Tag Archives: texas

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

What Economic Recovery? HP to layoff up to 48,000 more employees! Texas to be hit hard? Idaho’s printer factory targeted? Blame lack of recovery in Europe!

23 May 2012, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is expected to layoff another 25,000 employees according to an unnamed source, reported in a CNN/Fortune article.

The original report of the 25,000 job cuts came from Bloomberg on 17 May 2012.  It includes about “…10,000 to 15,000 from Hewlett-Packard’s enterprise services group.”  HP’s enterprise services is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

However, on 16 May 2012, Business Insider reported that HP wants to layoff up to 15% of its employees. “Layoffs are going to be significant.” HP has about 320,000 employees, if they go for a 15% cut that’s 48,000 people losing their jobs!

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is reporting that HP will report huge losses after the stock markets close today, 23 May. The WSJ Market Watch is expecting HP to report a quarterly earnings decline of 27%, with overall revenues down by 5%.

Fox News reporting that HP is suffering from the bad economy in Europe, which makes up 37% of HP’s business: “The increasing uncertainty and resulting macro weakness in Europe will likely act as an ongoing headwind to growth.”-Chris Whitmore, Deutsche Bank Securities

CNN is reporting that “Many of the job cuts are expected to come from the printing unit.” Back in march, HP announced it was merging its computer and printer factories.  However, this is not the first time HP has combined computer and printer production.

The last attempt was made in 2005, and was reversed six months later.

According to the IdahoStatesman, more than 50% of HP’s Boise, Idaho operation is printing and imaging.  When the IdahoStatesman questioned HP’s Boise campus boss (back in March), he claimed he was unaware of the merger of computer and printer operations.

Hewlett Packard has been slashing and burning ever since 2009, when employees got a 5% pay cut.  Then in 2010, about 9,000 jobs were cut. In February 2012, 275 people lost their jobs due to the canceling of HP’s webOS.

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

Government & Corporate Incompetence: USGS says 6 fold increase in U.S. earthquakes caused by Oil Industry! California watch out!

“A remarkable increase in the rate of M 3 and greater earthquakes is currently in progress in the U.S. midcontinent. The average number of M >= 3 earthquakes/year increased starting in 2001, culminating in a six-fold increase over 20th century levels in 2011.”-USGS study, Are Seismicity Rate Changes in the Midcontinent Natural or Manmade?

Around the beginning of January 2012, officials from the U.S. Geological Survey testified to Ohio state officials, that the fracking going on in their state was the cause of a sudden string of earthquakes.

In July 2011, the state of Arkansas banned fracking for the same reasons.

Now a new study by USGS geologists, published by Seismological Society of America (SSA), confirms that “…the seismicity rate changes described here are almost certainly manmade…”, due to “…oil and gas production.”

The study will be discussed in more detail at a meeting from April 17-19.

USGS scientists point out that the area of increased quake activity is not normal for that part of the United States: “A naturally-occurring rate change of this magnitude is unprecedented outside of volcanic settings or in the absence of a main shock, of which there were neither in this region.”

The abstract details of the study also say: “The modest increase that began in 2001 is due to increased seismicity in the coal bed methane field of the Raton Basin along the Colorado-New Mexico border west of Trinidad, CO. The acceleration in activity that began in 2009 appears to involve a combination of source regions of oil and gas production, including the Guy, Arkansas region, and in central and southern Oklahoma.”

But this is not the only recent study published by the SSA to link oil production with earthquakes. Another report linked the April 2010 Alice, Texas earthquake to oil production in the Stratton field: “We conclude it is plausible, although not proven definitively, that production in the Stratton field contributed to the occurrence of the 2010 Alice earthquake and an earlier similar earthquake that occurred on 24 March 1997.”

So far most of the quakes are taking place in areas that don’t normally have much seismic activity, but California has plenty of earthquakes, and there’s a lot of oil and gas drilling, including fracking, going on there!

“On the one hand, the Division [California agency regulating petroleum industry] remains in denial about fracking for oil. On the other hand, they ask for and receive funding to regulate it and then don’t do it, and have no plans to do it [‘it’ as in ‘regulate’].”-Bill Allayaud, Environmental Working Group

U.S.

Evil Texas Christians: U.S. soldier murdered for refusing Christianity!

“Brittany Green advised that Justin Green came to Brittany’s apartment and told Brittany…that he had shot Ramirez two times because Ramirez did not believe in God.”-Court statement

An entire “christian” family, and a family “christian” friend, have been arrested, for the murder of a former U.S. Army soldier seven years ago in Clay County, Texas.

The family, a mom, son and daughter, set up the murder of the former soldier by luring him into their house, where he was shot several times.  Texas Rangers found the body buried in a shallow grave, under trash. His legs were sticking out.

When investigators asked the daughter why her brother shot the victim, she said it was because he refused to accept a christian god!

