Tag Archives: unemployment

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Evil & What Rule of Law?: United States violates their own 1961 law, regarding supplying Israel with weapons. That money could have been used to create jobs in the U.S.

The 1961 U.S. Foreign Assistance Act states: “No security assistance may be provided to any country the government of which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violation of internationally recognized human rights.”

Official inquiries and investigations into U.S. military aid to Israel, over the past few decades, have revealed that U.S. taxpayer money, and U.S. weapons have been directly used to kill Palestinians and steal their land!

A new report by US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has revealed that it’s gotten worse since the year 2000.

Between 2000 and 2009 “With this taxpayer money, the United States licensed, paid for and delivered more than 670,903,390 weapons, rounds of ammunition and related equipment to Israel, valued at $18.866 billion.” During that same time period “….the Israeli military killed at least 2,969 Palestinians who took no part in hostilities….Among these fatalities were at least 1,128 Palestinian children less than 18 years of age.”

“These statistics do not include an estimated 1,191 Lebanese who…..were killed by the Israeli military during its July-August 2006 war against Lebanon.”

Peace prize winning Barack Obama said this year he wants to give Israel $3.1 billion!  And I thought we were having economic problems, I guess I was wrong.

“From fiscal year 2000 to 2009, the State Department licensed – and U.S. taxpayers funded – the delivery of more than 595,000 tear gas canisters and other ‘riot control’ equipment to the Israeli military, valued at more than $20.5 million!”

It’s not just Palestinians getting hurt by the tear gas: “On March 13, 2009, 37-year-old U.S. citizen Tristan Anderson was critically injured after an Israeli soldier shot him in the head with a high-velocity tear gas canister in the West Bank village of Ni’lin while he was observing a nonviolent Palestinian protest.  The tear gas canister made a large hole in his forehead, causing brain damage and leaving him largely paralyzed.  On May 31, 2010, 21-year-old U.S. citizen Emily Henochowicz was also struck in the face by a high-velocity tear gas canister fired by an Israeli soldier during a demonstration against Israel’s attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla at the Qalandia checkpoint outside of Jerusalem. She lost her left eye as a result.”

Since 1985, no thanks to Ronald Reagan, the United States ended military aid “loans” to Israel, and instead simply gives the taxpayers’ money away!

“Take, for example, a typical mid-size U.S. city like Ft. Wayne, Indiana (population 254,000), whose residents are responsible for paying an estimated $40.9 million of their federal taxes to finance U.S. military aid to Israel from 2009 to 2018 under the terms of the MOU [2007 Memorandum of Understanding, a pledge of 30 billion of your tax dollars from the U.S. government to Israel]. With that same amount of money, the federal government could instead each year: Provide 497 low-income families in Fort Wayne with affordable housing vouchers; or Retrain 697 unemployed workers in Fort Wayne to enter the green jobs economy; or Teach early reading skills to 1,209 disadvantaged Fort Wayne school children; or Provide basic health care to 33,125 Fort Wayne residents without insurance.”

Now remember that Peace prize winner Barack Obama singed into law NDAA 2012.  U.S. citizens are the target of that one.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Israeli infantry launch another raid kill boy, more Israeli air strikes, Israel condemns U.S., Iran joins Egypt in condemning Israel

“The repeated assaults and aggressions of the Zionist regime’s military men against the defenseless Palestinian people in Gaza… are condemned as war crimes and inhuman acts.”-Iranian Foreign Ministry statement

On March 11, 2012, Israeli infantry raided east of the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza Strip, killing a 15 year old boy, and wounding another.

Also, late Sunday night, early Monday morning, it’s being reported that Israeli airforce F-16 Falcons/Vipers have bombed the same refugee camp, which is north of Gaza city, at least four times.  So far at least two people have been killed (a 65 year old man and his 35 year old daughter), and 25 people have been wounded, including nine children.

Israeli news sources are saying the Egyptian military government tried to warn Gaza that Israel was about to assassinate the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC).  That assassination turned out to be the precursor of this latest round of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

According to the Israeli media, PRC members were able to capture informants who confirmed to Hamas officials that they were paid by Israel to spy on PRC leaders.  The informants also confirmed that Egypt tried to warn of the assassination plot by Israel, the only problem is that the Egyptians gave that warning to the informants who were working for Israel.

