Tag Archives: ows

International, U.S.

Ebola Update, 02 November 2014: “We had hoped this wouldn’t happen” Oregon 1st case? China joins Obama, sends in the troops! Korea quarantines everybody! New threat, Mosquitos! This is good for business?

Canada: The British empire’s Great White North joins a growing list of countries banning travelers from ebola hot zone countries.

China: In another move to prove the ‘western’ critics (like the Obama regime) wrong, government officials have now pledged unlimited material and money for the fight against ebola filovirus in western Africa!

Chinese officials are joining with the Obama regime, deciding that this new version of EVD is a matter of national security, and is now sending combat troops to Africa!  To show how tight the cooperation is, the People’s Liberation Army is following the lead of the U.S. Department of Defense and is creating special medical martial law teams (some members have experience fighting SARS), similar to Obama’s Operation United Assistance order.  (see Ghana, below)

Chinese manufacturers of hazmat suits are reporting skyrocketing sales as a result of the ebola scare.

Cuba: U.S. officials attended anti-ebola meetings in Cuba.  Despite the Caribbean country’s world leading healthcare track record (and the fact that no Cuban healthcare worker has yet to get infected with EVD) many U.S. republicans blasted the Obama regime for joining up with Cuban health officials.

Cuba recently hosted an anti-ebola meeting for the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas-Commercial Treaty of the Peoples (ALBA-TCP).  UN officials were there and commended not only Cuba, but Venezuela as well: “I urge countries in the region and around the world to follow the lead of Cuba and Venezuela, who have set a commendable example with their rapid response in support of efforts to contain Ebola. Cuba’s proud tradition of training doctors from developing countries has also helped improve medical care around the world.”-David Nabarro, UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Ebola

Another UN official blamed the United States for bringing ebola to the ‘New World’: “You are absolutely doing the right thing. You want to step up your level of preparedness.  Last month, the Ebola virus moved to your region, to the United States.  Any country with an international airport is theoretically at risk of an imported case of ebola.”-Margaret Chan, UN World Health Organization

European Union: The British empire’s United Kingdom Disasters Emergency Committee announced they are shocked by the overwhelming amount of donations flooding in to help fight EVD. So far $5-million USD was raised in just two days! The U.K. government promised to match (with taxpayer funds) up to $7.5-million that came by way of donations.

Of course a lot of the money will be spent on the U.K.’s hazmat supply industries.

France is now taking care of a United Nations employee infected with ebola.  The ’employee’ got infected while in Sierra Leone.  The UN is refusing to give out anymore details.

An Italian man was fined almost $2-thousand USD for a “sick joke” he made about ebola, while on an airliner flying to Ireland.  The man wrote Warning Ebola on the lid of a coffee cup he was sharing with his daughter.  I think the fine is a ‘sick joke’.  Court records show no other passengers saw the coffee cup lid!  An airline employee saw the lid after it was thrown in the trash.  However, prosecutors likened the joke to a terrorist writing a note saying there was a bomb on the plane, even though in this case the note was never shown to anybody other than the jokesters themselves!

Ghana: Not only has China agreed to join Obama’s Operation United Assistance, but the People’s Liberation Army Air Force is using the same U.S. airbase in the western African country of Ghana.  Chinese cargo planes recently off-loaded Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), sprayers, body temperature detectors and body bags.  Ghana has yet to have any ebola cases, but is being used as a distribution point by the U.S. and China for those countries that do.

Guinea: A Cuban fighting ebola in the western African country has died, but not from the filovirus. He died from protozoans that cause malaria.

Jamaica: The Caribbean country has recently hired a couple of Cuban healthcare personnel to oversea anti-ebola training for Jamaican healthcare workers.

Japan: An NHK report said Japan’s healthcare system is not ready for an ebola outbreak.  A health official also said the health systems of countries around the World are not ready: “The Japanese government has tightened its border controls. But the root of the problem lies in West African countries. Japan and the rest of the international community should support these countries in two ways: One is to take countermeasures against ebola and the second is to build better healthcare systems for the future.”-Omi Shigeru, Japan Community Healthcare Organization

Korea (DPRK): The ebola threat has scared the leaders in the north so much that they now require 21 days of quarantine for anybody entering the country, regardless of where they’re coming from!  The news was reported by China’s Ministry of Commerce, saying the DPRK had notified them of the new policy.

Liberia: There are reports that the government healthcare system has collapsed. The western African country is now being hit with a malaria outbreak, and NGOs and charities are trying to take up the slack caused by the failed government system.  Mosquitos are rampant, and if they can spread a blood-borne disease like malaria then why not ebola?

In the former U.S. colony, survivors of ebola are being used to care for new victims, but only for three months.  Supposedly a survivor is immune to EVD for a short time of only three months.   However, doctors say the many survivors stick around treatment centers for the three months because they are no longer welcome by their fellow villagers.

A recent claim by the UN World Health Organization, that ebola cases are decreasing, has been shown to be a lie.  The United Nations admits the true reason why their ‘numbers’ are down is because they can’t get to all the clinics or villages, impeding their ability to do an accurate body count!  After all, the UN also says the death toll in Liberia is not decreasing.

Liberian Christian leaders say ebola is God’s punishment for homosexuals.  Isn’t that what Christian leaders said about AIDS?   The Liberian Christians are now using the UN WHO claim that cases are decreasing as proof of God’s “forgiveness”!

A Christian charity estimates that in the capital city of Monrovia they are trying to help at least 157 children now orphaned due to ebola.   Another charity reports they are dealing with 500 ebola orphans.  There are dozens of charities, each working with hundreds of ebola orphans in the Greater Monrovia Area.

Sierra Leone:  Officials are accusing Canada of racism for banning all travelers from the western African country (which is also a former British empire colony).

United States: “We had hoped this wouldn’t happen, We’ve done a lot of work to prepare for an Ebola case.”-Dave Underriner, Providence Health & Services

In the Pacific Coast state of Oregon, a woman visiting from Liberia is now in home quarantine.  She was self monitoring when she noticed a spike in her temp.  She was released from the hospital, into the care of a family who will keep her under quarantine until blood tests results are in.  Officials say the woman claims she hasn’t come into contact with anybody infected.

REVOLUTION IN BURKINA FASO…..IS THIS ABOUT EBOLA, OR THE OIL?

Update, 27 October 2014

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis, April 2014: “…it is clear that the current business environment….cannot be successful.”

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of April, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Alabama: In Florence, Hillshire Brands announced they will shutdown their sausage factory in December, 11-hundred jobs lost just in time for Xmas! It’s blamed on skyrocketing meat prices.  In Dothan, Wayne Farms kills 560 jobs! The poultry processing company made a deal with its largest customer to supply chicken without deboning it. Turns out the number of people it takes to debone chicken made up more than half its employees!

