Tag Archives: health

International

Mindless chit chat with friends & loved ones will increase your intelligence, maybe even your life span! Chit chat with strangers has no benefit

21 November 2012, a study in Japan is showing that seemingly mindless (unintelligent) chit chat with friends and loved ones actually increases your mind’s capabilities by increasing blood flow.  It could also explain people who have long lives.

Some very old sisters were studied.  Reporters asked them what their secret to their long lives were, and they admitted it was mindless chit chat, for at least four hours everyday.  Their mother was part of the mindless conversations and she lived until she was 111 years old!

The sisters think their chit chat works because they laugh a lot.  However, the scientists studying them discovered it was simply talking with a loved one that did the trick.

The researchers monitored the flow of blood into their brains as they talked to different people.  They found no change in blood flow when they talked to strangers, but when they talked to loved ones there was an immediate increase in blood flow, even without laughter.

Here’s what the Japanese researchers concluded:  Families that repress interaction are more likely to have problems, and shorter life spans.  Therapeutic chit chat must also be conducted in an informal environment, it doesn’t work if the environment seems formal or serious, even if it’s done with loved ones.  Mindless chit chat with loved ones greatly reduces dementia in older people, because the increased blood flow helps keep the mind fresh and exercised.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 16 – 19 November 2012. U.S. imprisoning people proven inoccent in court! Japan involved in corruption? James Bond loves the war on Muslims? Iran executes 13 Afghans! Afganistan condemns Israel! Cops rob bank!

19 November 2012

President Hamid Karzai continues to condemn the United States for not handing over total control of Bagram Prison.  The handover was supposed to have taken place months ago, and even U.S. media outlets claimed it happened.  Karzai, along with human rights groups, say the U.S. is not only still in control of prisoners, but they are even holding people proven innocent in court: “…reports by the Attorney General and the Military Police Commander, where it said that even prisoners who were presumed innocent by the court are still being held. In addition, there are people who, against the provisions of the MoU already signed, are newly imprisoned by the American forces.”-Afghan Presidential office statement

The office of Attorney General announced an investigation into corruption at the Afghan Embassy in Japan.  It involves $9 million USD spent on the renovation of the embassy building.  The $9 million was on top of the $5 million that was originally spent.

In Helmand Province, at Camp Bastion James Bond actor Daniel Craig made an appearance for the showing of the latest 007 movie, Sky Fall.

18 November 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Kandahar Province, a local cop from from Maiwand district joined the Mujahideen.

In Ghazni Province, local cops say the Mujahideen assassinated a man accused of spying for the government. However, witnesses from Laghwat village say the man was really killed during a firefight between Mujahideen and local cops.

Afghans buried the remains of 13 Afghan teenagers, executed by Iran.  Iranian officials say they caught the teenagers smuggling drugs into Iran, which is punishable by death.  Afghan officials say the teenagers went to Iran to look for work.

17 November 2012

President Karzai condemned Israel’s latest assaults on the open air concentration camp known as Gaza.

Afghan high peace council chief, Salahuddin Rabbani, said no peace without prisoner release.  He is referring to Mujahideen being held in Pakistani prisons.

In Nuristan Province, the Afghanistan Central Bank was robbed of approximately $192,000 USD.  It was three local cops who did it!  Two of the cops were arrested, the other is on the lose.

Ooops! Mujahideen accidentally revealed about 500 email address of people who’re in contact with them.  It includes government and social leaders, and even journalists: “Taliban have included all four of my email addresses on the leaked distribution list of 500 email addresses. Quite reassuring to my safety.”-Mustafa Kazemi, journalist

16 November 2012

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Farah Province, 17 people were killed when their mini bus ran over a landmine.

In Kandahar Province, Panjwai district, several landmines went off.  In one case a 15 years old boy drove over a landmine causing him to lose a leg and hand.  In another case, Afghan National Army soldier was wounded after driving over a landmine, and two local cops were killed, one wounded, after they drove over a landmine.

USMC General Joseph Dunford said U.S. personnel could remain in Afghanistan despite Obama’s claim to pull out troops by the end of 2014.  Dunford is being considered by U.S. Congress to replace USMC General John Allen in Afghanistan.  Dunford refused to tell Congress the exact numbers of personnel and equipment that will remain in Afghanistan after 2014.

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen went on the offensive, killing at least 12 cops in several separate attacks.  They also managed to capture about 16 policemen.

