Tag Archives: u.s.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Sign the West is going down: Huge jump in suicides, even the U.S. military sees 154 suicides in 155 days! Blame the War, blame the economy!

8 June 2012, numerous reports proving that things are not well in the Western world.  The biggest sign is the increase in suicides.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suicides by U.S. teenagers hit 7.8% in 2011. An increase from 2009’s 6.3%.

The info is found in the CDC’s 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.  That survey also found the percentage of teenagers who seriously considered suicide up as well; 15.8% in 2011. 

In Japan (considered part of the Western world, it is part of the Trilateral Commission), the National Police Agency reported on 8 June 2012, that 622 people aged 19 or younger committed suicide, up 70 from 2011. The number of suicides of people in their 20s rose by 64 to 3,304.

The Japanese government says suicide by people younger than 30 years has increased every year since 2009, they blame the bad economy and the increasing lack of jobs!

Reuters reporting that suicides in the economic crisis stricken country of Greece are up; a 40% increase between 2010 & 2011!

In the United Kingdom, the latest data shows a 10% increase in suicides between 2007 & 2009.

At the end of May 2012, France saw a wave of suicide by railway: “We’ve never seen so many suicides in such a short period of time.”-Michel Pronost, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français/National Corporation of French Railways

  In four days 12 people killed themselves by jumping in front of a train, including one man who took his 19 month old baby with him.  The causes were blamed on everything from bad relationships to the bad economy.

In India (a Western country due to it being a former British colony, and still under some influence by the British & U.S. Empire, and operating a Western style economy), a too big to fail bank (Central Bank of India) is downplaying suicides, saying “Farmers’ suicide numbers is just media hype.”  The statement was made after hundreds of farmers killed themselves when their credit was cut off by the bank (they were de-leveraged, a policy that has been pushed by the U.S. controlled World Bank and IMF)!

The amazing thing is that India’s economy is booming (they are part of the BRICS)!

South Africa (a Western country as it was established by the British Empire, and uses Western style economy) reports a “shocking” increase in suicide, especially among people who were about to lose their jobs.

Another surprise was that the sudden increase in suicides is among white males: “A lot of them have wives who have been raising kids. She has no skills, he has no job and is freaking out. People feel retrenchment [job loss] is a black mark against them, and they worry that they will be perceived as having done something wrong.”-Janine Shamos, South African Depression and Anxiety Group

About one in ten deaths in South Africa are due to suicide. The amazing thing is that South Africa’s economy is supposed to be good (they are part of the BRICS)!

For every person who killed themselves, there were 20 people who tried to do the same thing. A British sociologist says government cuts to social programs only makes things worse: “Austerity can turn a crisis into an epidemic. Job loss can lead to an accumulation of risks that can tip people into depression and severe mental illness which can be difficult to reverse, especially if people are not getting appropriate care.”-David Stuckler, Cambridge University

A psychologist says such bad economic conditions actually speeds up the process of depression that leads to suicide: “Instead of seeing a slow increase in the epidemiology of mental illness, what we’re seeing is what we predicted, that these economic impacts have rapid significance for our way of thinking about the world.”-Peter Kinderman, University of Liverpool

Back in the United States, Time.com and the Associated Press are reporting that suicides among active duty military personnel have hit almost one per day!

Pentagon data shows 154 suicides during the first 155 days of 2012, 50% more than those U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan!

In 2008 suicide among U.S. military personnel exceeded the civilian cases: “…historically, the suicide rate has been significantly lower in the military than among the U.S. civilian population.”-U.S. Army statement, 2010

Military mental health officials blame the repeated deployments in the never ending War on Terror!

 

 

 

Fukushima

One Year Later: Japanese government incompetence; still no official nuclear disaster emergency regulations!

8 June 2012, NHK (nippon housou kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reporting that more than one year after the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi began, the federal government of Japan still has no new official policy regarding nuclear disasters!

Last year most local governments, and individuals, learned of government evacuation instructions through media, not federal government channels.  Also, it’s now known that some people actually evacuated the wrong way, into radiation plumes, and many of the emergency centers did not perform as expected.

The federal government scrapped their old policies, as they proved totally useless, and were supposed to come up with new ones by now!

About the only thing the federal government of Japan has agreed on is to expand danger zones around nuclear plants from 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to 30 km (18.6 miles).

More than 130 municipal governments are supposed to create their own nuke disaster regulations, but, they’re supposed to be based on the, so far, non-existent federal regulations.

A new federal nuclear regulatory body was supposed to be up and running in April 2012, but it never happened.

Fukushima

One Year Later: GE designed Fukushima Daiichi Reactors still leaking cooling water! No decommissioning until it stops!

8 June 2012, Tokyo Electric (TEPCo) said that employees inspected the basements of Reactors 2 & 3, for the first time since the March 2011 nuclear disaster began!

Now, more than a year later, TEPCo officials say it is clear that the reactor vessels are damaged and still leaking! Really, after all this time?

The basement of Reactor 2 has 5.33 meters (17.3 feet) of contaminated water, and Reactor 3 has 5.43 meters (17.7 feet)!

