Tag Archives: employment

U.S.

“gut-wrenching decisions” Harvey kills U.S. oil industry?: U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics Layoffs, August 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in August 2017.

31% of U.S. fuel refining operations shutdown by Hurricane Harvey.  The largest fuel pipeline shutdown (Colonial Pipeline), halting 3-million barrels per day (bpd) of refined fuel to the eastcoast.  1-million barrels of oil released from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  Contrary to what many main stream news media reports implied (that fuel prices should go down due to the release of stored oil) the problem is not lack of oil but lack of refined fuel, and as such the price of gasoline is going up (there’s so much oil available globally that the price of oil actually dropped after Harvey).

 California:  Oil exploration company Brinderson issued a shutdown WARN for its El Segundo location, 204 jobs gone by mid-October!  What construction industry recovery?  Contractor Irwin Industries issued shutdown WARNs for eight locations, at least 250 jobs gone in October!  In Anaheim, Universal Alloy eliminating 149 jobs by October!  KapStone Container Corporation shutting down its Oakland ops, 67 jobs gone by October.

Colorado:  What construction industry recovery?  Castle Rock based Xtreme Xcavating now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to a larger contractor screwing them over by lying about hazardous materials at the job site: “We found ground water, we found asbestos, we found all sorts of crazy stuff, all sorts of different changes that weren’t listed when we signed up for the contract.”-Sean Fabela

Georgia: What auto industry recovery?  Atlanta based automotive publisher Cox Automotive initiated “gut-wrenching decisions” resulting in 225 people retired early through bribery (buyouts), the elimination of vacant positions and 950 people being outright laid off by September!  It’s due to several causes like slow sales and Cox Automotive’s takeovers of competitors (resulting in redundant jobs).

Illinois:  Nuclear decontamination company Aptim suddenly laid off more than 4-hundred people, blaming it on the sudden cancellation of a contract!  In Cahokia, Jet Aviation Saint Louis issued a shutdown WARN, 347 jobs gone by March 2018 due to lack of sales!  What construction industry recovery?  Skanska suddenly laid off 18 HQ employees, blaming it on “redundancies”.  Skanska is considered one of the top global construction companies.  General Electric (GE) shutdown its 71 years old light factory in Mattoon, local news reports said at one time the factory employed 1-thousand-8-hundred people!  Plastics maker Amcor shutting down its factory in Batavia, 110 jobs gone by March 2018!  What automotive industry recovery?  Semi-Truck maker Navistar shutting down its medium-duty 9/10 liter engine factory in Melrose Park, 170 jobs gone by April 2018!  It’s blamed on emission regulations: “Looking at the financial impact it would take to keep this engine compliant with Environmental Protection Agency standards, it just wasn’t in the cards.”

Indiana: Railroad job killing continues as CSX eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs at its Avon rail-yard.  Deufol North America issued a layoff WARN, about 250 people jobless after September, no reason given!

Iowa:  Packaging company Westrock issued a shutdown WARN, 80 jobs gone by the end of September.

Kansas:  Farm equipment maker AGCO halting production and idling 2-hundred factory workers for at least four months, due to lack of sales!

Kentucky:  Coal company Booth Energy issued a WARN, 217 jobs gone in September as a result of shutdown of coal mining ops!

Louisiana: Oil industry supply company Knight Energy Holdings now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after the CEO, and two policemen, were charged with staging a false drug bust in order to frame the CEO’s brother! 

Maryland: Baltimore based clothing maker Under Armour eliminating 280 jobs due to continued low revenues (despite slight increase in sales, and despite direct retail selling on its website)!

Missouri:  General Dynamics halting operations at its Jet Aviation Saint Louis factory, 330 jobs gone in 2018!  Nebraska based maker of store fixtures Lozier laying off 92 people at its Spartan Showcase factory, which is being shutdown in October.

Nebraska:  Omaha based railroad giant Union Pacific eliminating 750 jobs by mid-September, proving the economy sucks by saying “Union Pacific for some time has leveraged employee attrition and technology to reduce general and administrative costs. Unfortunately, attrition alone will not keep pace with our need and ability to reduce these costs.“

New Jersey:  Aluminum Shapes suddenly laid off 13% of employees due to being hit by a $1.9-million USD fine for 51 violations of labor safety laws, including chemical burns and even broken bones!

New York: New ‘green’ packaging maker Evocative Design suddenly laid off 18 people, despite getting a taxpayer funded $9.1-million USD grant from Defense Department’s DARPA.    British empire Canada based Cascades shutting down and selling off its packaging factory in NYC, 148 jobs gone!   General Electric (GE) shutting down its electronic board factory in Rochester Science Park, 145 jobs being affected by GE’s plan to off-shore production to China!  Nuclear contractor Lutech Resources suddenly laid off 195 people, due to sudden contract cancellation by Aptim!  Nuclear decontamination company Aptim suddenly laid off 167 people, blaming it on the sudden cancellation of a contract with Exelon Generation Company!  Jay Strongwater shutting down its pewter factory in Union Springs, 29 jobs gone by Xmas, the property was sold-off.  New York Air Brake getting the hell outta The Empire State as it shuts down its operations in Watertown and consolidates ‘peripheral product assembly production’ to North Carolina starting in November.

North Carolina: Plastics maker General Foam Products (General Foam Plastics) issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Tarboro, 215 jobs gone by Xmas!

Ohio: Canton based Suarez Corporation Industries chapter 11 bankrupt busted blaming massive lawsuits.  LSI Industries suddenly laid off 75 people.  In Carrollton, dlhBOWLES Engineering Manufacturing and Fluid Management factory suddenly laid off 94 people in a sudden decision to shutdown the factory.