There were no updates to the Battle for Char Chino.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Michigan hit by latest Sears/Kmart closing!

“It’s a shame they are closing here, I really like this place and I really like this one better than any of them. Big Lots is closed. Now Kmart is closed. Things are getting bad.”-Jerry Crossnoe, Kmart shopper in Flint, Michigan

20 November 2012, a Kmart on Dort Highway in Flint, Michigan, will close in January 2013.  Sears Holdings officials say the store management was notified in October.   Store management refused to comment to local media questions.

Here’s the updated closing list:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Sears to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, and recently revealed Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

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 (50 jobs lost).

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

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center).

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

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 13 – 15 November 2012. Germany says it wants out? Intense battle in Uruzgan! More illegal night raids!

15 November 2012

The United States began discussion with Afghan and Pakistani officials, regarding the planned pullout in 2014.  It turns out that U.S. officials want to make it possible to stay longer!  The talks also concern the ability of Afghan courts to put U.S. personnel on trial.

In Samangan Province, at least two U.S./NATO fueler trucks exploded.  Local police say they don’t know why.  Other reports say the trucks were destroyed by remotely detonated landmines.

14 November 2012

German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, and Defense Minister, Thomas de Maizière, suggested they could begin pulling out 1,000 German troops in 2013, ahead of the 2014 U.S./NATO withdrawal date. However, they pointed out that there will still be 3,300 German troops in Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

In Logar Province, Mujahideen assassinated two interpreters working for U.S./NATO.  The interpreters worked at Camp Shank.

In Uruzgan Province, an intense battle in the Char Chino district has been raging for two days. Mujahideen report that U.S./NATO/Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel are attempting to break a defensive line, that the Mujahideen have held for the past four years. Mujahideen report destroying one pick up truck, two armored vehicles, and killing dozens of ANA troops.  U.S./NATO aircraft have been conducting airstrikes.  One Mujahideen killed, four wounded.

In Helmand Province, people living in the Bawrhyo area, Marjah district, say U.S./NATO personnel conducted a night raid on a village. Mujahideen said they attacked the occupiers. The battle left left several people dead including two Mujahideen. Eight people were kidnapped by the U.S. led forces.

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen attacked a U.S./NATO base near the Panjwai district.  Reports say an ammo dump caught fire after a rocket attack.  The fire burned for hours.  One U.S./NATO personnel was killed, ISAF stated: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of an explosion on an ISAF camp in southern Afghanistan today.” 

13 November 2012

In Kandahar Province, Panjwai district, a local cop joined the Mujahideen.

In Herat Province, the people of Guzara district say U.S. led NATO forces began raids on their homes. They retaliated by attacking the U.S. led troops. The result was one villager killed and one wounded.

In Kabul Province, three artillery rockets hit the city of Kabul. One person was killed, two wounded.

In Uruzgan Province, Char Chino district, a U.S./NATO minesweeper vehicle was destroyed, ironically, by a landmine. It might have been part of the U.S. led assault on a major Mujahideen defensive line.  The crew were medivaced (medical evacuation) out by two helicopters.  Also, in Khas Uruzgan district two local cops joined the Mujahideen.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned the KabulBank that no more loans would be forthcoming, if the bank didn’t make more progress towards adopting ‘western’ banking policies.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Colorado hit by latest Sears/Kmart closing!

“…results indicate that consumers stay away from Sears’ stores despite the company’s initiatives. Sears loyalty program and investments to revamp stores fail to boost comparable store sales growth. The rapidly changing retail environment and strong competition…..make a quick turnaround difficult.”-Robert Broens, Seeking Alpha

19 November 2012, it was just revealed that a Kmart in southeast Denver, on South Monaco Street, is being closed.

Here’s the updated closing list:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), recently revealed Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Sears to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, 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 (50 jobs lost).

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

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center).

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

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Health food nuts victorious! Hostess Twinkies have bitten the dust! 18,500 U.S. workers laid off! Incompetent unAmerican Corporate America to blame! Twinkie the Kid to be replaced with Pancho Villa?

“…Hostess Brands, Inc. has been forced by a Bakers Union strike to shut down all operations and sell all company assets.”-Gregory F. Rayburn, CEO Hostess

18 November 2012, the iconic maker of U.S. snack foods, Hostess, is no more!  It’s being shut down and sold off by the corporate executives who ran it into the ground!

No more Wonder Bread, Twinkies or Ding Dongs for Pocatello, Idaho!

