores.  So, for a mall owner to allow a “homegrown” local shop in as an anchor store is a sign of trouble.

I’ve seen it here at the Pine Ridge Mall, when General Growth Properties (who actually had a policy that all the stores in the mall had to be national chain stores) went back on their own policy, stopping their ‘eviction’ of local stores (they were evicting local mom & pop stores by jacking up rents to astronomical levels, I saw the official corporate order from Chicago which had been left in plain view on the mall office copy machine) and even allowed local stores to temporarily occupy the empty Macy’s anchor store.

To try and raise money, Sears has spunoff its Sears Hometown, and Outlet Stores as separately traded stocks.  The move made Sears Holdings (aka Hoffman Estates) $446.5 million USD, according to the Washington Post.   Yet store closings continue.

In another move to try and generate revenue, Sears and General Electric signed a deal to sell GE’s Brillion Connected Home Solutions products.  (yet another connection to the too Big to Fails, three former GE execs just got sent to prison for ripping off U.S. taxpayers)

On 18 October, residents of Freeport, Illinois, learned that Kmart will go away in January 2013: “We made a business decision not to renew the lease.”-Chris Brathwaite, Sears Holdings

Notice the above statement from Brathwaite is the very same statement made concerning the Three Rivers Mall in Washington!  Like I keep saying; what economic recovery? “It’s just an indication that we haven’t gotten to that point in terms of economic recovery that there is consumer confidence and people are willing to go out and spend…”-David Young, Northwest Illinois Development Alliance

Brathwaite made the very same announcement concerning the Pontiac, Illinois, Kmart on 13 October:  “We made the announcement to Pontiac associates on Wednesday.  It was a business decision to not renew our lease.”    (it’s now obvious this Brathwaite is a robot, cause he says the same thing at every announced closing, just insert name of town and how many people will lose their jobs)

In California, the Kmart in the DVC Plaza in Pleasant Hill (near Oakland) will close after 40 years in business.  The lease will not be renewed, more than 50 employees will be laid off.

In Colorado, about 52 employees will be out of work after the lease expires for the Kmart at Pueblos’ South Side.  The store has been there since 1974.

74 Kmart employees just learned they will be unemployed by January 2013, because the lease for the Cartersville, Georgia, store was not renewed.

52 people will lose their jobs when the Woodhaven, Michigan, Kmart closes on 13 January 2012.

In New Jersey, about 80 people will be unemployed when the Lawnside Kmart closes in January.  The same announcement came from Sears Holdings, but actually from a different person: “The lease is not being renewed at that location.”-Kim Freely, Sears holdings

It seems the owners of Sears/Kmart (Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates/and don’t forget the Mitt Romney/Bain Capital/Carlyle group connection) are shifting Kmart’s focus to female Spanish speaking customers.  On 18 October it was published that Hoffman Estates will pick five Latinas for a 10 week paid internship at their Illinois headquarters. It’s called the Latina Smart program.

Here’s an updated list of Sears/Kmart closings:

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart, Mobile Sears Grand/Essentials, Auburn Kmart.

California:   El Monte Sears Grand/Essentials, two San Diego Sears Grand/Essentials, recently revealed Pleasant Hill Kmart.

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart, Glenwood Springs Kmart, Lone Tree Sears Great Indoors, Longmont Sears, recently revealed Pueblos’ South Side Kmart.

Georgia: Macon Sears, Buford Kmart, Douglasville Kmart, Atlanta Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Jonesboro Kmart, recently revealed Cartersville Kmart.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart, Callaway Kmart, Orange City Kmart,  Deland Sears Grand/Essentials, Stuart Sears Grand/Essentials, West Palm Beach Sears Grand/Essentials, Port St. Lucie Sears Grand/Essentials, Crystal River Sears, New Smyrna Beach Kmart, St. Augustine Kmart, Pompano Beach Kmart, and recently revealed Jacksonville Kmart.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears.

sears chubbuck
Floundering Sears at the GGP owned Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, Idaho.
Kmart Pocatello
Floundering Big Kmart in Pocatello, Idaho. Are they next to go in Idaho?

Indiana:  Anderson Sears Full Line, Saint John Kmart, Indianapolis Kmart.