Pennsylvania:  California based oil engineering company AECOM issued a WARN, 108 people in Carlisle jobless by January 2018 due to loss of contract!  Fuel station operator Sunoco suddenly laid off 94 HQ employees, and many hundreds more employees will become unemployed as Sunoco sold its fuel station ops to competitor 7-Eleven!    Excel-DHL Supply Chain issued a mass layoff WARN, 223 jobs gone by January 2018! Nuclear decontamination company Aptim suddenly laid off almost 3-hundred people!  Nuclear contractor Lutech Resources suddenly laid off 90 people.  What construction industry recovery? Lancaster based flooring maker Armstrong announced it will shutdown factories in Mississippi and Tennessee, more than 3-hundred jobs gone due to a 22% crash in profits!

South Carolina: Formerly Japan owned (Toshiba) U.S. tax-sucking bankrupt nuclear power plant builder Westinghouse suddenly laid off 850 people! Westinghouse now hit with a lawsuit claiming the tax-sucking company was violating federal labor laws.  Boeing offering hundreds of North Charleston employees bribes to quite (buyouts) after already laying off 2-hundred people!

Tennessee: Resolute Forest Products halting newsprint paper making at its Calhoun paper factory, 222 jobs lost as part of its plan to focus on tissue making only!  Logistics company U.S. Xpress Enterprises suddenly laid off more than 1-hundred people “as part of a shift in company focus”!

Texas:  In Crosby, Harvey caused a chemical factory to lose power. The France owned Arkema chemical factory uses oil (petroleum) to make compounds used to create plastics.  The problem is that those compounds are sensitive to heat and will spontaneously burn or explode when they get too hot. So far several small explosions and fires have occurred.  A 2.4km (1.5-mile) radius around the factory has been evacuated.  Houston based offshore deep-water oil company Rowan laid off 85 people and warned more layoffs will be made in the near future. Industry reports say Rowan already eliminated 150 jobs prior to the August layoffs.  Houston based NRG Energy suddenly laid off 1-hundred employees!

Washington: Boeing issued yet another layoff WARN, this time 74 people jobless by October.

Wisconsin:  After more than 40 years pallet maker Thunder Pallet issued a shutdown WARN, 46 jobs gone in October.

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, July 2017: “BUSINESS HAD DECLINED SINCE 2008″

U.S.

“historic lack of patronage” Harvey kills Texas crops?: U.S. Food Crisis, August 2017

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of August, 2017: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

Hurricane Harvey slamming Texas and Louisiana.  Texas getting record level rain/floods.  According to federal law produce grown on land hit by flooding cannot be sold for human consumption!  

The Texas Tribune:  Harvey’s winds and rain disrupt Texas agriculture

Arizona: In Scottsdale, Flo’s Chinese Asian Restaurants now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Local news media reported that ever since 2008 the restaurant chain has been shutting down eateries, now there’s only two left: “The revenue from our two remaining restaurants, though strong and healthy, could not alone support payments for a loan designed for three restaurants.”-Florence Chan, co-owner

Arkansas:  In Hardy, after only two years restaurant Cruisers shutdown due to the owners getting outta the restaurant business.

California: In Los Angeles, restaurant Church & State chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to labor law violation lawsuits.  Quest Nutrition issued shutdown WARNs for two Los Angeles operations, 524 jobs gone in October! Switzerland based Nestlé shutdown its Glendale op, 583 jobs gone!  Chili’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Thousand Oaks restaurant, 48 jobs gone in October.   Japan based Daiso issued a shutdown WARN for its Hayward grocery store, 98 jobs gone in October.  Dole Food eliminating 172 strawberry picking jobs as it shuts down its Oxnard ops, blaming massive debt and crashing sales!  In San Jose, after 13 years Lisa’s Tea Treasures shutdown, explaining on its website “Sadly, our lease has not been renewed.”  Glendale based DineEquity announced it will skyrocket shutdowns of its Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants; 135 Applebee’s and 25 IHOPS across the United States being shutdown as part of a plan to open 125 new restaurants in other countries!   In Sacramento, after 30 years Rubicon Brewing Company suddenly shutdown due to lack of “cash flow” caused by supply problems from farmers and skyrocketing ‘craft beer’ competition.

Colorado:  After 59 years and two locations, Black Forest Restaurant shutdown so the owner can retire.

Florida: In Delray Beach, the co-owner of Smoke BBQ announced on Facebook “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the closing of Smoke BBQ Delray Beach effective immediately.”  In Palm Beach, after only seven months reality TV ‘star’ owned upscale eatery Bowery Coastal shutdown.  In Plant City, Southeast Milk-Sunshine State Dairy Farms began laying off 52 people.

Hawaii:  After 38 years iconic Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar shutdown so the owners can retire.

Idaho: In Twin Falls County somebody is shooting livestock.  In the past month two Llamas were killed, as well as a cattle rancher’s prize bull and heifer. A railroad track runs along the properties where the killings took place (somebody shooting from a train?).  In Bonneville County somebody shot and killed eight cows, leaving their bodies to rot, the local Sheriff believes they’ll find more dead cows.  In Idaho Falls, after 20 years Sarah’s Candy Cottage announced on Facebook that they must shutdown due to being “bought out”.

Illinois: Oak Brook based McDonald’s shutting down 169 restaurants in India due to a contract dispute with Connaught Plaza Restaurants.  Oak Brook based TreeHouse Foods shutting down three factories in three states, killing 375 jobs due to a 12% crash in sales!  In Arcola, after 47 years Dutch Kitchen shutdown, the owners saying “It’s time to stop.”  In Park Ridge, after less than one year the ‘new version’ of the iconic Pickwick Restaurant shutdown.

Kansas:  Farm equipment maker AGCO halting production and idling 2-hundred factory workers for at least four months, due to lack of sales!

Kentucky: In Owensboro, after 52 years Taylor’s Grocery Outlet shutdown, no reason given.

Maryland:  In Baltimore, OrderUp! laid off 70 HQ employees due to being taken over by GrubHub/Groupon.   Ryleigh’s Oyster shutdown its Mount Vernon restaurant.

