Tag Archives: ows

International

New study says Goat’s milk really can kill cancer? It’s not what you think!

10 March 2016 (03:53 UTC-07 Tango 01) 20 Esfand 1394/30 Jumada al-Ula 1437/02 Xin Mao (2nd month) 4714

For years there’s been advise for cancer sufferers to drop cows milk and start drinking unpasteurized goat’s milk.  Now a study out of New Zealand says goat’s milk really can fight cancer, and it’s far cheaper and effective that those expensive corporate drugs.

But wait, the Kiwi scientists aren’t talking about natural unpasteurized goat’s milk, but GMOed milk.  They claim their genetically modified goat’s milk produces mono-clonal antibodies (MCA), which are known to fight cancer.  The MCAs can then be extracted and used to make cheap anti-cancer drugs.

MCAs are known to prevent cancerous cells from growing bigger and help your immune system better identify a cancerous cell.  They also starve cancer tumors of oxygen and other nutrients.

This is not the first time goats have been genetically modified, there’s the goats modified to produce BioSteel with spider web proteins.

 

International

Japan intentionally suiciding teenagers? Or just more gross incompetence by officials!

09 March 2016 /18:42 UTC-07 Tango 01 (20 Esfand 1394/30 Jumada al-Ula 1437/02 Xin Mao [2nd month] 4714)

“Our child would never have taken his life if the school’s data management had not been sloppy and the school had not made the mistake.”-Parents of suicide school victim

If the earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear melt downs don’t kill you then Japan’s Jisatsu Junior Highs will!

In Hiroshima Prefecture, a junior high school principal was no pal when he admitted he and his staff’s incompetence might have caused a 15 years old boy to kill himself in December!

Sakamoto Hiroshi, the junior high principal who is no pal of students

The boy thought he was moving on to high school when school administrators denied it on the grounds he was a criminal, and that he wasn’t smart enough for high school entrance exams.  It turns out he was not a criminal, he was being confused for another student, but school A-hole officials didn’t realize it until after the wrongly accused boy committed Jisatsu!

But wait there’s more!  Up until now school A-hole administrators kept the suicide a secret, telling fellow students and parents that the boy died of “heart failure”.  The boy’s father finally went public with the scandal on 08 March 2016.    Now school ‘officials’ say they lied about the suicide at the father’s request!

And what about that accusation of the boy being a criminal?  Turns out it was totally word of mouth, spread from teacher to teacher until one of them officially entered it in the boy’s school computer records.    An investigation after his death revealed the truth, found in the hard copy school records, whom ever entered the data into the computer mixed up the students.

Fukushima

Five Years Later: Court orders shutdown of Japanese nuke reactors!

09 March 2016 (12:49 UTC-07 Tango 01) 19 Esfand 1394/29 Jumada al-Ula 1437/01 Xin Mao (2nd month) 4714

In an unexpected development a Japanese court has agreed with petitioners and ordered the shutdown of Kansai Electric Power Company’s Takahama nuclear power plant, in Fukui Prefecture!

Petitioners argued that the nuclear reactors are unsafe and on the verge of a “major accident”.  The Otsu District Court agreed.  Reactors 3 and 4 were restarted in the past few months, however, reactor 4 shut itself down just three days after startup.  Operators still don’t know why.

The pro-nuke governor of Fukui Prefecture, Nishikawa Issei, called the court order “inconsistent”.

And the national government has admitted failure in trying to find  storage sites for all the nuke waste building up in Fukushima Prefecture.  Their original plan was to pay property owners to store the waste, however, of the 2-thousand 3-hundred property owners approached (in Futaba and Okuma towns) so far only 69 have agreed to the deal.

Business/Economics, Idaho

“no longer economically feasible to continue” Taxpayers spend $5,555 to kill 1 wolf! Covert op to Dumb-U-Down revealed! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 09 March 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

24/7 compiled the top nine retailers shutting down a minimum of 1-hundred stores in the U.S.:  Wolverine World Wide; 1-hundred. Chico’s; 120. Sports Authority; 140. Finnish Line; 150. American Eagle; 150. Walmart; 154. Walgreens; 2-hundred. Children’s Place; 2-hundred. Office Depot; 4-hundred.