Illinois: Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center, and recently revealed Freeport and Pontiac Kmarts.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart, Davenport Kmart, Burlington Kmart.

Kansas: Lawrence Sears Full Line.

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears Hard lines, Winchester Kmart, Hazard Kmart.

Maine: Lewiston Sears.

Maryland: Ellicott Sears Grand/Essentials.

Michigan: Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, recently revealed Woodhaven Kmart.

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart.

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears Full line, Moorehead Sears Full line, Rocky Mount Sears Full line, Statesville Sears Full line.

New Jersey: Recently revealed Lawnside Kmart.

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart.

Oregon: Roseburg Sears Full line.

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, and recently revealed Wilkins Sears.

South Carolina: Sumter Sears Full line.

Tennessee: Antioch Sears Full line, Cleveland Sears Full line, Oak Ridge Sears Full line, Hendersonville Kmart, Morristown Sears Full line.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears Full line,  Midlothian Kmart, Richmond Kmart.

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line, Lacey Kmart, and recently revealed Kelso Sears.

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears Grand/Essentials, Rice Lake Kmart.

Don’t forget, this is the 2012 known list of closings, there were closings in 2011 and 2010 as well, and they’ll be more for 2013.

Side note: it seems Sara Palin likes shopping at Kmart.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 13 – 15 October 2012. U.S./NATO bombs children, again! Iran deal making with Mujahideen? Mujahideen using sticky bombs.

15 October 2012

In Herat Province, a doctor, two nurses, and their driver were kidnapped.  They all worked for the International Red Crescent.  So far, no one knows why they were kidnapped, or by whom.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed six security guards and destroyed three fuelers.

In Khost Province, a Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed security guards and destroyed one tanker truck.

A former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Force, Fatima Khazarpoor, claims that Iranian government officials have been holding secret talks with Mujahideen.  The talks concern a variety of issues including what will happen post U.S./NATO pullout. She says Iranian officials have been meeting with Pakistani officials as well.  Khazarpoor now lives in Afghanistan and says she and her family have been threatened by Iranian agents.  Is this just another scam to justify keeping U.S./NATO troops in Afghanistan?

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, paid a visit to Afghanistan, over increased Green on Blue attacks: “I spoke to President Karzai about our concern about insider attacks and sought an assurance from him that everything that can be done is being done.”

14 October 2012

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked the convoy of Afghanistan’s Second Vice President, Karim Khalili.  Mujahideen say they killed eight security guards, wounded several more, but are not sure if they were successful in assassinating the Second Vice President.

Five of the seven Red Coat Royal Marines, arrested a few days ago, have been officially charged with murdering an Afghan man.

In Farah Province, reports that local police tortured a man to death, then hid his body in a pile of garbage.

In Helmand Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike killed three children and two adults collecting firewood. U.S./NATO claims the victims were Mujahideen planting mines.

In Bamiyan Province, a United Nations helicopter made an emergency landing. UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan officials say it was due to mechanical problems.

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen claim they repelled several airborne assaults  by U.S./NATO forces.

13 October 2012

In Herat Province, Mujahideen say they used a “sticky bomb” to blow up a police car. The bomb, similar to a Limpet Mine, was attached to the side of the vehicle.

ISAF said: “One coalition forces service member and one coalition forces civilian died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”   Independent reports say the deaths were the result of multiple bomb attacks in Kandahar Province.  Besides the ISAF personnel killed there were four Afghan intelligence agents killed, and three wounded as well.

Also in Kandahar Province, two local police joined the Mujahideen in Panjwaee.

In Zabul Province, co-ordinated explosions killed two people and wounded three.  Also, Mujahideen claim a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed and caught fire.  Mujahideen say the helicopter was having mechanical problems and that they did not shoot it down.

In Baghlan Province, Mujahideen claim to have set two U.S./NATO supply trucks on fire.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 12 October 2012. British Empire spreads with Sandhurst style academy in Kabul, British taxpayers pay for it. Red Coat Marines arrested for murdering Afghans! NATO reveals plans to stay past 2014! Pakistani officials say war in Afghanistan is Holy!

