Tag Archives: taxes

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Lawsuit gives U.S. government ammo to attack Iran

“We are dealing with fabrications whereby a war agenda, which has been on the Pentagon’s drawing board for many years, is now seeking justification to go live, and we’ve seen the drone attacks, we’ve seen the sanctions.”-Michel Chossudovsky, Center for Research on Globalization

On December 15, a lawsuit supposedly brought by victims of the September 11th, 2001 attacks, won a default judgment (default means the accused didn’t show up).  The problem is that it blames Iran and Lebanon for the World Trade Center attacks!  Analysts believe the leaders of the United States could claim this court case as ‘proof’ that Iran is part of anti-Shia/pro-Wahhabi al Qaeda (Iran is majority Shia Muslim).

“There is absolutely no evidence that Iran aided the 9/11 attacks. There is ample evidence after collection that there was conspiracy and the complicity of the U.S. government…There is absolutely no evidence that al Qaeda or the Taliban were involved in the 9/11 attacks. In fact, if there is anyone behind al Qaeda, it was the Central Intelligence Agency, going back to the Soviet Afghan war!”-Michel Chossudovsky, Center for Research on Globalization

Analysts say the U.S. government is setting the stage, just like they did prior to invading Iraq: “What we are seeing now is this strange self-fulfilling prophecy process. This is exactly what we saw with Iraq. This is a campaign to go to war.”–Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council

Iran even helped the U.S. topple the Taliban (who had executed Iranian diplomats): “Immediately afterwards Iran condemned the attacks. There were candlelit vigils on the streets of Tehran in solidarity with the Americans who lost their lives. You saw Iran cooperating with the United States in helping to topple the Taliban, the enemy of Iran.”–Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council

Here’s the real reason the U.S., and the United Kingdom, want to attack Iran: “…Iran has 10 per cent of the world’s oil reserves, four or five times the amount of the United States; it’s in a crucial region, it doesn’t accept U.S. hegemony and it’s an ally of Russia and China.”-Michel Chossudovsky, Center for Research on Globalization

U.S.

OWS, United Police States of America: NYPD cops post incriminating statements for all to see. Social Media Guru bullied by NYPD. More evidence they are not on your side!

Once again, the New York cops have incriminated themselves by posting comments that prove they are not there to serve and protect you.

“On my way to wall street…..Let the savagery begin…”-Michael DeRosa Sr, NYPD

“wish I was there with you guys..it would be nice to crack a white guy over the head.”-Rey Hernandez, NYPD

Not only that, but it turns out that while most of the focus has been on the NYPD’s handling of the Occupiers, a writer and social media guru, and his family, have been bullied by the NYPD simply because of where they live.

They live in a house that was sold to a NYPD cop. The cop apparently didn’t know the house was already ocupado.  The tenants refused to leave. They knew their rights under New York laws.  But the NYPD actually helped their fellow cop harass and threaten the family in the hopes they would move out.

The tenants stood their ground and now, supposedly, there will be an investigation, and two city councilman have taken up the family’s cause.  You can read the first hand accounts of the harassment.

“We want our kids to learn that you don’t have to be scared or run away when you are bullied….What we hope that our kids take away from this situation, as uncomfortable as it is for them now, is that you if you don’t stand up for yourself no one will.”-Bryan Eisenberg, best selling author bullied by NYPD

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: Argentina moves to discourage immigrants from the United States

Argentinians are saying no more to immigrants fleeing the United States.

Lawmakers in the lower House have passed a bill that would limit the amount of Argentine land foreigners could buy. But don’t worry, it means you rich immigrants fleeing the U.S. will have to settle for only 2,500 acres.  Yes, under the bill you can still buy up to 2,500 acres of Argentine land, so I think the bill is just symbolic.

In a recent survey Argentinians proved to be just as xenophobic as people in the U.S.  Many Argentinians surveyed said they were tired of the growing number of people coming from the United States, and taking their jobs!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery: EU official says saving Europe is like throwing money down the toilet. $3.9 trillion already spent trying to save Europe!

“I never understand when market participants say authorities haven’t put enough money up…I don’t share the view that only the European Central Bank can solve the crisis.”-Klaus Regling, European Financial Stability Facility

The boss of the EFSF, Klaus Regling, said when you combine what has been spent, what is currently being spent, and what is about to be spent to save troubled European governments, it equals three trillion Euros (U.S.$3.9 trillion)!

This is more evidence that the economies of Europe and the United States are much worse than what we’re being told!