Alabama: The saga of the sudden mass FMP owned Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC restaurant shutdowns continues as at least four Ryan’s were suddenly shutdown in as many cities.

California: In San Jose, after 30 years the Silicon Valley Ballet shutting down due to a crash in donation funding.  In the Santa Cruz Mountains, God is powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Christian campsite in San Mateo County Parks Department’s Memorial Park.  It’s due to water supply issues.  The state water regulations concerning the campsite limits how many people can use the site at one time, apparently God’s minions have been overpopulating the camp.  God’s minions tried to build their own water well, but failed (remember, there is a drought): “We have our last group in here now and are closing down Thursday and I’m laying off staff.”-Reverend Larry Rice

Connecticut: In Wallingford, after six years Panacea a Boutique shutting down by the end of the month.

Florida: In Tallahassee, Gold’s Gym shutting down their 26 years old Apalachee Parkway Center operation next week.  The operators admitted that due to competition and increased costs they should’ve shutdown three years ago: “It was a good club for 10 years. And then you could start to feel it through the years that it became harder and harder to make it work.”-Doug Dickinson

Idaho: In Boise, public school officials are finally outing the so-called friend of education J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation for what it really is, a covert effort to Dumb Down Idahoans: “Why would someone want to undermine public education in Idaho? The motive is quite clear. At a recent Downtown Rotary Club meeting, the executive director of the Albertson Foundation stated that the goal of the Foundation is to increase charter school seats by 20,000 in the next few years. That will only happen if Idahoans lose faith in their public schools…..   …..Let’s be clear; this campaign promotes an agenda designed to undermine public schools. It is highly inaccurate. It offers no real solutions to increasing post-secondary readiness. It is a disservice to the work public school teachers, parents, and students do every day.”-Boise School District

Also in Boise,  Blind Bat News readers report that the Maverik convenience store (#175 on 1909 West Boise Avenue and Protest Road) has suddenly shutdown, the fuel pumps have already been removed.   As well as Boise Maverick store #206 (Franklin and Maple Grove)!  

And the Garden City Maverick store #4 on Chinden Boulevard!On the other side of the state, the Rexburg Maverik #169 shutdown by giving away free drinks. Company administrators told EastIdahoNews that they’re shutting down all older convenience stores/fuel stations that need upgrades, because under current economic conditions it’s not worth it.  It’s actually cheaper to build new stores, and they’re hoping to sell-off the old properties to help pay for the new ones!  And while businesses continue to shutdown and public schools flounder for lack of state funding, the state Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $400-thousand USD to fund the killing of wolves.  Last year 72 wolves were killed under the program, if the same amount are killed this year that’ll cost taxpayers $5,555.55 per wolf!  This proves the majority of happy taxpayers are the ‘bitches’ of the extreme minority of farmers and ranchers!

Illinois: Kishwaukee College has decided to eliminate about 24 jobs due to Failed State ‘lawmakers’ failing to come through with funding.  Sycamore School District 427 approved an additional 18 layoffs, on top of the 56 approved last month.  Administrators blame it on a shortfall of $2.3-million USD, partly caused by Failed State ‘lawmakers’ failing to approve state funding.   More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Chicago based internet coupon service Groupon conducting more job culling, this time 25 Breadcrumb employees were let go. Back in August 20 Breadcrumb employees lost their jobs.  News reports say Groupon has now cut in half the number of Breadcrumb employees it once had.  Inside sources say eventually Groupon will shutdown Breadcrumb altogether, despite adamant denials by Groupon administrators.

Iowa: In Cedar Rapids, so much for creating jobs with your donations; Goodwill’s pre-vocational training program and sheltered workshop shutting down due to changes in federal funding.  Yep, that’s right, Goodwill’s job creation is mainly funded with federal taxpayer money, not your donations.