12 October 2012

In Farah Province, a NATO heavy transport, carrying a armored fighting vehicle (AFV), was ambushed by Mujahideen.  Both the transport and AFV were destroyed.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO nighttime airstrike killed 14 people.  ISAF says the airstrike killed Mujahideen.  The United States must now consider children and mothers Mujahideen, because three children and their mother were among those killed.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a Canadian man and U.S. woman were kidnapped. No word on what the two civilians were doing in the province.

Seven U.K. Red Coat Royal Marines were arrested for violating British Rules of Engagement (RoE).  One Red Coat Marine confessed that an Afghan was killed in violation of the RoE.  The incident took place in Helmand Province last year, no further details.

In Nangarhar Province, reports saying that U.S./NATO forces at Jalalabad airport have been hit with at least ten artillery rockets.

In Kandahar Province, local government police are reporting that religious leaders are now openly condemning the Karzai government.  Police officials also claim the religious leaders are actually from Pakistan and Iran.  Also, Mujahideen claim they fired artillery rockets at several U.S./NATO bases.

In Paktia Province, a security guard/local militiaman joined the Mujahideen.

11 October 2012

In Kandahar Province, an 88 years old man shot at U.S./NATO personnel, who were conducting reckless searches of homes, destroying property.  He hit three of them before being killed by return fire.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched artillery rockets, and fired mortar rounds at two U.S./NATO bases.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.”  It might be a Georgian soldier, as the government of Georgia also reported: “Corporal Abashidze died while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.”  Soldiers from Georgia are operating alongside U.S. Marines in Helmand Province.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S./NATO armored personnel carrier (APC) in the middle of the night.  They say that at 03:00 hours they climbed on top of the APC, dropping two grenades into it.  The explosions killed the crew, and the Mujahideen captured a U.S./NATO machine gun.  Also, Mujahideen in Maktab area of Helmand, claim that U.S./NATO forces have been seen abandoning their outposts.

Near Kabul city construction of the Afghan National Military Academy was begun. The academy is being paid for by United Kingdom, at a cost to the British taxpayer of about $42 million USD.  The academy is being model on the British Sandhurst military school, and it will be staffed with 120 trainers from the British Empire.  This is just a sneaky way the United Kingdom will maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.

In Kabul Province, a security chief in charge of Bagram Prison was possibly wounded by an explosion. Reports are confusing, but the prison boss and two other security guards were attending a ceremony when an explosion took place.  Some reports say all three men were wounded, other reports say the prison boss was not hurt.

In Balkh Province, a security chief and his bodyguard were killed by an explosion.  Five other security officials were wounded.

10 October 2012

In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed.  Two supply trucks were burned, no word on casualties.

In Pakistan, Imran Khan, the current boss of the Pakistani Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), said the war being fought by Mujahideen against the U.S. led occupiers in Afghanistan, is justified.

U.S. President, Barack Obama, nominated USMC General Joseph Dunford to lead the war effort in Afghanistan and oversee plans to withdraw most of America’s combat forces by the end of 2014.

NATO has revealed plans to stay beyond the 2014 pull out date.  They call it a “post combat mission”.

ISAF said: “Afghan and coalition forces killed Haqqani leader, Nasrullah, in an operation in Paktiya Province…”

In Kandahar Province, people of Muhammad Khelo village say U.S./NATO personnel conducted an illegal night time raid.  Seven family members were arrested and one was killed.

In Paktika Province, hundreds of people protested against the continued illegal night raids by U.S./NATO forces.

In Helmand Province, seven cops were killed when a car bomb went off (some reports say it was a roadside bomb).

09 October 2012

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three supply trucks were destroyed, and several security guards killed.

In Helmand Province, local people say a U.S./NATO drone crashed.  Mujahideen say a “large” aircraft crashed in their area.  Also, one cop was killed and two other cops were wounded when they failed to defuse a bomb.  Also, three civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Jan Kubiš, said the United Nations will not let the puppet government of Afghanistan fall, after the 2014 pull out date: “The International Community stands shoulder by shoulder with Afghanistan and will not allow any crisis in Afghanistan which have been predicted by various groups.”