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence & United Police States of America: Las Vegas cops shoot Gulf War veteran, who lost his house, in the back of the head, 7 times. Veteran’s wife blames PTSD and the VA. VA is ending needed treament for veterans

“100%. They are 100% responsible for what they did to my husband. They killed my husband.”-Rondha Gibson, blaming the Veterans Administration for her husband’s death because they took him off his PTSD meds and cancelled his benefits

On December 12 Las Vegas police shot and killed a 1991 Persian Gulf War veteran.  They shot him seven times in the back of the head as he sat in his car.

According to newly released police report, cops responded to claims of an attempted burglary.  Apartment residents said two men tried to break into an apartment, failed and then took off in a white Cadillac. As the cops were writing down the info, a white Cadillac pulled into the apartment parking lot.

The cops surrounded the car, the driver apparently panicked a tried to get away but ran into a parked police car.  For 30 minutes the cops yelled at him to get out of the car.  They decided to shoot a bean bag to break a window, and then spray riot control gas into the car.  For some reason another cop grabbed a semi-automatic AR-15 assault rifle.  When the one cop fired the bean bag round, the cop with the AR-15 fired also.  The reason has yet to be revealed.

The cop with the AR-15 fired seven times into the back of the war veteran’s head.  The AR-15 is a semi-automatic version of the automatic military M16.  What that means is that the cop had to pull the trigger seven times to fire seven rounds!

Police officials are investigating why the cop with the AR-15 fired seven rounds off, when that was obviously not part of the plan to get the veteran out of his car.

By the way, the reason why the veteran pulled into the apartment parking lot was because he lived there!  He and his wife moved in after losing their house!  There are plenty of white Cadillacs in Las Vegas, dumb cops!

It turns out the Gulf War veteran, Stanley Gibson, had lost his Veterans benefits, was taken off his PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) meds, and then lost his house!  A social worker who works with veterans blames the Veterans Administration for what happened: “They’re just trying to get away with the minimal that they can, and if they dance you around the block enough you’ll go away.”-Marsha Oritt, social worker

Gibson and his wife had fought the gradual reductions in his benefits for years, but the VA won out.  Rhonda Gibson says the VA totally blew them off: “If they had just listened to the man, listened to me and stopped canceling his appointments and make sure he had his medications on time, we would have been ok.”

Social worker Marsha Oritt says the VA has made the Gibson’s life a living hell: “It was just a constant nightmare for them both. Lots of tears. Lots of frustration. Lots of upset.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Russia finally an official member of the WTO. Is that Why Russia suddenly reversed course on Syria, bailing out Europe?

“Russia is the world’s 12th largest trading nation and until we have this important country among our members, we cannot truly be the World Trade Organization.”-Pascal Lamy, World Trade Organization

After 18 years of trying to join the WTO, Russia was finally allowed in on December 16.  Just the day before Russia surprised many people in Europe and the United States, by announcing they would help bailout Europe, and, they would work with the United States to present a resolution to the UN Security Council concerning Syria.

Up until December 15 Russia had kept mum about bailing out Europe, and had opposed any UNSC resolution on Syria.

Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich, did admit there were conditions for Russia’s joining the WTO, and conditions for maintaining  membership: “Russia is joining the WTO on conditions answering its national interests. There are preconditions for further improvement of our business climate, for attraction of foreign investmens, for expanding of Russia’s export with simultaneous keeping of key industries of the national economy.”

WTO officials put another condition on Russia’s joining the global organization; they have to be well behaved for at least six more months, then, in the summer of 2021 they will be considered a full member of the World Trade Organization.  Even then there will be a “transition period” up to seven years.

The WTO members, including the United States, voted unanimously to let Russia finally join.  There are now 154 WTO members, which control 98% of global trade.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? One step closer to One World Government, IMF proposes international co-op, hints at Global Great Depression

“It’s not a crisis that will be resolved by one group of countries taking action. It’s going to be hopefully resolved by all countries, all regions, all categories of countries actually taking action.”-Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director

The director of the International Monetary Fund made that comment in a U.S. State Department conference on December 15.  Christine Lagarde also used the word “retraction” which is another way of saying economic depression.

Lagarde said she is greatly concerned because recent efforts to ‘save’ Europe have failed, and there is growing economic protectionism, and political isolationism, which will only make the global economy worse.  These are all things that helped cause the Great Depression of the 1920s-1930s.

She is calling for a new global financial co-operative system to prevent the coming Global Great Depression.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Russia says it will bailout Europe, through the IMF

“41% of foreign exchange reserves in Russia are euro-denominated, so EU member states and Russia all are interested in the security of it.”–Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia

Turns out that Russia has a big stake in European countries getting back on the economic track.