Kentucky: Convergys eliminating up to 1-hundred jobs at their Erlanger call center, due to the loss of a client.

Louisiana: Oil industry company Frank’s International announced it will conduct a third round of layoffs since Spring 2015, no numbers given at this time.  Last year more than 6-hundred employees were laid off, with about 250 in Lafayette.  In Baton Rouge, Xerox State & Local Solutions issued a layoff WARN, 84 jobs lost by May due to “a change in business condition”.

Maryland: The saga of the sudden mass FMP owned Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC restaurant shutdowns continues as the Hagerstown Ryan’s shutdown without warning or paychecks.   Bethesda based tax-sucker Lockheed Martin is pushing 1-thousand employees to suffer “voluntary layoffs”!  Most layoffs will take place in Texas and Georgia.  Administrators say it’s their only way of “staying competitive”, never mind that fact they’ve raped taxpayers for decades over their never ending ‘development’ of the grossly failed F-35 project! The at least 16 years old F-35 project has cost taxpayers $400-billion USD so far!

$400,000 helmet for F-35 pilots

If the Department of Defense finally decides to buy the plane it’ll cost and additional $85-million per plane, and the special helmet for the pilot will cost $400-thousand each!  The F-35 has continually failed to live up to it’s original billing, yet your ‘elected’ government continues to throw your money at it!     It should also be pointed out that Russia boasts that its current fighter aircraft can easily take out the F-35.

Massachusetts:  In Leominster, after 21 years Gear Works Cyclery shutting down by the end of the month.  It’s blamed on increased costs and decreased sales.  Yet again, Chipotle restaurants are being shutdown due to employees getting sick!  This time an employee at their Billerica location got sick with norovirus.

Michigan:  The saga of the sudden mass FMP owned Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC restaurant shutdowns continues as the Battle Creek Old Country Buffet shutdown and is being auctioned off.

Minnesota: After ten years of paying for eye checkups, tutoring and giving teachers grants, non-profit Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation shutting down due to lack of corporate donations.

Missouri: In Maryland Heights, Belgium based Bellevue Pharmacy issued a layoff WARN, 150 jobs lost by May!  The parent company Fagron blames it on ObamaCare for causing crashing reimbursement rates for drugs, to the tune of a $248-million USD crash in 2015! Fagron also warns that if things don’t improve revenue wise, they’ll be forced to sell-off Bellevue Pharmacy.

New Jersey: In Middlesex, Impax Labs shutting down its manufacturing and packaging ops, 213 jobs lost over the next two years! Impax took over the site from CorePharma in 2014.  Impax is consolidating operations among all the competitors it took over in 2014-15.  It was also revealed that Impax is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney General for fraud.

New York: The saga of the sudden mass FMP owned Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC restaurant shutdowns continues as the Amherst Old Country Buffet was suddenly shutdown.

North Carolina:  Rite Aid shutting down their Charlotte distribution center, 270 jobs gone by the end of Spring, following the big trend this year of consolidating operations!

Ohio: Atwood Lake Resort and Golf Club shutting down: “Management informed us it is no longer economically feasible to continue operations due to the current economic state.”-Bob Wirkner, Carroll County Commissioner

Pennsylvania: In Duncannon, the ‘ancient’ Doyle Hotel shutting down in two weeks due to lack of revenues: “With no hikers on the trail during the winter season, the timing of the tax deadlines and mortgage deadlines just hits at the wrong time of year.”-Pat Kelly, co-owner

Texas: In Alvin, Dish Network eliminating 550 call center jobs!  Administrators said the lease was up and it wasn’t worth it to renew.   In Houston, hospitality contractor Compass Group-Eurest issued a WARN, 55 jobs lost by the end of April.  In Cleburne, Caddo Street Grill shutting down, the owners directly blaming the Affordable Care Act: “The Obamacare mandate has effected us in ways that do not effect other local restaurants, due to the various businesses we own. This forces us into an uncompetitive business environment and it is no longer viable for us to continue in the restaurant business.” 