Afghan Defense Ministry officials announced three Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel killed, 14 wounded in battles with Mujahideen. ANA claims to have killed seven Mujahideen, wounding nine and capturing ten. The battels took place in Khost, Paktiya, Ghazni, Zabul, Nimroz and Kunar provinces.

Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith, said: “Australian and ISAF commanders continue to be confident that we are on track to transfer to Afghan-led security in Uruzgan over the next 12 to 18 months.”

In Uruzgan Province, a senior religious leader was assassinated. He was shot.  The gunmen got away.

In Kandahar Province, people of Nasiro village say a U.S./NATO airstrike hit one of their homes killing one person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3 & What Economic Recovery? IMF says U.S. led War on Terror destroying hopes of economic recovery! World Bank says bailing out big corporations is not the answer!

“Perhaps the greatest roadblock will be the huge legacy of public debt, which now averages almost 110% of GDP for the advanced economies, the highest level since World War Two!“-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

12 October 2012, officials with the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, issued dire warnings about any possible economic recovery, and they blamed the worsening economy on war and big corporations!

The IMF’s Lagarde said government spending on war prevents government spending on true economic growth: “This leaves governments highly exposed to subtle shifts in confidence. It also ties their hands, especially as they seek to build the infrastructure of the 21th century while respecting social promises.”

The IMF and the World Bank held meetings in Tokyo, Japan, this past week.  The new President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, said big corporations should not be counted on to create jobs: “I’ve learned that the best solutions to economic and social problems lie with individuals and communities coping with these challenges in their daily life.”

According to Kim, one of those solutions would be to make loans easier to get, for emerging economies: “We’re developing new diverse instruments [loans] customized to their needs. As emerging economies take on a growing role in the global economy, I am personally committed to ensuring they have a strong voice within our institution.”

And that’s the point, this new financial help is not intended for countries like the United States, in fact the IMF says the U.S. and Europe need to get their acts together: “Whether you turn to Europe, to the United States of America, to other places as well, there is a level of uncertainty that is hampering decision makers from investing, from creating jobs….We need action…”-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

For the most part World Bank’s Jim Yong Kim played good cop, confidently presenting hope for recovery, while the IMF’s Christine Legarde played bad cop, hitting the audience with a dose of reality: “The recovery is still too weak.  Job prospects, for untold millions, are still too scarce.  And the gap between the rich and poor is still way too big.”  

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 05 – 08 October 2012. U.S. occupation results in increased rapes & ‘honor’ killing! Red Cross says U.S. mission a big FAIL! Report says U.S. puppet goverment will collaspe in 2014! U.S. now contradicts NATO!

08 October 2012

In Helmand Province, a car bomb exploded at a police station, killing two intelligence agents and wounding at least 15 people.

The christian based International Red Cross (IRC) said the U.S. occupation has made life worse for most Afghans: “I am filled with concern as I leave this country. Since I arrived here in 2006, local armed groups have proliferated, civilians have been caught between not just one but multiple front lines, and it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary Afghans to obtain health care. Hardship arising from the economic situation, or from severe weather or natural disaster, has become more widespread, and hope for the future has been steadily declining.”-Reto Stocker, former boss of IRC-Afghanistan

The Afghan Human Rights Commission (HRC) says that since the U.S. occupation began cases of rape and ‘honor’ killing have increased! Just in the first six months of 2012, at least 100 women and girls have been raped and/or killed: “Honor killings are mostly committed by the family members specifically the husbands of the women and majority of the rape victims are girls who are under 18 years of age…”-Suraya Sobrang, HRC-Afghanistan

Sobrang also made the bold accusation that some of the very ‘authorities’ supposedly trying to make Afghanistan a better place, are actually instigating the rapes and killings.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim Pakistan launched yet another round of artillery strikes against their province.  No casualties reported.

A report by Crisis Group, says the U.S. backed Afghan government “….could collapse upon NATO’s withdrawal in 2014.”  Seems to me this report is just what U.S./NATO needs to use as an excuse to stay.

In Nooristan Province, at least nine local government militiamen/security guards joined the Mujahideen.

In Paktia Province, two local government militiamen/security guards joined the Mujahideen.