Oh, but many anti-labor commentators are blaming the unionized employees. Bull shit, Hostess can’t survive a strike?

No more Eddy's Bakery in Chubbuck, Idaho!

A Forbes article points out that it’s the corporate management that ran Hostess into the ground, not the unionized employees.  This happened because the corporate leaders tried to make up for dropping profit margins by running the company on debt financing.

Also, after the 2004 Interstate Bakeries bankruptcy (which the company emerged from in 2009, renamed officially as Hostess) the highly educated company leaders made no attempts to change how Hostess did business: “The obvious problem is leadership kept trying to sell the same products, using roughly the same business model, long, long, long after the products had become irrelevant.”-Adam Hartung, Forbes

Sales were constant, but only because Hostess execs kept prices artificially low, which lead to loss of profits.  This was because U.S. consumers are not willing to pay more for junk food.

By 2011 the bad economy finally affected Hostess sales; according to Mintel in the past year Twinkie sales dipped 0.8%, Ding Dongs fell 8.7%, Ho Ho’s down 6.3%.

Back during the first bankruptcy the unions made $110 million USD worth of concessions.  In May and October 2012, a bankruptcy judge gave Hostess the authority to impose more concessions by cutting pay and benefits, that’s what lead to the worker strikes.   Hostess was enacting more concessions without input from employees!

The Teamsters Union blamed the need for concessions on incompetent corporate officials: “Unfortunately, the company’s operating and financial problems were so severe that it required steep concessions from a variety of stakeholders but not all stakeholders were willing to be constructive.”-Ken Hall, Teamsters General-Secretary

According to a CNN report, the average Hostess worker made $20 per hour (and many Hostess factories are located in areas where $20 per hour is barely a living wage).  This is starting to look like just another step in unAmerican Corporate America’s plans to drastically reduce the cost of labor across the country, as part of the long term plan to return the United States to top export status.  The problem is that the cost of living is still too high, even for many making $20 per hour.  The elitists will make huge profits off their export sales, while the domestic economy will continue to fall (more Sears & Kmart closings to say the least) because more and more workers in the U.S. can’t make enough money even for basic necessities.

Don’t worry, your favorite Hostess junk food might survive, as the rights to those brands are being sold off.  But will you be able to afford them?

The most recent Christian Science Monitor report says that Mexican snack food giant (and world’s largest bread maker), Bimbo, is considering buying the rights to most of the Hostess brands.  Bimbo took over Sara Lee, Entenmann’s and Thomas English Muffins in 2010 (did you hear about that one? Start calling them Mexican Muffins).  They also tried to take over Hostess a few years ago.  If Bimbo does buy the Hostess brands analysts say most of the jobs will be in Mexico.

 

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. West Nile Virus update, 17 November 2012: Cases still climbing, but slowing down. Reports of new mutated version? Will Survivor actress survive West Nile?

“As of November 14, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,128 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 229 deaths, have been reported to CDC.”-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A doctor in Mississippi, Art Leis, reports that the recent cases of West Nile show the virus is attacking the communications areas of the brain, something never seen before. Another doctor in Michigan, Elizabeth Angus, is reporting brain damage in young victims, also never seen before.  Officials with the CDC are not concerned that there is a new stain of West Nile, because they say what is happening is that many of this year’s cases are more severe than in past years.

The CDC’s official death count from 14 November just had several more added on.

On 16 November, New Jersey reported five more human deaths. There are at least 45 cases in the hurricane ravaged state.

By 10 November, Louisiana reported 12 new cases, with two people dying.  At least 356 cases, 15 people have died.

Texas reporting at least 260 new cases since 01 October. On 13 November it was reported that two people died in Travis County.  At least 1,754 human cases, with 81 deaths.  Central Wyoming College determined that as many as 80% of Fremont County mosquitoes could be carrying with the virus.  A former teen TV star, Lisa Whelchel, who recently finished an episode of Survivor, revealed that she is sick with West Nile. It’s not known when she caught the virus, the Survivor episode took place in the Philippines, but Whelchel lives in the U.S. West Nile epicenter of Texas.  Officials say the colder weather might not stop the mosquitoes: “Culex mosquitoes show decreased activity with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees, but they will continue to breed. It will take days of freezing temperatures to kill them and stop breeding.”-Russell Hopkins, Northeast Texas Public Health District

As of 16 November, California reports 417 human cases (up by 22 since 07 November), 16 people have died (which is unchanged since 07 November).  1,632 dead birds have tested positive, as have 2,839 mosquito group samples. 22 horses have the virus. 532 sentinel chickens are sick, and 22 squirrels.