Michigan: Seventh Day Adventist founded, Donald Trump hating, Kellogg Company (aka Kellogg’s) eliminating 233 jobs at its Battle Creek operations by 2018, claiming it’s part of its plan to increase production!  In Plymouth, after 75 years iconic Box Bar shutdown so the owner can retire.  In Grand Rapids, after 12 years Mangiamo! shutdown to be replaced by an ‘special’ events center.  After four years, without warning Saladworks shutdown and auctioned-off, no reason given.  In Taylor, after almost 1-hundred years Dairy Fresh Brand shutting down, 180 jobs gone in October!  The shutdown will affect dairy distribution in four states.

Missouri: In University City, Randolfi’s Italian Kitchen announced it is shutting down next month, the owners saying “We’ve thrown everything we have into his restaurant. There have been a lot of tears, but it’s time to close the chapter.”  In Saint Louis, with only a few hours warning on Facebook Howards suddenly shutdown, the owners saying “…regret that we can’t keep going…”  In Ellisville, Lucky’s Market shutdown, the company’s website explained “…did not experience the growth we needed to keep this store open.”

Montana: In Livingston, Northern Pacific Beanery shutdown with the owners saying “It’s just time for us to move on.”  Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory shutdown its store in the Holiday Village Mall, blaming consumers by saying “National and local retailers are responding to shifting consumer patterns by modifying their marketing strategies, including store closings.”

New Jersey:  Internet based meal service company Blue Apron issued a shutdown WARN for its Jersey City ops, 1-thousand-270 people jobless by October!

New York: TGIFriday’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Union Square location, 33 jobs gone by Xmas. Private social club River Club of New York shutting down, 60 jobs gone in time for Thanksgiving (due to renovations).  Hudson Valley Snacks and Soda issued a shutdown WARN, 38 jobs gone in October.  In Manhattan-NYC, grocery store Garden of Eden shutdown its Chelsea location due to “historic lack of patronage”.   Wisconsin based Penzeys Spices (penzeys.com) shutdown its Long Island-NYC location, it was the second time the spice seller shutdown a NYC location.  Internet based meal service company Blue Apron suddenly halted hiring and laid off 14 HQ employees “As part of our long-term strategy”.  Without warning Met Fresh shutdown its one year old grocery store in Nyack, no explanation for the “permanent” shutdown.   In Glen Falls, Food Co-op shutdown blaming lack of volunteers to run it: “Unfortunately, at this time we’re unable to keep the hours necessary to sustain a grocery store.”

North Carolina:  In Raleigh, after 17 years Bella Monica Flatbread pizza restaurant now chapter 7 bankrupt dead.  The parent company Bella Monica actually died in 2015, but the co-owner tried to keep the restaurant going.  Also in Raleigh, after 14 years distributor El Ideal Foods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, most of its food products come from outside the U.S.

Ohio:  Fresh Thyme Farmers Market shutting down one of its four Cincinnati area ‘health food’ stores, blaming increased grocery store competition.

Oregon:  In Portland, Ringside Grill was suddenly sold-off and shutdown, owner Craig Peterson told local news “Dinner hasn’t been able to compete since the recession.”  In Clatskanie, after three years Hump’s Restaurant announced on social media that it was shutting down, no reason given.  Farmers Grain in Nyssa is now chapter 7 bankrupt dead, affecting other farm operations in Idaho and Washington.

Pennsylvania: The Tax Foundation concluded its study on Philadelphia’s so called sugary drink tax (most are made with GMO corn syrup and don’t contain any sugar); the tax now makes soda-pop more expensive than beer because the tax is 24 times higher than the beer tax!  Isn’t beer made by fermenting sugars?    The study also revealed that expected tax collections are way below what the Utopianist city leaders expected.  In Tunkhannock, Brick’s Market shutdown, 34 jobs lost due to not being able to find a buyer for the small grocery store.

Tennessee: In Spring Hill, after four years Mac’s Grub Shak announced on social media it is shutting down in September, local news described the burger joint as “popular”, no reason for the shutdown given.  In Chattanooga, after 20 years English Rose Tearoom shutdown: “We lost our lease … and I’ve been trying to bring on another owner … but it didn’t materialize.”-Sharon Gilley

Texas:  Local news media reporting “yet another” Skinner’s Corner Store shutdown, this time in Lakeport.  In Dallas, after five years Max’s Wine Dive shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  In Fort Worth, a Tom Thumb grocery store shutdown.  Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen suddenly laid off 69 employees as it shutdown its Irving HQ due to being taken-over by a competitor.  Snap Kitchen laying off more than 150 people in Austin and Houston, due to consolidation of production to a new factory!  In Austin, after 32 years popular Porfirio’s Tacos announced on Facebook that it must shutdown, no reason given.   Without warning Houston based Joe’s Crab Shack shutdown 41 restaurants across 19 states, thousands of jobs instantly gone: “…everything was fine. I even picked up two shifts to work. When she came in, all the managers were here. All the corporate managers were here. The tables were flipped upside down and they shut everything out.”-Devoshia Jones, instantly unemployed

Vermont:  Nordic Farms now chapter 7 bankrupt, local news reported the phone is now disconnected.

Virginia:   In Manassas, after nine years Hard Times Cafe & Cue forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord.  Dean Foods shutting down its PET dairy operations in Richmond, 75 jobs gone due to “Production will be phased out”.

Washington: In Seattle, Stumptown Coffee Roasters shutdown its East Pine Street location to focus on its other location.

Wisconsin:  In Bay View, after three years Little DeMarinis pizza joint announced it could not renew the lease, which expires in 2018.  In Milwaukee, after seven years Upper 90 Sports Pub shutdown, on social media the owners saying only “we have an exciting opportunity we just could not pass up.”  PDQ Food Stores eliminating 350 HQ employees in October, due to being taken-over by a competitor!  Gordy’s Market chain is up for sale, and if nobody buys it then more than 1-thousand people will become jobless (some stores have already shutdown)!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, July 2017: “WE ARE CLOSING……WE HAVE NO CHOICE”

U.S. AirForce SPEEDS UP WEATHER COURSE, BLAME CLIMATE CHANGE?

