Tag Archives: police

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Updated list of more Kmart and Sears closings! West Virginia & Oklahoma! More than a hundred people added to the unemployment lists!

13 November 2012, more closings announced. A Kmart in West Virginia and a Sears in Oklahoma.

One of the stores is owned by General Growth properties (GGP). GGP officials say they are still deciding what to do with their other Sears stores.

Here’s the updated list:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart.

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 12 November 2012. Sudden increase in sexual crimes, cops rape boy! Increase in violence against women! Children working on farm fields considered terrorists! More Green on Blue attacks! Sweden decides to extend military mission. Karzai blasts U.S. dominated Security Council!

12 November 2012

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen blew up a bulldozer with an 82mm recoilless gun.  It happened at a U.S./NATO outpost in Charkhakyano Manda area of Sangin district.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Paktia Province, Mujahideen claim U.S./NATO forces abandoned one of their largest bases, in the Zazi Aryub district.  Some reports say the base was destroyed.

Several days of witnesses testifying at the trial of U.S. Army sergeant Robert Bales, said there was no way he did the murders by himself.  A woman testified that while one U.S. soldier entered their house and killed her husband, another U.S. soldier blocked the doorway. Local police say it was too much work for one man: “One person cannot do this work. One person doesn’t have the courage to go from one village to another in the night.”-Afghan cop who investigated the morning after the murders.

India and Afghanistan have signed four economic agreements worth $2 billion.

In Herat Province, police arrested three fellow cops on suspicion that they sexually assaulted and then killed their neighbor’s 13 years old son.  Afghan officials have noted that there has been a sudden increase in sexual crimes, in the past few months.

In Logar Province, a U.S./NATO drone strike killed three teenagers.  They were working in farm fields.  U.S./NATO officials say they were Mujahideen planting landmines.

In Farah Province, Mujahideen attacked a U.S./NATO fuel supply convoy.  They claim to have destroyed 11 fuelers and two buses.  Witnesses say they saw two drivers burn to death.  Mujahideen claim they killed at least 15 drivers and security guards.

11 November 2012

In Helmand Province, an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier killed a U.S./NATO soldier.  Local officials say it was caused by an argument, and it was a British Red Coat that got killed.  ISAF said only: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died when an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against ISAF service members in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Kandahar Province, a bomb was planted in a cart.  It exploded, but there are no reports of casualties.  Also, a bus ran over a landmine, killing eight people.

In Khost Province, officials reported a large explosion in Sabari district, no one was hurt. Also, a family of at least five were killed when they drove over a landmine. They were returning from the hospital were the woman just gave birth.

In Daykundi Province, Mujahideen claim they captured food supplies from local police. They say they captured 30 bags of flour, 20 parcels of rice, 13 cartons of cooking oil, six parcels of sugar, two parcels of beans and 20 kilos of tea.

10 November 2012

In Kandahar Province,  Mujahideen claim to have killed five U.S./NATO troops, with a remote detonated bomb.  It’s the same area where U.S. soldiers massacred people in two villages.  The U.S. claims only one soldier carried out the killings; Robert Bales.  Also, a local cop joined the Mujahideen.

In Badghis Province, reports are confusing, but one or two ANA soldiers shot at Spanish/NATO troops. Some reports say none of the Spanish provincial reconstruction team members were hit, other reports say one was wounded. Also, some reports say a ANA soldier was killed, while other reports say two ANA soldiers were arrested. A 12 years old boy was also wounded.  Mujahideen claim that one Spanish soldier was killed and three wounded.

In Khost Province, a woman was killed, and 10 people wounded when a bicycle bomb went off.

In Kunar Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike wounded three children. Local officials say the U.S. bombed anti-U.S. demonstrators.   U.S./NATO/ISAF officials considered the demonstration a gathering of Mujahideen, even though it included children.

09 November 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Herat Province, a woman and her baby were killed by the father.  Police say it happened after the husband and wife got into an argument.  Investigators say at least 30 woman have been killed in Herat, under similar circumstances, in the past eight months.

