Tag Archives: u.s.

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

One Year Later: More radioactive shrooms, shoots & beef

Not even a week after Japan set tougher limits on radioactive cesium in food, but more mushroom farms are found to be contaminated.

In a town 300 kilometers (186.4 miles) from Fukishima Daiichi, a farm in Kanagawa Prefecture discovered their mushrooms contain 141 becquerels of radioactive cesium per kilogram.

The new safe limits are 100 becquerels (prior to that the government was allowing food with 500 becquerels to be sold!).

Bamboo shoot farms in Chiba Prefecture have also turned up contaminated.

Ibaraki Prefecture also reporting that bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms are contaminated.

In Gunma Prefecture, beef is contaminated with 106 becquerels of radioactive cesium, although the new safe limits for beef don’t go into effect until October!  Gunma officials say they are still asking cattle ranchers not to ship the beef.

ONE YEAR LATER: SOME FUKUSHIMA FARM ANIMALS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LIVE

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

International, U.S.

World War 3: Mujahideen Spring Offensive April 7, 2012

Three Afghan army soldiers were wounded in Helmand Province, while conducting seek and destroy operations.

Afghan army and police claim to have killed dozens of Mujahideen in battles, as well as captured anti-government militants and weapons, in the past 24 hours.  The battles took place in the following provinces: Gahzni, Nangarhar, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Kunar, Helmand, Nanagahar, Paktia and Zabul.

Three private security guards were killed, one wounded, when their vehicle hit a mine in Khost Province.

Two Afghan cops were wounded after a bomb went off in Gardez city, in Paktia Province.

Two civilians were killed, and four wounded, after a battle between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen in Kapisa Province.

In Faryab Province more Uzbekistani Mujahideen were capture and killed.  International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says they are part of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.  They are calling those captured “facilitators”, meaning they might not be part of the organization, but are helping them in some way (money, guns, ammo, food).

ISAF says there was a firefight, in which several Uzbek militants were killed.

ISAF and Afghan forces conducted several operations to capture Mujahideen “leaders” in Kandahar and Khost provinces. ISAF did not say if they were successful.

 

 

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

What Economic Recovery? Good and Bad news for Idaho’s Hoku Materials

On March 22, 2012, Hoku Solar (a subsidiary of Hoku Corporation, in turn majority owned by China’s Tianwei New Energy) was selected to build a 7.2 megawatt solar farm in Kaua’i, Hawaii.

In December 2011, Hoku Solar actually delivered a 1.18 megawatt solar energy facility, the largest solar power plant in O’ahu, Hawaii.

After the announcement of the 7.2 megawatt solar farm contract, Hoku Corp stock went up 11%.

Now the bad news, another subsidiary of Hoku Corporation, Hoku Materials, is getting hit again by the construction contractor in charge of completing the southeastern Idaho polysilicon factory.

There are reports that once again Hoku has not fully paid its contractor JH Kelly.  This has happened before, and is part of the main cause for many construction delays in the past.  JH Kelly officials say they are taking “action” against Hoku.

Hoku Materials has also played the same game with electricity supplier Idaho Power.  Their latest battle was settled by an Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) decision.

According to an 15 March 2012 IPUC statement, Hoku got a new electricity contract which: “… reduces Hoku’s monthly minimum payment to about $800,000 for up to 18 months through June 2013.  To protect customers and the company from the lost revenue from the lower minimum payment, Hoku will reimburse the difference between the current and the revised minimum charge in payments spread through November 2014, plus 6 percent interest.  Hoku will also make an initial payment of $3.8 million, with $2 million of that coming from a $4 million deposit already provided by Hoku. The remaining $1.8 million will be paid over the next 18 months at $100,000 per month.  Hoku must give Idaho Power 30 days’ notice when it plans to exceed 10 MW and six-months’ notice when it plans to exceed 20 MW.”  

HOKU MATERIALS’ CUSTOMERS WHO ‘PREPAID’ ARE GETTING IMPATIENT!

International, U.S.

World War 3: More Afghan police killed, Afghan government raid results in civilians being killed

April 6, 2012, in Kandahar Province four Afghan cops were killed in separate incidents.