Utah: Maverik shutdown their store #227 in Salt Lake City, claiming new stores are-a-comin’ for the old employees.

Virginia:  In Leesburg, Melodee Music shutting down their 40 years old store by the end of the month.  The owners are focusing on their Sterling shop.   

The saga of the sudden mass FMP owned Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC restaurant shutdowns continues as the Old Country Buffet shutdown without warning or paychecks in Alexandra. Local news reports revealed the so called “asset inventory” is a cover for mass auctioning of kitchen equipment: “Each store contains everything from kitchen equipment and smallwares to furniture and decor. To be able to bid on the entire Alexandria VA Old Country Buffet is an amazing opportunity for anyone in the restaurant business!”-Jose Paz, vulture auction manager

Washington: Georgia based underground utilities “damage prevention” service Locating Incorporated issued a shutdown WARN for their Lakewood ops, 60 jobs lost by May.

Wisconsin: River Hills West Health Center shutting down, 144 jobs lost starting in May!

Wyoming: Maverik shutdown their store #308 in Gillette. (too bad, 308 [aka 7.62mm NATO] is a good caliber)

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

08 March 2016: “It hit me like a brick!”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

WinCo: Conspiracy to destroy California’s economy? Oregonians nit-picky & moronic when it comes to zoning rules? Consumers still don’t get what ’employee owned’ means!

09 March 2016 (00:10 UTC-07 Tango 01) 19 Esfand 1394/29 Jumada al-Ula 1437/01 Xin Mao (2nd month) 4714

In Albany, Oregon, complaints about a new WinCo grocery store violating local zoning rules have been settled simply by changing the name of the type of ornamental windows to be used.  ‘Frosted glass’ has been changed to ‘spandrel glass’, what’s the difference? Nothing!  Even local news reports say the city council considered the terminology “synonymous”.  Everybody knows that frosted glass is opaque.  Here’s the definition of spandrel glass by glass maker PPG: “…spandrel glass is designed to be opaque…”.  This proves my assessment of many Oregonians as being obsessive compulsive about government rules, yet, they still can’t come up with a plan to deal with the approaching catastrophic Cascadia earthquake, 3-hundred years in the making.

By the way it was the anti-employee owned business group known as United Food and Commercial Workers Union that filed the complaint about the ‘frosted glass’!

And it’s possibly unions who’re behind the opposition to a new employee owned and operated WinCo in Mose Lake, Washington.  iFiber reported that United Food and Commercial Workers Union adamantly denies being behind the opposition.  Officially the group trying to prevent the new WinCo from moving in is called A Stronger Moses Lake.  This group’s new official complaint is that the new WinCo would pose a threat to pedestrians and bicyclists due to increased vehicle traffic in the area!  Previously they accused the city of not complying with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process regarding the approval of construction.

A commentator in Durham, California, revealed his ignorance when he used WinCo in an editorial about unAmerican corporate America executives jacking up prices at WinCo to pay for their personal assets: “The CEOs and the bankers can squeeze only so much profit from selling a Chevy or Chantix or a box of Cheerios or a mortgage. If the cash for their third houses and second yachts and political contributions has to come off the top, then they have to pay workers less, charge consumers more. And then the price-tags at Winco go up.“

He obviously doesn’t understand what an employee owned business is.

Staying in California, it’s been revealed that the Sacramento property formerly housing an old Gottshalks, and supposedly to become a WinCo, has suddenly been sold to a company out of Los Angeles for more than $12-million USD.  My research shows WinCo has expressed a desire to move into that property since 2013!

In 2014 EDM Reality bought the property known as Country Club Plaza.  However, recently EDM sold-off the section that was supposed to be the site of a 92-thousand square foot WinCo to LA based Boma.H LLC ( a new REIT created in California in November 2015, keeping busy buying up commercial retail properties).  To make this even stranger I found reports that WinCo actually signed a lease for that property last year!   I also found reports from 2014 opposed to WinCo moving in.