JAPAN FOOD CRISIS: WHAT GLOBAL WARMING?

FOOD CRISIS: VITAMIN B CAUSES LUNG CANCER?

Idaho, International, U.S.

Pocatello militia returns from Malaysia, is it about the oil?

Image

27 AUG 2017 (14:06 UTC-07 Tango 06) 05 Sharivar 1396/04 Dhu l-Hijja 1438/06 Wu-Shen 7th month 4715

“Due to the training we received, if called upon for a state disaster, the Idaho Army National Guard will be extremely prepared for any situation.”-Lieutenant Colonel George Hanson

One of my old Guard alma maters returned from mission Keris Strike in Pahang, Malaysia.

Command post exercise portion of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training known as Keris Strike 2017. Idaho Army National Guard photo via Captain Robert Taylor, 10AUG2017.

1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment, based in Pocatello, Idaho, was in Malaysia for a ten days war game (I mean natural disaster response training) connected to United Nations’ military ops (so called UN Peace Keeping) and led by the U.S. Army-Pacific Command.

Militia personnel of the 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment (Head Quarters in Pocatello, Idaho) during Keris Strike 2017 in Pahang, Malaysia. Idaho Army National Guard photo via Captain Robert Taylor, 10AUG2017.

The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment is part of the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team (I served both with 1-148 as a 13F in Pocatello, and with 2-116 as a 19K in Burley). The unit has artillery batteries located in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rigby, Blackfoot, Rexburg, Preston, Saint Anthony and Burley.

According to Wikipedia, Malaysia has a lot of petroleum oil.  The state run oil company Petronas is the 69th largest company in the world and generates 30% of the Malaysian government’s income.  Malaysia also sits in the militarily and economically strategic ocean going trade route called Strait of Malacca, which sees most of the world’s Middle East oil shipments by sea.

SPAWN OF OPERATION JUPITER? MALAYSIAN ESCAPES QUARANTINE!

3 YEARS LATER MALAYSIAN MH370 CONSPIRACIES DEEPEN!

MISSING & CRASHED MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRCRAFT ACTUALLY SAVING THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL ASS?

International, U.S.

It’s about Oil: U.S. companies to begin Drilling in Egypt!

26 AUG 2017 / 23:21 UTC-07 Tango 06  (05 Sharivar 1396/04 Dhu l-Hijja 1438/06 Wu-Shen 7th month 4715)

“The strategy of the Ministry of Petroleum aims to attract further foreign investments in the field of oil and gas exploration to make use of the oil and gas potentials in several areas of the country.”-Tarek al-Molla, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum

Proof the Obama regime backed overthrow of Egypt’s legally elected president, Mohamed Mursi, and installment of a military junta in 2013 was all about oil; two U.S. companies just signed a $79-million USD deal to explore for oil.

In August 2015, Italian oil company Eni discovered the largest Egyptian natural gas field, near the area called Leviathan by the Israelis and United States. 

Eni is also spending $3.5-billion USD expanding its oil ops in the North African country of Egypt in 2018.

Just last week, Royal Dutch Shell was considering a deal involving natural gas from the Leviathan and Aphrodite underwater fields, and refineries in Egypt.

U.S. based Apache and Merlon oil corporations are the ones who signed the $79-million deal on 26 AUG 2017.  They’ll dig 17 exploratory wells in Egypt’s Western Desert, near the border with Obama regime destabilized Libya.

FALSE FLAG: EGYPT AIRLINER HIJACKED BY FORMER U.S. UNIVERSITY PROF

OCTOBER 2015: EGYPT GOES OVER TO THE RUSSIANS!

SYRIA OCTOBER 2015: PROOF IT’S ABOUT LEVIATHAN AS ISRAEL DISCOVERS OIL IN SYRIA! 

FALSE FLAG OR INCOMPETENCE? U.S. CONTROLLED EGYPT KILLS 12 MEXICAN TOURISTS!

WORLD WAR 3: EGYPT JOINS MASSIVE SAUDI LED INVASION OF YEMEN! SUPPORTED BY OBAMA REGIME!

Military coup in Yemen? It’s about the oil!

EGYPT NOW ISRAEL’S PUPPET

OBAMA REGIME PUPPET COPS FOUND GUILTY OF GASSING TO DEATH 37 EGYPTIAN MUSLIMS!

OBAMA REGIME UKRAINE INSURGENTS SHOW SAME MODUS OPERANDI AS OBAMA REGIME INSURGENTS IN LIBYA, SYRIA AND EGYPT!

BRITISH EMPIRE TO EVACUATE CITIZENS FROM EGYPT! 

COPTIC CHURCH ATTACKS BLATANT OBAMA REGIME FALSE FLAG OP! 

OBAMA REGIME BACKED EGYPTIAN POLICE ALLOWED TO IMPRISON PEOPLE FOR ANY REASON!

EGYPTIAN MILITARY GOVERNMENT KILLS OR WOUNDS MORE THAN 2200 EGYPTIANS IN ONE DAY!!!

WORLD WAR 3: WHAT THE ISRAELIS SAID IN 2012 ABOUT THE EVER EXPANDING LEVIATHAN/LEVANT!

International, U.S.

Alabama Militia takes over Kuwait!

26 AUG 2017 (15:47 UTC-07 Tango 06)  04 Sharivar 1396/03 Dhu l-Hijja 1438/05 Wu-Shen 7th month 4715

On 24 August a change of command ceremony was held at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.  Alabama National Guard’s 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) accepted responsibility for maintaining the fuel, munitions and other essentials at the camp from outgoing U.S. Army Reserve 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

April 2017: ALABAMA MILITIA DEFENDS KUWAIT AT U.S. TAXPAYER EXPENSE!