One was shot, another was killed trying to defuse a bomb, and two others were killed when their vehicle hit a mine.

In Kapisa Province, Afghan government forces attacked a Mujahideen position.  According to Abdul Hakim Akhundzadeh, governor of Tagab district, a rocket then hit an area where government forces were conducting seek and destroy operations, in the Matkhel area of the province.

The resulting explosion killed two civilians and wounded four others.

International, U.S.

World War 3: NATO copter shot down, U.S. drone crashes, U.S. led troops killed, more assassinations, Australian General backs up U.S. General’s claim that this is a “critical year”

An ISAF report says: “An International Security Assistance Force rotary wing [helicopter] unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in northern Afghanistan today.”  ISAF does not believe it was shot down.  No further details.

Some speculate that since the drone was a helicopter that it might be what witnesses are calling a NATO helicopter crash, in Baghlan Province.  The province is under the control of Hungarian NATO forces.  No further details.

Also, ISAF confirms reports that U.S. led troops have been attacked and killed. As is SOP with ISAF they will not give out details, other than the attack took place in eastern Afghanistan on April 6.

ISAF says the current death toll for U.S./NATO/ISAF troops is at 104 since the beginning of this year.

On the morning of April 6, 2012, a peace negotiator and one of his sons were assassinated when a bomb exploded. A third person was also killed.  The explosion happened after Islamic Friday Prayers.  It happened in Kunar Province.

Major-General Stuart Smith, Commander of Australian Operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, re-stated what USMC General John R. Allen said recently: ”This is a critical year.”

Australian forces are beginning to hand over control of AOs (Areas of Operation) to Afghan government forces. Currently Australian forces operate in Oruzgan Province (aka Urōzgān, Uruzgan or Rōzgān): ”This is a year that, if the Afghan government asks us to, we will start the transition of handing over security responsibilities in Oruzgan to the Afghan Security Forces.”

However, General Smith made it clear that such hand over to Afghan government forces did not mean Western forces were leaving: “….that challenge will go on for a little while yet, beyond 2014.”

 

 

 

Fukushima

One Year Later: Fukushima school enrollment down 70%!

Enrollment at grade schools in Fukushima Prefecture are down 70%.

Before the March 2011 nuclear disaster began at Fukushima Daiichi, there were 54 elementary and junior high schools in the Prefecture.  Now only 42 schools are open, and they are operating in rented areas away from their original locations.

School officials say many families have moved away permanently.

Fukushima

One Year Later: Japanese city offers radiation check up for your house, limited time offer!

A city 140 km (87 miles) from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is offering radiation checkups for residents.

Utsunomiya City, north of Tokyo, started the service because of demands from taxpayers.

The city says they can check up to five houses per day, inspecting up to three specific areas requested by the inhabitants, such as the entry way or bedroom, etc.

Inspections done so far show radiation levels below the official safe limits.  This is a limited time offer ending in September.

International, U.S.

World War 3: More NATO fuel tankers blown up, people burned to death, Ohio National Guardsmen killed

April 6, 2012, seven people were burned to death when Mujahideen ambushed a U.S./NATO/ISAF fuel supply tanker in Khandahar.

Witnesses say Mujahideen used old Soviet Cold War era RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) to attack the convoy.

The attack took place near the same area as last months killing of Afghan civilians by the U.S. Army.  This is at least the third attack on a fueler since April 1.

Also today, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that three soldiers killed during the April 4 attack in Faryab Province, were members of the Ohio National Guard (the National Guard is a state militia).

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government/Corporate Evil & Class Warfare: 12 Myths of Western Capitalist “Democracy”, if you’re a commoner your chances of success are as good as playing the lottery!

The following quotes were published on 7 January 2012, by Portuguese economist Guilherme Alves Coelho.

Myth 1: Under capitalism, anyone who works hard can become rich.

“In fact, the probability of success in the capitalist system for the average citizen is the same as you winning the lottery.”

Myth 2: Capitalism creates wealth and prosperity for all.

“The objective is to enable the employer to accumulate indefinite wealth without being asked how they did it. At the same time the hope is maintained that sooner or later workers will be rewarded for their work and dedication.” 