In Balkh Province, a 22 years old man was arrested for raping a five years old girl.  The rape allegedly took place the night before at a wedding party.  The child was sent to the hospital.

Sweden announced it will begin withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013.  This is actually an extension, as Sweden was to begin pulling out by the summer of 2013.

India signs deal to train 600 Afghan army officers per year.  India, along with China, has agreed to help support the Afghan National Army after the U.S./NATO withdrawal in 2014.

President Hamid Karzai demanded an end to the U.S. dominated UN Security Council: “Coming to the global democratic governance, I think there is no disagreement here, that it isn’t just nor is it very democratic, the Security Council does not represent all of us, the five permanent members having the right of veto is not democratic and the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly is not democratic…”

 

 

 

International

Christian & Government Evil: Queen of England’s empire rife with child abuse at the hands of church & government officials, Australia admits guilt, hidden investigations reveal tip of iceberg!

“I can testify from my own experience that the church covers up, silences victims, hinders police investigations, alerts offenders, destroys evidence and moves priests to protect the good name of the church.”-Peter Fox, New South Wales Detective Chief Inspector

“I would say please get the Jillings report published because it shows… rape, bestiality, violent assaults and torture, and the effects on those young boys at that time cannot be under-estimated.”-Ann Clwyd, read mysterious Jillings Report

12 November 2012, a total of three British Broadcasting Corporaton (BBC) executives have now resigned over a documentary that falsely accused a politician of child sex abuse.

The problem is that such crimes are rife within the British empire.  Today the Australian Prime minister, Julia Gillard, caved to demands from the general public and said a Royal Commission investigation into child abuse, taking place in schools and churches, will be undertaken.

This came after a top police official in New South Wales made demands in a publicized letter to the government. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox wrote his letter after 35 years of investigating crimes against children.

However, the Australian government’s investigation will apparently focus only on the Catholic Church.  The current pope has already apologized, and the Aussie state of Victoria confirmed at least 600 cases of abuse at the hands of Catholic officials, since 1936.  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference publicly supports the investigation, but pointed out that the problem of child sexual abuse is not confined just to the Catholic church.

Opposition party politicians are asking that the Royal investigation be expanded to other churches, schools and even non-governmental agencies.

Back to the British Isles.  The BBC report concerned long term child abuse crimes in Wales.  Crimes that had been investigated then covered up by the local county government.

In this particular case, the abuse took place throughout the 1970s-80s.  In 1991 seven workers at child care homes were convicted, however, another investigation was launched because the abuse claims continued.

In 1994 John Jillings was hired by the county to lead the investigation.  He says the Clwyd County Council refused to make public his investigation (aka The Jillings Report), on the advise of attorneys who said the county would be sued.

Then, in 2000, High Court judge Sir Ronald Waterhouse published his investigation, which has been criticized as not showing the full scale of the child abuse scandal.

This led to the recent BBC report, which somehow got the public blaming an unnamed politician (unnamed in the BBC report) who supposedly is not connected to the crimes.  The whole thing is actually diverting from the real problem of how rampant child abuse, at the hands of British government and church officials, really is in Merry Olde England (of course I mean the whole of the British empire).

Here’s what Colin Everett, of the Flintshire County Council, said about the mysterious Jillings report: “We have now established that several copies of the report are in existence in local authority archives.  The report and any supporting documents held in archive are being made available to North Wales Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA). The Jillings report was disclosed to the subsequent Waterhouse inquiry and we would expect the NCA to have access to it through recovery of the papers from the inquiry, held in archive by government departments. North Wales local authorities are taking collective and independent legal advice on whether the report can or should be disclosed under the Freedom of Information legislation, whether in full or in part. The National Crime Agency is being consulted, as any public disclosure cannot compromise or prejudice the new investigation.”

(and don’t forget about the abuse of European orphans and Native Americans at the hands of Canadian officials throughout the 20th century.)

 

Business/Economics, International

Greek Civil War & What Economic Recovery? More proof it’s the fault of the Too Big to Fails!

