Tag Archives: food

International

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. building Afghan base to invade Iran? More U.S. deaths! More waste of U.S. taxes!

 

15 May 2013/05 Rajab 1434/25 Ordibehest 1391/06 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Farah Province, there are reports that the United States is building a military base just 3 kilometers (slightly more than 1 mile) from the border with Iran.  Witnesses say a communications tower has been completed and other work has started on the ground.

In Herat Province, local police say a U.S. drone strike killed three people in Zirkouh village.

In Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad city, an explosion wounds three civilians and six cops.  Government officials say the bomb was targeted against local police.

In Logar Province, Mujahideen released the last of the Turkish engineers captured a week ago.  There has been no reports about the one Afghan engineer and two Russian/Kyrgyz helicopter crewmen that were captured.

In Badghis Province, 78 contracted security personnel (mercenaries) joined the Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, eight contracted security personnel (mercenaries) joined the Mujahideen.

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) discovered that Afghanistan has taxed 43 U.S. contractors to the tune of $921 million USD.  SIGAR says the tax is “illegitimate” under current agreements, and is just the tip of the iceberg.

Oklahoma U.S.A. Army National Guard’s 120th Engineer Battalion returned from deployment to Afghanistan.

14 May 2013/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Maidan Wardak Province, Syed Abad District, locals say U.S. led troops conducted home invasions.  Four people kidnapped.

In Kandahar Province, Zherai District, a U.S. convoy ran over a landmine, killing three U.S. personnel.

In Helmand Province, Garmser District, a motorcycle bomb exploded in a market.  Three people killed, nine wounded.  In Marja District, three people killed, one wounded, after they drove over a landmine.   Also, the United Kingdom (red coats) Defense Minister, Philip Hammond, said they’ve decided to keep red coats in country past the supposed 2014 pullout date.  Red coats serve primarily in Helmand.

In Kabul city, two Turkish businessmen were kidnapped.  No comment from Afghan cops.  One of the men had been living in Afghanistan for the past ten years.

In Zabul Province, Shajoy District, 40 schools have been closed. School officials say it is because of repeated threats.

13 May 2013/03 Rajab 1434/23 Ordibehest 1391/04 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Helmand Province, three Georgian ISAF personnel were killed after the Mujahideen attacked their base.  ISAF said: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members were killed today when insurgents attacked their position in southern Afghanistan with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device.”

In Kapisa Province, Nejrab District, a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. convoy, wounding at least two U.S. personnel and one Afghan, and killing one Afghan.  Mujahideen claim they killed 14 people and destroyed two armored vehicles.

In Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad city, Mujahideen say they assassinated a French spy.

In Kandahar Province, a bus packed with people drove over a landmine.  Ten people killed, 12 wounded.

A new Afghan government investigation says U.S. special operations forces tortured to death at least 15 people in Maidan Wardak Province back in February.  The investigators say they have evidence, including a video tape, proving a U.S. special ops A Team was involved.  Government officials also are demanding the U.S. handover an Afghan born U.S. citizen involved in the crimes.

U.S.

And Justice for All, Bull Shit!: Investigation reveals massive Sentencing screwup in U.S. prisons!

15 May 2013 (01:08 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Rajab 1434/25 Ordibehest 1391/06 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In the U.S. state of Colorado, it’s been revealed that hundreds, if not thousands, of prisoners have had their sentences screwed up for years, supposedly because of a lack of communication between the courts and the prisons!

Some prisoners got out early, while others are still languishing in prison for minor offenses.

According to the Denver Post, the sentencing errors were revealed when a prisoners who should not have been released was so, and then allegedly committed murder.

Governor John Hickenlooper ordered an audit (investigation).  Already massive amounts of improper sentencing has been found in 349 cases, another 8415 cases identified as needing review!

Judges are now scrambling to make corrections to the corrections facilities foul ups.  Court clerks are being blamed for not properly communicating the court sentences to the prison officials (how can you screw that up?).