International, U.S.

Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania & South Carolina Militias deploy to Afghanistan!

Video

26 AUG 2017 (15:02 UTC-07 Tango 06)  04 Sharivar 1396/03 Dhu l-Hijja 1438/05 Wu-Shen 7th month 4715

1-151st ARB Forward Arming and Refueling Point training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, 09 JUL 2017

“We’re there to support the Afghanistan Army in their transportation to and from the battle.”-Lieutenant Colonel Brian Pipkin

National Guard units from four U.S. states deploying to Afghanistan; Illinois 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Iowa 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Pennsylvania Charlie Company 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and South Carolina 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.

South Carolina National Guard’s 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion conducts deployment ceremony, 26 AUG 2017

Pennsylvania Charlie Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment deployment ceremony

Video of AH-64 training, held in July, in preps for deployment to Afghanistan:

Video of AH-64 FARP training at Fort Stewart, Georgia:

Video, AH-64 in reverse gear:

Video, Apache Swarm:

National Guard’s 1-151 ARB pre-deployment training, 11 AUG 2017, McCrady Training Center, South Carolina

April 2017: SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA’S NEW SWITCH-BLADE APACHE

OLD OIL WAR: U.S. FORCES KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, DAY AFTER U.S. FORCES KILLED AFGHAN POLICE!

Business/Economics

“Shit’s bleak….” “I’m just getting out of this before I’m forced out!”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, July 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss announcements and shutdowns made or announced in July 2017:

BARBARIANS SACKING ROME: FOREIGN LANDLORDS NOW CONTROL THE ‘AMERICAN’ DREAM!

GREAT RENEGER: TRUMP ALLOWS 15,000 MORE LEGAL MIGRANTS INTO U.S.!

Arkansas: Christian founded Bentonville based Walmart suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of HQ employees in the name of “creating efficiencies”.  In Keo, after 50 years Morris Antiques announced on Facebook they shutdown.

 California:  In Fresno, mini-golf joint Boomers shutdown because “We lost our lease”.  In Newport Beach, after seven decades Bay Arcade shutdown by new owners who’re spending millions to turn it into a donut shop.  San Francisco based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laying off 70 executives as part of a bigger plan to eliminate thousands of jobs across the U.S.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America shutting down its offices in Lakeport and Ukiah in November.  In San Ramon, Bank of the West eliminating 54 jobs by mid-September.  San Francisco based clothier Gymboree announced the shutdown of 350 stores across the U.S., thousands of jobs lost, click here to see the list.  Vernon based True Religion Apparel now chapter 11 bankrupt busted blaming crashing sales, at least 27 stores across the U.S. shutting down.  Clothier BCBG Max Azria issued a mass layoff WARN for its Vernon ops, 492 jobs gone by September (don’t blame the internet, they offer free shipping on their website)!    Interviewing Service of America issued a shutdown WARN for its Alhambra ops, 66 jobs gone by mid-September.  The Ritz-Carlton shutting down its location in Half Moon Bay by mid-September.  Build-A-Bear Workshop issued a shutdown WARN for its Anaheim location, 99 jobs gone by mid-September.   Ebisu Marketing-Hotei Marketing issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles operations, 116 jobs gone by September!   Sports marketing company Competitor Group couldn’t compete and issued a shutdown WARN for its San Diego ops, 145 jobs gone in November!

Colorado: In Sterling, JCPenney shutdown its store in the High Plains Shopping Center.  Payless Shoesource also shutdown a store in Sterling, along with two other Payless stores across the state.

Connecticut: In Unionville, after 143 years (!) Parsons Paint & Hardware shutdown, the family owners blaming it on “hardware burnout”.  British empire based Too Big to Jail RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) issued yet another layoff WARN, this time 23 jobs gone in September.

Florida:   More than 80 years old formal wear retailer Alfred Angelo went chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutdown all its stores across the U.S. without warning, pissing off thousands of customers waiting for paid orders to be filled!  In Daytona Beach, after 59 years the last local bowling alley Bellair Lanes shutdown.  PHH Mortgage Corporation eliminating 15 jobs in Jacksonville by October.  British empire based Too Big to Jail HSBC issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Brandon, 197 people laid off on top of the 357 laid off in April!  Outdoors store Gander Mountain eliminating 119 jobs by the end of August!

Hawaii: In Pearl City, Pictures Plus Interiors shutting down in August.

No more "well loved by customers" pawn shop on Yellowstone Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.

No more “well loved by customers” pawn shop on Yellowstone Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.

Idaho: It was discovered that 50 years old, ‘well loved by customers’ (according to Facebook postings) Shamrock Rare Coins (aka Amy’s Shamrock Coins) pawn shop secretly shutdown, even the official website is offline.   Mitt Romney co-founded wunderkind Staples announced it will shutdown its Pocatello store in August, falsely blaming “customers” for shopping online.

Illinois: What housing market recovery?  In Bridgeview, after 40 years Advantage Carpets Plus Colortile shutdown, the owner says he is only semi-retiring because his wife doesn’t want him to fully retire.  In Chicago, after more than ten years Permanent Records shutting down so the owners can focus on their newer operations in California.  Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino laid off 20 people due to crashing revenue.  In Hinsdale, after 53 years York Barber Shop shutdown, the owners complained “There’s too much competition. It used to be there were barbershops and beauty shops and that was it. There weren’t all these unisex places.”  

Iowa: In Waterloo, after 104 years (!) Robin’s Surplus shutting down in September: “….we’ve been gradually decreasing in business over the last 10 years. We’ve noticed the decline, based on internet sales. I even polled my kids and asked where the bought all the Christmas stuff and the bought it on the internet.”-Gary Ritter, co-owner

Kansas: In Parsons, after four decades Sullivan Furniture shutdown due to family health problems.  After only two years in the Wichita Mall clothing store Foggy Bottom shutdown, no reason given.