Israeli media also reporting that at least 40 rockets have been launched from Gaza, Sunday night.  Several were intercepted over the city of Ashkelon.  Most of the rockets are being launched by Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committee.  Allegedly, Hamas has the most rockets but seems to be holding back.

Arrogant Israeli leaders are calling on the United Nations to condemn the puny rocket attacks from Gaza, so far only a handful of Israelis have been wounded.  Yet Israeli leaders see no problem with the fact they continue to kill hundreds of Palestinians every year!!!

Even more arrogant, Israeli politicians have condemned the Obama Administration’s call for cease fire: “I think that every American should be ashamed of such a statement coming from the administration.”-Danny Danon, deputy speaker of Israel’s Knesset (parliament)

 

 

Fukushima

Corporate Incompetence: TEPCo claims they’ve handed out billions in disaster claims, yet individuals still demand ‘Show me the money!’

On March 11, 2012, Tokyo Electric Power Company officials claimed they’ve handed out $5.4 billion in compensation for the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.

There’s a major problem; almost half the people who’re supposed to be getting that say they’re still waiting for it!

NHK reporting that about 40% of the people who’ve applied for the compensation are still stuck in application limbo.  People say TEPCo is deliberately making the process difficult.

TEPCo didn’t even start paying out compensation until October 2011, when they were finally ordered to by the Japanese government!  If 40% of the applicants are stuck in limbo, then who got that $5.4 billion paid out so far?

International, U.S.

One Year Later: What happened to the farm animals & pets of Tsunami hit Japan?

“When the disasters occurred in Japan, we responded quickly and we continue to help. Much good has been accomplished, but a year later there are still thousands of animals in desperate need. The headlines may have faded away, but the crisis has not. There is still much work to be done and we need good hearted people everywhere to help until all the animals are safe, secure and reunited with those they love.”-Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association

The March 11, 2011, tsunami destroyed many lives, including farm animals and pets.  And just as those humans who survived were made homeless, so were the pets.  The resulting nuclear disaster made things worse.  People who still had their homes were forced to flee the radiation, many pets and farm animals left behind.
The Japanese government said their efforts resulted in only 330 animals being rescued. Some private groups disobeyed government orders, and attempted to rescue the animals, but hundreds still starved to death (there is video on YouTube, it’s disturbing).  One year later the situation for pets is only a little better.

Fukushima, International

One Year Later: Remember Miki Endo, Fujio Koshita, and the dozens of others who lost their lives trying to save others

In one city, Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, there are 26 statues.  They represent the bodies who could not be identified.  1,555 residents of Rikuzentakata died on March 11, 2011.

Al Jazerra Rikuzentakata report.

Visit Foreign Volunteers Japan.

In Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, relief volunteers are still working there one year later.  Before they started yet another day of work, 300 volunteers gave a sunrise prayer for the thousands of missing and dead.

Minamisanriku Town was one of the hardest hit by the tsunami. It’s where Miki Endo stayed at her Disaster Center post blasting evacuation orders over the town’s loudspeaker system, until the tsunami blasted away the three story building she was in.   Watch haunting Japanese video report here: Minamisanriku, hometown of Heroine Miki Endo is becoming Atlantis

But Miki was not alone in that Disaster Center, she had dozens of co-workers as well as her boss, all hoping they could help.

One co-worker was at the hill top Evacuation Center, but he couldn’t bear seeing what was happening and returned to the Disaster Center.  He led many of his co-workers to the top of the three story building, unfortunately the tsunami was four stories tall, and all were killed.

The skeletal remains of the Disaster Center has become a shrine.

Visit savemiyagi.org.

Don’t forget the eight firefighters of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture.  The 57 year old firefighter, Fujio Koshita, rang a warning bell even as the tsunami headed right for him!  Seven other firefighters died helping people get to higher ground.

They say Fujio violated his own rule about personal safety: “Don’t die. Rescuers must stay alive.”

Watch the Brian Barnes video of Otsuchi tsunami. In the video you can see that water levels rose even before the tsunami hit, it caught videographers by surprise.  At 6:20 into the video they realize the city was already flooding.  At 8:00 in the tsunami finally hits, you can hear cracking sounds as buildings break.

Visit otsuchi.org

According to the latest official Japanese government numbers, more than 19,000 people were killed.  Many more are still without permanent places to live.  3,000 people are still listed as missing.  I’m sure there are many dozens of other heroes and heroines that we will never hear about.  But true heroes never die: “…The fireman was brave. I’m proud of him.”-16 year old Kaito Yamasaki

International, U.S.