07 October 2012

In Nangarhar Province, Mujahideen fired artillery rockets on Jalalabad airbase.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed a U.S./NATO armored vehicle while it was refueling.

In Kandahar Province, four local police officers joined the Mujahideen.

Afghan religious leaders now offering a $300,000 USD reward for the killing of the producer of the U.S. made anti-Islam movie. They are also offering $100,000 for the killing of the French cartoonist who published anti-Islam comics.  One religious leader said he will sell all his land to help pay the reward.

06 October 2012

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched a assault on a major U.S./NATO base in Narang.

In Ghazni Province, two children of a local police officer were assassinated.

A British man died after being infected with a rare hemorrhagic fever.  The man caught Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever while in Afghanistan, he died after returning to United Kingdom.

International Security Assistance Force confirmed that two U.S. personnel were killed in Wardak Province. They were shot.

Afghan elected officials held closed door meetings with defense and intelligence bosses, to discuss how to retaliate against Pakistan.  The issue behind the supposed Pakistani artillery attacks is directly connected to the border.  When the British created Pakistan, at the end of the 1940s, they got Afghan leaders to agree to give up the eastern part of Afghanistan to help create the new Pakistan.  The new elected officials of Afghanistan refuse to recognize that agreement and want the land back.

The United States is now contradicting an earlier NATO report concerning Green on Blue attacks.  NATO had said it was due to disrespect and mistreatment of Afghan troops by U.S./NATO troops. Now, in line with the Afghan puppet government, the U.S. is blaming Pakistani Haqqani Network!

In Kandahar Province, local government officials say a night time U.S. led airstrike killed five people.  Also, Mujahideen claim to have attacked a U.S./NATO outpost with 82mm recoiless guns. They say the base caught fire and U.S./NATO forces had to evacuate.

In Herat Province, two artillery rockets hit Herat airbase. Also, a police chief was assassinated.

In Paktia Province, an Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.

05 October 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said: “I think it would be helpful if the president [Karzai] every once and awhile expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that have been made by those who have fought and died for Afghanistan, rather than criticizing them.”  You’re the invader/occupier you numb nuts!!!

In Kunar province, an Afghan National Army soldier shot and killed his commander, then joined the Mujahideen.

In Parwan Province, at least eight artillery rockets hit the U.S. run airbase at Bagram. No casualties reported.   Mujahideen claim dozens of attacks launched across Afghanistan.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Iraq says United States will burn by fire! U.S. behind war in Syria, behind continued violence in Iraq, behind al-Qaeda!

“He who starts a fire will be destroyed by fire in the end!”-Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq

In an interview with RT (aka Russia Today) the Prime Minister of Iraq gave a dire warning for countries, like the U.S. and Israel, who’re instigating the war inside Syria.

Here’s al-Maliki’s responses to two of the questions, concerning the U.S./European/Israeli meddling in other countries’ affairs.

RT: Do you share the view that it’s foreign interference in Syria’s affairs that’s made the situation in the country so dangerous?

NaM: Absolutely. And they will keep driving it to an even more dangerous degree until eventually it will backfire on the states that are now sponsoring the Syrian opposition. All these states will face upheavals and unrest due to sectarian violence, foreign interference, the spillover effect and expansion. They’re already feeling it. If these countries keep sending arms and using force for a regime change, their stability will be in jeopardy, and the situation inside these countries will be no better than in Syria.

RT: Both the Iraqi government and its citizens still suffer from regular terror attacks. Who is behind this violence, international players interfering in your affairs or al-Qaeda militants opposing the political process? Or are there any other reasons that the Iraqi people are not aware of? Why is it so hard to take out these armed groups that are still out there?

NaM: Violence continues and it’s been down to all the factors you have mentioned. Foreign intervention is fully underway. What they want to do is to use these acts of violence to prepare for the next, post-Syrian stage. It’s the same states that are now interfering in Syria. They are sending arms and militants there, over and over again. Their goal is to change Syria, then Iraq, and ultimately the entire region. Also, al-Qaeda is back, it came to life again – regrettably, as part of the Arab Spring. It flooded the streets in the capitals of Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen. Its slogans, groups and terrorist attacks are clear signs of its revival, and Iraq couldn’t escape that. And those states that are interfering won’t escape it either.