For decades, in past jobs I’ve had, I had co-workers who were ex-convicts and they all talked about this kind of bullshit.  Most claiming to being treated as if they were murders when they committed minor crimes, like burglary.  They would claim that prison officials ignored their pleas to check their court sentences, most could not afford an attorney.  At first I though ‘yeah, typical ex-con’, but I’ve heard the same stories from California, to Arizona, to Idaho, and started to wounder why so many across several states had similar stories?

(when I was a local TV news producer in Arizona I would get calls from prisoners all the time asking for help because they were still in prison when they should have been released. But guess what folks, it’s an unwritten rule in U.S. TV journalism not to cover prisoner issues, that’s what my news director told me when I asked about investigating the prisoners’ claims!!!)

Now the state of Colorado admits to screwing up prisoners’ sentences.  What was that about the U.S. justice system being the fairest in the World?  Bull shit!

If you can’t trust the current justice system, how the hell can you trust Obama and the U.S. Congress (republicans & democrats) with their War on Terror, Gitmo, NDAA 2013, and virtual martial law?!

 

International

Coronavirus MERS update: More cases, more deaths!

15 May 2013 (12:34 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Rajab 1434/25 Ordibehest 1391/06 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health reports six more people infected (four announced Monday, two on Tuesday).  The new cases include nurses who got infected while treating patients.   One of the new human cases died.  Another person died a couple of days ago.

What’s interesting is that the Saudi Ministry of Health announced on 13 May that the infections were no longer spreading.

The situation has become so worrisome that a veterinary clinic in Dubai has been set up to treat humans!

There are now 40 cases, and 20 deaths globally.

There is no vaccine for MERS.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 07 March 2013. California & Schools get hit hard, again! Thousands more laid off! God mad at U.S.A.

New York Post reported that J.C. Penney laid off 1500 people across the United States!  According to the Business Insider, even more layoffs are planned, as an inside source said that J.C. Penney store managers were shown a ‘secret’ video that told them to prepare to run the stores with even less employees!

In New York, Rapid-American bankrupt.  Company officials blame asbestos related personal injury lawsuits.  The Bruckner Bar and Grill shut down, owners blame damage from hurricane Sandy and a landlord that doesn’t want to abide by his own lease.  The Mahopac Falls Elementary School being closed: “The reason we are closing the building is not because of the budget, but because of the changing demographics.”-Raymond Cote, Board of Education President

Too Big to Jail Citadel Securities laid off 30 people in Illinois.  The IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union closed its Abingdon branch.  In Chicago, 80 to 129 schools are on the chopping block! The Commission on School Utilization actually questioned if that was logistically possible. It’s being blamed on Chicago Public School‘s $1 billion shortfall!

Another Christian school closed down.  Saint Raphael in Arkansas: “The reasons are many but the bottom line is I can’t justify going into huge debt for so few students and families when the overall needs of the parish are so great.”-Pastor John Connell

In California, the Windsor School District warned up to 50 employees of possible layoffs.  The school is short $2.8 million.  Officials blame cuts to state funding.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America laying off 57 people in Rancho Cordova.  In San Francisco, Tommy Toy’s Cuisine Chinoise restaurant shut down.  The owners blamed demographics and not being able to renew their lease.  In Chico, Wakefield and Sons Glass out-o-business.  Owners blamed the bad economy.  And medical imaging company, Digirad, announced an undisclosed number of layoffs, as part of their efforts to make the company “lean”.  The Ethan Allen home furnishings store in Strawberry, closed down.  The owner of the building said Ethan Allen officials decided not to renew the lease and gave no reason why.  Apparently they were the only furniture store in the area.  Beauty Store & More, in Petaluma, closed down.  After 24 years of operation the owners said they gave in to increased competition.