“In the next few days, we need an agreement on further measures in Greece and additional aid from the other euro area countries to ensure debt sustainability.”-Joerg Asmussen, European Central Bank (ECB)

This statement comes after Greece enacted more government spending cuts, and the Greek Prime Minister promised no more.

Asmussen, of the ECB, said even with the new cuts Greece will not meet the demands of creditors!  The boss of the ECB, Mario Draghi, said Greece is now at the mercy of creditors because the ECB has reached its limit, in being able to help Greece, under current European Union laws.  All this chaos in Greece because of creditors!

This is what a Greece newspaper, Ta Nea Daily, had to say: “Greece cannot take it – and in any case the government will not survive it.”

 

 

 

U.S.

Character does matter! So called Christian David Patreaus cheats on wife, then resigns from the CIA! Or is this an easy out for someone disenchanted with President Obama?

“After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.”-David Patreaus

“Today, I accepted his resignation as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission, and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell and the men and women of the CIA who work every day to keep our nation safe.”-President Barack Obama

“…of all the exceptional men and women I have worked with over the years, I can honestly say that Dave Petraeus stands out as one of our nation’s great patriots.”-James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence

“Mr. Petraeus leaves the CIA at a time when it is embroiled in controversy surrounding the events of Sept. 11, 2012, when four Americans were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. After weeks of conflicting accounts of what happened that night, the CIA acknowledged that it had played a central role in gathering intelligence and providing security for the U.S. presence there…………..Petraeus and Obama did not have the close chemistry that the president has with other top officials in his cabinet.“-Wall Street Journal

Opinion, U.S.

Voter Incompetence & What Economic Recovery? Your elected officials spent $6 billion to get you to vote to maintain the status quo! Election monitor says election process defective! Black Sabbath is right!

“…there are real concerns over issues such as voting rights, the accuracy of voter lists, the transparency of campaign finance, recount procedures and access for international election observers.”-Daan Everts, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission

So the big concern is over the looming automatic austerity measures/fiscal cliff? If that’s so, then why did the political leaders of the United States spend at least $5.8 billion USD tricking the voters into maintaining the status quo?

According to the U.S. main stream media, U.S. voters picked the same president, same Congressional House and same Congressional Senate (political party wise)!  So much for Hope & Change/Real Change!

Just think what that $5.8 billion could have been used for!  “You’re all fools! the Mob rules!”-Black Sabbath, 1981

https://youtu.be/cATPLk559XY

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3 & What Economic Recovery? Greece in Civil War, elected officials join rebels, parliament falling apart!

“It marks the beginning of the end of the coalition government and offers a textbook example of the terminal decay of a system of power.”-Costas Douzinas, The Guardian

08 November 2012, the situation in Greece looks like it’s deteriorated to the point of a full blown Civil War, with members of parliament being kicked out and joining the protestors.  Protests have become violent, with people directly attacking police.

Unemployment in Greece hit record levels in August; 25.4%!

Protests turned into riots a couple of days ago, as the parliament worked to pass yet another round for spending cuts and tax increases (austerity measures/fiscal cliff).  The Greek Prime Minister tried to calm things down by telling the people these would be the last austerity measures, but like Aesop’s boy who cried wolf, no one believes him!

During the parliamentary wrangling over the austerity bill, parliament employees/staff went on strike when an amendment was introduced to cut benefits for parliamentary staff members!  The strike ended when the amendment was dropped.

The new austerity includes more cuts to government employee pay, as much as 35%!  And this time even central bank employees and judges will not be spared.  25,000 more public sector jobs will be eliminated.

Here’s proof that the Greek “democratically elected” government is not democratic nor free:  Elected officials who voted against the cuts were expelled! At least seven Members of Parliament were kicked out of their own political parties!

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 06 – 08 November 2012. Pakistan restores fuel deliveries to U.S./NATO. Aussie Diggers blown up! Proof the ICG is a government puppet! More U.S. airstrikes! U.S. backed policies encourage corruption. Obama will now focus U.S. attacks on Pakistan!

