Category Archives: U.S.

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN approves military ground mission to Libya

On September 16, the United Nations Security Council approved a ground mission for Libya.  The mission, called Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), is expected to last three months.

Unlike previous UN peacekeeping missions, the key element of the UNSMIL lies in its political nature.

UNSMIL is to assist and support Libyan national efforts in restoring public security and order and promoting the rule of law; undertaking inclusive political dialogue, promoting national reconciliation and embarking upon the constitution-making and electoral process; restoring public service; promoting and protecting human rights; taking the immediate steps required to initiate economic recovery as well as coordinating supports that may be requested from other multilateral and bilateral actors.

UNSMIL will include an estimated 200 political advisers.


 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Greek businessman sets himself on fire, Greek Prime Minister cancels trip to U.S.

On September 16, in a scene reminiscent of what sparked the recent Tunisian Revolution, a Greek man who lost his business set himself on fire.  Police put out the fire and the man is in the hospital.

On September 17, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, suddenly canceled his trip to the United States.  He claims it’s to ensure that all of Greece’s bailout loan commitments are fulfilled.  That doesn’t make sense because those loans just didn’t suddenly materialize, they’ve been in the works for awhile now.  So why the sudden cancellation of his trip to the U.S.?

Some analysts think it’s because Greece is too close to default now: “It’s a sign that things are very tight. Papandreou’s presence is crucial to make sure there are no setbacks with issues that need to be resolved.”-Theodore Krintas, Attica Bank.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Anti Wall Street Demostrations blocked by Police, part of International Day of Rage, the Poles are putting to shame any U.S. protest movement

“You need a scorecard to keep track of all the things that corporations have done that are bad for this country.”-Bill Steyert, 68, Queens, New York

New York Times reporting that Day of Action Against Global Capital (aka Occupy Wall Street) demonstrators are finding some of the routes blocked.

New York City officials decided to block off sections of Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall.

“When you idealize financial markets as salvific you embrace the idea that profit is all that matters. You start thinking only as yourself.”-Dave Woessner, 31, Harvard Divinity School

Protestors are being threatened with arrest, simply because no permits to hold a public demonstration were acquired.

“If you look at history and you look at recent history, ancient history, even the middle road, this is what creates revolution and this is what causes everything.”-Anna Lekas Miller, freelance writer

September 17 was supposed to be marked by protests in the United States and Europe.  Some foreign media are reporting thousands of people across the U.S. are protesting, but most U.S. media is reporting only hundreds (Business Week claims at least 1,000 people around Wall Street).

The people of Poland are putting to shame any U.S. protests; the Washington Post reports that 50,000 people are peacefully protesting in the streets of Wrocław.

 

U.S.

United Police States of America: Former FBI boss, the Pope & Jimmy Carter demand death row inmate be set free

“Serious questions about Mr. Davis’ guilt, highlighted by witness recantations, allegations of police coercion and a lack of relevant physical evidence, continue to plague his conviction.”-William S. Sessions, former FBI Director

Former FBI Director William S. Sessions is joining Pope Benedict XVI, former President Jimmy Carter and thousands of protestors demanding the release of a man about to be executed on September 21, for a murder he didn’t commit.

In a stereotypically racist trial in Georgia, in  1991, the black man was convicted of killing a Georgia cop.  Since then seven of the nine witnesses have changed their stories, and there was no gun or other physical evidence presented!

William S. Sessions served as Director of the FBI under Presidents Ronald Regan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Many people in the U.S. state of Georgia are planning more than 100 protest marches and events: “It becomes less about who did it and less about the search for truth, and more about holding someone accountable, because people of African descent and minorities and people who don’t have money are treated as expendable, it doesn’t matter if we get to the truth.”-Deirdre O’Connor, activist

Business/Economics, U.S.

Dumb Americans! Study says people think new unproven drugs are safer than tried & true older drugs!

Fact: New prescription drugs have a really bad track record regarding safety and effectiveness.

Fact:  Most U.S. citizens think new prescription drugs are safer, and more effective than proven older drugs.

Researchers at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, and the Veterans Administration Outcomes Group, asked people about the difference between benefits and risks of new medications, and old medications.

In one study people were asked about taking a heart disease drug.  41% of those that were not told about side effects picked the newer but less effective drug.  Yet when they were told about the side effects, 71% picked the older more effective drug with less side effects.

In the other study people had to choose between an old heartburn drug, and a new heartburn drug.  The older drug had the better track record, yet only 34% picked the older safer drug when not told about the track records of both drugs.  When told about the safety record of both drugs 53% picked the older drug.

The conclusion of the U.S. studies is that if people don’t know the track record, or side effects of a drug, they automatically assume the newer drug is safer and better!

Also, the studies show that four out of ten U.S. citizens think an FDA approval means the drug is “extremely effective”!  One in four think the FDA would never approve a drug that has bad side effects!  Fact: The FDA constantly approves drugs that have not been fully proven, and have extremely bad side effects!  Look how many approved drugs being advertised today have stated “may cause death” as a side effect!

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

Global Economic War: Bolivia wants Iranian made Farm equipment

The South American country of Bolivia has sent a trade delegation to Iran.  They want the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company to set up shop in Bolivia.

Bolivian officials say they’re impressed with Iran’s industrial advancements, despite all the decades of sanctions from the United States and Europe.

The building of an Iranian tractor factory in Bolivia, is part of the South American country’s agriculture modernization program.