According to KFBK radio “members of an Arden-Arcade community council” will fight WinCo every step of the way.  It makes you wonder, California’s economy is suffering (the Gottshalks space has been vacant sine 2009) and yet there are groups adamantly opposing businesses that want to move in!

New stores for Texas, Washingtonians & Oregonians want WinCo out!

Fukushima

Five Years Later: TEPCo screws up another nuclear reactor, admits it can’t stop the deadly water! Government screws over thousands of survivors!

08 March 2016 (15:15 UTC-07 Tango 01) 18 Esfand 1394/28 Jumada al-Ula 1437/30 Xin Mao 4714

Five years after the ongoing nuclear melt downs at Fukushima Daiichi, another nuclear power plant is in trouble!  Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reported the sudden unexplained movement of a highly explosive nuclear fuel rod!

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, in Nigata Prefecture, is operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company, the same outfit operating Fukushima Daiichi.

Reator 5 of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has 185 explosive fuel rods and during the operation of some valves one of the rods moved out of place.  If rods touch each other, that’s all she wrote man!  TEPCo administrators swear the operation of valves on the reactor should not cause any rods to move.  They say one minute later the rod repositioned itself.  An investigation is underway.

This isn’t the first time Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has been in trouble.  Back in 2007 a transformer exploded and caught fire due to an earthquake, which also released cobalt-60 and chromium-51 into the air.

More proof why you can’t trust TEPCo:  Five years after promising the world that it could handle the nuclear disaster, TEPCo administrators are now going to the government of Fukushima Prefecture for help!  Specifically they’ve admitted to the local government that they can’t handle the ongoing contamination of water, to the tune of 5-hundred tonnes per day!  TEPCo’s Fukushima Daiichi Decommissioning Officer Masuda Naohiro made the revelation during a recent interview with NHK.

And several anniversary reports by NHK (Nippon Housou Kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reveal that thousands of homeless disaster survivors are being screwed over not only by the national government, but by local governments as well.

Several prefectures are forcing survivors out of taxpayer funded temporary housing into non-subsidized permanent housing.  Many surviving families are concerned as they have yet to find permanent jobs and can’t afford to pay rent.  One news reports revealed that disaster survivors are intentionally being shunned by employers! Some prefectures are playing a shell game, shuffling survivors from one housing project to the next, claiming it’s part of a plan to provide them with permanent housing.

Recently the Reconstruction Agency revealed that thousands of people have died, and hundreds of thousands are still in temporary homes.  One of the reasons for so many deaths of survivors is the game that’s being played with their housing, and health administrators warn the ongoing games by government will lead to more deaths by stress.

Business/Economics, Idaho

“It hit me like a brick!” Romney style Vulture capitalist behind sudden shutdown of 166 restaurants, with no paychecks for thousands of employees! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 08 March 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Delaware:  In Newark, God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ British empire based 23 years old Salvation Army Thrift Store (in the Park N Shop plaza).   Obviously money is the true god as the greedy landlord demanded more in rent!

Florida: The saga of the sudden mass Ovation Brands restaurant shutdowns continues. This time reports that several Ryan’s Buffets shutdown without warning, or paychecks for employees, in Horry County. A local news report said as many as 3-hundred restaurants across the U.S. are affected by the sudden bankruptcy!    In Pensacola, after 28 years Dollarhide’s Music Center shutting down, the owners want to retire: “I turned 70, it hit me like a brick!”-Bill Dollarhide, co-owner

Idaho: East of Boise, after 73 years iconic Ben’s Crow Inn shutting down by September.  The owner admitted in the early years all he served was pizza and beer. Now it’s famous for seafood and steak.  The owner also admitted that the ever expanding metro of Boise has jacked up local property values so much that he couldn’t refuse an offer from a greedy property developer.

Illinois: In Naperville, after 3-million customers the 21 years old Zero Gravity Food-Dancing club shutting down mid-month.  Rumors say it’ll be replaced with a bigger operation.