On December 15, Russia’s current President said his country will work to help bailout struggling European countries, but only through the International Monetary Fund: “…we will keep backing the EU in terms of our quota in IMF membership and we will abide by all the commitments, being the participant of the IMF and ready to invest financial means to back the European economy and the euro zone.”

Medvedev did say that it was still up to European Union members to come up with a doable plan: “Only Europe will be able to help Europe but other countries should provide conditions for Europe to liberate itself from the crisis burden as soon as possible and recover from this downturn as soon as possible.”

International, U.S.

World War 3: Russia makes surprise move by proposing UN Security Council resolution concerning Syria!

“Hopefully, we can work with the Russians who, for the first time, at least are recognizing that this is a matter that needs to go to the Security Council.  It is just that we have differences in how they are approaching it, but we hope to be able to work with them.”-Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State

“We made no secret of the fact and it is reflected in the text that we call on violence to be stopped from all sides. We are concerned about weapons smuggling, the armed groups operating in Syria. As you know from the outset our assessment of the situation is that various violent groups there are taking advantage of peaceful demonstrators in order to pursue their agenda.”-Vitaly Churkin, Russian envoy to the UN

In a surprise move Russia announced they will propose Security Council resolution concerning Syria.  Russian officials refuse to reveal the details until they make the official presentation.

Back in October, Russia and China vetoed a resolution presented by western European countries.

Syria’s Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa, is in Moscow right now discussing the issue with Russian leaders.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

More proof the Occupy movement is right: When cost of living is included almost 50% of Americans are poor, yet the top 10% got big pay raises in 2010 and their employers lied about it

According to corporate research firm Global Market Insight (GMI), Corporate America’s CEOs got big raises in 2010, even though many companies did not perform well!

The CEOs of the top 500 companies got as much as a 36.5% increase in pay. The next 3,000 U.S. corporations gave their CEOs a pay raise averaging 27%!  Researchers with GMI said they were surprised, and considered the pay increases way out of line with the poor performance of many of the companies.

This news comes at the same time the U.S. Census Bureau is unofficially calling almost half of the population of the United States poor!

“SPM rates were higher than official poverty rates in 2010, overall and for most groups”-Brookings/Census Bureau Meeting on Improved Poverty Measurment, November 7, 2011

The new poverty statistics take into account “nondiscretionary” cost of living expenses such as income taxes, child care, health care, commuting to work, etc.  When cost of living is factored in it raises the official number of poor people in the U.S.

The “official” poverty surveys consider before tax income only!  This means the “official” poverty numbers have been way off for decades.  However, the Census Bureau says the new SPM poverty numbers “Will not replace the official poverty measure” and “Will not be used for resource allocation or program eligibility”!

The new SPM numbers also include some types of welfare benefits a family might be getting, plus child support, and yet even with that data the number of poor people still went higher than the “official” poverty numbers.  This is more evidence of how inaccurate the “official” count is, and how rampant poverty is in the U.S.!

The new data was released on November 7, 2011, yet I don’t recall any mainstream U.S. media reporting it. The data covers the year 2010 only, it’s called Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2010 (SPM).

When using the SPM (aka Improved Poverty Measure) a big jump in the number of poor people were found in the age group of 18 to 64 year olds.  But the biggest jump in poverty was found in the age group of people 65 years or older.

If I read the Census Bureau graphs correctly (and if I understood the Bureaus’ explanations of how they figured it), when you add the “official” poverty numbers to the new SPM numbers you get 146.4 million people who are poor  (49.1 million “officially” poor + 97.3 million SPM poor).  Even if you go by just the new SPM data that’s nearly 100 million poor people in the U.S.

Officially there are 312 million people in the United States.

Back to Corporate America’s big pay raises for their CEOs.

The top earning CEO in 2010 was John Hammergen of McKesson Corporation, getting $145 million, not counting his stock options or retirement benefits!  According to GMI, McKesson has essentially lied about how much they paid Hammergen.  They reported they paid Hammergen only (hmph, ‘only’) $46.1 million.

GMI researchers said McKesson refused to explain the difference.  GMI says Hammergen not only got $145 million in pay, he got $112 million in stock options, a retirement plan worth $13.5 million, and, if he ever got fired his severance package is worth $469 million! For getting fired!!! And the right wing neo-conservative ass holes complain about the average unemployed worker being on unemployment pittance (it certainly is not a “benefit”)!!!

Just like it says in HR 1905, we are slaves!