Louisiana: In Lafayette, after 15 years flower shop The Gardenaire shutdown, the owners will focus on wholesale saying “We just can’t compete….People don’t come in like they used to. It’s just changing times.” 

Maryland: Laurel based Rent-A-Wreck of America now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming it on a never ending lawsuit with the company’s founder.  In Hagerstown, Bon-Ton shutting down when the lease expires, 55 jobs lost by February 2018.  After 32 years non-profit arts & crafts operation Baltimore Clayworks went chapter 7 bankrupt and shutdown after a deal to sell the financially struggling operation fell through. In Havre de Grace, Stirling Bridge Jewelry and Gifts shutting down, saying on Facebook “For a variety of reasons, foremost being the rapid decline of business in downtown Havre de Grace and the mass exit of numerous other businesses during this last year, Stirling Bridge Jewelry & Gifts will be relocating to Delaware….”  First Potomac Realty Trust issued WARNs for two locations, 72 jobs gone by October.

Massachusetts: Boston based Too Big to Jail Fidelity Investments continues killing jobs, this time hundreds of employees were suddenly laid off!  It was also reported that Fidelity Investments  bribed (buyouts) 1-thousand-5-hundred employees to quit! Boston based shoe and clothing retailer Nader-The Tannery now chapter 7 bankrupt busted.

Michigan: In Detroit, after 124 years (!) the country’s oldest hat retailer Henry the Hatter shutting down due to a greedy landlord.

Minnesota: In Red Wing, after 27 years Al’s Antique Mall shutdown, the owner saying “The whole customer has changed and it’s a new generation. What you once thought was rare is now on ebay.”  In Granite Falls, after 38 years Willie’s Corner Store shutting down in August because nobody wanted to buy it: “This was very disappointing to think that no one wants to continue what you have been doing for years to keep Willies alive.”-Penny Krogstad, co-owner

Montana: In Great Falls, after more than 25 years Hobby Land shutdown, the owner said she was ready to retire.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, Bishop Heights True Value hardware store shutting down, saying on Facebook the store “just (does) not have the sales we need to continue operating.” 

New Hampshire: In Dover, after only four years, and even moving to a newer location with cheaper rent/utilities, Spun Records shutting down in August due to lack of sales.  I guess all that main stream news media (fake news) hype about records making a comeback was just hype.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, after 34 years Grandma’s Music and Sound shutdown, the owners told local news media the risks of retail now outweigh the rewards.

New York: At JFK Airport, Command Security lost its contract with FedEx, 46 jobs gone by the end of August.   Also at JFK, DAL Global lost its contract with Virgin Airways, 49 jobs gone by the end of October.  Courtyard by Marriott LaGuardia Hotel shutting down, 144 jobs gone by October!  Commercial bank contractor Gannett National Shared Services eliminating 31 jobs by the end of October.  Conduent Business Services eliminating 59 jobs by the end of September.  In Brooklyn-NYC, after more than seven years hangout joint The Rock Shop shutdown, the manager saying “Rent’s too high, taxes are too high. Too much development happening on Fourth Avenue!”  In Rochester, after 29 years Lakeshore Record Exchange shutting down in September, the owner says more people listen to music than ever before, just not in the format he sells.  Sports venue Yard Sports Village-Warwick Yard now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In Buffalo, after 25 years clothier Urban Leisure and Luxury shutting down by the end of August because the owners want out of the retail industry.  In Pearl River, after more than 60 years Mel’s Army-Navy Center shutdown due to the owner not finding a buyer: “People don’t want to get into the retail industry anymore. The store was doing fine, but no one was really looking to take it over.”-Chris Frawley, owner

North Carolina: High Point based Dynamic International Airways now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to lawsuits.  Non-profit animal rescue op Duke’s Animal Haven shutdown “Due to circumstances beyond our control…….effective immediately.”   In Chapel Hill, DSI Comedy Theater shutting down by the end of August, due to the owner being accused (but never charged) of sex crimes.  In Washington, after four years The Blue Crab Monograms and Gifts shutdown because the owner got a job as a high school teacher.

Ohio:  In Painesville, after 23 years Grande Designs Floral shutdown officially so the owner can retire, but local news media discovered the store, and inventory, is now “bank owned” and for sale.  In Kettering, after 39 years clothing store Elan shutdown due to family health problems.  In Fostoria, after 25 years Steinacker & Sons Ace Hardware shutdown, the owners lamenting “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t keep it going.”

Oregon: In Portland, after 15 years Newspace Center for Photography suddenly shutdown due to the discovery that the non-profit art gallery was broke!  After five years the Action/Adventure Theatre shutdown saying “It’s become increasingly difficult for small arts spaces like ours to survive in Portland and while we are heartbroken that this city has to lose yet another venue, we can no longer shoulder the financial burden of maintaining our theater.”  A writer for The Portland Mercury reacted to the sudden shutdowns of two art venues by saying “Shit’s bleak, you guys.” 

Pennsylvania: Stauffers of Kissel Hill shutdown its 53 years old shop in Oregon Pike saying it was too small to compete with big-box.  In Pittsburgh, baby furniture store Good Night Baby shutdown without warning, the owner told a local news TV channel that he was on vacation, however, a note taped to the door stated the store was closed due to “market conditions”.  Local news media reported dozens of customers were still waiting for orders that they already paid for.   In Philadelphia, after 52 years Snyderman-Works Galleries sold-off and shutting down so the owners can retire.  In Erie, after 55 years Fisher Jewelers shutting down when the inventory is gone.  Silver Creek County Club shutting down by September.