Iowa: The saga of the sudden mass Ovation Brands restaurant shutdowns continues.  This time a Ryan’s in Clive, and an Old Country Buffet in Des Moines shutdown without warning or final paychecks.

Maryland: Allen Harim Foods shutting down their 71 years old Cordova operations, 3-hundred jobs lost as the company consolidates ops to save money!

Massachusetts:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Boston Weak based sports app Fancred now for sale, all employees now unemployed!  It’s blamed on a failed crowd sourcing attempt.  After 47 years Johnny D’s Restaurant Music Club shutting down this weekend.  In Lowell, God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’  108 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Franco American School.  It’s blamed on increasing costs and declining student enrollment.

Michigan: What automotive industry recovery? Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) furloughed more than 3-thousand people at its Sterling Heights factory back in February! They were supposed to be back to work this month, but FCA has extended the furlough ’till April! FCA is ending production of its slow selling Chrysler 200.

Minnesota: God powerless to stop ‘his’ 70 years old mega-church North Heights Lutheran from shutdown. Local news reports say it’s due to a “civil war” inside the church!  Traverse City Area Public Schools shutting down the Interlochen Community School and the International School at Bertha Vos, blaming a $1.2-million USD shortfall.  Administrators will also not replace retiring employees (attrition) and reduce school bus service.

Nebraska: Schweser’s shutting down their 87 years old store (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) in Columbus, by this weekend.  Last year the Fremont based clothing retailer announced it would begin shutting down stores due to “…a dropoff in sales…over the past 3-4 years…We can come up with many excuses from the rise of internet shopping, reduced trips to physical stores, or changing demographics, but whatever the reason, we have not been able to overcome them quickly enough in some towns. Our expenses continue to rise….”

Pennsylvania: Joy Global Underground Mining conducted mass layoffs in Venango County, 382 jobs gone!  In Fredericksburg, after 28 years ‘natural’ food store The Pantry Self shutting down due to the death of the owner.  The saga of the sudden mass Ovation Brands restaurant shutdowns continues. This time the Old Country Buffet in Summit Township suddenly shutdown, claiming it was for “asset inventory” and asking employees to return on Wednesday for an update.  Non-profit Historic Philadelphia Center shutting down, the bad economy is forcing the non-profit operator to focus on more popular Historic Philadelphia sites.

South Carolina:  The saga of the sudden mass Ovation Brands restaurant shutdowns continues. This time six Ryan’s restaurants (in Columbia, Conway, Greer, Orangeburg, Spartanburg and Surfside Beach) suddenly shutdown, no warning, no paychecks for hundreds of employees! Local news reports say this is the third bankruptcy for Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC since 2008!  Nation’s Restaurant News reports that 92 restaurants across the country were shutdown over the weekend without warning! That’s on top of 74 restaurants shutdown last month, for a total of 166 in the past five weeks!  Not only did they shutdown the restaurants without warning, but they quickly removed cooking equipment and hauled it away (this must be what they mean by “conducting asset inventory”)!  Ovation Brands/Buffet LLC was taken over last year by Texas based FMP (Food Management Partners).   In the bankruptcy filing FMP claims their take over of Ovation Brands was a big money losing mistake as sales immediately crashed by 22%!  Nation’s Restaurant News discovered that FMP is a Mitt Romney-Bain Capital style vulture capitalist group that is responsible for the sudden shutdown of California based Catalina Restaurant Group’s Coco’s Bakery and Carrows restaurants last year!  “FMP has also acquired Don Pablo’s, Furr’s Fresh Buffet and Zio’s Italian Kitchen.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

Profiteering corporations avoid taxes! Mo massive restaurant shutdowns & no final paychecks! Healthcare provider kills shopping mall! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 March 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence only 28 corporations made 50% of all profits in the U.S. in 2015, and 27 avoided paying U.S. taxes due to pro-corporation tax laws! The 28 profit stealers are: Apple, Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase, Warren Buffett’s job killing Berkshire Hathaway, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo, drugs maker Gilead Sciences, Verizon Communications, Too Big to Jail Citigroup, Alphabet-Google, despite low oil prices Exxon Mobil, Too Big To Jail Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart (who recently announced mass store shutdowns and layoffs), AT&T, IBM, Intel,  Microsoft, Cisco Systems, General Motors (GM), Oracle, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Comcast, Dow Chemical, American Airlines, United Technologies, Ford Motor,  Coca-Cola, and United Continental.