In Florida, Biovest International bankrupt.  The drug company is trying to get rid of $44 million USD in debt.  The Kmart in Bonita springs closed down, 67 people out-o-work.  The Pasco County School District was put on notice by the state, because of poor performing schools.  Teachers and school administrators were told they would have to reapply for their jobs.  Apparently the school district is not a good place to teach: “We know that the characteristics of the school, the high poverty, the high minority and it’s location have made it hard for us to maintain staff there. There’s been an almost 50 percent turnover in staff.”-Tammy Rabon, Supervisor for teachers and learning

Too Big to Jail Chase Home Mortgage laid off 550 people in Florence, South Carolina!  That’s on top of the 330 jobs cut since last year.  And in more ironic news, the Department of Employment and Workforce laid off more employees, for the third time in the past six months!

In Monett, Missouri, Dairy Farmers of America is closing their milk operation by September, and will layoff 86 people.  They blame declining sales.

Kae Robin & Company, in Maryland, closed because the owner wanted to retire.  Constellation Books shut down, the owner said it’s painfully clear the U.S. economy is not going to recover soon enough for her.

In Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Hospital will close its endoscopy center by fall. At least 20 employees to be laid off.  You can blame Obama/Romney Care for reduced reimbursements for services rendered.  The not for profit Westboro Gallery closed down.  The operators said people just stopped buying art.  And Panera Bread, in Arlington Heights,  closed down.  Company officials did not want to renew the lease.

In New Jersey, the New Milford Jewish Center shut down.  Officials blamed it on the increasing number of Americans turning away from the Judeo/Christian God: “We’re like every other church and synagogue in New Jersey. It’s a common disease.”-Ralph Gerber, Congregation Beth Tikvah

Too Big to Jail PNC Financial Services Group announced they will close 200 offices across the U.S.  Possibly thousands of people will be laid off!

In Hawaii, real estate investment company 1250 Oceanside Partners now bankrupt.  They are $500 million in debt.  And Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab restaurant shut down. The parent company, Good Eats, did not want to renew the lease.  50 people out-o-work.

So much for recovery in the automotive industry, General Motors eliminates 3rd shift at a factory in Flint, Michigan.   104 people out-o-work!  Meekhof Lumber shutting down in June.  If there’s any recovery to the home construction market, the owners of the 56 years old company are not seeing it.

In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Gibble’s Food grocery store announced they will be laying off employees.  Company officials did not give a number.  Railroad products manufacturer McConway & Torley, closed down their Kutztown factory, and laid off 130 people!

The Alaska Railroad laid off 54 employees, due to crashing revenue since 2011.  Company officials say their biggest drop in revenue comes from declining freight shipments. The railroad was also hit by a stupid Federal Transit Administration clerical error, which cost them millions of dollars.

In Louisiana, the state stopped bridge toll operations at the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans, ending 31 jobs.

After 20 years in business, the Godfather’s Pizza on East 10th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, closed down.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, Japan Economic Front: Biggest ever loss for Sharp!

14 May 2013 (12:45 UTC-07 Tango)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

“We need to say goodbye to the Sharp that we knew….”-Kozo Takahashi, Sharp executive vice president

Continued crashing LCD TV sales dragging Japan’s Sharp to its death?

Company officials said they lost a record $5.4 billion USD for the last Japanese year (April 2012 to March 2013), much more than they estimated!  And that’s after Sharp sold office buildings, cut salaries and laid off 5400 people!

There will be changes made to the executive board, a new deal with South Korea’s Samsung, and efforts to extended existing loans and get new ones, are part of the electronic company’s plans for recovery.

Somehow company officials think Sharp will actually make a profit this year!

International

World War 3, West Asian Front: Syria & Iran say they will not hesitate to attack Israel!

14 May 2013 (23:58 UTC-07 Tango 13 May 2013)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

At an Iranian government press conference, an official stated that Syrian officials notified them that they will launch immediate retaliation against Israel if the zionist state attacks Syria again.  The Iranian Foreign Ministry official said Iran will back up Syria.