Texas:  Katy based Academy Sports & Outdoors suddenly laid off 1-hundred people, blaming it on “the changing needs of our customers”!  Stage Stores shutting down its 47 years old Bealls store in Corpus Christi, in September, because of the greedy landlord (Trademark Properties).  In Brownsville, after 110 years (!) R.H. Lackner’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts shutting down, the owners blaming declining customers from Mexico: “The Mexican business has been a factor. It used to represent about half our business. I don’t see it coming back.”-Bobby Lackner

Virginia: In Danville, after 71 years M&M Furniture shutdown so the owner could retire.  In Waynesboro, after 30 years Valley Framing Studio and Gallery shutdown, the owner saying “It’s about time to enjoy life…”   Nordstrom shutting down its 15 years old store in Dulles Town Center because “…we feel we can serve our customers better at our other area stores and online.”

Wisconsin:  In Wauwatosa, after 93 years Daly’s Pen Shop  shutdown with the owner warning other mom&pop retailers by saying “I’m just getting out of this before I’m forced out!”  In the same city Bartz’s party store suddenly shutdown as part of a corporate plan to shift to online sales only.

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, JUNE 2017: “WE HAVE A STORE CLOSURE INITIATIVE”, “RETAIL IS PRETTY MUCH GONE!”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JULY 2017: “WHERE DID ALL THIS MONEY GO?” “THAT’S THE END OF THE GAME.”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, JULY 2017: “BUSINESS HAD DECLINED SINCE 2008″

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., July 2017: “OF ALL THE MONEY WE SPEND ON EDUCATION, LESS THAN 32% GOES TO TEACHERS.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, JULY 2017: “EVERYONE IS SHELL-SHOCKED!” 61% CRASH IN PROFITS!  

U.S. government shenanigans, July 2017: “THEY GAVE ME NO REASON FOR CLOSING IT”

U.S. food crisis, July 2017: “WE ARE CLOSING……WE HAVE NO CHOICE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, July 2017: 250-THOUSAND JOBS KILLED! “REGRETTABLY, THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT”

OBAMA LEGACY: DEATH OF ‘OUTDOORS’ STORES, AND DON’T BLAME THE INTERNET!

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL “I HAVE NO CLUE. IT JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WORKING…”

Business/Economics

“Business had declined since 2008”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, July 2017

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in July 2017.

Alabama: McClarin Plastics shutting down its four years old factory in Elmor, in August. Local news media said peak employment was 230 people!

 California: Penske Vehicle Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Torrance location, 15 jobs gone by mid-September.   Germany based industrial seal maker EagleBurgmann Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its Lakeside operations, 81 jobs gone by mid-September.   Boeing issued yet more layoff WARNs, this time 75 jobs gone by mid-September.  Payless Shoesource issued a shutdown WARN for its Redlands distribution center, 140 jobs gone by the end of September!

Florida: Brunswick-Sea Ray Boats suddenly laid off 90 people and furloughed another 130, at its Palm Coast factory!   More railroad layoffs, Jacksonville based CSX announced an additional 7-hundred layoffs on top of the 1-thousand laid off earlier this year!

Georgia: What housing construction industry recovery?  One of the biggest carpet makers in the U.S.,  Beaulieu, is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The 40 years old carpet maker blames it on crashing sales.

Illinois: Wholesale broker Aclara SGS suddenly shutdown its operations in Champaign, 79 jobs gone due to loss of contract.   Pacific Coast Feather Company issued a shutdown WARN for its Des Plaines ops, 29 jobs gone due to being taken-over by a competitor.   Amcor Rigid Plastics issued a shutdown WARN for its Batavia factory, 110 jobs gone by March 2018!  What home construction industry recovery?  Pace Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its kitchen cabinet ops in Chicago, 120 jobs lost between September and November!  Glass maker PPG issued a shutdown WARN for its Chicago ops, 55 jobs gone by October.  Window blind maker Newell Brands issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Downers Grove, 138 jobs gone by June 2018!  HVAC company Standard Refrigeration issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Wood Dale, 102 jobs gone by the end of September!  Kane Warehousing issued a layoff WARN for its Romeoville ops, 178 jobs gone by mid-September due to loss of contract!

Indiana:  Donald Trump’s favorite HVAC company Carrier going through with mass layoffs, 630 people will become jobless between now and the end of the year, due to Carrier shifting the jobs to Mexico!  In Huntington, United Technologies eliminating 7-hundred jobs! 

Iowa: Germany based shoe maker/seller Adidas shutting down its Sports Licensed Division office in Cedar Rapids, 120 jobs gone (according to local news reports, but official WARN says 98 jobs) due to Adidas’ exit from NBA licensed products!

Maine: Verso permanently shutdown a paper mill, 120 jobs gone due to crashing sales of paper!  The same mill was temporarily shutdown in November 2016, for the same reason.  What construction industry recovery? Potvin Construction now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating, blaming it on a lawsuit.

Maryland: The largest energy ‘retailer’ across North America, Direct Energy, eliminating 108 jobs in Columbia by mid-September!  What automotive industry recovery?  Sweden based Volvo suddenly laid off employees in Elkridge.

Minnesota: Bankrupt Mesabi Metallics-Essar Steel Minnesota being taken over by a competitor, 25 people are expected to lose their jobs.

New York: Box maker West Rock issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Wheatley Heights, 152 jobs gone by mid-October! CEVA Logistics issued a shutdown WARN for its Waterford ops, 42 jobs gone by the end of September due to loss of contract.  What housing construction industry recovery?  Window supplier Zeluck suddenly shutdown its Brooklyn-NYC location, 49 jobs gone.

North Carolina: DuraFiber Technologies issued a factory shutdown WARN for two fatories, 462 jobs gone in September!  The factories are now for sale, the company will continue operations in Germany, France and Mexico.  Parker Hannifin Corporation-Filtration Group shutting down its factory in Washington city, more than 2-hundred jobs lost to consolidation of operations to outside the state.

Ohio: In Chillicothe, engineered materials maker Glatfelter laying off 90 people at its Paper Machine 24 factory, saying “The supply-demand imbalance in the printing and writing markets continues to put pressure on industry operating rates and selling prices.”