Iran has economic agreements with numerous Latin American countries, like Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Brazil and Ecuador.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. & Australia to join forces in countering cyber attacks from China

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and defense chief Stephen Smith in San Francisco, California, for talks on September 15.

The subject was cyber attacks. Panetta called cyberspace the battlefield of the future, and most of the intensive cyber attacks in the past year are believed to have originated in China.

The new cyber war policy involves putting U.S. troops in Australia, for training purposes.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Out of desperation the European Central Bank will start using U.S. dollars

Starting with the October 12, and then the November 9 and December 7 loan tenders, the European Central Bank will make U.S. dollars available for three-month loans.

The Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank made similar announcements.  This is being done in coordination with the U.S. Federal Reserve (the privately run central bank for the United States).

The European banks will trade their money (Euros, Pounds, Yen and Swiss Francs) for U.S. dollars, for a fixed exchange rate.  This is an attempt to prevent money markets in Europe and Japan from locking up.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Corporate Incompetence: Bridgestone bribed government officials, got caught

The U.S. Department of Justice says Japanese tire maker Bridgestone has agreed to plead guilty to bid rigging, and bribing Latin American governments.

It involves giant hoses used to transfer oil from oil tankers to storage facilities.

The illegal practice of bribing and bid rigging went on for ten years, from 1997-2007.  Bridgestone admitted that it bribed government officials in Mexico and other Latin American countries to secure deals.  They are facing a fine of only $28 million.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

United Police States of Corporate America: Largest corporate prison operator in the pockets of Idaho Republicans

CCA, Corrections Corporation of America, is the largest corporate prison operator in the United States.  CCA is also in the pockets of Idaho Republicans, and a few Idaho Democrats, as shown by 2006 and 2008 election campaign donations (known as the “Sunshine Summary” or “Sunshine Law”).

Recently CCA announced they were settling dozens of lawsuits claiming prison violence, and lack of medical care for prisoners.  One of those prisons is south of Boise, Idaho.  It’s known as “Gladiator School” because of the level of violence, and the fact that prison guards were caught on security cameras just standing around watching as prisoners were beaten for hours.

Is your favorite Idaho Republican/Democrat on the list of CCA donations?

Eric Anderson (R): $250.00 in 2008

Steven R. Bair (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Clifford R. “Cliff” Bayer (R):  $1,550 combined 2006 & 2008

Scott Bedke (R):  $500.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Maxine T. Bell (R):  $1,050 combined 2006 & 2008

Carlos Bilbao (R): $250.00 in 2008

Dianne Bilyeu (D): $250.00 in 2008

Max C. Black (R): $250.00 in 2008

Darrel Bolz (R):  $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Bert Brackett (R): $250.00 in 2008

Joyce M. Broadsword (R): $1,050 in 2008

Mike Burkett (D):  $500.00 in 2006

Dean L. Cameron (R): $750.00 in 2008

Marge Chadderdon (R): $250.00 in 2008

James W. Clark (R): $500.00 in 2008

Denton Darrington (R):  $800.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Bart M. Davis (R): $550.00 in 2006

W.W. “Bill” Deal (R):  $750.00 in 2006

Lawerence E. Denney (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Julie Ellsworth (R): $250.00 in 2008

George E. Eskridge (R): $500.00 in 2008

Debbie Field (R): $250.00 in 2006

Russell M. Fulcher (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Robert L. Geddes (R): $250.00 in 2006

John W. Goedde (R): $500.00 in 2008

Jim Guthrie (R): $500.00 in 2006

Jim Hammond (R): $500.00 in 2008

Phil Hart (R): $250.00 in 2008

R.J. “Dick” Harwood (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Margaret Henbest (D): $300.00 in 2006

Frank N. Henderson (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Brent Hill (R):  $300.00 in 2006

Mike Jorenson (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Kate Kelly (D): $250.00 in 2008

Dirk Kempthorne (R):   $2,500 in 2006

Shawn A. Keough (R):  $1,500 combined 2006 & 2008

Richard D. Kirkham (R): $500.00 in 2006

Steven A. Kren (R): $500.00 in 2008

Raul R. Labrador (R): $250.00 in 2006

Dennis M. Lake (R): $250.00 in 2008

Brad Little (R): $750.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Patti Anne Lodge (R): $1,500 combined 2006 & 2008

Janice McGeachin (R): $500.00 in 2008

John McGee (R): $1,300 combined 2006 & 2008

Shirley McKague (R): $250.00 in 2008

Mike Moyle (R): $1,000 combined 2006 & 2008

Pete Nielsen (R): $300.00 in 2006

C.L. “Butch” Otter (R): $10,000 in 2006

Monty J. Pearce (R): $550.00 in 2006

Ken A. Roberts (R): $250.00 in 2008

John Rusche (R): $250.00 in 2008

Mack G. Shirley (R): $250.00 in 2008

Kathy Skippen (R): $800.00 in 2006

Elaine Smith (D): $250.00 in 2008

Dean E. Sorensen (R): $250.00 in 2008

Joe Stegner (R): $500.00 combined 2006 & 2008

Gerry Sweet (R):  $1,000 in 2006

Richard Wills (R): $250.00 in 2008

Chuck Winder (R): $250.00 in 2008

Fred Wood (R): $500.00 in 2008

Joan E. Wood (R): $250.00 in 2008

Becky Young (R): $250.00 in 2008

Not one Idaho third party candidate took money from CCA!