Arizona: In Tucson, after 55 years Fruit Land Market shutdown. The property owners kicked out the Market owners, so they could sell the land to speculators.

California: In Los Angeles, Contessa Foods failed to file a proper WARN. According to state employment officials the food packager notified the state of a massive layoff the day after it killed 239 jobs! The company shutdown without warning.   In Antioch, Stonyfield Farm laid off 58 employees.  In Bell Gardens, McDonald’s shutdown, 69 jobs lost. In Cudahy, McDonald’s shutdown, 49 jobs lost. In Los Alamitos, McDonald’s shutdown, 90 jobs lost.  In Del Mar, after 46 years Pannikin Coffee & Tea shutdown, the owner blames the landlord: “We’ve been here a long time and we just couldn’t come to an agreement with the mall management on a fair rent so we didn’t renew our lease.”-Shawn Holder

Colorado:  In Delta, Dean Foods announced they must shutdown their Meadow Gold Milk plant, 38 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the lost of a major grocery store customer.

Connecticut:  In New Canaan, after 21 years Forest Street Deli shutdown. The deli owner blames the property owner, who sold the property out from under his feet!

Florida: In Boca Raton, after only nine months 101 Cantina bar shutdown. It’s blamed on constant confrontations between college students and police.

Georgia: In Newnan, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown their Colonial Bread Store. The wimp-ass company officials delegated the authority of making the announcement to the store’s cashier!  In Savannah, after ten years Paula Deen’s Uncle Bubba’s Seafood & Oyster House shutdown without notice. It’s blamed on a racism lawsuit brought by a former employee, however, the lawsuit was “dismissed with prejudice and without any award of costs or fees” by the court. Despite that, being called a racist in the United States is worse than being called a terrorist, so down goes the Deen empire. Employees of the restaurant found out when they showed up for work and witnessed everything inside the restaurant being taken away.

Hawaii: In Maui, after more than 20 years Stella Blues Cafe shutdown. The restaurant owner stated that his landlord could no longer cut him a break on the rent.

Illinois: Kraft Foods announced they are killing 285 jobs! Most of those jobs will be in-house trucking jobs, which will now be contracted out.  In Evergreen Park, after 60 years Snackville Junction shutdown. The eatery’s signature was delivering your food on model train cars along a railroad track: “Unfortunately our last days are ahead…..We hope that somewhere somehow the Snackville Junction choo-choo will return…”-Facebook posting

In Urbana, maker of plastic eating utensils Dart Container Company laid off 36 employees.  In Champaign, after less than two years Prairie Fire restaurant shutdown without notice: “If we had days like Sunday every day, we’d still be open. But you will not be a success if your biggest day of the week is Sunday……No more ventures for me!”-Dave Block, burned out restaurant investor

Iowa:  In Beardstown, after more than 30 years IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) hometown grocery store shutdown, 27 jobs lost: “You know Walmart came to Beardstown about five years ago and the business climate, at least for us, has declined because of that big box store. It’s just deteriorated to the point that it’s not profitable to keep the store open.”-Steve Kremer, owner

Kansas:  In Leawood, after 25 years Hy-Vee grocery store announced it will shutdown in June. Company officials said the store needed $4-million+ in remodeling but the city council actually passed ruling that forces them to shutdown: “In light of the city of Leawood’s recently passed moratorium on new development along the 135th corridor, it is clear that the current business environment in Leawood is one in which Hy-Vee cannot be successful. Two attempts to find a solution acceptable to both parties –one that allows us to continue serving our customers with the products, services and amenities that they deserve and expect — have been resisted by city officials. The first was in May 2013, when we attempted to remodel the store at its current location, and now, our most recent application to build a new store at the corner of 135th Street and Roe Avenue. Because lack of city support prevents us from providing customers with the best shopping experience we have to offer, we will be closing….”

In Lawrence, after 37 years Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse shutdown: “…the restaurant market in Lawrence is fully saturated.”-Bob Schumm, founder

Kentucky: In Louisville, after only 18 months the relish restaurant shutdown without notice. The owner blamed the small fire safety dictated maximum seating capacity, saying serving a maximum of 53 people at a time wasn’t enough to pay even for overhead.  In Dover, the last grocery store in town shutdown! After more than 45 years Don’s Place (home to the Rock-n-Roll liars bench) closed for good. The owner is going blind, and nobody wants to take over the business.  In Paducah, The Pasta House Italian Restaurant shut down without notice: “…I am unable to continue. Please pray for me, my family and my employees.”-statement posted to front door

Michigan: In Keego Harbor, Jeremy Restaurant & Bar shutting down in May. But this is a success story! The owner said he made so much money that he is going to open an even bigger restaurant.    In Wyoming, after more than 35 years Gordy’s Market & Deli grocery store shutting down in May. 18 family-like employees now unemployed. The owner blames the new Walmart that’s about to open down the street from his store.

Minnesota:  In Mankato, after 33 years Mexican Village restaurant announced it will shutdown in May.  Upscale Fresh Seasons Market grocery store shutdown two stores, one in Victoria and one in Minnetonka. The arrogant owner admitted there isn’t enough rich people to make their format work: “The idea was that it was supposed to be an upscale market, to be able to offer fresh goods and unique ingredients to people and this great shopping experience. We didn’t get a big draw.”-Tom Wartman

Mississippi: In Pontotoc, Southern Quality Meats announced they will shutdown in June, 110 jobs lost! Operations are being consolidated to Alabama.  Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In 2004 it was named one of the fastest growing businesses in the Magnolia State. Company officials say sales are not the issue, but necessary daily operating capital from debt financing is being cut off, so they’ve been forced to file bankruptcy by the Too Big to Jail banks.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, a Schnuck Markets grocery store shutting down in May. Company officials said it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease, and they will try to find jobs for the 65 employees.  In Saint Louis, after 53 years property speculators killed the Majestic Restaurant and Bar.

New Jersey: In Medford, Murphy’s Market shutdown a 17 years old grocery store. Company officials blamed the greedy property owner: “After great expense and effort it comes with much heartache, we as a company, were unable to reach a reasonable agreement with the building’s landlord.”

New York:  After ten years the Beast Bar shutdown.

North Carolina: In Gaston, after 42 years Mr. T’s Place restaurant shutting down in May. The owners are demanding to know when the economic recovery is going to take place! In Hendersonville, after 18 years Cypress Cellar restaurant shutdown. The owner said it’s no longer worth the amount of time she puts into the business.