08 November 2012

Afghan government officials say now that Barack Obama is re-elected, you will see a shift from U.S. combat in Afghanistan to Pakistan: “Our demand from the U.S. President Barack Obama is to pay more attention on militants sanctuaries in Pakistan in a bid to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan and reduce the tension of the international community in Afghanistan.”-Ahmad Zia Seyamak Herawi, spokesman for President Hamid Karzai

Also: “The Democrat Party had four years of experience in Afghanistan and they are aware of the main issues of Afghanistan and specifically Pakistan which has a direct role in the situation of Afghanistan. The election Barack Obama as U.S. president will definitely help for a long term cooperation of Washington with Afghanistan.”-Abdullah Abdullah, National Coalition of Afghanistan

U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, James Cunningham, said: “President Obama remains committed for a long term strategic cooperation with the Afghan people.”

Interestingly, Pakistan announced it has re-started fuel supply for U.S./NATO forces, through the Kyber Pass.

Mujahideen leaders responded to Obama’s re-election: “Obama should use the opportunity provided by the American people in a better way. Washington should prevent from playing an international police role and should rather concentrate on its domestic issues.”-Zabiullah Mujahid

In Uruzgan Province, at least three Australian Diggers were wounded after the Bushmaster armored vehicle they were in ran over a landmine: “They got first aid at the scene before being evacuated by helicopter….Two have been discharged while the third has been transferred to Kandahar Air Field for further treatment.”-Captain Michael Spruce

In Laghman Province, five Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed after the vehicle they were in ran over a landmine.

In Paktia Province, local government officials are reporting that a U.S. airstrike killed 15 people.

In Helmand Province, five men, four women and one child were killed, and seven others wounded, when the bus they were in ran over a landmine.

In Nangarhar Province, just three nights after supposedly handing over night time raid operations to the ANA, U.S. forces conducted another illegal night time home invasion. According to locals a 12 years old boy was killed, and three people kidnapped.

In Kandahar Province, a suicide bomber using a motorcycle bomb, blew himself up at a police checkpoint killing three cops, wounding four.

In Herat Province, Afghan Water and Energy Minister, Mohammad Ismail Khan (who is also head of the new Mujahideen Council), has begun re-distributing confiscated weapons to the people of Herat Province.  This comes six days after Khan announced that the newly formed Mujahideen Council (in Herat) will take over military operations after U.S./NATO leaves in 2014.

07 November 2012

In Ghazni Province, an eight years old boy stabbed a cop to death then stole his assault rifle!  Also, Mujahideen remotely exploded a landmine, in an attempt to assassinate an ANA commander (they’re not sure if they were successful).

According to reports by Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Public Health, and the United Nations, increased vehicle traffic has caused an increase in lead poisoning cases in the city of Kabul.  In one study 80% of blood samples had lead.  Is it that gasoline fuel in Afghanistan must not be unleaded?

President Karzai left for Indonesia: “Five pacts will be signed during president Hamid Karzai’s visit to Indonesia which will include friendship pact, agreement on removal of visa requirements for political and service passports, agreement on mutual consultancy and agreement on cultural views exchange between Afghanistan and Indonesia.”

In Paktia Province, an ANA soldier joined the Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, a man talking on a phone was targeted and killed by U.S./NATO helicopters.  Also, two local cops joined the Mujahideen.

In Nuristan Province, local officials say U.S./NATO forces abandoned a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) base.

In Badghis Province, 15 local cops joined the Mujahideen. They also brought government supplied weapons with them, including 13 assault rifles, one machine gun and one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher.

In Zabul Province, Mujahideen say they ambushed a U.S. infantry patrol.  They admit they had to retreat when helicopters were called in.

06 November 2012

In Uruzgan Province, a U.S./NATO drone crashed near Kash mountain.  Mujahideen have launched a 12 day offensive operation in Chora district.

In Farah Province, one cop surrendered to Mujahideen.