International, U.S.

World War 3: NATO member Turkey launches new attacks on Syria! Syria pulls troops back from Turkish border! False flag to get U.S./NATO into full blown war with Syria?

“…Don’t dare to test Turkey’s patience. Turkey will prevail without a scratch out of this incident and proceed on its way. But you will be crushed by it and pay a big price!”-Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey

05 October 2012, reports saying that Turkish forces are continuing artillery attacks on Syria.

Turkish officials claim they were attacked first, and are responding to a new round of mortar attacks coming from Syria.  Turkish media claims a mortar round from Syria hit a farm.

Some regional analysts are suspecting a false flag operation by U.S./Israeli supported insurgents inside Syria, in order to justify a full blown war.

It does not make sense for the Syrian government to attack Turkey, and the Turks seem too willing to attack Syria!

Also, there are reports that the Syrian government is responding to a suggestion to create a buffer zone along the Turkish border. The report says Syrian troops have pulled back 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the border, and Syrian aircraft are forbidden to enter the buffer zone.  This is more proof that the Syrian government does not want war with Turkey.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? I warned you! U.S. gas & Diesel prices about to launch, weekly stockpile report shows supply shortage! Blame PADD 1 & 3! Western U.S. being made to pay for shortages in Eastern U.S.?

“‘This is ridiculous,’ said Criley, 55, who pulled into a Valero station off Hamilton Avenue in San Jose where gas was selling for $4.61 a gallon. A station attendant told him that he had just raised the price 20 cents five minutes earlier. ‘It had been holding at $3.99 for a couple of weeks. Now this. You betcha this hurts.'”-The Oakland Tribune, 04 October 2012

“Gasoline station owners in the Los Angeles area including Costco Wholesale Corp. are beginning to shut pumps because of supply shortages that have driven wholesale fuel prices to record highs.”-Bloomberg, 04 October 2012

“The U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline decreased five cents last week…Prices decreased in all regions of the Nation except the Rocky Mountains….The national average diesel fuel price decreased a nickel…”-U.S. Energy Information Agency, 26 September 2012

So, in September average retail fuel prices slightly decreased.  In some places, like Idaho, per gallon Diesel (distillate fuel oil, DSO) prices held almost steady while gasoline went down a piddly few cents.  Now prices are already going back up.

Do not blame the gas station operators!!!  I managed a gas station in Santa Maria, California, decades ago, and I can tell you the profit margin is just too small at the retail level.  In fact, the current situation in California is shutting down family owned gas stations: “Gas is costing me almost $4.75 a gallon with taxes. There’s no sense in staying open. The profit margins are so low it’s not worth it.”-Sam Krikorian, owner Quality Auto Repair in North Hollywood

A Montana based petroleum industry analysts agrees: “The mom and pop gas stations are having to close down from either not being able to obtain gasoline from their regular distributor or cannot afford the break-even price of almost $5 per gallon!”-Bob van der Valk

Back at the beginning of September I warned of higher fuel prices for October.  This was based on the futures (commodity) prices of fuel, which are usually four weeks out. I basically warned that on 12 October 2012, DSO fuel prices could hit around $5.15 per gallon!

I also explained that fuel prices in the Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) 5 area (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) was being hit by fuel refinery shut downs, for reasons known and unknown (and so is the rest of the country).  It looks like that situation has not changed, and might actually be worse on the east coast and along the Gulf of Mexico!

Several media sources are reporting that California fuel refiners are actually rationing out fuel!   The result is that gasoline is reported to have jumped by a full dollar in one week in some parts of the Los Angeles area!

Phillips 66 is shutting down two California refineries for maintenance.  A Chevron pipeline was shut down because of contamination.  On 01 October, a ExxonMobil refinery was shut down because of a power outage. And according to a Bloomberg report, the narcissistic environmental policies created by California politicians/environmentalists have made it impossible to import fuels from outside California!

So don’t blame Obama!  Obama has allowed the opening of more oil fields than any other U.S. President (a true oil man)!!! It’s the fault of the oil companies and fuel refiners, and stupid laws in California!  And that’s the real crux for the drivers in California, the stupid laws!