Ohio:  In Riverside, Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant shutdown without notice. Company officials blamed the property owner for jacking up the rent. They also shutdown a restaurant in Urbana in December. In 2008 Ohio based Ponderosa and Texas based Bonanza restaurants merged (controlled by Homestyle Dining).   In Mason, after 24 years Bob Evans Restaurant shutdown. The corporation is remodeling all Bob Evans restaurants, but a survey of the Mason store revealed it was too old and too costly to remodel so they decided to shut it down. Company officials claim they’ve found jobs for the 40 employees.

Pennsylvania:  In Pittsburgh, Wall Street wunderkind Warren Buffet killed more Heinz jobs. 775 people have been offered buyouts! Reports say the offer is being made to other Heinz operations. Local biased Pennsylvania news media failed to point out that Heinz is now co-owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. They only mentioned Brazil’s 3G Capital. Hey Pennsylvania news media, why didn’t you mention Warren Buffet’s involvement? By the way, the June 2013 takeover of Heinz by 3G and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway resulted in an instant killing of 600 U.S. and Canadian jobs, followed by the announcement of several food factory shutdowns and hundreds of more layoffs for the 1st quarter of 2014!   In Intercourse, after who knows how long the iconic W.L. Zimmerman & Sons grocery store shutdown. The store was used in the movie Witness. The owner, Kristine Shirk, blames the bad economy saying “there wasn’t enough margin to work with any more.”

Tennessee:  In Hixson, Nana’s Frozen Custard brick & mortar store shutdown, now for sale. They’ve switched to a mobile truck frozen custard shop. The award winning owners blamed the suck ass economy: “High fixed costs and lower revenue make the current business model unworkable. Our re-opening day sales were disappointing, down approximately 25% as compared to the same date last year.”

Texas: In Houston, after 15 years Dirk’s Coffee (aka Diedrich Coffee) shutdown without notice.

Virginia:   In Lightfoot, after 40 years The Candy Store shutdown.

Washington: In Kelso, after only nine years Chuck E Cheese pizza place shutdown. Company officials said it was a “strategic decision”, meaning the economy sucks. In Seattle, after 25 years Maple Leaf Grill announced it will shutdown in May.

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 – 29 August 2014: “We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people…” Angry Christian God raptures people & money, killing more jobs? More housing market implosion!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: What housing market recovery?  British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International says land sales in Phoenix have crashed 40% in the first half of 2014!

California: Yet another video game company killing jobs.  In San Francisco, CCP Games shutdown an office and laid off at least two executives (although CCP swears the execs voluntarily quit).  Los Angeles International airport (LAX), Menzies Aviation warned it will kill 65 jobs in November.   In San Diego, Stingaree nightclub warned it will shutdown in November, 111 jobs lost!  Owners claim it’s only temporarily, for six months of renovations.  In Mountain View, tech company Symantec laid off another two employees.  In Laguna Beach, The House of Big Fish and Ice warned it will shutdown by the end of October, 58 jobs lost.

Connecticut: In Norwalk ,  after 29 years the Appliance Servicecenter shutdown.  The owner is losing his eyesight.

Florida: In Orlando, Too Big to Jail SunBank shutting down their fraud call center, killing 105 jobs by the end of October!  After 81 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Pearl Artist & Craft Supply shutdown.  The store went bankrupt busted and never recovered.

Illinois: In River North, after only two years the Tavernita restaurant shutdown, without notice.  The owners lost their booze license, and allegedly owe hundreds of thousands in unpaid taxes, although restaurant reps claim the taxes were paid.  In Streeterville, after a year of promises ‘organic’ grocery store Mrs Green’s Natural Market canceled plans to open a new store.  Company officials blamed the bad economy for “timing and logistical” problems.

Iowa: After 57 years God refuses to stop the Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church from shutting down.  It’s now for sale, the pastor blaming the rapture of people and money: “…we’ve run out of money. We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people at the same time.”-Gregory Cluts

Kansas: In Hesston, maker of farming equipment AGCO laid off 24 factory workers and cut the hours for everybody else.  It’s blamed on crashing sales. Company officials warned that more layoffs will be forthcoming.  Union officials believe 80 more workers will become unemployed.

Maine: In Bangor, God refuses to stop the Christian Life Academy Daycare from shutting down.  The church pastor blames crashing donations: “We have cut everywhere we can cut, we are heartbroken that the daycare has to close too.”-Russ Hewett

Michigan: What housing market recovery?   British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International shutdown their Detroit office.  Company officials blame it on the loss of their brokers.

Montana: In Columbia Falls, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber laid off ten sawmill employees.   It’s blamed on a federal court ruling that says no logging can be done in ‘protected’ grizzly bear habitat.

Nebraska: In Grand Island, farm equipment maker CNH Industrial America announced it will kill 238 jobs by November! They blame crashing sales.

Nevada: In Reno, Morrison University warned it will shutdown after the 2014-15 school year!  It’s due to the allegedly criminal actions of the owner, Anthem Education.  To make things worse for the students, they were told the university’s transfer credits are no longer recognized!

New York:  What housing market recovery? In Brooklyn, pre-fab building maker FC + Skanska Modular warned they are shutting down in October due to a lost contract, 157 jobs lost!  In Salamanca, a Parkview Supermarket grocery store shutting down in December, 72 jobs lost in time for Xmas.

Pennsylvania: Atlantic County lost 36-hundred jobs in July!

Tennessee: Memphis based Fred’s Super Dollar announced they will shutdown 70 stores by the end of 2014, hundreds of jobs lost!  Company officials said it’s their way of raising cash to buy up pharmacies!

Wisconsin: Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) shutting down their print and mail ops, 32 jobs lost.

26-27 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Opinion

U.S. Myths Busted: The Right to Vote, Supreme Court declares it unConstitutional? Use it before you lose it! 4.1-million U.S. territorial residents already have lost it!

01 November 2014 (04:35 UTC-07 Tango)/08 Muharram 1436/10 Aban 1393/09 Yi-Hai 4712

How many times have you heard civil rights groups say we have a “fundamental right to vote”?   I’ve even heard political science professors claim there is a U.S. Constitutional right to vote.

In a classic example of ignorance of their own federal United States Constitution the overwhelming majority of U.S. citizens believe they have a right to vote.  But wait, I checked the Bill of Rights (the first ten inalienable Rights in the U.S. Constitution) and there is no mention of any ‘right’ to vote!