Alabama: In Huntsville, the now shuttered non-profit Sci-Quest museum is officially chapter 7 bankrupt busted.

California: The once Sears Holdings owned Orchard Supply Hardware shutting down their stores in Watsonville and Folsom.  The Watsonville store is apparently being kicked out by the landlord, who wants them out by January 2017, 40 jobs lost.  The Folsom store will shutdown during Summer.  These shutdowns come after Orchard Supply donated $5-thousand USD to the McClellan Ranch Preserve, and revealed they’ve been building new stores.  In Watsonville, the owner of the Crossroads shopping center served eight tenants with eviction notices! Yep, it’s the same landlord that’s kicking out the Orchard Supply store.  The eight mom-n-pop tenants being kicked out in the next 30 days are Crossroads Books, Arcadia Hair Salon, Wild Rose Artists’ Supplies & Custom Framing, Jansen Music, The Gamer’s Den, Queen’s Shoes & More, Trop-Aquarium & Pet Center and Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Some of the tenants have been there for the past 22 years!  You can blame this on the  Crossroads property owner signing a more lucrative deal to allow healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente to move in.  City administrators are pissed at the uncouth healthcare provider and greedy property owner, who gave no warning of the deal: “It’s not a good way for them to come into the community, by kicking out eight businesses with eviction notices. I am going to make sure they know that the mayor is opposed to the 30-day eviction…..!”-Felipe Hernandez, mayor

Connecticut:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise;  Hartford based healthcare provider Aetna eliminated 26 jobs with its iTriage App in Colorado.  Aetna then announced plans to merge iTriage App with WellMatch App.  No word on how many more IT jobs will be lost.

Florida: In Miami, food service contractor Boykin Management issued a mass layoff WARN, 119 jobs lost by May!

Illinois:  In Chicago, after two years critically acclaimed restaurant Tete Charcuterie shutdown without warning over the weekend, due to lack of sales.  In Frankfort, Burger King shutdown their Town Center location without explanation.

Michigan: What construction industry recovery? Germany based WKW Roof Rail Systems shutting down their Battle Creek factory, 130 jobs eliminated to “reduce costs and improve competitiveness”!

Minnesota: State Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that in 2015 The North Star State lost 1-thousand 990 mining jobs!  And in what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL), another 4-thousand 7-hundred suppliers and contractors lost their jobs as a result!  Employment administrators also admitted that not all those who lost their jobs registered with the  Department of Employment and Economic Development (one reason why official unemployment rate is down).

Missouri: In Saint Louis, Peabody Energy revealed it eliminated more jobs, but would not say how many.  Reports say creditors are pushing for bankruptcy.

New York: In NYC, after five years Team Gallery shutting down its space on Wooster Street due to the greedy landlord wanting to double the rent to $50-thousand USD per month!

Pennsylvania: In Wilkes-Barre Township, two Old Country Buffet restaurants shutdown without warning, leaving almost 1-hundred people without a job or a paycheck!  It’s connected to the sudden bankruptcy of Ovation Brands (see South Carolina below).  Weis Markets shutting down its 56 years old Manchester Township grocery store by the end of the month, claiming it’s too small: “Given the age and size of the building, it was no longer possible to operate a full service supermarket in this location.” 