Even though California is part of PADD 5, their fuel refining laws are so strict that fuel made outside California, yet still within PADD 5, can not be sold inside California!!!

Oh, and the prices Californians are seeing now don’t even reflect what the gas station owners are paying: “Really, since the Chevron Richmond fire, inventories have been tight. As other refinery problems occur, there isn’t much or any available inventory. Retailers are not yet reflecting the wholesale price increases they have experienced...”-Tom Robinson, Robinson Oil

How about PADD 4 (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)?

Phillips 66, Pocatello, Idaho, 04 October 2012.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the current average retail price for PADD 4 area DSO is $4.20 per gallon.  If you notice in the pics I posted, here in Bannock County, Idaho, diesel prices range from $4.30 to $4.40 per gallon, at the cheap fuel stations.

CommonCents, Chubbuck, Idaho, 04 October 2012.

For regular octane gasoline, USEIA says the average PADD 4 area retail price is $3.76 per gallon.  My pics show that where I live it’s at least $3.82-$3.84 per gallon.

Padd 4 fuel stockpiles have been stable for all types of gasoline, around 6 million barrels, that’s according to 28 September 2012 data.  All types of DSO, in PADD 4 area, has a stockpile of about 3 million barrels, steady for the past four weeks.  So stockpile issues do not explain why prices in Idaho are higher than the PADD 4 average.

It’s not production issues either.  PADD 4 production has gone up.  DSO production at the end of September was averaged at 0.174 millions of barrels per day (mbpd).  Last year it was 0.156 mbpd.

PADD 4 gasoline production ended September with an average of 0.296 mbpd. At the same time last year it was 0.254 mbpd.

In fact, even in the troubled PADD 5 area, USEIA data shows stockpiles and production hasn’t changed that much in the past four weeks.  (stockpiles of DSO in PADD 5 have actually gone up in the past two months!)

Is it demand?  Nope.  According to USEIA, overall demand for fuel in the United States has gone down slightly since last year!

Average demand for gasoline was at 8.6 mbpd at the end of September, last year it was 8.9 mbpd.  For DSO the average demand was at 3.6 mbpd, compared to last year’s 3.8 mbpd.

The USEIA reported that at the end of September, for the country as a whole, raw oil stockpiles were down by 500,000 barrels.  The ‘expert’ media analysts had expected an increase of 1.5 million barrels!  Overall stockpiles of gasoline went up by 100,000 barrels.  The big loser is DSO, with stockpiles falling by 3.7 million barrels!!!  The net result being an overall reduction in petroleum supplies!

Well, if stockpiles and production are steady or actually up in PADD 4 & 5 areas, and demand is slightly down for the country, then why would overall supplies be low?

Blame PADD 1 and 3!  Stockpiles and production are crashing on the east coast and in the Gulf states!

At the end of September PADD 1 had 41.1 million barrels of DSO, a 20 million barrel drop from last year’s 61.5 million!  Gasoline is at 46.1 million barrels, compared to last year’s 55.3 million barrels!

PADD 3 ended September with 67.4 million barrels of gasoline, last year they had 74.9 million!  DSO saw a huge drop, from 50.8 million barrels last year to 37.4 million barrels at the end of September this year!

For such a big drop in stockpiles, PADD 3 averaged DSO production is unchanged from last year, at 2.4 mbpd.   PADD 1 DSO production average is down slightly from 0.4 mbpd last year to 0.38 this year.

The same can be said of PADD 1 gasoline production; 2.8 mbpd this year versus 2.9 mbpd last year.  Average gasoline production for PADD 3 ended September at 1.8 mbpd, last year it was at 2.1 mbpd, so a big drop there.

This begs the question: Is the western half of the United States being made to pay for shortages that should only be affecting the eastern half of the country?

“I see no reason for this at all. Sounds like a load of rubbish to me!”-Errol Emrich, pissed off California driver

PS: Wholsale/futures/commodity prices for refined fuels ended September 2012 higher.  So expect even higher prices at the pump next month!  Wish the U.S. petroleum industry a Happy Thanksgiving!