Mention of a “right to vote” is only found in revokable amendments, I believe starting with Amendment 15.  This is key, the first ten “inalienable” Rights are not revokable (a right that cannot be taken away, denied, or transferred), this is what makes them true Rights.  Supposedly it would take a meeting of a ‘Continental Congress’ to write a completely new Bill of Rights in order to revoke the one we have (there are ‘western’ countries out there that change their constitutions every freaking year! And never mind that your ‘elected’ officials and the Supreme Court has circumvented the Bill of Rights many times).   All other amendments starting with number 11 are revokable at anytime, and in regards to the ‘right’ to vote the U.S. Supreme Court did just that in 2013.

In 2013, the U.S. Supreme court declared the federal 1965 Voting Rights Act to be “unconstitutional”!  But that’s my point, since the end of the War between the States, there have been several revokable amendments regarding the privilege of voting (even though it’s referred to as a ‘right’ in the amendments).  If there was an inalienable right to vote why are there so many revokable additions to that ‘right’?  These federal amendments do not actually create a federal right to vote, but are focused on making sure that each state that allows voting does so without discrimination.

Yes, the Bill of Rights makes no mention of any right to vote, all other ‘rights’ are delegated to the member states to decide.  The history of the U.S. states and voting is convoluted, many states granted the privilege to vote to women and former slaves, only to revoke those ‘rights’ just a few years later.

Prior to the middle 20th century many former slaves who were granted the privilege of voting were counted as only three fifths human.  Many former pro-slave states required that former slaves had to prove literacy before they could vote, of course most couldn’t read.  States got away with this because there is no federal right to vote!

Current state level voter ID laws do not violate any federal right to vote because there is no federal right to vote.  The only way voter ID laws can be challenged is if they are proven to violate the revokable federal anti-discrimination amendments.

Here’s a history of revokable federal voting laws, and U.S. states granting and/or revoking the privilege of voting:

1776: The majority of the original 13 states limited the ‘right’ to vote to only ‘white’ landowning men.  After all, the Bill of Rights does not dictate a ‘right’ to vote.

1787: The federal government officially delegates the decision to grant the privilege to vote to the states.

1789: Elitist George Washington elected by only 6% of the population!

1848: Former Mexican citizens now living in the territory captured by the United States (during the Mexican American War) are denied the privilege to vote!

1856: The states ratify a new law giving all ‘white’ men, regardless of income, the privilege to vote!

1868-1870: Federal 14th & 15th amendments passed to give former male slaves the privilege of voting, however many states create restrictions such as their vote counts as only three fifths that of a ‘white’ man, they must prove literacy and even pay a tax to vote!

1876: U.S. Supreme Court denies the privilege of voting to Native Americans!

1887: New federal law (Dawes Act) allows Native Americans the privilege to vote, if they officially deny their heritage!

1890: The Indian Naturalization Act adds the additional requirement of ‘becoming’ a U.S. citizen before Native Americans can vote!

1919: Native Americans who serve in the U.S. military can apply for citizenship.

1922: U.S. Supreme Court denies U.S. residents of Japanese heritage the ability to become citizens, thus denying them the privilege to vote!  (this also shows you that the Japanese living in the United States and placed into U.S. concentration camps during World War 2 were never considered ‘Japanese Americans’, but alien immigrants)

1923: U.S. Supreme Court denies Indians (from India) the ability to become U.S. citizens, thus denying them the ability to vote!

1924: Federal government allows Native Americans to become citizens, however many states still refuse them the privilege of voting.

1947: A lawsuit brought by a Native American (and ex-Marine) forces states to allow American Aborigines to vote!

1952: People with Asian ancestry are allowed to become U.S. citizens, and vote!

1964: Revokable 24th Amendment passes barring the charging of voting taxes, in federal elections.

1965: Federal Voting Rights Act passed.

1971: Voting age dropped to 18.  This is the result of public protests pointing out that a male who turns 18 years of age is considered an adult and is drafted against their will to fight in Vietnam, yet they were not allowed to vote!

1993: Federal Voter Registration Act passed.  The intent is to make registration easier for “eligible” citizens.  Note that the key word used is “eligible”, revealing that not every U.S. citizen has the ‘right’ to vote, proving my point that it’s a privilege.  Many U.S. states deny the privilege of voting to citizens convicted of felonies.

2000: A federal court revokes the ‘right’ of people living in U.S. territories (like Guam & Puerto Rico) to vote for U.S. president, even if they are full fledged U.S. citizens!  This court decision came one month before federal elections, and affects at least 4.1-million residents living in the Territories!

2013: U.S. Supreme Court declares parts of 1965 Voting Rights Act to be “unconstitutional”!

Alaska U.S. Territory: 1913, grants women the privilege of voting.

Alabama: 1929, ‘Black’ women are beaten by ‘white’ election officials for trying to vote.

Arizona: 1912, grants women the privilege of voting.

California: 1911, grants women the privilege of voting.

Colorado: 1893, grants women the privilege of voting.

Idaho: 1896, grants women the privilege of voting.  The Constitution of Idaho states in Article 1 “RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE GUARANTEED.”   But then in Article 6 states “The legislature may prescribe qualifications, limitations, and conditions for the right of suffrage…”  One of those rules is 34-435 which states “…the county clerk shall immediately cancel the registration of any elector who did not vote at any primary or general election in the past four (4) years.”  Vote recounts are rare in The Gem State because Idaho law requires those who are challenging the count to pay for the recount.   This explains the ‘dynastic’ political families and entrenched political parties in the state.

Illinois: 1913, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Indiana: 1917, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Iowa: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Kentucky: 1837, grants women the privilege of voting but only in local school district elections (although not all cities allow it).  1902, revokes the privilege of women voting in school district elections.   1912, grants women restricted voting privilege in local school district elections.

Kansas: 1861, grants women the privilege of voting but only in local school district elections. 1912, grants women the privilege of voting.

Maine: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Michigan: 1918, grants women the privilege of voting.

Minnesota: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Missouri: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Montana U.S. Territory: 1914, grants women the privilege of voting.

Nebraska: 1917, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

New Jersey: 1776, granted the privilege of voting to women who had a minimum of $250 to their name.  1807, revoked the privilege of voting from women.

New York: 1917, grants women the privilege of voting.

Nevada: 1914, grants women the privilege of voting.

North Dakota: 1917, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Ohio: 1894, grants women the privilege of voting but only in local school district elections.  1917, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Oklahoma: 1918, grants women the privilege of voting.

Philippine U.S. Territory: 1925, Filipinos must serve three years military service before becoming citizens and being able to vote!

Puerto Rico U.S. Territory: 1929, grants women the privilege of voting.

Oregon: 1912, grants women the privilege of voting.

Rhode Island: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

South Dakota: 1918, grants women the privilege of voting.