The mom and the son were captured in Arizona.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices to go up: Oil pipeline blown up in Syria, gas pipeline blown up in Egypt, oil pipeline explodes in Illinois, pipeline fire in Alaska, pipeline fire in Texas

March 5, 2012, pro-U.S. rebels blew up a major oil pipeline in Syria.  It happened in Deir al-Zor.

Deir al-Zor is an oil producing province bordering Iraq.  It has been under attack by rebels who are part of the loosely organized U.S./Israeli supported Free Syrian Army.

Also, a gas pipeline from Egypt to Jordan and Israel was blown up, for the 13th time since the January 2011 Egyptian Revolution.

Over the weekend, an oil pipeline was shut down after two cars crashed into the pipeline, causing an explosion.  The pipeline runs from Canada to Illinois. Two people were killed, three injured. Local Illinois police say it was a terrible car accident.

On March 1, British Petroleum (BP) reported a fire at one of its Alaskan operations. They said employees noticed a flame, then a loud bang at the Prudhoe Bay Gathering Center 2.   They don’t know what caused it.

In Texas, on March 2, three workers were injured by a fire on a Texas pipeline.  It’s being called a flash fire, caused when the workers were trying to repair an out of use pipeline.

On February 24, 2012, a Louisiana gas plant was closed indefinitely.  One employee was injured during a fire at the Basile plant.  The plant will re-open after an investigation.

Now realize that these kinds of things happen on a weekly bases, all around the World.  This proves the petroleum industry is not environmentally safe, is run by incompetents, is a main target of war, and it is the real reason oil and natural gas prices stay high.

 

U.S.

United Police States of America: Autopsy shows Texas Cops not justified in killing high school student. Teen high on chocolate? Cops force Stepmom to wave legal rights!

On February 17, 2012, the results of an autopsy on a 15 year old, shot and killed by Texas cops, were released.  It shows the cops were not justified!

On January 4, cops shot a 15 year old at Cummings Middle School in Brownsville, Texas.  He died of gunshot to his chest and abdomen.  Associated Press reports say the teen was shot in the back of the head as well.

Police said they believed he was on drugs, and they did not know the gun he was holding was a pellet gun.  The autopsy shows the teenager was not on drugs.  Only compounds associated with chocolate, caffeine and tea were found in his system!

To add insult to murder, the family of the boy said the police forced his stepmom to sign paperwork absolving the cops of any wrongdoing!!!

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

Pale Green Horse & Rat Fever: Cases are on the rise around the World. Doctors die and government efforts to kill rats has failed. Return of the Black Death?

“May I formally as Commissioner for Health in Rivers State declare that there is Lassa fever epidemic in the State and we must do all we can to tackle the challenge.”-Sampson Parker, Port Harcourt State Commissioner for Health

At the end of 2011, two people died of Lassa (aka Laffa) viral hemorrhagic fever in the African country of Ghana.  It was a first for that country.

Now more than a dozen people have died in the civil war torn African country of Nigeria.  At the end of January 2012, African media reports said there might be an outbreak in the northern areas of Nigeria, one doctor had died.  Reports published on February 15, said another doctor and a nurse died, along with 13 people.

The medical center in Nigeria’s Taraba state has been overwhelmed with cases, and shut down.

In the Nigerian port city of Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner for Health declared Nigeria to be suffering an epidemic of Lassa fever.  Efforts by the Nigerian government to contain the Lassa epidemic will be difficult, since the country is being torn by a violent civil war.  War actually helps spread the disease.

I’d just like to point out that the Untied States has been slowly increasing troop deployments to Africa, and there is no vaccine for Lassa!

Travel across the Indian Ocean to India, and you’ll discover outbreaks of rat fever there as well.  In the Ernakulam district, on the extreme southwestern tip of India, the government is losing a race to distribute rat poison to fight the infected rats.

Ernakulam district has 85 panchayats, or village level governing bodies.  They were supposed to get the rat poison at the end of last year.  According to Indian media reports, as of January 2012, 47 of the 85 panchayats got the poison, but even worse, only four of those actually distributed it to residents.

That’s because in India the panchayats have to pay up front for the so called government help: “We have been promptly delivering the pesticides wherever possible. We have distributed over three lakh packets to the 47 panchayats.
But in the absence of distribution, funds were not released and only four panchayats have been able to pay for the pesticide. It was owing to this that we temporarily stopped distribution.”-P Gopalakrishnan, Inspection and Quality Control

On top of that, the rat poison being offered has a three month shelf life, which means they are racing against time to find the funds to pay for the so called government program.  The Ernakulam district has already had several hundred cases, and several deaths due to the rat fever.

To make matters worse, Southeast Asia, where India is located, does not have laboratories that can handle such deadly diseases.  In a few months time, India will be the first country in Southeast Asia to have such a lab. It’s called the National Institute of Virology’s bio-safety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory, and the study of Lassa is one of it’s top priorities.