Oklahoma: Oil company ConocoPhillips said it eliminated an undisclosed number of jobs due to an ‘asset sale’.

Pennsylvania:  Engineered materials maker Glatfelter laying off 30 people in Spring Grove.  More railroad layoffs as GE (General Electric) Locomotive continues killing jobs, this time 575 people in Erie becoming jobless by the end of 2018 as GE consolidates production to Texas!  Altria Group -John Middleton shutting down its cigar factory in Limerick, 78 jobs gone in September.  HVAC company Elliott Lewis Corporation (ELCO) laid off 74 people in Philadelphia, due to loss of contract.  Graham Thermal Products issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in New Castle, 61 jobs gone in September.

South Carolina: North Carolina based DuraFiber Technologies shutting down its factory in Winnsboro, about 40 jobs gone in September, the factory is now for sale.

Tennessee: More railroad layoffs, Norfolk Southern shutting down its Knoxville HQ, consolidating about 50 HQ jobs to locations outside the state.  Memphis based FedEx (Federal Express) shutting down all 26 locations in Canada, 2-hundred jobs lost as FedEx exits its 32 years of Canadian shipping in August!

Washington: Interstate Label Company suddenly went chapter 7 bankrupt busted and was liquidated, the owner said “Business had declined since 2008….”  Boeing issued another layoff WARN, 220 jobs gone by mid-September!  APM Terminals shutting down its Tacoma ops by mid-September.  Custom packaging maker KIK Tacoma issued a shutdown WARN for its Tacoma ops, 20 jobs gone by mid-August.

West Virginia: After 80 years Kanawha Electric & Machine suddenly shutdown, the owners blaming the high number of mining industry bankruptcies for its crashing orders.

Wisconsin:  What automotive industry recovery? Harley Davidson announced more layoffs, this time 183 people at two U.S. factories will become jobless due to a 9% drop in sales!

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, June 2017: “CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL”

U.S.

“Of all the money we spend on education, less than 32% goes to teachers.”: Dumbing Down the U.S. of A., July 2017

Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS): A phrase created by me to describe a phenomenon taking place across the United States, affecting both privately and publicly funded schools, from Kindergarten all the way through University levels.

United Kingdom news media revealed that Google “…paid millions of dollars to academics at British and American universities for research that it hoped would sway public opinion and influence policy in favour of the tech giant.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced education related layoffs & school shutdowns, July 2017:

After five years Kaplan owned software coding school Dev Bootcamp shutting down all six U.S. campuses: “Despite tremendous efforts from a lot of talented people, we’ve determined that we simply cannot reach a sustainable business model without compromising our mission of delivering a high-quality coding education that remains accessible to a diverse population of students.”

California: Charter school Options for Youth-Victorville shutting down Fontana and Ontario operations, 108 jobs gone by September! Durham School Services issued a layoff WARN for its operations in Hayward, 92 jobs lost by the end of September. Privately run National University admitting that people are radically different by proposing a new form of education; Precision Education.   National University is so sure of themselves they’re spending $20-million USD on the project, which will tailor general education classes based on a students situational differences.  The sexist women’s only Mills College (they actually have a statue called Power of Women) laid off at least five instructors, due to crashing revenues due to refusing to take in male students.  It’s one of 36 U.S. colleges that refuse to allow men as students.  A survey in June showed the overwhelming majority of faculty at Mills College wanted to allow male students!

Florida:  University of Florida just got a $10-million U.S. federal taxpayer funded grant to experiment with the concept of Precision Education.

Illinois: The Chicago Tribune declared “The politics of education funding in Illinois is truly deranged”   In a No-Shit Sherlock! moment, peer-reviewed journal Child Development published a study that concluded that lying to kids about America being a fair country causes them to become violent when they find out the truth.  Chicago teacher Xian Franzinger Barrett agreed saying “Students who are told that things are fair implode pretty quickly in middle school as self-doubt hits them, and they begin to blame themselves for problems they can’t control.”

Kentucky: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Nativity Montessori School from shutting down due to The Rapture, I mean crashing enrollments.

Louisiana: Loyola University eliminated 60 jobs despite a 33% increase in enrollment deposits.

Massachusetts: Blame Obama. It was revealed that between 2011 and 2016 that at least 3-thousand-562 state early education programs were shutdown.  

Mississippi: University of Southern Mississippi laid off four people and eliminated 33 vacant positions due to a reduction in taxpayer funding.

New York: SUNY Polytechnic Institute suddenly laid off 38 people, apparently in an effort to reduce costs by $10-million USD per year.

Ohio:  Columbus based taxpayer funded online Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow eliminating 250 jobs due to crashing enrollments and being caught overcharging customers by a total of $60-million USD!

Oklahoma: Comanche Nation College shutdown by tribal leaders who refused to continue funding it.

Texas:   Good or bad news?  Lee College Huntsville prison center graduated the largest prison class in its 51 years history, more than 180 prisoners!  It’s either a testament to the education program, or a revelation as to how many people are sent to Texas prisons.  Texas Education Agency laid off 39 people basically saying the positions were redundant.  Republican lieutenant governor Dan Patrick revealed “Of all the money we spend on education, less than 32% goes to teachers.”  The reality is that most of your taxes go to those tax-sucking school administrative bodies.

Washington DC:   A Pew Research Center survey showed 58% of republicans now blame higher education for the current state of the Union.  This is a big swing from 2010 when 55% of republicans favored higher education.  American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten stated “This use of privatization, coupled with disinvestment are only slightly more polite cousins of segregation.”   In the name of desegregation the AFT wants to force people to send their children to specific schools, violating a fundamental concept of the United States; freedom of choice.

West Virginia: West Virginia Business College suddenly shutdown saying “It is not financially possible to remain open for the July quarter” due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.

theguardian: Why there’s no such thing as a gifted child

Dumbing Down June 2017: “…YOU HAVE A STORM WARNING.”