Iranian officials stated they are aware of Russian plans to sell Syria their latest missile systems, including the S-300.

Technology, U.S.

World War 3, Gun Control Front: Elitist Techies admit they want to ban guns! No more mobile purchases of guns!

14 May 2013 (21:59 UTC-07 Tango 13 May 2013)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

“By creating a Square Account, you also confirm that you will not accept payments in connection with the following businesses or business activities:…..(23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition;  or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury….”-Square

Quietly, about a week ago a mobile payment service called Square decided to ban all gun/weapon purchases.

Previously their gun/weapon purchase ban was in regards to internet purchases, now it applies anywhere.

Jack Dorsey, a co-founder of Twitter, swears it has nothing to do with the anti-gun/anti-Constitution policies of President Obama and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

However, Dorsey admits he loves New York mayor Bloomberg and would like to follow in his anti-Constitutional footsteps: “I think that Mayor Bloomberg has done an amazing job, and I and a lot of Silicon Valley look to him as a guiding light because he’s completely rethought what it means to be mayor.”

 

U.S.

World War 3, Gun Control Front: DoJ & CDC Data proves Anti-Gun False Flaggers are full of shit!!!

14 May 2013 (21:39 UTC-07 Tango 13 May 2013)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

Going by the U.S. main streamer news media, and our exalted ‘elected’ leaders, you’d think the United States was being hit with record increased levels of gun violence.  Not so, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In fact, the DoJ and CDC says the U.S. is experiencing record low levels of gun violence!!!

According to the Pew Research Center 56% of people living in the U.S. think gun violence is at an all time high.

According to the CDC and the DoJ, across the board gun violence is way down from the peak in 1993.   And the CDC data shows current gun violence rates are even lower than gun violence in 1981.  That includes intentional criminal violence and unintentional accidents!

Depending on which report you look at, the percent of murders by gun dropped 39-49% from 1993 to 2011!

Percent of criminal gun injuries dropped 69%!

And for those anti-gunners who want to go after individual sales at gun shows (like they’ve done in California) the stats prove their arguments fallacious.  Less than 2% of convicted gun using criminals acquired their gun at a gun show, and 40% got their guns from already illegal sources!!!

And for those anti-gunners who want to get rid of military type weapons (which is actually what the 2nd Amendment guarantees our right of access to) the DoJ data (Firearm Violence, 1993-2011) proves them full of shit.   Up to 90% of gun violence is done with a pistola!  Only 2% of state convicts, and 3% of federal convicts used military style weapons!

What’s also amazing is that many anti-gunners have been demanding the CDC study gun violence, well dummies, the CDC (16 states under the National Violent Death Reporting System, and WISQARS) has been studying gun violence!  It’s long been assumed by pro-gunners that the CDC was anti-gun and would skew any data they collected, but surprise, surprise, surprise.  The CDC data actually proves gun violence has been dropping!

The DoJ and CDC refuse to explain why gun violence has dropped. Could it have something to do with the ever increasing (and seemingly corresponding) gun ownership of Constitutional abiding U.S. citizens?

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 06 March 2013. No more Wendys? Teachers laid off & property taxes raised!

In New Mexico, Murray Hotel bankrupt.  The company owns the Silver City Murray Hotel, which was opened in 1938.  Company officials blame debt.

In Hawaii, Marriott is selling its Waikoloa Beach resort, affecting 315 employees!

In Nebraska, the Great Platte River Road Archway now bankrupt.  The history museum blames dwindling attendance on the bad economy.   However, many people say the Archway is difficult to get to, and critics say it’s more a theme park than museum.

T-Mobile lays off more than 100 people at its Bellevue, Washington,  headquarters!  The layoffs are a result of the merger with MetroPCS.  In 2012 T-Mobile cut 4200 jobs!