Government Evil: U.S. soldiers go renegade in Afghanistan shoot into homes, at least 15 women & children killed

“When the Americans are killing civilians intentionally, this is called terror and it is an unforgivable act!“-Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan

On March 11, 2012, U.S. soldiers fired randomly into the homes of Afghans!

Local U.S./NATO/ISAF officials claim it was one renegade U.S. soldier, but witnesses say there were several U.S. personnel firing into houses.  Even the U.S. Ambassador indicated there was more than one shooter: “We assure the people of Afghanistan that the individual, or individuals, responsible for this terrible act will be identified and brought to justice.”

At least 16 people were killed, Afghan President Hamid Karzai says most of them were women and children.

“The so called American peacekeepers have once again quenched their thirst with the blood of innocent Afghan civilians…avenge every single death inflicted by the savage murderer invaders.”-“Taliban” statement

Business/Economics, International, Technology

One Year later: Tourist bus finally removed from top of two story building in Japan

On March 11, 2011, a 17 ton tourist bus was left on top of a two story community hall building, after the tsunami sucked itself back out to sea.

That was in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Honshu, Japan (Nippon).

On March 10, 2012, nearly one year later, the bus was finally removed from the roof.  Many survivors said it was a bad reminder of the tsunami.  The owner of the bus company said the sight of his bus on the roof drove him to swear that he will operate his bus line again.

The bus had been sitting in a garage, 500 meters (1,640 feet) from its resting place, when the tsunami swept it away.  Watch NHK reporter who filmed as she ran from disaster video to see the bus immediately after the tsunami.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence: Pentagon gives multi-million dollar contracts to yet another company that hasn’t paid taxes!

It’s been revealed that Leonie Industries owes the United States $4 million in taxes, yet has been awarded Defense Department contracts worth at least $120 million.

The company is supposed to be providing marketing and media services, as well as intelligence and information operations.

U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Delaware) and Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) have demanded that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta explain how a company that owes taxes gets awarded so many contracts.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No True Economic Recovery: Renowned Economist says this is totally the Banks’ fault, nothing can be done by governments, working class been paying for it, it’s called Deleveraging and it’s a sign we’re in a “Terminal Downturn”!

Steve Keen is Professor of Economics & Finance at the University of Western Sydney, Australia.  He was named by Forbes as the most accurate economic forecaster in this economic disaster.  He received the Revere Award from the Real World Economics Review, also for his accurate predictions. He wrote the book Debunking Economics.

Now in a recent interview with former Wall Street broker, Timothy Maxwell “Max” Keiser, Keen says there is nothing governments can do to save the economy, because it is actually an inherent part of the banking system’s sinister operations!

No amount of tax increases, or government spending cuts (austerity), or government spending increases (Keynesian spending), or even corporate bailouts will help save the economy.  It’s called deleveraging: “The reason it hasn’t worked….this is massive deleveraging. The private sector has borrowed its way into enormous levels of debt over about 40, 50 year period….from owing about half a year’s GDP as the debt level in the 1950s to [owing] three years GDP now!”

I’ve already written about the IMF’s order to continue deleveraging of households (that’s you and me), Keen is saying this is part and parcel of the too big to fail banks policies.

Deleveraging (retracting credit) means the banks try to get rid of their debts.  Those debts include the mortgages and credit cards they’ve issued to the general public.

They deleverage households by calling in your chips, saying pay up now.  It doesn’t matter if you’re credit rating is good or not.  Many of the foreclosures involved people who had never missed payments, even people who had paid off their homes!  And deleveraging attacks corporations as well.

A recent case of deleveraging, involving a major corporation, was the shut down of Air Australia. The airline was shut down when it’s creditors (too big to fail banks) refused to leverage (issue credit) for Air Australia’s fuel purchases.

Steve Keen says the too big to fail banks are now deleveraging everyone because the too big to fail banks became addicted to debt themselves!  This goes back to the 1980s, and includes personalities like Alan Greenspan and Mitt Romney.