   

South Carolina: Greer based restaurant operator Ovation Brands (formerly known as Buffets) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, affecting restaurants Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Ryan’s, Ryan’s Family Steakhouse, Granny’s, Tahoe Joe’s, Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse, Soup ‘N Salad Unlimited, Roadhouse Grill and J.J. North’s Grand Buffet.  Already local news reports say 74 restaurants have been shutdown across the U.S. without warning.  Two Ryan’s restaurants suddenly shutdown in Upstate South Carolina leaving 80 people without a job or paycheck!  (a warning shutdown took place in Moline, Illinois, the day before)

Texas: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise; in Austin after moving into new HQ, 10 years old internet based wholesaler network Bazaarvoice announced it will eliminate 50 jobs in order to remain successful “…in the coming year and for many years to come.”  Invista Victoria issued a WARN, 50 jobs lost by May.  What automotive industry recovery? In Grapevine, Standard Motor Products issued a WARN, 93 jobs lost by the end of April. In El Paso, Bruce Foods shutting down, 171 jobs lost by May!  The Forever 21 clothing store in Dallas shutting down, 68 jobs lost by the end of April.  San Antonio based Palmaz Scientific now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to being “…seriously impaired by a negative campaign of false information disseminated by certain individuals about the company. Litigation involving these false charges was brought by and against the company in 2015.”

Washington: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high tech for your demise;  Redmond based Microsoft announced it will shutdown two game development studios, one in United Kingdom the other in Denmark.  In Bellingham, Albertsons-Safeway shutting down their 56 years old store on Birchwood Avenue, 66 jobs lost by May.

Wisconsin: In New Berlin junk food maker Mexican Accent issued a WARN, 155 jobs lost by the end of April!   In Yorkville, Publications International eliminating 50 jobs by April.  In Watertown, Eaton Corporation eliminating 91 jobs starting in June.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

05-06 March 2016: “We don’t pay well!”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

International

The Good, Bad, Ugly: Even in the non-human animal world you gotta be Kawaii to be loved!

07 March 2016 (13:37 UTC-07 Tango 01) 17 Esfand 1394/27 Jumada al-Ula 1437/29 Xin Mao 4714

“…how many species of native bats and rodents we have….We know so little about them…..But everyone knows what a koala and kangaroo looks like.”-Trish Fleming, Murdoch University

A new study from the British empire’s Land Down Under reveals extreme bias when it comes to studying, and even saving, the Earths non-human animals: Even biologists and philanthropists avoid the ugly ones!

THE GOOD:  

“Since European settlement (in Australia) we have lost about 20 species of mammals, we have about another 20 odd in grave danger of extinction. I think it would be tragic if we ended up causing the extinction of even more without even knowing anything about them.”-Bill Bateman, Curtin University

In another proof that there is such a thing as Uglyism, researchers discovered that the people who fund scientific and conservation research avoid ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ animals.  Yes, with all that hype about “saving the planet” animal saving charities actually ignore the ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ ones! Discrimination!

THE BAD: 

The study is to be published this week in the Mammal Review.  Researchers discovered that Uglyism makes up the majority of beings on planet Earth (45% of animals reviewed in the study are considered ugly).

THE UGLY:

Perhaps that’s why Kawaii is so popular, cuteness in nature turns out to be a rarity.  But be warned, too much Kawaii from Japan will make you wanna beat those giggly-jiggly-overly-optimistic-beings with an ugly stick!

KAWAII (no, I don’t think so):  

 

U.S.

Gun Ban Failure: UnConstitutional NYC laws fail to stop attack on cops!

07 March 2016 (05:06 UTC-07 Tango 01) 17 Esfand 1394/27 Jumada al-Ula 1437/29 Xin Mao 4714

The near total ban on guns in the Failed State of New York City failed to stop a man from attacking people, with a knife and with fire!

When the smoke cleared one man was stabbed dead, a homeless man burned, a woman stabbed in the neck and face, and two cops set on fire!  The 23 years old is now in jail after police shot him in the legs.  This proves you need to carry a gun, it was the only way the cops were able to stop the fire-starter.

Gun Ban Failure: Yet more mass stabbings of children in total gun ban China!