It was revealed that Greensboro College, in North Carolina, will layoff six employees.  Officials said the layoffs will help them end the school year in the black.

In New York, the Ramapo Central School District laying off 33 people, and ending summer school, field trips and the family resource center.

In New Jersey, the Bloomfield Board of Education introduced a budget that would see 86 teachers laid off. Class size will be increased by 40 students per one teacher.  The budget also increases the average homeowner’s property tax by $278 per year!  Also, BAE (a United Kingdom based government contractor) lays off an undisclosed amount of people at their Wayne operation.   BAE claims it has nothing to due with government spending cuts.

Managers of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri, are asking an undisclosed number of the 2600 employees to volunteer for layoffs.  Company officials say mandatory layoffs could also be upcoming.  They insist the layoffs are not connected to government spending cuts.

In Oregon, the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility laying off 117 employees!  It’s claimed all the chemical weapons at the facility have been destroyed.

In California, Circor Aerospace is closing its Sylmar operation, laying off 51 people.  Officials say it’s part of its consolidation plans.

IBM moving hundreds of Minnesota jobs to Mexico.

Tooele County, Utah, lays off 23 employees from the Parks and Recreation and Building Maintenance divisions.  It’s being blamed on the Deseret Peak Complex, which opened in 1999, and has been subsidized with taxpayer funds to the tune of $1.5 million USD every year.  Apparently it was hoped the entertainment/recreational Complex would become self supporting.

In Clarksville, Tennessee, Too Big to Jail Bank of America closing its 215 Legion Street office on 17 May. That’s according to local media who were notified by bank employees, however BofA officials refused to comment.

In Georgia, Comcast cable closing its Augusta call center.  68 to 78 people out-o-work.  Company officials said it was part of their plans to “….provide more specialized customer support.”  In Thomaston, Clearwater Paper shutting down its tissue converting and distribution facility. 150 people out-o-work! It’s part of their consolidation plans. In Covington, Wain & Co. Hair Design closed after 30 years in operation.

Publishing company, RR Donnelley & Sons going out of business in Ohio.  170 employees jobless!  Company officials blame the “changing market” and bad economy.

In Pennsylvania, historic Benkovitz Seafood shut down without notice or explanation.

In Arizona, the Bamboo Club Asian Bistro closed down because they could not renew their lease.

Wendys burger officials say because of the bad economy they will close 130 restaurants!  This despite the apparent success of their restaurant remodeling program. Officials claim that the restaurants that were remodeled have seen sales increase an average of 25%.  Perhaps that’s not enough?

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: 132 cases, 35 deaths! Spreads to Singapore? Your chicken dinner to cost more?

13 May 2013 (08:53 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Rajab 1434/23 Ordibehest 1392/04 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

The latest reports out of China say 35 people have died out of 132 cases.  The National Health and Family Planning Commission says another person got infected in Jiangxi Province.  The report did not give any info about the new deaths.

In Singapore, the Health Ministry revealed that 11 people were suspected of having H7N9, as well as 24 people suspected of having coronavirus/MERS.  The ministry told Parliament that testing of birds was underway, and so far no sign of H7N9.  Singapore does not import live poultry.  The testing on the people suspected of being infected with the new viruses were negative.

Taiwan is reporting that their only human case is recovering.  They say there is no sign of the virus in his system, but his organs have been weakened so much that he must remain hospitalized, until they regain full strength.

At this point, China’s live poultry market ban has lost their economy $6.5 billion USD!

Commodity market analysts are expecting poultry prices to shoot up next month, because of the ongoing H7N9 infections.  Not only has China shut down live poultry markets, and culled tens of thousands of chickens and ducks, but many Asian countries have imposed poultry import bans.  The result is a shortage of poultry products in those Asian countries.

Those bans might help poultry prices come down in the countries of origin.  Example; Malaysia recently banned imports from Mexico and South Africa.  This should result in a glut of poultry in those countries.