Keen says it’s the vulture capitalist mentality that is destroying the country: “…capitalists in euphoric states, and certainly finance capitalists…they borrow money, they gamble on asset prices, they’ll cause a bubble…of course the borrowing is badly thought out, projects don’t work, they’re ponzi schemes in many ways to begin with…you go through periods of ratcheting up levels of debt, until you get to the point that there’s so much debt the system simply can’t cope with it and you go into a terminal downturn, and that’s where we are right now.”

The 1980s saw the beginning of the trend of vulture capitalists, like Mitt Romney, using leverage (loans) to take over companies, carve them up and sell them off.  Not only did it make big money for people like Mitt Romney (while causing millions of U.S. workers to lose their jobs between the 1980s and now) it made big money for the too big to fail banks.

In steps Alan Greenspan.  The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the U.S.  It actually makes money off issuing loans to the too big to fail banks.  So, it is in the interest of the Federal Reserve to keep this game going.  It’s not about jobs at all, it’s about making money purely through loans.

Presidential candidate Ron Paul is correct about the Federal Reserve being part of the problem, because Keen says Greenspan is responsible for what is about to become the biggest depression ever: “…Alan Greenspan turned what would have been a garden variety small depression, back in 1987, into the biggest depression in human history by rescuing the financial industry from each of its mistakes.  Which simply meant that it [finance industry] would go looking for another social class to lend money to, expanding the level of debt…If the central banks hadn’t been trying to rescue us from each of the individual financial crisis we would’ve had a minor depression…we’re now in for the biggest of all time…now we’re dealing with the biggest financial crisis ever, and we can certainly blame the central banks for the scale of it.”

Keen also discovered, while working through his mathematical models, that when the shit hits the fan it’s not the banks and vulture capitalists who pay for the debt they themselves created, it’s the working class: “…So, as the level of debt rose, it wasn’t the capitalists who paid for it, even though they were the ones doing the borrowing, it was the workers in terms of their income share…the ones who are now paying for it through austerity actually are the ones who’ve been paying for it through a lower share of income, not the capitalists….” 

Here’s what Keen had to say about the too big to fail banks: “Having a large financial sector is a sign of a sick economy.”  Because banks represent finance capital and “…finance capital doesn’t make money!”  Keen explained that banks are there to help true industries operate, and make money the old fashioned way, by earning it through providing products or services.  In other words you should not have too big to fail banks making up the majority of your country’s GDP, which is in fact what’s happening in the U.S.

Towards the end of Keen’s interview with Max Keiser, he predicted that Australia’s economy will begin to crash within six to 12 months, and he thinks the Australian government will attempt the same pro-bank, anti-worker, rescue policies as that of the United States.  Keen calls the U.S. policy “…rescuing the parasite [banks, Romney style capitalists, etc] rather than rescuing the host [true industries, working class].”

In the early 1990s Keen came up with an economic model that takes into account vulture capitalist debt financing.  He used mathematical chaos theory to prove what film maker Oliver Stone tried to warn about in his movie Wall Street: Mitt Romney style capitalism doesn’t work, and doesn’t create more jobs in the long run.  Back in 1993 Keen warned that any apparent tranquility caused by the out of control crony capitalist debt financing was actually “…the lull before the storm.” 

Check out debtdeflation.com

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghans attack Bagram again, civilians continue anti-U.S. demonstrations, more foreign fighters captured in Afghanistan

March 10, 2012, “Taliban” claim they’ve launched two rockets against Bagram airfield. As usual the rockets didn’t do much damage.  Bagram is under almost continuous attack from rockets, suicide bombers or other forms of attack.

Hundreds of unarmed Afghans continue to protest the United States.  The latest rally took place in the town of Tagab in Kapisa Province. This comes after a U.S. terror drone attack in the same province earlier in the morning.

March 9, 2012, Afghan officials admitted that U.S. led commandos, from the 9th Commando Kandak, were ambushed by “Taliban”.  It happened on March 6, near Sakharai village, Murghab district.  But this case is a great example of overkill by U.S. led forces.  The commandos were first attacked by only two freedom fighters.  Under the guidance of U.S. troops they called in an air strike, for just two insurgents!

But that only made the locals more angry and six more insurgents showed up! Afghan and U.S. officials say they called in another air strike and killed the six new insurgents.   A second air strike to handle six people?  This makes the Vietnam War look efficient.

On March 8, 2012, U.S./NATO/ISAF officials announced they captured two “Taliban” who were actually from Uzbekistan.  They say both were involved in planning suicide attacks.