Rather than dump sand, lead, boric acid and concrete on the thing (as the Soviets did with Chernobyl), the Japanese government, and TEPCo, have decided to shut down the GE designed disaster reactors, as if they were functioning normally!

The problem is that it requires the cooling down of the reactors, and the removal of melted fuel rods.  And that can only be accomplished by stopping any leaks and removing all contaminated water.  Here’s the thing, more than one year later, TEPCo still does not know where the water is leaking from!!!

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence: Hurting for revenue U.S. Postal Service considers giving junk mail companies a cheaper rate? Don’t blame USPS, blame Congress!

8 June 2012, The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is supposedly in financial trouble, no thanks to the U.S. Congress, but now there are reports that the USPS could give one of the countries largest junk mail distributor a cut rate deal!

Valassis Direct Mail has been negotiating with the USPS for a lower rate.  But wait, don’t blame the USPS!  The USPS can not set postal rates!  It is the U.S. Congress that makes those deals! It’s actually the Postal Regulatory Commission that Valassis Direct Mail has been negotiating with.

For some reason the mainstream newspaper media is bashing the USPS directly.  The Newspaper Association of America (NAA) says it’s not fair to give junk mail distributors a cut rate on postage, especially when the USPS is in need of cash.

It is the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) that will make the decision on the deal. The PRC is a Congressional commission!!!

In September 2011, the USPS Postmaster General, and the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, explained in a heated PBS interview that it was the rules imposed by the U.S. Congress (like over paying into federal funds) that is destroying the USPS.

One of those rules is that it is Congress that makes the postage rate deals!

At the end of May 2012, the USPS announced they will layoff 45,000 employees.  It’s part of the plans to layoff 150,000 employees by 2015.  Also in May, USPS announced they would try and cut back on working hours, hoping to prevent closing down anymore post offices and distribution centers.

The United States Postal Service does not make money off taxpayers, they are solely funded by the postage they charge (prices are controlled by Congress, not USPS), and other products they sell.  The cuts being made to the USPS will have no affect on U.S. government (taxpayer) debt.

 

Idaho, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 04 June – 07 June. U.S. kills dozens of civilians, again! U.S. finally admits Mujahideen are more agressive this year! Idaho Guardsman shot. NATO signs exit deal.

7 June 2012

“There’s been an increase in the attacks.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense

After threatening Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, arrived in Kabul to discuss the increased violence in Afghanistan (proving that recent reports that violence was down are wrong).  If you’ve been following my posts, it’s obvious the violence has increased.

Panetta admitted, in a round-a-bout way, that the U.S. is clueless in Afghanistan, by saying his impromptu visit to Afghanistan was “…to get a sense of just exactly what are the Taliban doing.”

In classic U.S. trickery, Panetta said that while attacks were up, they were still down, compared to other years of occupation!  Some regional news sources point out that the U.S. is also behind the increase in violence as more civilians have been killed by occupying forces.

Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, is condemning yet another U.S. led occupying force attack, that left at least 18 civilians dead.  Karzai was on a trip to China, but cut the trip short to return to Afghanistan.

The airstrike, possibly by UAV, took place in Logar Province on the morning of 6 June 2012.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a member of the Afghan Parliament was attacked.  Local reports say his convoy was ambushed as he headed to Kabul.  At least four of his body guards were wounded.

6 June 2012

Idaho National Guard reporting that one of their citizen soldiers was wounded while riding in a Black Hawk helicopter.  He was shot (on 3 June) by Mujahideen on the ground.  Sergeant Albert Vieth was flown to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State for further treatment.

Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-168 General Support Aviation Battalion was sent to Afghanistan on 19 May.

Another U.S. led occupying forces helicopter has gone down.  International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Logar Province, a U.S. occupying forces airstrike killed at least 18 civilians.  Afghan government officials, and occupying forces claim 25 Mujahideen killed, however, local security officials claim most of those killed were civilians.  A house belonging to a tribal elder was blown up by the airstrike.

It  was possibly a drone strike, as ISAF refers to it as a “precision airstrike”.

In Kandahar Province, a massive suicide bombing left as many as 23 people killed, and 50 wounded. The target of the bomber was the U.S. controlled Kandahar air port.  Some regional reports say occupying troops make up some of the dead.

In Faryab Province, another suicide bombing left as many as eight people dead.  It was reported by the Afghan government’s 303 Pamir Security Command.

In Kapisa Province, at least six cops were killed, and two wounded after Mujahideen attacked a checkpoint.

ISAF reports yet another “facilitator” captured, in Takhar Province.  Another “leader” captured in Kandahar Province.

5 June 2012

In Ghazni Province, two civilians were wounded, one killed after they drove over a mine.

In Nuristan Province, Afghan border police claim to have killed 12 Mujahideen in an ambush.

ISAF claims two “leaders” killed by a “precision airstrike” (drone strike?), in Ghazni Province.

NATO signs exit deal with Central Asian countries.  Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have agreed to allow NATO forces to get the hell out of Afghanistan through their territory: “These agreements will give us a range of new options and the robust and flexible transport network we need.”