Myth 3: We are all in the same boat.

“The goal is to create a guilt complex for workers, allowing capitalists to increase revenues and pass their expenses onto the people.”

This is similar to Mitt Romney style vulture capitalism, in which “investors” like Romney used other people’s money to make profits.

Myth 4: Capitalism means freedom.

“The goal is to create something similar to a religion of capitalism, where everything is taken as blind faith, and deny people the right to participate in making macroeconomic decisions. The myth of the freedom to “negotiate” for your job being considered the ultimate freedom.”

Myth 5: Capitalism means democracy.

“This myth, which smoothly follows from the previous one, was created in order to prevent the discussion of other models of societies.”

Myth 6: Elections equal democracy.

“It’s actually the capitalist system, that manipulates and corrupts everything, that the vote is conditioned and elections are merely formal acts.  The simple fact of the bourgeois class minority always winning elections demonstrates it’s non-representative.”

Don’t forget, one of the main reason for the 1776 Revolution that created the United States was no representation in the British government!

Myth 7: Alternating parties in office is the same as having an alternative.

“It is intended to make people believe that the political parties that alternate periodically in power have alternative policies.  In fact this apparent multi-system or bi-partisan is a one-party system. Two or more factions of the same political organization, sharing the same capitalist policies alternate in power, simulating independent parties with alternative policies.”

Another way to say this is the Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin.

Myth 8: The elected politician represents the people and can therefore decide for them.

“…once in power, the elected…Does not fulfill what he promised and what is even worse, put in place measures that were not talked about publicly before, often opposite what was promised and even unconstitutional.” 

“…being a major cause of the growing number of people who do not vote.”

Myth 9: There is no alternative to Capitalism.

“It is intended to make people believe that capitalism, though not perfect, is the only political/economic regime possible…The aim is to eliminate competition from other systems…using all means, including force…”

This is ironic considering the masses are always told that capitalism is about competition, or that competition is good.

Myth 10: Austerity cuts (severe and enforced economic deprivations) will save the economy and your job.

“It is intended to make people believe that the blame for the economic crisis is caused by the excess of benefits for workers….The aim is basically to transfer to the public, people in general and for workers specifically, the responsibility of paying the debts of the capitalists. Make people accept the plundering of their property in the belief that better days will come later. It is also intended to facilitate the privatization of public/government services….without mentioning that these were the most profitable sectors of the state, whose future earnings are lost as a result.”

Myth 11: Less government equals better government.

“It is intended to make people believe that the private sector manages the state better than the public sector.  The actual goal of capitalists is…to facilitate the takeover of functions and assets of profitable government operations.”

This is exactly what is going on with the U.S. Postal Service.  The USPS is not in trouble because they’re not making money, they’re in trouble because the U.S. Congress refuses to hand over the money the USPS has made from selling postal services (the money earned is actually controlled by Congress).  Remember the U.S. Congress is controlled by Corporate America.

Myth 12: The current crisis of Capitalism is short-term and will be resolved for the benefit of the people.

“It is intended to make people believe that the current economic and financial crisis is a normal cyclical crisis of capitalism, and not a systemic/intentional crisis.  The aim of the capitalists…is continuing to plunder and exploit the people while they can. It has also served for some politicians to remain in power, fueling hope among people that better days will come if they continue to vote for them…..what we see is the continuous deterioration of living standards of people without any hope of improvement.”

Guilherme Alves Coelho also warned that as Western style “democratic” capitalism continues to fail, the capitalist elites will force the working class to make more and more sacrifices.  Proof of this are the continuing and increasing austerity measures implemented by Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and United Kingdom, to name a few.  The austerity cuts have been taking place in the various states of the United States since 1999/2000, but they’re not called austerity, they’re called “reforms”, “improvements” and “cutting costs” supposedly to save taxpayer dollars (have they really saved taxpayers any money?).

This is clearly class warfare already being waged by the elites against the rest of us.  Coelho says we the People need to prepare for the final battle: “Today, more than ever, you need to create barriers to the final round of capitalist barbarism, reverse the situation, by presenting other political solutions, refusing the obscure statements of the elites by demanding clarification, and mobilizing and organizing the people.”