Tennessee: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Utah U.S. Territory: 1870, grants women the privilege of voting.

Washington U.S. Territory: 1910, grants women the privilege of voting.

Washington DC: 1961, residents of the U.S. capital city are allowed to vote for U.S. president for the first time!

Wisconsin: 1919, grants women the privilege of voting but only for the U.S. president.

Wyoming U.S. Territory: 1869, grants women the privilege of voting.

By the way, it was the British empire country of New Zealand which created the first national law granting women the privilege of voting, in 1893.  The revokable U.S. 19th Amendment barring discrimination against women and voting was ratified by 1920.  Notice I used the word “ratified”, that’s because voting is not a inalienable federal ‘right’, each U.S. state had to ratify the 19th Amendment and Tennessee was the holdout finally accepting the anti-discrimination law in 1920.

This isn’t meant to dissuade you from voting (there are many other reasons for that) but to instill in you the realization that voting in the U.S. is not an inalienable right, but a privilege that could be (and has been) revoked.  In other words, “Use it before you lose it”!

However, I agree with the Great George Carlin: “I have solved this political dilemma in a very direct way: I don’t vote. On Election Day, I stay home. I firmly believe that if you vote, you have no right to complain. Now, some people like to twist that around. They say, ‘If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain,’ but where’s the logic in that? If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent politicians, and they get into office and screw everything up, you are responsible for what they have done. You voted them in. You caused the problem. You have no right to complain. I, on the other hand, who did not vote, who did not even leave the house on Election Day, am in no way responsible for what these politicians have done and have every right to complain about the mess that YOU created.”

12 Myths of Western Capitalist “Democracy”

International

World War 3: Sweden joins six other countries to recognize Palestine as sovereign state!

31 October 2014 (19:04 UTC-07 Tango 30 October 2014)/07 Muharram 1436/09 Aban 1393/08 Jia-Xu (9th month leap) 4712

“Our decision comes at a critical time because over the last year we have seen how the peace talks have stalled, how decisions over new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have complicated a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza. By making our decision we want to bring a new dynamic to the stalled peace process.”-Margot Wallstrom, Sweden’s foreign minister

The Kingdom of Sweden has joined Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Poland and  Czech Republic in recognizing Palestine as separate from Israel.

Israel is retaliating by removing its ambassador to Sweden.  Interestingly the bigoted Israeli news media declared Sweden to be the “first European” country to recognize Palestine, but Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Czech Republic are European countries.  Apparently Israel does not recognize them as such, just like it refuses to recognize Palestinians!  Cyprus and Malta are technically European but are island countries in the Mediterranean Sea.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 26 – 27 August 2014: “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!” Ignorant healthcare workers cry foul, yet refuse to blame the Obamacare BullShit! More massive Obamacare shutdowns!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: The city of Hartselle laid off three employees, blaming the  the iconic taxpayer subsidized TVA.   Taxsucker Document and Packaging Brokers (Docupak) lost a major contract with the National Guard Bureau and will kill an undisclosed amount of jobs.  Birmingham based Simply Fashion has taken over New York based bankrupt busted Dots women clothing retailer.  Dots had already shutdown 400 stores!  Simply Fashion claims they will re-open 120 Dots stores.

Arkansas: Obama Care was the final straw that killed off the Crittenden Regional Hospital and clinic system!  However, there are charges that administrators mismanaged the healthcare system, lawsuits and possible criminal charges are pending.   In Marion, Texas based Clark Freight Lines shutdown.  Company officials say there are too many trucking companies to compete with.

California: In Cayucos, after more than 20 years highly praised Hoppe’s Garden Bistro shutdown.  In Palo Alto, Disney killing off more jobs, this time 55 Disney Interactive employees were laid off.  In Sunnyvale, Aruba Networks killed off 116 jobs!  In Los Angeles, healthcare management company Precyse Solutions warned they will kill 61 jobs in November.  Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital killing 120 healthcare jobs! Hospital administrators say insurance written Obama Care (Affordable Car Act) is forcing them to cut back in the name of being “efficient”.  However, like frogs in a boiling pot, it’s obvious that the ignorant healthcare workers are still oblivious to what Obama Care is doing to them, instead blaming the hospital for reducing access to medical care:  “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!”-Damian Tryon, California Nurses Association

Florida: After 24 years elitist residential Marcus Pointe Golf Club announced they’re shutting down in time for Xmas.

Illinois: In Palantine, after 14 years non-profit cancer center Wellness Place shutdown.  Officials blame the bad economy for reduced donations.

Indiana: Trucking company Talon Logistics Services announced they will kill 60 jobs in September.

Iowa: In Sioux City, after 85 years (and surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) the Green Gables restaurant shutdown.  The family owners say they cannot survive this so called ‘recovery’.

Kentucky: T-shirt shop Cafe Press shutdown their store in the Mall Saint Matthews.

Nebraska: In Omaha, McKenna’s Blues Booze and BBQ shutdown.

New Mexico: According to the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) Obama Care is destroying access to healthcare!  20 of New Mexico’s 44 hospitals have killed jobs and cut services as a direct result of insurance payment reductions mandated by Obama Care: “…. key services are being eroded around the state at the very time when services are needed to respond to the growing demand resulting from coverage expansion.”-Jeff Dye, NMHA

New Jersey: Atlantic City is blaming the massive casino shutdowns for forcing them to kill off 300 city jobs!

New York: In NYC, Food Emporium #36-719 shutting down in November, 76 jobs lost.  Due to Obama Care Eastern Niagara Hospital ceased its inpatient care services at its Newfane hospital, and ceased its ER ops at its Lockport hospital, 185 jobs lost as a result! Hospital administrators say they’ve lost $1.7-million USD since Obama Care went into effect!

North Carolina: Dosher Memorial Hospital now asking that all healthcare workers who’re 60 years of age and had five years of employment, to take early retirement!  If that’s not enough they’ll be forced to outright layoff healthcare workers. Hospital officials blame the bad economy made worse by reduced insurance payments due to Obama Care.  Administrators with giant Vidant Health are directly blaming Obama Care for crashing revenues, which are forcing them to kill 175 healthcare jobs!  Vidant Health runs eight hospitals in-state and was planning on spending $128-million for upgrades, but officials say if the Obama Care insurance payments reductions get worse then the upgrades are off.

Ohio:  The Buckeye State lost 12400 jobs in July!