But don’t think we in the West are better off (well we are, but not by much). According to the San Antonio Express, the U.S. state of Texas has one of the very few labs that study diseases like Lassa.

It’s the Texas Biomedical Research Institute’s bio-safety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory.  They are currently working to develop vaccines for Ebola, Marburg and Lassa.

That’s the rub, there is no treatment for these diseases.

The Black Death was spread by fleas infected with bacteria. Those fleas lived on rats. Those rats spread around the world by hitching rides on camel caravans along the Silk Road, and on merchant ships.  Wars and famines also helped to spread the rats.

There were many times in history when a Black Death plague hit the World.  Hypothesis say it was probably different bacteria each time, science has not been able to positively pin the blame on any one bacteria (Yersinia Pestis is the current favorite).  But this latest Black Death Rat Fever, called Lassa fever, is not a bacteria, it is a virus, and therefore can not be treated with antibiotics.

“You have to be vigilant. You have to educate first responders on the strange diseases that start appearing in the emergency room. And you have to keep developing countermeasures. That’s all you can do at this point.”-Jean Patterson, Texas BioMed

I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him.  They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

 

U.S.

Texas Christian University, offers course on how to be a perscription drug pusher? 17 arrested

“There’s no doubt all arrested today are drug dealers.”–Steven McGee, TCU Police Chief

After a six month investigation 17 ‘christian’ students were arrested for selling drugs.  Several athletes were among those arrested.

The drugs include Xanax, Oxycotin, hydrocodone, as well as marijuana and a powdered form of ecstasy.  

Police investigated after getting complaints from parents and students.

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

Black Horse & What Economic Recovery? Texas Instruments shutting down decades old factories, thousands to lose jobs, despite $298 million profit at the end of 2011!

…there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

Long time electronics manufacturer, Texas Instruments, will close two factories, one in Japan, the other in Texas.

Both factories are more than 30 years old, and Ti says it will be too costly to upgrade them, so instead they’ll shut ’em down and lay off thousands of employees in Japan and the U.S.

Ti also blames a drop in sales, and a 68% drop in profits. However, even with that 68% drop in profits, Ti still reported a $298 million profit from October to December 2011!

Business/Economics, U.S.

Black Horse & Political Incompetence: “Conservative Christian” Rick Perry spends $1.4 million in taxpayer money running for President, while Texas burns and people starve in Texas Prisons

I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

Texas Governor Rick Perry has spent at least $1.4 million of Texas taxpayer’s money on his campaign for President of the United States.  What’s the money being spent on? Security, travel, lodging and food!

“…what are they eating? How many people are there? $4,400 in one meal? Jesus, lord, mercy, how much food can you eat?”– Cenk Uygur, The Young Turks

Between just September and December of 2011, $400,000 of taxpayer funds went towards security.

Other expenses include $32,000 worth of lodging while in San Francisco, $4,400 dinner tab in Simi Valley and $6,400 for a flight out of San Diego!

To add insult to taxpayer injury, ‘christian’ Rick Perry and his cohorts cut funding for Texas firefighters, right at a time when almost the whole state of Texas was burning (then he tried to blame Obama for not helping Texas fight the fires!).  Also, he cut funding for Texas prisons so drastically that they now get the equivalent of only two meals per day (welcome to the United Police States of America)!

Perry tried to justify the charging of his campaign expenses to the Texas taxpayers: “I’m going to be promoting Texas. I’m going to be traveling to places where the Texas story needs to be told, and we will tell it.”-Rick Perry

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Christmas Capital of Texas family killed on Xmas day, blame the economy

A Texas family that had lost their home to foreclosure, were shot and killed by Santa Claus on Christmas morning.

The distraught father dressed as Santa and decided to end it all after the family  opened their presents. The Wall Street Journal called it the single largest mass shooting in the history of Grapevine, Texas (Grapevine is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas)!

Seven people, ranging in ages 18 to 60, were found dead. Police say it looks like the family was just starting to clean up after opening their presents. Police responded to a 911 call, in which the caller said nothing.

Police will not comment on a motive, at this point: “We have a pretty good idea who these folks were, and we’re trying to work through contacting other family members so we can better piece together what took place and why it took place.”-Robert Eberling, Grapevine Police

Local media interviewed neighbors, in Colleyville, Texas, and learned that the family had lost their home to foreclosure, and that the father might have been a work-a-holic who was having financial problems.  Neighbors said even after he lost his home, back in 2010, he continued to take care of the yard: “I actually saw him out doing yard work just last weekend!”-Thomas Ehrlich

The mother failed to show up for work on Monday: “For somebody who’s always early to work and who never misses a day of work, we expected the worst.”-Leah Langford, employer

Apparently, according to Colleyville neighbors, the family actually stayed in the home for a while after it was foreclosed.  The family recently moved into the Grapevine apartment.