In Herat Province, locals say Mujahideen have issued a warning, that no one should attend the funerals of police or Afghan government soldiers, as they will be targeted for militant attacks.  Another Mujahideen statement, in response to a recent statement by President Karzai, said they consider U.S. puppet Afghan government cops or soldiers to be traitors to Islam and therefore will target them even in a Mosque.

Also in Herat Province, a 25 years old woman was killed by her brother.  The family said they had her killed because the unmarried woman repeatedly left home without permission, apparently to meet with an uncle.  In a twist, local police are connected to the case, because they forcefully returned her to her family’s home the day before her family killed her.

In the United States, military prosecutors are asking for the death penalty against U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales.  Bales, married with two children, is accused of the “methodical” murder of several Afghan families.   Bales wife says he has no memory of the incident.  An Afghan investigation concluded that there was no way Bales could have done the murders by himself, as the locations were spread out over a large area and several bodies had been set on fire using fuel carried in heavy 5 gallon jerry cans.  The time line of the murders does not seem to allow Bales to kill all those people and then return to base to hand carry the fuel to set the bodies on fire.  U.S. Department of Defense, and several Republicans, believe Bales is a rogue soldier who somehow did all on his own.

The murders took place in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar.  The result is extreme hatred of U.S. forces in that area.  On 06 November 2012, Mujahideen reported that they routed a major offensive by U.S. forces.  They say the U.S. used armored and heliborne forces to assault Mujahideen positions in Panjwayi. U.S. forces retreated after two days of heavy fighting.

The Afghan government is threatening to throw out the International Crisis Group (ICG), after it issued a report saying the Afghan government couldn’t handle things after the U.S./NATO pullout in 2014.  Afghan officials also say the ICG report is clearly politically motivated.   ICG is suppossedly “…an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation…”, yet, in response to the threats by Afghan officials, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen made a counter threat, warning the Afghan government not to interfere with the ICG!   So much for the ICG being “independent”!

On top of that, Rasmussen stated that U.S. led NATO could stay past the 2014 withdrawal date, regardless of what the United Nations says: “We can have activities in Afghanistan after 2014 if it was required by the Afghan government and this is completely in accordance with the international law. Besides, it would be very good if we have a designated mission by United Nation, but still, we can operate in Afghanistan upon the request of the Afghan government.”

In Logar Province, local officials say a U.S. drone strike targeted an apartment building, killing at least four people.

For awhile now, U.S./NATO/ISAF have stated that “Taliban” forces have decreased in number and strength.  Yet it’s obvious that is not true going by the number of attacks by Mujahideen against the occupiers.  Japanese NHK (Nippon Housou Kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) recently aired a report which showed that U.S./NATO/ISAF officials are basing their claims on a program that pays Mujahideen, with cash and jobs, to stop fighting. However, NHK interviewed a Afghan religious leader who said: “Many farmers and unemployed people pretend to be Taliban to the government so they can get cash and work. The government is giving the wrong impression by saying the group [Taliban/Mujahideen] is weakening.”-Mullah Maruf, Islamic scholar

International, U.S.

World War 3: Anti-Muslim Movie maker goes to prison for a year

The producer of an anti-Muslim movie is going to prison for a year, not for the movie, but because he violated his probation.

He had been convicted of bank fraud, and police discovered he violated his probation by defrauding people in the making of the anti-Muslim movie.

Several Muslim leaders around the world have offered large rewards for his death.  I wonder if that reward could be awarded to people in prison?

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Updated list of more Kmart and Sears closings! Former Sears, now a Kmart, to close in Illinois!

08 November 2012, just hours after I posted and updated closing list, yet another Kmart was revealed to be closing!

It’s a Kmart in Homer Glen, Illinois.  The store originally was a Sears, but was remodeled and turned into a Kmart just last year!

The 82 employees were told on 07 November that they were losing their jobs in late January 2013.

Here’s the updated list, with the Illinois addition.  Also, a Sears scheduled to close in Kentucky is now under independent ownership and is having a grand re-opening this month!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Illinois:  Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), and the newly revealed Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost).

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

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

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

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Michigan: Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart.

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall, 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

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center