Pennsylvania: After 31 years all Fun Party Stores being shut down!  Once there were five, but now none.  Fun Party Stores joins a competing party store chain which shutdown three stores, in all eight party stores shutdown over an eight months period!  The owners of Fun Party blames ‘big box’ stores and the internet (even though many ‘big box’ stores are shutting down ops, and internet businesses are suffering crashing revenues as well.  After all, Fun Party could sell on the internet as well).   The oldest public library in the United States, the Darby Free Library, warned it could shutdown due to state taxpayer funding cuts.  Library officials say the funding cuts come at a time when their costs of operations are skyrocketing.  The library was built in 1743!

Texas: Denmark based Maersk Oil revealed they killed off 215 jobs!  Company officials basically said the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t have the oil that it was first thought to have, and they’ve lost money on trying to extract it.  Houston based Waste Management warned of massive job cuts across the country.  The hazardous waste mis-management company is facing $2-billion in fines for failing to properly manage dioxins!

Washington: More proof the internet is not killing brick-n-mortar stores.  Social media company Simply Measured laid off 15 employees, just five months after getting $20-million from venture capitalists.   Washington state’s Employment Security Department killing off 149 jobs in October!

23-25 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

International

World War 3: Revolution in Burkina Faso, after President issues executive order overriding Constitution! Are the people of the United States willing to revolt if the same thing happens to them? Is this about ebola, or the oil?

30 October 2014 (16:25 UTC-07 Tango)/06 Muharram 1436/08 Aban 1393/07 Jia-Xu (9th month leap) 4712

In what was west-central Africa’s most stable country there is now full blown revolution in the streets of Burkina Faso.

It happened when president Blaise Compaore decided to unilaterally change the Constitution to allow him to remain as president for life!

Immediately the people of Burkina Faso went on a rampage, stormed parliament and set it on fire.  Massive looting of government offices is taking place.  Interviews with freedom fighting rebels revealed they were tired of the bullshit.  Will the people of the United States be willing to do the same?

Most ‘western’ news media are reporting that the Burkina Faso army has taken control and is creating an interim government.  However, a live report by Germany’s DWTV shows fighting is not only still ongoing, but army personnel are joining the freedom loving rebels.

A DWTV anchorman asked the live reporter if president Compaore “underestimated” the reaction of the people.  She stated that his attempt to maintain power has resulted in his “total loss of control”.

Burkina Faso borders the ebola hot zone country of Mali in west-central Africa.  In fact, just days ago Christian missionaries returning to New Zealand from Burkina Faso freaked out the health screeners at the airport.  One of the missionaries broke his toe while in-country, and it got infected.  When he landed in New Zealand he was met by paranoid healthcare workers who thought he had ebola: “I was sitting in a cubicle in A and E, and I said I had come from West Africa. It took 10-15 minutes and then someone Googled on their phone where Burkina Faso was and the nurses panicked. All the nurses were quite on edge about it. Everyone was keeping their distance and being quite nervy.”-Pete Johnstone

Burkina Faso has no known oil reserves, but its geographic location is strategic for new oil pipelines from the interior to the west coast of Africa.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014: “Sadly we have been unable to recover……” “…It’s not fun anymore!” “It’s like a death in the family.”

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of March, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Arizona: In Phoenix, after 50 years Karsh’s Bakery shutdown. The owner blames the failed economy: “It’s sad to say we are closing today because of the economy and stuff, we’ve tried to come back from 2008.”-Wayne Kinding

California:  In Oakland, Mexico owned Bimbo Bakeries shutdown, about 160 jobs lost!   In Sacramento, The Fresh Market grocery store chain shutdown three stores! The company blamed the bad economy.  Kroger shutdown two more Ralph’s grocery stores, 107 jobs lost!  In Fair Oaks, after more than 50 years Sam’s Kosher Style Restaurant & Deli shutdown.   In Truckee, after 13 years Dragonfly Restaurant shutdown. The owner said he was made an “offer he couldn’t refuse” by aggressive property developers.  In Napa, after 29 years the Golden Carrot Natural Foods store shutdown.  In Vernon, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown, about 160 jobs lost! In Los Angeles, The Fat Cow burger joint shutdown, 92 jobs lost.  In Torrance, after more than 40 years Vince’s Spaghetti shutdown, 35 jobs lost: “The last three or four years have been a real struggle to make ends meet. It’s like a death in the family. For the past few years its been like watching a patient on life support.”-Gregg Parras, general manager

Colorado: In Steamboat Springs, state tax collectors seized the Bakery Restaurant. The Colorado Department of Revenue says the restaurant owes about $8-thousand USD in sales taxes. The city officials of Steamboat Springs says the restaurant owes them $4-thousand in taxes. Apparently the restaurant also owes the federal IRS $26-thousand in payroll taxes! This is what happens when the economy sucks ass!!!! At least the restaurant was keeping people employed, now everybody’s unemployed!  In Denver, Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group shutdown two restaurants; Restaurant Kevin Taylor and Prima Ristorante.  In Manitou Springs, the Craftwood Inn shutdown without notice. The owners blame it on the many wildfires and flooding in recent years: “I just found out yesterday. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m pretty sure that they could not recover from the last two summers. The fires and floods hurt business so much the last few years that Dave and wife Kathy could not keep up.”-Matt Schee, hotel chef

Connecticut: After only six years Mitchell’s Fish Market shutdown, no reason made public.

Florida: In Lakeland, after only five years DC’s Sports Bar shutdown. And the Fishin’ Shed Tackle Shop shutdown. The owners blame Walmart.  In Tampa, after 13 years The Palm restaurant shutdown. The owners blame the f*cked up economy: “Unfortunately, we are not able to continue to operate our restaurant into the rest of 2014.”

In Boca Raton, after only two years and $250-thousand in remodeling upscale Red, The Steakhouse shutdown. The owner was shocked at how much business crashed since last summer: “We are dumbfounded it came to this!……..When summer hit, there weren’t enough people…..No energy!”-Brad Friedlander

Georgia: In Richmond Hill, after more than 33 years manufacturer of foodservice and food retail products, Hobart, shutting down, 50 jobs lost. Operations are being consolidated to Ohio.

Hawaii: In Waikiki, ice cream shop Cold Stone Creamery shutdown. The owner blamed it on the greedy landlord who jacked up the rent.

Idaho: In Nampa, food producer Simplot announced they will shutdown operations at the end of May, 206 jobs lost! It’s part of their ongoing consolidations of food processing.

Illinois: In Lakemore, after 38 years Le Vichyssois restaurant shutdown.  In Saint Charles, after only five years Dolce Bakery and Cafe shutdown without notice. In Chicago, Angel Food Bakery shutdown, the owner Stephanie Samuels blames the gott damned economy, saying “I have given my heart, soul, and just about everything else I’ve got to this project of mine, but I have not been able to make it sustainable for me….”