On 13 November it was reported that Alachua County Health Department, in Florida, was investigating three cases. They are the first cases for that county, and were detected when the people were screened for blood donation.  On 16 November, Walton County and Holmes County were put on West Nile alert after three people became sick. There are at least 64 cases, with two deaths.  Birds and horses are also being reported infected with West Nile.

The number of cases are increasing in Alabama.  Since 08 November several new cases bring the total to 43.

Mississippi reporting six new cases. So far 242 cases, with five deaths.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Idaho is up to 17 human cases.

At this point, Alaska and Hawaii are the only U.S. states not reporting West Nile virus cases.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Updated list of more Kmart and Sears closings! Huge losses for Sears Holdings! North Carolina to lose another 53 jobs!

16 November 2012, Sears Holdings reported a 23rd consecutive quarterly drop in sales, for its third reporting quarter this year.

A $498 million USD net loss (at the same time last year it was a $421 million loss)!  The loss is mostly blamed on a sales drop of 5.8% (but don’t forget that Sears reduced its inventory by almost $1 billion, leaving less for consumers to buy).  Analysts do not think Sears Holdings will survive: “Sears is in a very weak operating condition and is not well positioned to recover.”– Matt McGinley, International Strategy & Investment Group

Here’s the updated closing list, with the newest victim in North Carolina:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, 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 (50 jobs lost).

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

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), recently revealed Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center) .

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

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, International

How the Rich get Richer: Filthy rich Queen of England pays maid minimum wage!

“Workers who clean the royal houses for millions of visitors to enjoy will not tolerate poverty pay.”-Mark Serwotka, Public and Commercial Services union

Apparently unaware of the economic conditions for the average Brit, the Queen of England recently advertised for a maid on her website.  The Queen, who gets a huge amount of her wealth from taxes paid by the common folk, offered only 30 hours per week at minimum wage (about $10.50 USD in Merry Olde England)!

The recommended living wage in the city of London is about $13.50 USD per hour.

“This looks really bad. Since the Queen receives considerable support from the public purse she should pay a living wage, not just barely a minimum wage. She’s setting a bad example to other employers. Windsor is in one of the 12 most affluent boroughs in the country, so you would anticipate the cost of living would be that much higher. I would hate to see a return to the Victorian days where a privileged elite preside over the unwashed masses and just pay the bare minimum.”-Grahame Morris, Labour Member of Parliament for Easington, County Durham

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Sears & Kmart news: Losses for Canada! Lawsuits against Kenmore! Millions of shiny sh*t for Kmart shoppers?

14 November 2012, Sears Holdings reports it has completed it’s sell off of about 44% of its stocks in Sears Canada.  According to reports Sears Holdings issued the shares of Sears Canada only to those investors who were Sears Holdings stock holders.  Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates still controls 51% of Sears Canada.

This comes as Sears Canada reports a loss for the most recent quarter, $21.9 million!  Same store sales dropped 5.7% compared to the same time last year (and last year was down as well). CEO, Calvin McDonald, took it as good news, kinda: “Although we made progress in the quarter, we can and must do more. Our plan is working, however our pace of execution has not met our expectations.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals now says Sears can face class action lawsuit over its Kenmore/Whirlpool washing machines.  People are complaining that the front loading environmentally friendly washing machines do not clean themselves properly, leading to mold build up and stinky clothing (say, I was tricked into getting one of those things, and they’re right [you do have to run a bleach wash every month and leave the door open after every load]!  Not only that but the darn thing doesn’t even hold 3/4s the amount of clothes my old cheap top loader could hold).  Legal complaints have already been filed in California, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota and Texas.

The Los Angeles Times challenged the cast of Million Dollar Decorators to find items at Kmart that would satisfy their decorator tastes.  Of course they went for items with celebrity names on them.  Anyone who’s shopped at Kmart, or even Walmart, and bought anything endorsed by a celebrity should know it’s still a piece-o-crap!  Most everything sold at the ‘discount’ retailers have been dumbed down at the factory in order to meet the lower profit margin of those stores.  Even Mary McDonald admitted you can’t make shit shine (actually the cast of Myth Busters discovered a way to make shit shine): “If you try to make something fancy inexpensively, it often looks cheap.”