4 June 2012

In Ghor Province, the local development council chief was assassinated. No one knows who did it.

In Parwan Province, a U.S./NATO occupying fuel convoy was ambushed and burned.

British Ministry of Defence says one of their soldiers was shot and killed in Helmand Province.  They say he was shot on 3 June, while on patrol.  MoD also confirmed that another Red Coat was killed in the same area on 1 June.

Afghan Interior Ministry claims 20 Mujahideen killed, six wounded and 13 captured, in battles in Nangarhar, Helmand and Maidan Wardak provinces.

In Paktiya Province, ISAF claims three Mujahideen killed by airstrike. Also, two students were killed by a mine (roadside bomb).

Afghan Defense Ministry says one of their soldiers was killed and 14 wounded in battles in Maidan Wardak, Logar, Paktia and Zabul provinces.

Afghan National Directorate for Security claim they killed a prominent Mujahideen “leader”, along with 25 Mujahideen, in Helmand Province.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? President of Argentina dumps U.S. dollars. Pesos more profitable, or just another sign of Hyper Inflation?

“I’ve just had one fixed term account in dollars for some time, and I’ve decided to put it in pesos, it’s more profitable to have it in [Argentine] pesos.”-Cristina Fernandez, President of Argentina

7 June 2012, la Presidenta also urged “…any officials who’ve got a few little dollars to do the same thing.”

Argentina is the number three economy in South America.  However, having a booming economy has resulted in an inflation rate around 9 to 10%!  The result is that many people, and banks, in Argentina are buying up U.S. dollars to try and hedge against hyperinflation.

Argentines have been there done that many times before.  Many people bought U.S. dollars to survive Argentina’s notorious hyperinflation in the past, but this time the U.S. economy is in the toilet, so buying up those gringo dollars might be a bad move.

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence: Vacuum cleaner causes fire that results in $400 million repair bill for U.S. taxpayers!

It turns out that a “massive” fire on a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, on May 24,  was caused by a vacuum cleaner!  It burned for several hours and sent several personnel to the hospital. The sub was docked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in the U.S. state of Maine.

Now comes the news that the fire was caused by a vacuum cleaner “…stored in an unoccupied space…”, and that the “…initial rough repair cost…” will be $400 million plus 10%!!!

And guess who pays for the U.S. Navy’s mistakes?  The U.S. taxpayer!

At least the Russian’s claimed their recent submarine fire was an act of sabotage by U.S. agents.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Best Buy founder jumps ship, hopes his leaving will help company recover!

“There is an urgent need for Best Buy to reinvigorate growth by reconnecting with today’s customers and building pathways to the next generation of consumers.”-Richard Schulze, founder of Best Buy

7 June 2012, founder and boss of Best Buy for 36 years, Richard Schulze, has resigned.

Best Buy has been struggling with falling sales, and accusations of inappropriate behavior by members of the board.

A former CEO of Best Buy is accused of “…violated company policy by engaging in an extremely close personal relationship with a female employee that negatively impacted the work environment…”-Best Buy statement

Best Buy suffered a 26% drop in net income for the 1st quarter of 2012!

International, U.S.

World War 3: Terror Drone update. Former CIA official says blowback coming for U.S., because drones kill mainly civilians!

“We have gone a long way down the road of creating a situation where we are creating more enemies than we are removing from the battlefield. We are already there with regards to Pakistan and Afghanistan.”-Robert Grenier, former CIA official

5 June 2012, Robert Grenier, head of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) counter terrorism center from 2004 to 2006, and was a CIA station chief in Pakistan, is warning of blowback from the use of assassination drones (unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs).

This is because drone strikes kill more bystanders than actual terrorist targets!

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates as many as 830 civilians have been killed in Pakistan. 138 civilians in Yemen and 57 in Somalia. The problem, Grenier says, is that Obama’s drone policy is too vague; anyone, especially males, seen in an area suspected of having terrorists is considered a target: “It needs to be targeted much more finely. We have been seduced by them and the unintended consequences of our actions are going to outweigh the intended consequences.”

He says recent drone killings in Yemen will actually make that country the new safe haven for terrorists: “If you strike them indiscriminately you are running the risk of creating a terrific amount of popular anger. They have tribes and clans and large families. Now all of a sudden you have a big problem … I am very concerned about the creation of a larger terrorist safe haven in Yemen.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. ally, United Kingdom, slams U.S. focus on Asia Pacific as new area of global conflict. Bad economy to blame!

On 4 June 2012, an official representative of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Military, criticized the plans of the United States, to send 60% of U.S. naval forces to the Asia Pacific region by 2020.

Armed Forces Minister, Nick Harvey, stated that the Royal Navy, let alone other European navies, will not be ready to pick up the slack in the Atlantic, by 2020.

The United Kingdom has been slashing and burning its military budget.  The Ministry of Defence revealed that in the past three years $26.2 billion USD of military equipment has been scrapped!

Harvey said it will take time to rebuild their navy in order to fill the void when the U.S. sails most of its fleet to Asia:  “When we’re back in the carrier strike game we could pull more weight, [but] if Europe is to take more responsibility, we’ve got some way to go.”