Indiana: In Evansville, after 20 years Maxine’s Café and Bakery shutdown. The owner blamed declining business.

Iowa: After 18 years Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe shutdown three restaurants!  In Sioux City, after 30 years Rhonda’s Speak Easy shutting down, 10 jobs lost. Blame Obama Care! The bar owner is going to take advantage of Obama Care’s focus on in-home healthcare, and she’s going to start an in-home healthcare service.

Kansas: In McPherson a major food processor, Nation Pizza and Foods, ending operations. As many as 195 jobs lost!

Kentucky: Two Shoney’s restaurants, in Henderson and Owensboro, shutting down. It’s blamed on a franchise dispute and court fees.

Maryland: British empire Canada based Saputo announced they were shutting down their Hancock cheese factory.  In Gambrills, after 14 years Caribou Coffee shutdown.

Michigan:  In Clinton Township, after only six years Tin Fish 3 restaurant/nightclub shutdown. The owners hadn’t been able to pay half-a-million in back due rent!

Minnesota:  In Shoreview, after 40 years Kozlak’s Royal Oak Restaurant shutdown. The property was sold to make room for a nursing home co-op.   In Hibbing, after 30 years Zimmy’s restaurant shutdown. The owner was unable to pay taxes and lost their booze license.  In Saint Cloud, the owner of Bo Diddley’s Pub & Deli announced he was shutting it down in April.  Who said high tech jobs are recession proof? Food processor Cargill announced it will kill 900 IT jobs across the country, 300 of which are in Minneapolis–Saint Paul! Cargill will now rely on lower paid contractors.

Missouri: In Jefferson City, after more than 30 years Mortimer Kegley’s Bar & Grill shutdown. The owner, Jason Jordan, blamed social media and a ban on smoking saying “When that smoking ban went into effect, I lost 30% of my customers straightaway!”

Nebraska: In Omaha, after 61 years Broadmoor Market shutdown. The owners blamed the crappy economy: “Thank you for all your support and patronage over the years. It is unfortunate that circumstances have changed.” 

New Mexico: In Farmington, after only three years My Big Fat Greek Restaurant shutdown, 38 jobs lost. The restaurant owner blamed the greedy property owner.

New Jersey: In Bordentown, maker of cranberry based juices Ocean Spray killing 138 jobs! They’re shutting down their factory and moving to Pennsylvania.  In Jersey City, iconic Casa Dante restaurant shutdown without warning. A finance company stated that the restaurant owners hadn’t paid rent since October 2013! News reports say it was a court order that shutdown the Italian eatery & music joint.

New York: Dallas Restaurant Management Company shutting down Fireside Restaurant and Lounge in June, 38 jobs lost. FLIK foodservice company shutting down in May, 46 jobs lost.  Food supplier ConAgra announced it will kill at least 425 jobs when it shuts down operations in Dunkirk and Fredonia, in 2015!  In Amsterdam, Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors moved their planned layoffs to the end of April. The company was sold off, 116 jobs will be lost!   In Brooklyn, Voila Sweets announced it is shutting down in June, 72 jobs lost.  In Long Island, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutting down their Entenmann’s Bay Shore bakery, 178 jobs lost!

North Carolina: In Winston-Salem, after 16 years Ollie’s Bakery shutdown. The landlord is the suspect.   Hartigan’s Irish Pub shut down. The owner blamed safety issues with the 100 years old building.  In Raleigh, after 29 years Fat Daddy’s Market & Grill shutdown, 45 jobs lost.

Ohio: Grocery store Giant Eagle shutting down two stores, one in Toledo, one in Rossford, 179 jobs lost! Company officials say there are too many grocery stores in the U.S.

Oregon: In Portland, Ivories Jazz Lounge and Restaurant shutdown. No reason given, but reviews of the restaurant were hit & miss. Many customers were shocked by the unadvertised cover charge for the bands.

Pennsylvania: At State College, after only four years Quizno’s sandwich shop shutdown. The owner blamed the bad economy and what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome).  In South Union Township, after 22 years Cherry Tree Cafe shutdown.

South Carolina: In Charleston, after 27 years upscale Carolina’s restaurant shutdown.  In Rock Hill, grocery store Compare Foods shutdown. 50 jobs lost. The manager blames the suck ass economy: “The recession hit Rock Hill pretty hard and we’ve been suffering from that as well. There are a lot of businesses that have been dealing with that.”-Omar Jorge

In Richmond, the Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown, 37 jobs lost. In Landrum, Ken’s Meats & Seafood shutdown after only three years of operations. The owners said everything was going good until summer 2013, when sales crashed: “We just didn’t have enough local support to sustain us for the long run. Unfortunately I can count on two fingers how many local businesses bought from us and that was unfortunate…..demand for my products is just not here in our local community.”-Ken Brackett, co-owner

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 60 years Sid’s Liquor shutdown. The president of Sid’s blamed his crashing sales on state officials who, in 2008, passed a law that allowed big corporations to have more than one liquor license: “It’s like there’s a liquor store on every block. And we saw our sales decline by over 1-Million dollars a year! Which was a real kick in the pants. And we started losing money, and the losses just keep getting bigger!”-Paul Damyan

Tennessee: In Gallatin, after only two years Butterbean Bakery and Bistro shutdown.

Texas: In Oak Cliff, Frito-Lay announced they will shutdown a factory and a warehouse in August, 163 jobs lost!  Frito-Lay is owned by anti-2nd Amendment Pepsi.  In Sherman, two restaurants shutdown; the six years old Little Italy and the 37 years old Braums on North Travis. The owners of Little Italy says city officials forced them to close. No explanation was given by the owners of Braums.  In Midland, Walter’s family restaurant shutdown. The restaurant owner blames the greedy property owner for jacking up the rent.  In Sugar Land, after less than one year the Fiesta Market Place grocery store shutdown! I couldn’t find any reports that explained why.

Vermont: After 22 years the Shaftsbury Country Store shutdown.

Virginia: In Parsley, 20 employees of Fresh Pride now unemployed. The company that owns Fresh Pride, Camellia Food Stores, has a history of shutting down stores without notice, even on the day after Xmas.   In Charleston, reports that the Sushi Atlantic market shutdown.  In Virginia Beach, after 40 years That Which Cannot Be Named refused to stop the shutdown of The Jewish Mother Hilltop restaurant and dance club/music venue. The Jewish Mother Hilltop has been plagued by lawsuits, financial problems and recent health problems for the owner. The owner also admitted that January and February saw crashing revenues, and he was unable to pay rent.  The 3rd largest privately held foodservice company in the U.S. killing jobs. Reinhart Foodservice announced they were laying off 49 employees by April. Company officials refused to explain why.  In Bristol, after ten years Inari Wines shutdown: “It’s been slowing down and slowing down. Sales have been flat.…It’s not fun anymore!”-Paul Brandt, co-owner

Washington: After less than five years Savour specialty food store shutdown.

West Virginia: In Charleston, Thelma Fay’s Cafe shutdown, it’s blamed on that massive chemical spill by Freedom Industries: “Sadly we have been unable to recover our losses during the water crisis……” 

Wisconsin: Ice machine maker Manitowoc Company killing 150 U.S. jobs! The patriotic ‘American’ company is moving production to Mexico and China.  In Lodi, after more than 93 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Weber’s Bakery shutdown. The owner Noel Weber blamed the not-so-recovered economy stating “…we can’t continue this way and we have to call it a day!”   In Appleton, reports that after 21 years supplier to home beer, wine and soda pop makers, Homebrew Market, shutdown.  Grocery store Supervalu shut down their Pleasant Prairie regional office, 155 jobs lost! Another 200 jobs will be eliminated across the country!   British empire Canada based Saputo shutting down their New London cheese factory.

U.S. Food Crisis, February 2014

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update, 30 October 2014: A Kmart becomes NFL pilgrimage site, or Alien Abduction drop off zone? Three more shutdowns!

In Colorado, a 53 years old Denver Broncos fan went missing after watching a game with friends and family.  He was found almost five nights later, 177km (110 miles) away at a Kmart in Pueblo.  Pueblo police interviewed the man, who swears he walked the whole way, saying he “had his fill of football and decided to go for a walk……somewhere warmer.”    He admitted to police that while on his trek he dumped all clothing that had any reference to the Denver Broncos, even though his fave team won the game against  California’s San Diego Chargers!

Police also say the man did not look like somebody who just trekked 177km while sleeping in “treed areas” , supposedly without eating or drinking, and he showed no signs of not having a bath.  Police say they so far have no evidence that he hitch-hiked a ride, the man swears he walked, although one of his friends remarked that the man seemed “confused”.  X-files material, he was abducted!?

A company called Sand Hill Property bought a California Sears even though its scheduled to be shutdown!  The company also bought a California JCPenney that’s scheduled to be shutdown (170 jobs lost at that one).

Delaware losing a Kmart before Xmas!

I discovered another Michigan Kmart that shutdown!

update 28 October 2014

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

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), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 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 (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), recently revealed Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (number of employees affected not made public, no WARN filed).

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), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), recently revealed Claymont Kmart (87 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 closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 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), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears going’ down in November (the remaining 28 jobs lost). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the “pad”. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

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), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. 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.

Indiana: Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost).

Iowa: Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (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), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 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), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart, Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost),
Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

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, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now obvious the last remaining Saginaw Kmart on Gratiot will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January, Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), recently discovered Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), 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), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

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), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 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, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears (60 jobs lost), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost).

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), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), BBN reader warns that Oregon City Kmart quietly shutting down.

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Chambersburg Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 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), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin Cool Springs Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost), Dickson Kmart (65 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.

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost).

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost).

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), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 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), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 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), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 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 closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 25 August 2014: “….we lost 60% of our trees….” No more peaches? Thousands (?) could lose their jobs with Ashley Furniture! More coal mine shutdowns!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California:  Bellflower Unified School District laid off all ten bus drivers.  The reasons are convoluted, ranging from lack of funding to driver misbehavior.   Iconic Colorado based canning and packaging company Ball (Metal Food & Household) killing 159 jobs in Oakdale!  Company officials say they lost a major contract with ConAgra, providing cans for canned tomatoes.  In Pittsburg, taxsucker USS-POSCO Industries warned they are killing 643 jobs in October!  In San Francisco, British empire company and U.S. taxsucker BAE Systems announced an additional 87 layoffs for September.  In Irvine, legal drugs pusher Allergan warned it will kill an additional 129 jobs in October!

Indiana:  Coal mining company Vectren selling off three mines.  At least 120 contracted miners will be let go once the mines are sold!  More proof the internet is not responsible for killing of brick-n-mortar stores; internet based consumer product reviewer Angie’s List killed 97 jobs.  Company officials blamed a loss of $18.4-million USD on increasing costs of operations.

Iowa: Agricultural equipment supplier Demco Products laid off 26 employees, due to crashing sales.

Massachusetts: Brockton School Committee laid off 47 crossing guard positions.  This comes after a local newspaper investigated reports that janitors were being paid as much as $50 per hour in overtime to double as crossing guards!   And despite all that overtime pay, an 11th child was hit by a vehicle while crossing a street to go to school!

Minnesota: Twin Metals Minnesota eliminated 16 positions as it moves into the next phase of its copper and nickel mine exploration.  After 34 years Tatters vintage clothing store shutdown, the owner blamed rising rent, which the landlord blamed on rising property taxes.

New York: An update on the massive job killing at Time Warner Turner Network, employees at CNN and HLN are being asked to quit voluntarily, the company is offering 550 buyouts!

North Carolina: Peat moss distributor Sun Gro shutting down in September, 16 jobs lost.

Ohio: Fruit Growers Marketing Association says don’t expect any peaches in your grocery store: “There’s not much to talk about with the peach crop because, frankly, there isn’t one!  There might have been a few farms down south by the Ohio River that weren’t affected, but for the most part this year was a disaster!”-Bill Dodd, Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association

It wasn’t just the fruit that was lost: “…as a result of last winter’s frost we lost most of our older peach orchard. We lost the trees themselves!….we lost 60% of our trees….”-Martha Mora, Johnston Fruit Farm

Oregon: Cooperative Pendleton Grain Growers selling off six AG Supply stores and one Pendleton Automotive Service Center.  They hope the stores are sold off by September.  Latest news reports say the co-op is not having luck finding buyers, which means a lot of people will become unemployed.

Utah: In West Jordan, California based Fairchild Semiconductor ceasing operations, 500 jobs lost!  When combined with their shutdowns in Malaysia and Korea (south), 1350 people will become unemployed!  Company officials say they need to cut $55-million from their expenses, as sales are crashing.

Virginia: In Grafton, after 28 years the Adams Shoe Store shutdown. The owner blamed the “slow economy”.

Wisconsin: After getting a $6-million tax break from the state, Ashley Furniture announced they are expanding and killing jobs at the same time! A local news report says the tax deal could end up killing half of Ashley Furniture’s jobs, potentially 1919 employees!  In New London, the Occasional Stamper stamping and scrapbooking shop shutdown.

21-22 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013